Last weekend I chronographed some 257 Roberts loads, a very accurate and consistent load with a Speer hot-cor 120 spitzer pushed by 43gr AA 4350 read right at 2850 in my 24" barreled rifle, I feel really comfortable with these bullets for mule deer, antelope and such. that is plenty fast, I wouldn't see the desire to step down in bullet weight ( and potentially less tough bullet construction) for a little velocity gain.
unless your using it more for a coyote load, of course
