A good day with my 7 X 57

[Ben]

I've been shooting several different 7 mm cast bullets in my new custom, Argentine 98 Mauser, 7 X 57 mm rifle during the past month, looking for " just the RIGHT load ".

I've shot the Lee 132 gr. soup can, the RCBS, 168 gr., the SAECO 073, and the RCBS 145 gr. Today I also fired about 30 rounds with the 175 gr. RN , Lyman 287308.

As of this date, the clear leader in the accuracy dept. is the RCBS , 145 gr., regardless of the powder used and velocity of the round .

I've yet to find a bullet / load combination at 100 yards that will beat it's performance in my particular rifle.

I fired this 10 shot group at 100 yards. I'll readily take the blame for the " 4 wild rounds ". Sloppy shooting on my behalf. However , that still leaves me with 6 rounds in a shade over 1/2 " ! ! ANY of the 10 rounds would have killed anything that I'm likely to be shooting at.

I find the accuracy potential of this rifle to be impressive considering that this is a super light weight hunting rifle.

A fun load, and a fun rifle to shoot !

( BTW, all powder charges were thrown with a SAECO powder measure, none were weighed, no bullets were weighed, mixed HS brass, all cases were neck sized and fired about 6 - 7 times each )

Ben

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p545/Ben35049/IMG_20140501_112725_zpsc3dea600.jpg (http://s1155.photobucket.com/user/Ben35049/media/IMG_20140501_112725_zpsc3dea600.jpg.html)

____________________________

The target you see below was shot with :

Alliant Unique 11.0 grs., RCBS 145 gr., Sized .2864" with an OAL of 3.065" , using Wolf Large Rifle Primers. Neck sized brass. 10 round group fired at 100 yards.
_____________________________

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p545/Ben35049/IMG_20140501_111106_zps2055c762.jpg (http://s1155.photobucket.com/user/Ben35049/media/IMG_20140501_111106_zps2055c762.jpg.html)

6 rounds in a shade over 1/2 " Range 100 yards

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p545/Ben35049/0011024x768_zps0ca15908.jpg (http://s1155.photobucket.com/user/Ben35049/media/0011024x768_zps0ca15908.jpg.html)

Here is a pic of the RCBS, 145 gr. bullet that is shooting so well out of my rifle .

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p545/Ben35049/0041024x768_zps9e60f1ba.jpg (http://s1155.photobucket.com/user/Ben35049/media/0041024x768_zps9e60f1ba.jpg.html)

[Petrol & Powder]

That's a beautiful rifle and good shooting !

[Ben]

Thanks ! !

I spent about 9 months building this rifle.
It is very rewarding when you end up with one " that shoots as good as it looks."

Ben

[pressonregardless]

Fine shooting & a beautiful rifle !!

[35 shooter]

Very nice shooting as usual. Gonna try a load very close to that with a 358009 pb this weekend hopefully. If it shoots half as good as your group, i'll be happy. Nice rifle you have there.

BTW, they'll be lubed with BEN's Red too. I've used it with all my loads lately and i like that first shot performance along with the good groups.

[Ben]

Mine today were all lubed with Ben's Red and were then all rolled in thinned 45/45/10.

Sort of " double lubed ", may not be necessary to do both, but it is hard for me to argue with the end results, .....so , I'll stay with this technique.

If it isn't broke, don't be trying to fix it, that has always seemed to be good logic to me.

Ben

[TXGunNut]

Nice rifle indeed. Love the classic look.

[Ben]

This one is a beauty ( at least it is in my opinion ....)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/885.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/haysb/media/885.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/878.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/haysb/media/878.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/887.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/haysb/media/887.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/882-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/haysb/media/882-1.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/881-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/haysb/media/881-1.jpg.html)

[Pb2au]

Very beautiful Ben. Thanks for sharing the rifle and the range report.

[str8shot426]

That 98 action on my bench is definitely getting a 7x57 tube now!

[Petrol & Powder]

The 7 x 57 is an outstanding cartridge and truly deserves it's reputation as a "Classic"

By the way, I really like that adjustable front rest on your bench. Well Done !

[Ben]

The 7 x 57 is an outstanding cartridge and truly deserves it's reputation as a "Classic"

By the way, I really like that adjustable front rest on your bench. Well Done !

I only wish that I had made that front rest 40 yrs. ago.
In my opinion, it is perfection when it comes to a front rest ! !

Here is a bit more information on the front rest if you'd care to look at it :

___________________________

I have not been totally satisfied with my current front rest. I made that front rest about 20 yrs. ago. While it works OK and was very stable , it often times was limited in the amount of elevation it could offer.

Today I bought a scissor jack at Harbor Freight for $18.99. The rest of everything that was needed for the project today was cobbled up here in my shop.

The " T - Handle " elevation screw on the jack runs smoothly and raises and lowers the front bag with minimum effort on the part of the operator.

