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Want to re-barrel to 7X57

eric32

Shooting when I can
Silver $$ Contributor
Hey guys this is my first real post, i have a Rem700 with a mcree stock and a rem/savage barrel nut. I am going to be on a deployment for about 10 months. I am planning on going on my first Texas mule deer hunt, i do however already shoot f-open so i do have shooting experience.

I am a always looking for something that not really commonly used, but i just cant find enough info to get a real grasp on what the 7x57 Mauser is capable of doing at distance with today's range of HIGH BC 7mm target/hunting bullets. As well is brass hard to come by? Any type of load data would be awesome, since I might as well put my barrel order in now since turn around is somewhere in the 10+ week range, i have plenty of time.
 
I forgot to mention that i already hand load my own ammo. So that loaded ammo part isnt really a factor. But finding quality brass is, with the extra 1/5 of a inch of case capacity. It just makes the 7 Mauser drive bullets with more velocity I think anyways.
 
eric32 said:
I forgot to mention that i already hand load my own ammo. So that loaded ammo part isnt really a factor. But finding quality brass is, with the extra 1/5 of a inch of case capacity. It just makes the 7 Mauser drive bullets with more velocity I think anyways.

Another consideration is the rated pressure maximum for each of the cases. The 308 derivatives are rated at 60191 psi max while the max pressures for the 7X57 Mauser are between about 51000 and 56000 psi depending on whose standard is used. Some of that may be more to do with the older guns and the brass may be able to do much more in a modern action, but it is something to think about.
 
the 51k-56k is that the pressure rating of modern case? and since in will be chambered in a Remington 700 with a brand name barrel. Wouldn't I be able to run it at 60k pressure that 308win does.

the brass that i have in mind to use with the 7mm mauser is Winchester.
 
That seems like a great idea :D, are any of you loading for the ackley version of the 7 Mauser?

If so, what load are you using?
 
eric32 said:
the 51k-56k is that the pressure rating of modern case? and since in will be chambered in a Remington 700 with a brand name barrel. Wouldn't I be able to run it at 60k pressure that 308win does.

the brass that i have in mind to use with the 7mm mauser is Winchester.

I don't know what the pressure rating of the 7X57 cases is in a modern gun which is why I never built one myself. I thought about a 7X57AI but ended up with a 284 Shehane whicch clearly can push the heavy 7mm bullets into the 2900+ fps range without worrying about pressure. Clearly the people who make loaded ammo commercially are concerned about the strength of some of the older Mausers chambered for the 7X57 and load their ammo to safe pressures for legal reasons. With the prices of raw materials being as high as they are, I wonder if they all will make a case safe for 60000 psi and use it with ammo rated at 51000 or 56000 psi. Maybe someone here will provide some load data and velocities for the 7X57 and the 7X57AI if you post which bullets you'd like to shoot.
 
Hi, We hunt in Texas and my son uses a 7x57. He uses a Barnes triple shock bullet 140 grains and it is very effective. Loads are near maximum from the Barnes manual, and we stay just below max due to hot weather. He hunts wheat fields with most shots between 250 t0 400 yards. The 7x57 is very flat shooting and he does not adjust sights just some hold over. Penetration from this round, with the shot deer head on, bullet entering the chest is usually found near the rump just under the skin, almost full length penetration. A 7x57 ai or possibly an updated 280/7mm express in ai form would work fine. Also there are several Germany 7mm cartridges, see cartridges of the world book for more info. I have tried some of the vld bullets in 7x57 and they work well at longer ranges. Sorry I don't have any hard data but shooting 1/2 a mile is possible with practice(FN 1949rifle open sights).
 
There is a lot of 6mm rem brass that is of high quality, and can be opened to 7mm.

The AI version of the 6mm is super and i believe the 7x57AI would be among the best of the AI

i went 7-08AI and have no negatives as it will drive 140 over 3000 with very good accurcy out of a 24" 9twist bbl

Bob
 
TonyR: would like to go with the 162 AMAX for a LR load and i am not sure as to what type of hunting bullet maybe a nosler ballistic tip of the same grain.

Oldhoward: thanks for all the info i am pretty sure i am settled on the 7X57AI

bheadboy: how you go about opening a 6mm to 7mm never done it before. i think that the 7X57AI will be a awesome round IMO
 
Take a look at information about the 275 Rigby (7x57) which Rigby chambered in the Mauser 98 before WW1. The cartridge is capable of a lot more than is published because so many weaker action rifles were chambered in it.
 
Also Ackley thought the 7mm Ackely was the best of all the cartridges that he treated that way. I use a straight 7mm mauser and have for over 40 years. I've harvested deer out to 400 yds with it. Most were bang flop.
 
Russ i think i am going to take the plunge and order a 7X57AI barrel, and i just found some norma brass 7X57 mauser so its a done deal.

thanks to everyone ill post some pic when i get the rifle done and the load work up
 
my personal experience with norma brass is that it is softer than lapau, rem or win, if you have a pressure problem, try the 6mm brass opened, using the taper expander button on the decaping rod.

Bob
 
bheadboy : thanks for the info on Norma being so soft. Wont that be hard on the brass itself? i am fairly new to ackley fire forming.

dan06: with the 257 Roberts brass what is necessary to make 7X57 brass

Sorry if i keep asking so many questions but i have never altered brass to fit another chamber
 
6mm rem, 257, 7x57, 8x57 are all the same case just different neck size, so they are all usable for these rounds.

you can expand the neck of 6mm, 257 upto 7x57 and size down 8x57 then turn the neck to .013 thickness and all will work, then fireform which ever you use to AI chamber.

the redding expander button will do either the 6mm or the 257, the sizing die the 8x57

softer brass will have the tendance to show pressure sooner, and expand at the base/body junction about 3/8 inch above the base of the case. this causes extraction problems and the use of lower loads to avoid the pressure, brass also does not last as long.

Bob
 

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