Author Topic: #1 RSI in 7x57 (Read 2617 times)

BlkHawk73 · « **on:** March 29, 2007, 03:31:40 AM »

Having been reading my new Cartridges of the World I'm seeing the potential of more cartridges I'd previously overlooked. One is the 7x57. I'm now thinking a #1 RSI in this chambering would be a nice package. Would be another fun gun. This of course will come after the very much anted #1H in .405 but just wondering is anyone here has any first-hand experience with the gun/chambering combination.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2007, 04:01:14 AM »

Not with that combo but I have a H&R/NEF Handi Rifle in 7x57. I have replaced the standard stock set with a classic black walnut set which comes on the H&R Buffalo Classic and mounted a Leupold scope on it. It is EXTREMELY accurate and a nice looking single shot in a classic and still very efficient caliber. With the many good .284 bullets there is not much this gun could not harvest. I highly suggest a 7x57 in a single shot for a real classic combination that looks, handles and carries wonderfully....<><....

EdK · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2007, 05:48:37 AM »

There's been lots of positive posts regarding that combination. My #1 RSI happens to be in 30-06

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2007, 05:58:00 AM »

One of my current #1's is in .30-06 now ("A") but seeing a RSI recently got me thinkin' I should have one for range shootin'. the 7x57 just semd like the most appropriate chambering for that model.

Cement Man · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2007, 12:55:49 PM »

I have a #1 RSI in 30.06, which I dearly love, but I must say, I would trade it for a 7X57 - as I have enough .06"s (if you can) and that would be a really nice combination. I'd really love one in the 6.5 Swede! All three cartridges deserve to be called classics though.

40inarow · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2007, 02:58:59 PM »

Man ! You've struck a hot one here. A few years back, I bought a No.1-A in 7x57 that had a Canjar trigger and a floated fore-end. I really didn't have the money in the budget but this rifle was so sweet I sprung for it anyway. It turned out to be better than I anticipated. The short single shot action makes it a dream to carry and handle. The 7x57 is a sweet shooting cartridge that you just never want to put down. The biggest problem is having enough ammo ! I have hunted in a few different camps and guys are constantly asking to buy it. I have one buddy who has made me swear that if I ever sell it, he gets 1st look.

So far I have killed 5 deer and 4 hogs with it, the biggest hog at about 225 pounds. The farthest shot about 180 yards. I have used 139 gr Hornadys, and 140gr Partitions, every bullet has exited and the exit holes look the same so what more can you ask for for power?
I have not felt that the single shot action slows me down, I keep a cartridge carrier on my belt by my right hand and can load quick enough if needed. So far, no need ! One shot has been enough. I do believe that the single shot concept makes you concentrate just that little bit more needed to make a good shot the first time, which is a good thing.

The throat is very long in this rifle, so the bullets have to be seated way out, not a problem in a single shot ! I have found that it is very sensitive to how it sits on the bags at the bench. I cannot say that I have it totally figured out. Currently, I put the action just forward of the trigger guard on the bag. Putting the foreend on the bag in any position opens groups. I get good groups shooting prone. Even so, I can get 1.5" consistently off the bags and between 1 and 1.5" prone. I believe the rifle probably shoots better, I just have to figure out how.

As a hunting rifle, it shoots fine. I have quite a few rifles now and I cannot quit reaching for the No.1, this one gives great pleasure and satisfaction. I cannot imagine that you would not love the RSI in 7x57, if you don't, call me and I'll buy it !

Fred M · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2007, 10:10:57 PM »

Just taken a 243 barrel off a #1 and replaced it with a new 22" 7x57 1A take off barrel. I am looking for an Alex Henry forearm.

I test fired the rifle with the 1B forearm and got several 3/4" groups with both 139 Hornady and 140gr Nosler BT's. That little rifle is hot to trott.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2007, 02:01:25 PM »

I have both a .30-06 & a 7X57 1 RSI, and like them both. It's Hobson's Choice, which one I take when I go hunting. My -06 has a slight accuracy edge over the 7mm (they are both the same red-pad generation) - but only slightly. [I don't handload for either.]
My choice of which to use generally boils down to what sighting options I want to hunt with during a particular day/time/area - as the -06 is usually scoped, and the 7mm usually is not.

Ron T. · « **Reply #8 on:** April 09, 2007, 10:24:22 PM »

I have a 1981 Ruger #1 International (aka "RSI") I purchased from the original owner last August. So far, I've worked up some loads at 50 yards using Sierra 140 grain ProHunter bullets, Hodgdon's H4350 and Winchester standard large rifle primers in Remington cases... and it has shot a 3-shot group of .270 of an inch with 2 rounds going into just .176 inches using just 47.6 grains of H4350.

New "maximum" loads for "modern rifles ONLY" yielding 50,000 CUP have been written up in the Speer #3 Reloading Book. The new maximum load using 50.0 grains of H4350 shot a 3 shot group of .564 inches with 2 shots going into just .109 inches.

I didn't chronograph these loads, but based on similar loads I had previously chronographed (49.4 grains averaged 2706 fps), I'd estimate the muzzle velocity on Speer's MAXIMUM LOAD (50.0 grains) is probably around 2750 fps in my rifle's 20 inch barrel.

I have 3 other powders, four other primers and 3 other bullets I want to try, but the current load shoots quite well. Recoil and muzzle blast was somewhat more noticeable with the maximum load, but still reasonably easy to handle.

Speer's #3 Reloading Manual indicates the same load (50.0 grains of H4350) yielded 2784 fps out of a Ruger Model 77's 22-inch barrel... so my "guestimate" might be a tad low. Regardless, it's more than sufficient for deer sized game... or even black bear, caribou, elk and moose if the bullet is well placed.

