Loading for 7X57 No.1

[Buckeye Bill]

Hello,

Started loading for my "A" model in 7X57.

I have been getting about 2 inches at 100 with Superformance Hornady factory ammo. 139 SST.

I loaded some of the same 139 Grain SST this weekend on top of some IMR 4350. COL 3.000

I will test these out these week. I have a collection of factory ammunition ranging from 140 to 175 grain to make comparisons.

Reading on the topic makes me believe that I might need to start looking at some heavier bullets with the 9.5 twist rate of the Ruger barrel.

Anyone out there have any experiences loading for the No.1 in 7X57?

Mine is one of the Boddington Series and it has not seen much use thus far.

Looking forward to any information that is out there.

Bill

 

[johnyakima]

My No. 1A in 7x57 from 1979 I believe has a 1:8.75 twist barrel. I have followed Nathan's
recommendation and now reload using a Hornady 162 A-Max bullet. I use either
IMR 4350 or IMR 4064 powder. Both give me adequate accuracy. My coal
is 3.094". Several years ago I made a one-shot kill on a spike bull elk with
my 7x57 using a Hornady 140 grain SST. So far that is the only game taken
with my 7x57. I use my No. 1A in 6.5x55 to take a deer every year. Both
are a joy to shoot and own.

 

[Rick Taylor]

I have been reloading for mine for several years now. Mine is an older rifle with a long throat and it does like heavier bullets better. I use 50 gr. of IMR4831 and hornady 154 gr. spire points which chronos at 2725fps, gives easy extraction and reliable groups of 1- 1.25 inches. Its the nicest rifle in a deer blind!! Good luck with yours.

 

[Tnhunter]

I've had good luck with the Sellier & Bellot 173gr SPCE load in my red pad #1A in 7X57.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Thanks for the replies!

I took mine out and test fired several different type of factory ammunition this week to get a feel for what my A model likes. I must have fired 50 rounds over 3 days and none of the offerings in 139 to 145 would group well in my rifle.

Compared the Hornady 139 grain Superformance to the some old Winchester Western super X 175 grain round nose.





Does not like the Hornady 139 grain Superformance! Stringed them 6 inches all over the place.



Likes the Super X 175 grain soft point!







Seems to like the 160 plus grain bullets will be my direction for reloading.

A friend found some 160 grain Sierra Spitzer Boat Tail soft point bullets.

Will be loading those this weekend.

Bill

 

[johnyakima]

Try going to Terminal Ballistics Research. It's a small
firm in New Zealand with lots of useful information on
various calibers, including 7x57.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

johnyakima,

I stumbled across this web site while searching for information and it is very informative.

http://www.ballisticstudies.com/

One interesting note about the Winchester Western Super X is it's COAL: 3.050.

Everything else I have been shooting is coming in at COAL: 3.000 or less.

Located some 175 grain Hornady round nose. More bullets to test! 8)

Bill

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Each time I take my 7X57 No.1 out and shoot it I learn something new. I have been chasing a dependable load for this rifle and I have been convinced that the gun would like the heavier loads. I have shot 139 through 160 grain loads and I have learned that the gun strings groups vertically.

It took me reading another post on another topic to start thinking about the effects of heat on the rifles groups.

The first two shots of just about everything I have shot will produce at least an inch at 100. In some cases, much better than an inch. First two shots.

As I continue shooting the third shot opens up vertically and number four and five are way high. 5 to 6 inches higher than the first couple of rounds.

This gun seems to be especially subject to stringing higher as it heats up.

I have noted this in my 30-06 A model but it is not nearly as bad.

I can shoot my 223 and 308 B models in sessions that include 10 rounds in 5 minutes and I have not noted this type of change in point of impact as the rifle heats up.

So, I guess I will adjust my zeroing methods.

Two shots should be all I would ever need for a deer hunt.

Bill

 

[338reddog]

I use H414 and 140 grain sierra bullets in my 77s. My experience with both #1s and 77s s that the majority like forend pressure and a lot of it. My #1 B 257 Roberts started out as a 3 in plus rifle I drilled and tapped the forend hanger for a pressure screw and relieved parts of the forend as recommended by Ross Seifried. The gun now shoots .75 to just under an inch.

I would try this method with your most promicing load. At the range remove the forend and make a small wedge to fit in between the barrel and end of the forend hanger as you shoot groups tap the wedge in until you find the sweet spot, this will help you determine if more pressure is needed. If this works I can show you where I bedded and where I relieved wood in the forend. So far I have never had ruger that I cant get to shoot nice groups.

Jeff

 

[Big Old Boy]

MY #1rsi shoots the 139 super performers at under 1in. At 100 yrs I may just be lucky.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Mine will too. First two shots. After that, will see point of impact climb about 1.5 inches. Got to keep this rifle on the cool side to get good groups. 4 to 5 minutes between shots or the group will grow vertically.

Bill

 

[chuck]

Very Interesting reading, I have been shooting, reloading, and working on forearm on my #1 in 7x57 for about 2 years now still Acc is BAD meaning 3" at 100 yards, I have 3 other #1s that shoot great all in larger calibers 45-70, 375H&H, 416 Rem Mag. Did a lot of work on the forearm this winter have not got out to try it yet also loaded up several different bullet weights from 140 to 160, almost forgot I installed a HICKS ACCUCISER

 

[Paul B]

"Located some 175 grain Hornady round nose. More bullets to test!"

You may be in luck. Try 44.0 gr. of W760 for 2400 at 44.500 C.U.P. THat's the load Winchester has in their loading booklet. I tried it in three different rifles chambered in 7x57. My notes aren't handy but IIRC I got some around 2350 FPS in my #1A. accuracy right around one inch, again if memory serves. I load for three different rifles in 7x57 and I shot that load in all three rifles. It is a good one even if it's not all that fast. Remember, the 7x57 made it's reputation with 175 gr. bullets in the 2200 to 2300 FPS range. Interesting thing is my custom Mauser with 23" barrel was about 100 FPS faster than the #1 or the Winchester M70.
I see you're in Buckeye. If you get down to Tucson sometime, bring that #1 and we'll see if we can work something out.
FWIW, I also have a load with the 40 gr. Nosler Ballistic tip that seems to shoot quite well in my #1 but is too hot for the Mauser.
One that 175 gr. load I mentioned, it's in Winchester brass with standard Winchester primer.
Paul B.

 

[PAShooter]

I'll be using some of the loading information provided by Real Guns on the Ruger #1 RSI in 7x57. Picking up a reloading die today, my first 7x57. I'll report my findings as soon as I am able.

 

[Paul B]

I just died my last post because of a typo. Now the velocity received from my #1A is correct.
Paul B.