7X57 Mauser Mil Mold

[Captain Midnight]

Question to the Gentry:
I have the Lee 135gr. Mold. I would like another 7mm mold that shoots as well in my Mil 7X57's as my 6.5 molds do in my Swedes. Sundog traded some bullets that shot well in my stock Mil rifles. I think that the long Lyman mold might be good, but after reading all the posts in the other threads that discuss same, confusion abounds here at Captain's Central Command. Help this poor old soul.
Which one to choose, Lyman 168 gr gc #287308, Lyman 287405, RCBS 7mm-145 Sil, RCBS 7mm-168?

By the way, since The Captain & Mrs. Midnight are now both retired and free from schedules, if another WinneMucca shoot occurs in '06, we might just journey West from PA to investigate!

Developing ............... Captain

[Buckshot]

...........Capn, I only have two 7mm moulds. The RCBS 7mm-168 was the first one as it was about the heaviest I found. From WW typical alloy with lube & GC they run 172grs. The 2nd mould is the 150gr Lyman Loverin 268405. I bought it specificly for a 1897 Rem RB in 7x57 that had a really worn barrel. The throat and leade ended somewhere under the rear sight and beyond that the lands were rounded.

Cast hard of straight lino the slugs ran 147grs. Just to mention, I was able to glom onto another original Rem RB 7x57 bbl in like new condition. It didn't negate the utility of the Loverin either. Besides a 7x57 Sporter (new barrel) a Brazilian M98/08 and the Rem RB with it's new barrel are the best shooting 7x57's I own. Both have shot either of these slugs to over 2400 fps (caseloads of surp WC872) into sub 1.25" five shot groups at 50 yards.

I'm pretty sure that since a definative bore rider such as the heavy RCBS, and an all body Loverin shoot comparably well, that if your barrel is in good shape, most any 7mm mould that drops a good slug will do just fine. I really should break down and get the Lee 135gr boolit, but the idea of that single cavity is a real turnoff.

................Buckshot

[45 2.1]

Perhaps the best shooter of the molds you listed is the Lyman 287308. I have shot thousands thru the Model 95's. What is really needed is a large medium weight bullet. I posted of one a long time ago that would cast about .289" for the military mausers. Unfortunately, everyone wants a heavy bullet that we can't get in a six cavity mold.

[NVcurmudgeon]

Capt. Midnight, I have a 287308 that casts .289" X .276". I also was able to get a .287" nominal sizer die, which finishes up WW+2% tin bullets at .2875". This is all to the good, as groove dia. of my 1895 Chileno is .287". IIRC, weight is 168 gr. I "worked up" a good load about thirty years ago by cleverly using a sensible looking load from an old Lyman book. A bullet inserted into the muzzle (thumb push fit) engraves about the rear .280" of the .560" nose. IMO the mental giant who made the decision to discontinue this mould should be confined in a prison at hard labor, say casting .22 bullets from curdled zinc-contaminated alloy. PM me for a sample if you want. Who knows, maybe Dan at Mountain Moulds could clone it!

[C1PNR]

I see Midway still advertises the Saeco 073, the 165 gr, in a 4 cavity ($112 Retail and ~$97 Dealer) on a "special order - 90 days" - basis. And I think the 071, 160 gr, is about the same price.

I haven't shot any of these, but they do look good.:) Does anyone have any experience shooting either one?

[7s&8s]

Captain, Have not developed strong opinion as yet. If I really scratch, maybe I'd rank mine: Lyman 287641, RCBS 168, RCBS 145, Lyman 287346. Have not yet tried Saeco 145 loaned by Onceabull. Write if you'd like some samples. Need and excuse to fire up the lead pot.... Tom

[Trailblazer]

I have the Saeco 071. My mold casts a bit undersize and light in WW. Under 150 gr. IIRC. It fits my 7-08 fairly well and shoots decent. It doesn't do as well in my TC 7-30 Waters as it is more undersize for that gun and the TC also has a long throat. It is a bore rider with a short bearing length. I don't have a 7x57 but I hear that 7x57's have long throats and I would not expect the 071 to do well in a long throated rifle.