7x57 A.I.
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Ahhh, one of my favorite cartridges!!
Best load developed for a custom Brazilan M1908 Mauser was the 162 Gr Hornady BTSP at 3.080" COAL. - 2907 fps
51.5 gr VV N550 powder
CCI BR2 primer
Remington cases fireformed to AI configuration.
2nd best was
160 gr Nosler Partition @ 3.160" COAL - 2923 fps
51.5 gr VV N550
BR2 primer
Remington cases fireformed to AI configuration
These were hunting loads developed for mule deer and elk. Might be a bit heavy for whitetail, antelope, etc. As always, you should NEVER rely on internet offered loads without reducing a good 10% and working up as you watch for pressure signs. These loads worked well for my rifle, however, every rifle is a rule unto itself.
I also have hand loads running from 140 gr bullets to 175 gr, if interested. You can PM (Private Message) me for more. No need to clutter up the board with them.
Best load developed for a custom Brazilan M1908 Mauser was the 162 Gr Hornady BTSP at 3.080" COAL. - 2907 fps
51.5 gr VV N550 powder
CCI BR2 primer
Remington cases fireformed to AI configuration.
2nd best was
160 gr Nosler Partition @ 3.160" COAL - 2923 fps
51.5 gr VV N550
BR2 primer
Remington cases fireformed to AI configuration
These were hunting loads developed for mule deer and elk. Might be a bit heavy for whitetail, antelope, etc. As always, you should NEVER rely on internet offered loads without reducing a good 10% and working up as you watch for pressure signs. These loads worked well for my rifle, however, every rifle is a rule unto itself.
I also have hand loads running from 140 gr bullets to 175 gr, if interested. You can PM (Private Message) me for more. No need to clutter up the board with them.
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You don't need any loading data other then what published for 7x57 mauser. start with modest loads and work your way up while watching for the typical pressure indicators, until you have the speed and accuracy that suits you. This is one of the truly great rounds. I just finished building one and am anxiously awaiting a pig shoot in two weeks from now. unfortunatly I won't have fully explored it's potential before the hunt. I had been shooting a .280 AI. Thats a nice round but I realy don't need the extra speed. I stamped mine .275 RIGBY A.I. cause I'm a Geek
i'm a Geek
i'm a Geek
One of the challenges, and joys, of a wildcat, is that you have to do some homework to reload for it. I would suggest that you reload for a standard cartridge, if you have one, as practice. However, as an AI round, some would argue that it isn't a wildcat, just an "improved" version of a standard offering. Either way, if there isn't much book data for it, especially with modern bullets, then you have the challenge of figuring out what powders to use, and how much. As ShotgunSmith wisely stated, just start with 7X57 data and work up, watching for signs of pressure.
Is yours a Mauser 98 action, or something else?
thank you for your response. I was told it is a commecial mauser action, Barrel is stamped 7x57 ack w/ R Hinman below. has a design and action- made in belgum stamp on the right side of action. there is also a design on the bolt lever but i cant make out exactly what it is. i was told the stock is by Dick Warring. i have googled these names and come up w/ nothing. my dad bought this rifle about 25 years ago, shot it once and gave it to me last year. It is a beautiful rifle, and shoots 1'' groups @ 100yrds w/ factory federal ammo. I just feel i am not doing the gun or the maker justice settling for good groups. i believe it is capable of much more.
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718 Posts
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Hello kdub,
That's some impressive loads. Are they for the 7X57 AI or the 280 AI? I have found that H414 works great with 150/160/162 gr bullets in my regular non-AI 7X57.
These were for the Brazilan Mod 1908 Mauser that was rechambered to 7x57 Ack Imp. Still had the original military barrel with the long throat, even after rechambering. Never could get any where near the lands when bullets were seated to clear the magazine, so there was somewhat of a "Weatherby" effect with bullet jump.
Took an elk and several deer with the rifle until the bore got sorta dark. Had it rebarreled to 6.5-06 and haven't looked back. All the accumulated brass is turned into 6.5x257 Robt's AI, for a customized Swede.
Took an elk and several deer with the rifle until the bore got sorta dark. Had it rebarreled to 6.5-06 and haven't looked back. All the accumulated brass is turned into 6.5x257 Robt's AI, for a customized Swede.
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718 Posts
kdub,
Thanks for the info. Now I understand. You have effectively increased power capacity by seating the bullet so far out of the case. The short-necked 7x57 Gibbs may even hold more powder. However, a 160 gr Nosler Partition at 2923 fps will do anything that needs to be done anywhere on earth.
Thanks for the info. Now I understand. You have effectively increased power capacity by seating the bullet so far out of the case. The short-necked 7x57 Gibbs may even hold more powder. However, a 160 gr Nosler Partition at 2923 fps will do anything that needs to be done anywhere on earth.
The 7x57 AI was one of my first wildcats...I rechambered a 7x57 Ruger. The problem was it was originally throated for the long 174gr bullets PLUS so I never could get it to shoot anything lighter with any accuracy...it just refused to shoot the 120 - 140 gr bullets.