My new scissor jack front rest is super stable and solid as a rock. You can rotate the crank handle and increase and decrease elevation in fine increments. For $20, it is rugged and super reliable. Wish I had done this 30 yrs. ago !

See the photos :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/010-27.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/011-30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/012-25.jpg

The plywood that holds my front rest is attached with a pair of 10-24 screws with nylon locking nuts.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/013-27.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/015-20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/018-11.jpg

[mac60]

Ben, I'm curious about the metal finish. Duracoat? - Whatever it is I like it.

[Ben]

Ben, I'm curious about the metal finish. Duracoat? - Whatever it is I like it.

VHT Brand , FLAT BLACK, Epoxy spray.

Make certain that the metal is 101 % free of any oils , waxes, etc.

Follow the directions on the can.

The product is obtainable at most auto parts stores.

About 10 X tougher than any blued finish you'd ever have. Totally impervious to rust. I do just about every one of my barrels with it now. I'm a hunter and the non- reflective Matte black is a hunter's choice. I have rifles that are 10 yrs. old with this finish ,they have been hunted with " HARD ", the finish looks just like it did the day it was put on 10 yrs. ago.

The beauty of this particular product is there is no need to oven bake this finish. Just let it air dry for 24 - 36 hours and you're ready to go.

Ben

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p545/Ben35049/007_zpse34aee6a.jpg (http://s1155.photobucket.com/user/Ben35049/media/007_zpse34aee6a.jpg.html)

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p545/Ben35049/008_zps7646e28c.jpg (http://s1155.photobucket.com/user/Ben35049/media/008_zps7646e28c.jpg.html)

[mac60]

I've used it before.

103845

You're right, it's tough stuff. (please excuse my photography)

[Ben]

Your photography is just fine !

Ben

[Nrut]

Beautiful rifle Ben, great load work up and shooting!

Also thanks for the info on the epoxy paint..
I have a number of rifles that could stand some metal refinishing..

[captaint]

Ben - I see you've learned one of the simple truths in life. You just can't beat a good '98. Great shooting, not to mention the wood work. Beautiful job. Mike

[Ben]

Ben - I see you've learned one of the simple truths in life. You just can't beat a good '98. Great shooting, not to mention the wood work. Beautiful job. Mike

Hello Mike,

Thanks for those nice comments.

The more I shoot this one, the more I like it ! !

Ben

[bruce drake]

Great looking rifle Ben! I did the same thing with a RC K98 I had rechambered to 8mm-06 last year. I used O`Reilly's Auto Store's Engine Enamel in Gloss Black for my refinish. I need to take a photo of it. self-cures and is as durable as the Duracoated AR I had purchased a few years back.

Your woodwork is something I aspire to be able to do one day. truly beautiful.

Bruce

[goofyoldfart]

Ben that is just truely a most BEAUTIFUL fit,finish and wood are simply exsquiset (sp?). God Bless to you and yours.

Bruce---go to your thread on the boys match. I left a message for yu. sorry for OT.:oops:

[smoked turkey]

Ben totally classic in every way. It is nice when a plan comes together. I'd say everything came together perfectly on this one. I have a plan to try the flat black spray paint you have shown on an old double 50 cal CVA muzzleloader I have. I prepped the metal and tried cold bluing and it is very shallow and looks more like browning than bluing. I like the results you have shown. Thanks for the info.

[nekshot]

very nice gun indeed and a good shooter for sure. Would this finish hold up to using in a barrel vice maybe twice a year, and yes I am careful when I do that. Also would you bake this or leave air dry only?

[Ben]

Thank You Bruce,

Ben

[Ben]

very nice gun indeed and a good shooter for sure. Would this finish hold up to using in a barrel vice maybe twice a year, and yes I am careful when I do that. Also would you bake this or leave air dry only?

I can't say about a barrel vice ? ?

I air dry mine.

Ben

[rintinglen]

That bench rest idea is cooler than an eskimo's outhouse! I think I need to dig through my stuff and see if I still have that old scissor's jack.

[Ben]

That bench rest idea is cooler than an eskimo's outhouse! I think I need to dig through my stuff and see if I still have that old scissor's jack.

Just wish I'd done it earlier..........

[shanep]

Thats a pretty gun. Good job.

[bigted]

Ben, really enjoyed this thread. lots of great info in this and i for one appreciate it.

you have built a special rifle there and the wood work is exqusit to say the least. that is great shooting as well. looks like a keeper on the load.

that cant be the origanal barrel in the argentine mouser tho ... is it?

great idea that i will copy on the rest idea. that little wood handle for screwing it up n down is dandy.

the paint thing is a idea on me. i woulda never guessed that the finnish was just plain old semi flat paint. great idea on trying it as a finnish.

all in all this is one of the funnest threads i have read inna while ... thanks for starting it.

