7 x 57 with 1 in 10 twist

[Coppershot]

Mates,

I have a 700 Mountain Rifle (walnut) in 7 x 57 with a 1 in 10 twist. It is a re-barrel (Douglas Premium), action is squared. 120 gr. Nosler BT's shoot great, as do Hornady interlock 139's. I recently loaded some 162 gr. VLD Hunting Bergers. It occurred to me afterwards that they might be a little heavy for a 1 in 10. (I've got a 280 and so can load the rest of the Bergers for it, if need be) Are they a non-starter, or should I just go to the range and find out?

Thanks

[hagar]

Well I shot some of those 162 Bergers out of a 7mm/08, and they worked great at 500 yards. Actually HAMMERED the steel plates we were shooting at, range guy told me "no magnums". But it's NOT a magnum..

But I'm not sure what my twist is..

[jmr40]

According to this link you are borderline.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

The difference as I understand it is that the BC on the bullet may not be as accurate with a borderline twist rate. Accuracy should be fine, but if you run the numbers through a ballistics calculator the drops may not be quite as accurate as they would be with an ideal twist. Unless you need extreme accuracy at extreme range I think you'll be fine.

They recommend a 1:9.25 as ideal. I'd load 'em and shoot 'em.

[Wyosmith]

1-9.5" is what I had in my 7X57.
I used 175 grain bullets a lot, and they were wonderful and very accurate.

A 1/2 inch slower twist is going to be fine.

[michaelcj]

My 7x57 is built on an 03A3 action with a Douglas 1:9.5 twist.

I haven't tried anything lighter than 139 and so far heaviest is 160. all shoot MOA and the groups for different weight groups are separated by less than 3".

[Coppershot]

Thank you all very much. I am woods hunting so maximum shots are 100 yards. Under 50 yards is more likely.

[Scorch]

I have shot 7X57 for the past 40 years, and twist rate in rifles I have owned ranged from 1:8,3" to 1:10", and they all shot just fine with bullets ranging from 100 gr to 175 gr.

[T. O'Heir]

"...might be a little heavy..." It won't make much, if any, difference. Typical 7mm Mauser rifling in 1 in 9. 1 in 9.25 for stuff like 7mm-08's.
Remington use 1 in 9.25 for 7mm Mag. 1 in 9.5 for the RUM.

[HiBC]

Try them! Just maybe load 20 vs 100 to start.

Remember the twist rate is more about bullet length than weight. Those Bergers are long,skinny javelins. They may require a tighter twist than something like a flat base Nosler Partition .....or the classic old 175 gr round nose.
I'll bet the 150 gr Nosler BT works great.They may have an Accubond version.
Maybe RE-19?

Of course,you won't have the BC of the Berger.

Post 6,you say max range 100 yds? If you can count on that,the 175 gr round nose is shorter than a sleek spritzer boat tail,so it can do with less twist.

I have no experience with the Berger VLD on game.I have read mixed reviews. Some say they are devastating.

But at 7x57velocities,for 100 ys use,that old cup and core, 175 gr blunt roundnose bullet will make some meat.Its been doing it a long time.
Cheaper,too. You are right,your 280 is maybe a better use of the Berger.

[old roper]

Berger does not make 162gr 7mm bullet, they make 168gr

http://www.bergerbullets.com/products/all-bullets/

The Berger7mm 168gr VLD I have are 1.450" long and the Hornady 162gr ELD-X is 1.480" long.

[std7mag]

Roper is correct. Berger makes a 168gr, not a 162gr.

My experience with the Berger VLD Hunting both 140gr, 168gr, are that they like to be loaded long. Just off of the lands.

If the 139gr Hornady's work for you, why not just use them?

As an aside, i also shoot the 150gr Nosler ABLR in my 7mm-08AI, 7mm Rem Mag and doing load development for 284 Win. Advertised G1 BC of .611.

[Coppershot]

Thank you for correcting me. The Bergers are 168 not 162. And thanks for all the replies.

[gunman5646]

I've got an an old Ruger model 77(tang safety) in 7X57, have no idea what rate of twist it has, but it will group under a inch at 100 yds with Sierra 140 gr boattails at 3100 fps.
One of my favorite rifles for deer sized game.

[GeauxTide]

For 100 yard deer shots, standard cup and core will be great. 154 Hornadys have always shot better in my 280 and 7mmRM. I also just developed a 150gr Corelokt 280 load at about 2700 for woods ranges. Prints in one hole.

[Paul B.]

Twist rates on the 7x57 have run from 1 in 8.5" to 1 in 10" from what I've been able to find. Dunno what Ruger used but my custom Mauser has a 1 8.5" according to my gunsmith. Not sure what the M70 Featherweight has but i'm thinking 1 in 10" most likely. I wish I could find out for sure. I know the 150 gr. Nosler ABLR is a long skinny bullet and it does not shoot worth spit in the #1 and M70. Have yet to try it in the Mauser.

Frankly, I kind of go along with the idea of a 175 gr. round nose for 100 to 150 yards shots. They can be loaded slightly faster in a modern sporting rifle and I think that with a proper powder, 2500 to 2550 FPS might be safely doable. As a matter of fact, I'm also thinking Re17 just might be the ticket. Still, the 7x57 made it's reputation with a 175 gr. round nose bullet at 2300 FPS plus or minus 50 FPS depending on whose report you read.

FWIW, I'm trying to find a 160 Grand Slam load for my 7x57 Mauser to use on an upcoming elk hunt. I have to be careful with that rifle as it shows pressures much faster the the #1 and M70. A set of test loads to duplicate the original 1892 load of 2300 FPS shot just fine in the #1 and M70 with excellent accuracy. The Mauser on the other hand delivered 2450 FPS, a substantial increase. Even Winchester factory 145 gr. Power Points put out almost 100 FPS over advertised velocity. I'm looking for a solid 2600 FPS+ as the average of shots I've had where I hunt run at 225 yards. Closest was 100 and longest 350. If the 160's don't work out I'll use the 150 gr. Nosler Partitions.
Paul B.

[Scorch]

FWIW, I have used bullets around 140-150 gr for most of my hunting with the 7X57 for over 40 years. The Speer Grand Slams, while accurate, are designed for much higher velocities than you will achieve with the 7X57, and will act like a FMJ (personal experience). The Hornady 139 gr SP, the 140 gr Nosler Partitions, and the Sierra 140 gr SBT Game Kings all performed well on game animals. The Speer 145 gr Hot Cor never expanded reliably, so I quit using them.

I recently picked up some Nosler ABLR 150 gr on sale and loaded them, and had a fun time trying to get them to shoot adequately. They are accurate enough but have to be loaded to 3.35" COAL in order to be close enough to the lands for decent accuracy.

As far as the 175 gr RN, I never liked them, although I tried the Hornady 7mm 175 gr SP with decent result. I liked the lighter recoil and flat trajectory I got from the lighter bullets instead.