Not to pour water on wildcatting the 7x57, but in todays world there are several much better cases to use, but since it is already done it will work for just about ANY game on the face of the earth...remember "Pondoro" Taylor...he is reported to have killed hundreds of elephant with solids in the 6.5 and 7x57. I LIKE the 7mm caliber and made/bought/traded etc at least 30 rifles over the years plus doing tons of experiments on standard and wildcat 7mm's.
Reloading...Follow what has been said...start with standard 7x57 load and work up slow. Spending a few bucks on a chronograph will go a long way in easing the trauma of a novice reloader.
If the rifle was built that many years ago, WAY PRIOR to the internet, you might have a hard time finding the gunsmith and he may have joined the "Great Guild" by now. R. Hinman might be Rex Hinman, 1920 - 2008...don't know if it is the same R. Hinman...but he was well known and respected in the gunsmithing arena.
In any event you probably have a very fine rifle on your hands and are starting out on the long, fun road of reloading. Take it slow, learn all you can, read everything you can get your hands on, and crawl the net, but before you take ANY information you find on the net as gospel check it out with several other reliable sources...you don't want any surprises. Kdub and shotgunsmith both said a mouthfull.
Luck
Not to pour water on wildcatting the 7x57, but in todays world there are several much better cases to use, but since it is already done it will work for just about ANY game on the face of the earth...remember "Pondoro" Taylor...he is reported to have killed hundreds of elephant with solids in the 6.5 and 7x57. I LIKE the 7mm caliber and made/bought/traded etc at least 30 rifles over the years plus doing tons of experiments on standard and wildcat 7mm's.
Reloading...Follow what has been said...start with standard 7x57 load and work up slow. Spending a few bucks on a chronograph will go a long way in easing the trauma of a novice reloader.
If the rifle was built that many years ago, WAY PRIOR to the internet, you might have a hard time finding the gunsmith and he may have joined the "Great Guild" by now. R. Hinman might be Rex Hinman, 1920 - 2008...don't know if it is the same R. Hinman...but he was well known and respected in the gunsmithing arena.
In any event you probably have a very fine rifle on your hands and are starting out on the long, fun road of reloading. Take it slow, learn all you can, read everything you can get your hands on, and crawl the net, but before you take ANY information you find on the net as gospel check it out with several other reliable sources...you don't want any surprises. Kdub and shotgunsmith both said a mouthfull.
Luck
I am also working on developing loads for my 7x57 AI. I have been using Speer 160 grain bullets for fireforming and am very happy with the accuracy. My rifle is a Win Model 70 Classic LA former 30-06 with a rechambered 7mm-08 barrel. With the long action, I can seat bullets a little longer and hope to achieve similar results to those already posted by kdub. I am fireforming with not quite max modern rifle manual 7x57 loads.
.260AAR a la 6.5x257AI
I have one of these and it is a joy to shoot and very accurate. Which powders have you got the best accuracy with? Which for velocity? I know you like the VV powders, but I don't have any of the slower #'s. Mine likes RL22 and 19 and IMR4831 for bullets 120g and up.
If you're talking of the 6.5x257 AI, I'm using IMR 4350 with the Hornady 129 gr SST bullet. This isn't a powerhouse load, averaging a comfortable 2780 fps, but is is very accurate in the particular rifle.
The 6.5-06 is loaded with the same bullet and H4831SC.
The 6.5-06 is loaded with the same bullet and H4831SC.
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61 Posts
7x57 AI
I get 2830 fps with a 140 Partition out of a 22 inch barrel in the 7x57 in its original configuration, the AI improved cartridges are good for a little more velocity, game won't know the difference between 2800 fps and 2950 fps.
I get 2830 fps with a 140 Partition out of a 22 inch barrel in the 7x57 in its original configuration, the AI improved cartridges are good for a little more velocity, game won't know the difference between 2800 fps and 2950 fps.
Ah, but - 303
Having an Ackley Improved chambering means you have something that isn't just run-of-the-mill. Better case life, better chamber conforming with the sharper shoulder and less tapered body, more capacity and as you mention, more velocity.
I'm sure the game animal isn't going to fret over an extra 150 fps coming his/her way, but sure makes the guy behind the scope feel he's gone the extra mile to have an effective hunting cartridge.
Having an Ackley Improved chambering means you have something that isn't just run-of-the-mill. Better case life, better chamber conforming with the sharper shoulder and less tapered body, more capacity and as you mention, more velocity.
I'm sure the game animal isn't going to fret over an extra 150 fps coming his/her way, but sure makes the guy behind the scope feel he's gone the extra mile to have an effective hunting cartridge.
Who's to say that 150fps of difference won't help when a heavy bone is hit or the animal quarters away just as you shoot? Better question than asking why, is "why not?". Driving a bullet faster gives it more energy and a flatter trajectory. Even if it's only a marginal improvement, it's kinda hard to argue against that, isn't it?
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