[Ben]

Ben, really enjoyed this thread. lots of great info in this and i for one appreciate it.

you have built a special rifle there and the wood work is exqusit to say the least. that is great shooting as well. looks like a keeper on the load.

that cant be the origanal barrel in the argentine mouser tho ... is it?

great idea that i will copy on the rest idea. that little wood handle for screwing it up n down is dandy.

the paint thing is a idea on me. i woulda never guessed that the finnish was just plain old semi flat paint. great idea on trying it as a finnish.

all in all this is one of the funnest threads i have read inna while ... thanks for starting it.

Thanks for those kind remarks.

I wish you were here to run 50 rounds through this rifle.
The barrel is an A & B barrel.
Runs like a Swiss watch.

I count myself very fortunate to own this rifle.

Ben

[kens]

Is that an Adams & Bennet barrel?
One of those inexpensive ones from MidwayUSA??

A Beautiful, classic rifle.
Well done.

[Hardcast416taylor]

Just curious about what powder made those groups?Robert

[dh2]

I have to love a nice 98 Mauser, I just cast a batch of 7mm 162gr. boolets I hope my results turn out as well as yours.

[Ben]

kens (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?30576-kens)

Barrel is an F-14 Adams and Bennet from Midway.

______________________________

Hardcast416taylor (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?6679-Hardcast416taylor) :

Powder was 11.0 grs. of Unique. used in the group that you saw with the RCBS 145 gr. cast bullet at .2855"

Ben

[richhodg66]

Thanks for this information, I just bought that RCBS mold from a member here. I want to work with a Mexican Mauser I have using cast, but it'll never shoot that well, LOL.

Beautiful rifle, I love it. I'm definitely going to build one of those scissor jack rests too.

[Ben]

Thanks for this information, I just bought that RCBS mold from a member here. I want to work with a Mexican Mauser I have using cast, but it'll never shoot that well, LOL.

Beautiful rifle, I love it. I'm definitely going to build one of those scissor jack rests too.

Best $20 you'll ever spend on the front rest.

Ben

[richhodg66]

That scissor jack rest is one of those "why didn't I think of that???" moments for me. So obvious and such a great idea and yet, I never would have come up with it.

I think I'll ride out to Harbor Freight this evening.

[Ben]

Did HF have the jack ? ?

Ben

[6.5 mike]

Some how I missed this, as always Ben very, very nice. I DO like your choice of calibers, lol. I have a 1905 DWM action with a A & B f34 contour bbl screwed into it. I've used A & B bbl in a 257 bob s/r action, 260 on a '98, 3 7x57's & '98, & a 35 Whelen in a 1909 argy '98, all are very good shooters. Now you make me want to go load some of those RCBS boolits, have that mould just have not loaded any, yet.

[Ben]

Some how I missed this, as always Ben very, very nice. I DO like your choice of calibers, lol. I have a 1905 DWM action with a A & B f34 contour bbl screwed into it. I've used A & B bbl in a 257 bob s/r action, 260 on a '98, 3 7x57's & '98, & a 35 Whelen in a 1909 argy '98, all are very good shooters. Now you make me want to go load some of those RCBS boolits, have that mould just have not loaded any, yet.


I want to see some pics of those tight groups !

Ben

[davidheart]

Excellent looking rifle and groups!

I'm in the middle of a Mauser build this summer myself and I was debating so hard on the 7x57 but I was able to pick up a 6.5x55 barrel from Brownells at $70. I was told it's a Shilen Brownell's overstocked on. I'll have to look hard at that paint as opposed to bluing. Have you seen any drawbacks to it?

[shooter2]

WOW! Really a nice looking piece. I have been lusting for a Ruger #1 RSI in 7 X 57 for some time and you may have pushed me over the edge. W.D.M. (Karamojo) Bell used this cartridge for everything including elephant, ducks and geese.

[duck hollow pete]

very very nice now a very dumb question, being a portsider myself am I looking at this picture wrong or is that bench setup for a lefty.

[Ben]

duck hollow pete (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?13530-duck-hollow-pete) :

The bench is set up for either one. Left or Right.

My friend Bryan is L Handed, I'm right.

So , we built the bench to accommodate both.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Photo0742.jpg

Ben

[duck hollow pete]

Easy to see why he helped you with the bench, real nice looking rifle with a classic style!

[duck hollow pete]

That shoots as good as it looks

[Ben]

Yes, it is GREAT when they shoot as good as they look.

In the past 40 yrs. , unfortunately I've owned my fair share that did not shoot as good as they looked.

Ben

[davidheart]

Question about the coating... how did you spray the crown without messing it or the bore up?

[Ben]

davidheart

Question about the coating... how did you spray the crown without messing it or the bore up?

Tap a soft cast bullet into the end of the barrel until you get a good seal.
Spray everything, let it harden.

Grab the end of the cast bullet with pliers and pull.

You're finished.

Drop the bullet back into your lead pot.

Ben