Proper bullet selection for my Venezuelan FN49, 7x57

[rattletrap1970]

Hello all,

Wasn't exactly sure where to post this, but this seemed right.

I have a mid number Venezuelan FN49 chamebred in 7x57 of course. I plan on using this rifle in 200 yard highpower rifle matches next summer.

I cerrocasted the muzzle end of the barrel and got .2875 land/.2775 bore. I was looking at NOE molds for a 5 cavity loverin style 7mm mold. My question is, should I get this mold in .286, .287, or .288? I see there is also a "Hunter" style bullet. Does anyone have any experience with both of these bullets and is there any benefit of one over the other in my application?

Also an explanation as to why you would choose what you chose would be helpful so I can understand what I'm looking for in the future for other molds.

Thanks a bunch.

Rich

[MtGun44]

You want a .002 or .003 larger boolit (compared to groove diam) as a general rule in rifles, although
sometimes only .001 larger will work well. So, you need minimum of .2885 and .2895 or even
.2905 should be fine. Go bigger, for sure.

Bill

[rattletrap1970]

I'm gonna slug it again, because all the dies I see for 7mm aren't even close. They stop at .288.. I'm pretty sure I measure everything right, but I'll check again.

[PS Paul]

Not uncommon for Mausers to be quite oversize in that caliber. My most-favored caliber, I might add, I happened upon a mold that casts at about .289 for my old Chilean that slugs at .287. Trouble was finding an appropriate sizing die, so I just shoot 'em with a gas check added after I "hand-lube" 'em. Suppose I'll find a correct sizing die one of these days......

MT offers sound advice on .001 to .002 over groove measurements. My boolit is a bore-riding style. I am planning on a Loverin-style as my next mold for the gun at about 175 gr. or so. I've found in the Mausers that a heavier boolit tends to shoot better in THAT caliber.

Don't know if this helps, but it's my .02 FWIW.

[Larry Gibson]

British/US diameter for 7mm groove diameter is .284. European groove diameter is .286 - .287. Your M49 is not "oversize" as such, it is just made to European standards. I suggest the Loverin style at .288 if the bearing length is not greater than the base of the chamber neck to the leade. Such a Loverin design at .287 - .288 has proven the most accurate in numerous 7mm of European groove diameter that I tested cast bullets in.

BTW; you may have to hone out your seater die or use a one caliber larger seater.

Larry Gibson

[PS Paul]

Larry, I recall reading in a Castpics article you wrote that you did that very thing and used a 7x57 seating die in a 6.5x55 project. I did the same thing and it worked like magic in my Swede '96!

Many thanks. again!

[jjnpg317]

In a 1893 Spanish Mauser , used a LBT 160 SP at .287 and got very good results. Then ordered NOE 288407 150 grain which dropped at .289 and 148 grains. Opened up a Lyman sizing die from .285 to .287 with Emery cloth. NOE shot very well at 100 yards with 25.5 grains IMR4895 with Dacron filler. Both boolits had to be seated way out there in neck of case. Causal shooter and results have been good.

[fa38]

I have the NOE 150 Hunter that casts .287 on the bands and .276 on the nose. It shoots very well in both of my 7mm Mausers. Both of my rifles have like new bores and slug at .285. or at most a half thou larger and the sizing die sizes to .2865 If I am reading the caliper right.
An 1895 Chileno Mauser and a 1909 Argentine Mauser.