If I were going to hunt with the RSI, I'd use the 50.0 grain load since it's accuracy is quite good and the extra muzzle velocity gives the round a point-blank-range of almost 300 yards if sighted in at 2.75 inches high at 100 yards according to my ballistics program.

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Curt Dawson · « **Reply #9 on:** April 10, 2007, 08:35:59 AM »

Now if they would just make this wonderful rifle in 6.5x55.

EdK · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2007, 07:46:59 AM »

A lot of folks knock the 30-06 RSI as having too much case volume for the 20" barrel and cite the 7x57 as more ideal. In reality the two cartridges have nearly identical case volume to bore ratios AKA expansion ratios.

As I just use my RSI as a deer gun I would agree with others posting they would be willing to swap for the 7x57 but I found my red butt pad 30-06 with beautiful wood, in excellent condition and at a great price so I snapped it up.

I use a burris fullfield 1-4x intermediate eye relief scope dialed in at 1x for the brush and acquire the target with both eyes open. My scout rifle I suppose...

Ron T. · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2007, 04:28:02 PM »

With the addition of a new 4x-12x by 40mm scope with parallax adjustment, the 47.6 grain load of H4350 behind a 140 grain Sierra flat-based ProHunter bullet sparked by a standard Winchester primer in Remington cases gave a "best 3-shot group" of just .179 inches. (see my post above)

madbadger · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2007, 04:22:15 AM »

A 7x57 1A was my first deer rifle at the age of 13. I still have it and use it regularly. Even with several custom rifles in my safe, the 1A in 7x57 is my favorite rifle. I also consider the 7x57 to be an excellent cartridge - especially for the handloader. Everything from "targets of opportunity" (crow, varmints, etc) to bull elk have fallen for me when using this cartridge properly loaded.

You certainly won't regret it. If you do, drop me a note.

MadBadger

kombi1976 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2007, 04:49:35 AM »

Y'know, every time I read about guys who use the Ruger No1s in 7x57 the story is always the same.
Brilliant performance, great feel, amazing capabilities with hand loads, etc, etc.
I think it really is time I stopped spending money on other projects and bought the rifle I've been lusting after for a while now.
And having heard you lucky owners heap more praise on this rifle I'm now going to go sit in corner and sulk.
I WANT ONE!!!

Rangr44 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2007, 02:19:02 PM »

[Now if they would just make this wonderful rifle in 6.5x55.]

Merry Christmas:

http://www.rugerforum.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/003621.html

Fred M · « **Reply #15 on:** August 09, 2007, 04:31:03 PM »

Ranger44.
Ruger is funny when it comes supplying calibers that you think should be available. They are making all the popluar ones and they sell well. Tooling
up for a few odd balls cost money, and the 6.5x54 is a has been.

I revamped a 243 and installed a 7x57 barrel. The 243 barrel will become a
6.5 but not the 54. Instead I will chamber it for the 6.5x284 a much more superior cartridge. To rebore and rechamber is only $275, and if the barrel goes back on the same action there is no fitting required.

The possibilities are there, for any caliber you want, no point in wishing what Ruger should do. A custom special stainless barrel with wood stock makes the rifle look goudy, not my piece of cake not even in a 6.5x54. But then you
never know Ruger may make a run of the Swedes in blued steel, but I wont hold my breath.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #16 on:** September 24, 2007, 08:12:19 AM »

Fred,
It's been a while now. How is it going with the 7X57? Are you going to have to do a lot of work to get it to where you're happy with it?

Rusty <><

Fred M · « **Reply #17 on:** September 24, 2007, 09:58:28 AM »

Rustyinfla
The 7x57 is finished, have been trying some 140gr TSX bullets. The best I got sofar is 7/8-1". I had got 3/4" with the Nosl. 140 BT. I'm not to fuzzy about that bullet since it is quite fragile.

Will try some 139gr Interlock which have given good results on game in most all 7mm guns I tried them in.

There is not much wrong with the 140gr TSX using H4350 and loading the bullets 0.010" into the lands. The Ruger has a very long throat and these bullets are very well suited for this long throat.

I am fast running out of time to play with too many loads. At present I am working on a load for the the #1 257 Roberts using the
110gr Nosl. Accu Bond. This rifle does not like the 100gr TSX bullets at all.

On the other hand my#1 in 25-06 shoots these 100gr TSX into one hole
at 100 at a neck breaking speed of 3430ft.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #18 on:** September 24, 2007, 10:54:26 AM »

That sounds great. That #1 International is sounding better all the time.

Rusty <><

Fred M · « **Reply #19 on:** September 24, 2007, 04:07:17 PM »

Rusty
My #1 7x57 is not an RSI but a 1A with a 22" barrel and a Henry Alexander fore arm.

This afternoon I hit a home run with H4831.
Made up three loads with the 110gr Nosler Accu Bond fired at 100 yrds.
Bullets in all loads were 0.010" into the lands and Moly plated. I hope these bullets perform well on game.

The load with 49.0gr H4831 in my 26" #1 in 257 Roberts put three shots into a 1/2". This load could stand one more gr of powder for 60.7kpsi and 102.5%
load density. I knew H4831 would produce the best velocity with a full case of powder and lowesr pressure., but accuracy has to be proven. The below loads are not bad but cases are not full and pressure is right up there. 50.0gr of
H4831 would produce 3148 ft/sec MV in theory.

Load #2 45.0 gr H4350 1-1/2" 3 shots. Load #3 43.0 gr IMR4350 went 1-5/8"