Ruger 7x57

[mortre]

I have a Ruger M77 (Tang Safety) that has been altered sense it left the factory. I know it left the factory as a M77R, but now is closer to an RSI/International. I have always assumed it had the standard 1-8.75" twist that I believe has always come in 7x57 because the barrel has the Ruger "read the manual" stamp on it.

I decided to measure it tonight and was surprised. Best I have been able to measure it using a jag and patch was 1-10" give or take. Either way a far cry from what I expected.

The barrel is 20" and the distance from the bolt to the rifling is 2.551" according to my calipers and COAL gauge. 1.75 revolutions running the jag and patch through. I repeated it 5 times with the same result. So 20"-2.551"/1.75=10ish inches. Did I do something wrong? Did Ruger ever make 7x57's with a 10 twist from the factory?

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[Larry Gibson]

The original M77s were supposed to have 9 1/2" twists so your measurements are close.

Larry Gibson

[HARRYMPOPE]

My old tang saftey 77 is 9.5.

[mortre]

Well, I guess that sheds a little light on the subject.

However all this came about do to my attempt to make a impact/lead chamber cast, which was a total failure... not going to try that again anytime soon.

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[fatnhappy]

My tang safety 7-08 is also 9.5

shoots exceedingly well too

[mortre]

Explains why it shot better with 120 TTSX's than 175 spire points LOL. I was able to get it to shoot well with 175 RN's though. Might try putting a scope on it, but I don't want to mess up the lines or balance. Any suggestions? Slower twists are better for cast also aren't they?


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[Ben]

Explains why it shot better with 120 TTSX's than 175 spire points LOL. I was able to get it to shoot well with 175 RN's though. Might try putting a scope on it, but I don't want to mess up the lines or balance. Any suggestions? Slower twists are better for cast also aren't they?


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That is certainly a nicely figured butt stock on that rifle.
Very Nice !

Ben

[mortre]

I wish I knew who did the work. It's obviously not the M77R as it shipped from the factory. They did put a nice stock on it, luckily not nice enough to keep it in the safe though =p.

It's been troublesome to load for though, even with jacketed. I've found quite a few bullets that clear the case before engaging the rifling. Probably why the previous owner sold it.

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[1Shirt]

Mine is a 9 1/2, and is my go to rifle. Has accounted for 10 head of african game, 2 elk, and I think 5 deer. Likes heavier blts, from 150 and up. Would probably be the last rifle I would willingly part with!
1Shirt1

[mortre]

Mine does reasonably well with 175 RN's (H4895 and H4831sc). Sprayed 175 spire points all over the target (H4831sc), along with 154 RN's (H4895). I've had my best groups with 120TTSX's (H4895). Those I just loaded as a joke more than anything. They were .285" off the lands :what: with only one "groove" seated in the case... If I ever scope it I will probably go back to that load.

I have more jacketed 7mm bullets than you can shake a stick at, so I will keep putzing around with it until I find something I really like. It's still my hunting rifle. I can turn in 4-5" groups at 200 yards with the 175 RN's and H4985. Good enough to get the job done at that range.

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[MtGun44]

I found that with Barnes triple shock 140s it is super accurate with normal load LOA, and
it also really likes the 160 Partition, loaded WAY, WAY out. Did I mention really LONG LOA? ;-)

Bill

[PS Paul]

Man, that's a beauty in one of my favorite calibers of all time! My milsurp's do best with the heavier bullets, but I have often felt a stronger/more modern design= with a light-bullet-appropiate twist- might be best for today's lighter and more efficient projectiles.

Have you tried any 4350 powders with bullets in the 140 gr. range?

[MtGun44]

I use W760 and get much better results than with 4350.

Bill

[PS Paul]

[QUOTE=MtGun44;1849036]I use W760 and get much better results than with 4350.

I have, for some reason, held on to "nostalgia" with the 7 x 57

and haven't branched out much, but I suppose I am looking for reasons to try other powders.

Bill, do you have a particularly "pet/favorite" load with 760?

[mortre]

I haven't tried 4350 or 140's yet, but I have H-4350 and 140 TTSX's on the bench. I was thinking of trying that combo next year.

Right now I'm really enjoying lobbing the big slow bullets with iron sights though. =p

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[PS Paul]

4350 is really the only powder I have EVER used in 7x57 for 25+ years. Just happened that way. I have been remiss in not trying other powders/recipes. I can't say I've been getting spectacular results either.

This is going to change immediately.

[mortre]

I've always had good luck with H-4895 with just about everything. Don't usually get top velocities, but accuracy and shot-to-shot consistency is usually good.

In my 7x57 load the case is only about 75% full and it's still consistent.

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[HABCAN]

My 7x57's eat 42.5 - 45.5 grs. WW760 and like it for common jacketed bullet weights.
Goto load for all cast is 18.0 grs. IMR4227.

[UBER7MM]

Mortre,

IMHO: H4895 is in the right range. IMR-4320 is my go to powder for 7mm 'j' words. For both 'j' words & cast 1/9.5 twist barrel stabilizes a 150-160 grain bullet well. 1/10, not so well. 140 grains for them.

7x57 is a great cartridge. It's under rated.

I hope this helps,

[390ish]

I have an older No. 1 in 7x57. Believe it has a 9.5:1 twist. The only j word boolits I have shot through it have been Hornady 175 RN. It won't stabilize the spire points. I use RL-22 and it is great. The rifle was a dog before I had Hicks Accurizer installed and now it is a champ. Firelapping really worked well on this rifle. The only fouling I get is carbon and it cleans up easily. You might want to try the 175 RN and RL-22. It puts deer to sleep.

[Lefty SRH]

I bought a No.1 RSI in 7x57, I think the Mannlicher stock is just eye candy. I feel I got lucky with mine as it will shoot MOA with Speer 145 HotCores pushed by 50.0gr of IMR 4350. That load came with the rifle. I personally like heavier bullets/boolits and may have stumbled on a 175gr Speer Mag Tip accuracy over 43.0gr of IMR 4350. I have some more loaded and ready to test again. I am having a really hard time getting her to shoot any cast boolit so far, but I'm not giving up on her yet. I also want to try some 175gr RN jackets at some point also.
By the way, does H-4350 and IMR 4350 interchange with out issue? What the difference in the 2 powders.
IMR 4895 is also on my to try list once I find a can.