Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Load data disparity 257 Roberts ?

Gentlemen,

Any idea why the load data I'm reading would be so different.

Nosler Reloading Guide (2007) page 193 versus
Hogdon internet reloading data

RESPECTIVELY...

115gr NP IMR 4350 MAX 40.0gr for 2806
115gr NP IMR 4350 MAX 45.5gr for 2866

Thanks and regards Lj

did you happen to see if the nosler manual is for +p loads or and older load for the roberts.

FWIW in a +p chamber the hogdon data is correct.

+1. A lot of the Bob data takes into account guns that were made when pressure limits were more nominal.

Look for the +P or a notation for "guns of contemporary manufacture"


What are you shooting these out of?

Just double checked Nosler Reloading Guide data and it only lists 257 Roberts ( no +P ).

Hogdon data does not list (+P) either, just 257 Roberts.

Hornady 7th edition (2007) mentions their data is for +P and the MAX IMR 4350 load for their 117gr bullet is 42.8 for 2900 fps.

Some MFG's do still list STANDARD and +P like RAMSHOT.

It's the 40.0 vs 45.5 grains on powder for only 60 fps does not seem right.

Honestly, a 117gr bullet at 2900fps is all I'll ever need.

Thanks for the replys. Lj

A chronograph is a wonderful thing. Not dishing on you, just think they are too cheap and available to not have one. Then apply suitable amounts on common sense.

No dis taken...and when I get to the middle phase of load development I'll be using a crony.

But,to start at the very beginning someone's load data seems off and I thought maybe some knowledgeable 257 BOB guys could unconfuse me.

As I last posted two different, reputable MFG's have significant and noteworthy disparities in load data.

40.0 vs 45.5 grains for 2806 vs 2866 fps.

Thanks Lj

Sure.. Could be several things.. (1) a different 'lot' of powder.. (2) a different testing firearm. (3) barrel length? (4) Different brass, (5) different primers, (6) different bullet manufacturer, yada yada yada..

That's why I consult 2-4 different manuals for every load workup - note the info and find an average start load, then work up over the Chrony.. In my particular .257R (M70 Fwt - 22" barrel) I stop at 2800 fps with 117 gr. bullets..

Simply no need for more.

Different barrels, Barrel lengths, chamber dimensions, testing equipment as well as elevation and other environmental variables play into velocity that gets published.

I never really look at fps, I pay attention to the charge and cross reference with other sources to verify there is not a typo. Then work up a load that is accurate and chronograph during load development to get the speed and accuracy that I want. The fps are rarely right in manuals anyway and sometimes they are not even close.

I've got the picture and appreciate your input. I've got multiple load manuals and will average beginning loads, cross check data and use my crony.

Thank you Lj

Man I've been doing it wrong. My Lee dipper always works when I fill it to the top.

Unfortunately that's not all that uncommon. I remember years ago when consulting several separate manuals looking for 7mm rem mag data and the listed max loads with a 140 gr bullet ranged from 66 gr. to 73 gr. (can't remember the powder). Load data is so dumbed down by the lawyers nowadays as to be almost worthless, you can't figure out who is listing good pressure tested data and who is listing the "let's keep them from suing us" data. About the only recourse is to chronograph the loads, that'll tell you who is lying.

I shot two 6.5x55's side by side this week.One a Ruger 77 MK II,the other a Winchester CRF FW,both 22" and factory barrels.To have a fair comparison,I used Norma 139 factory loads...
The Ruger had an avg velocity 90 fps faster than the Winchester,and if I had loaded the ammo,I would have stopped there,has they were on the edge of flatted primers,the Winchester was fine...
So, yes there are differences from barrel to barrel,gun to gun and where the sun is shinning that day.My practice has been to start low and watch the crony,I'm not much into the speed anymore,but I work on finding the best load for THAT rifle...

Good man.. That's the bottom line..

Many times, the most accurate load is less than full-bore speed. Most animals won't know the difference of 2800 vs. 2900 fps.. And yet, some reloaders are always after MORE SPEED... Usually, that has to do with the 'law of diminishing returns'..


To all: Use those Chronos - always..

IMR 4350 is said to be temperature sensative, don't know how much but others have claimed significant differences from 70 degrees down to zero degrees, Noslers book always seems conservative to me, how about the new H100V they get 3000FPS with that powder and the 115. What is your barrel length? Is it a new gun or antique?

Such discrepancies are a very good reason to check multiple sources.

My preference is to use data that includes pressure data, like Hodgdon. Even then I�ve found that my max handloads are often different, higher or lower, depending on the rifle.

My 22� .257 Roberts is my favorite rifle and I�ve spent a fair amount of time developing loads for it. It is a long-action Ruger with a very long throat and COL for many of my loads exceeds what will fit in a short action magazine. Using WW +P brass and +P data with H4831SC and H4350, I find my 115g TSX velocities easily exceed the ones you cite for the 115g Partition.

Jimmyp... Three new to me rifles, all modern, different barrel lengths.

1. Ruger RL 20" LA no mag block
2. Ruger ST 23" LA no mag block
3. Win XTR 22" LA no mag block

Coyote Hunter...

I haven't started reloading for the 257R yet, just researching, gathering supplies and setting up. Won't have to worry about SA or mag block COL restrictions. Will have to figure out free bore(x3), best bullets and seating depths for each. Can't wait should be fun. I've always had great luck with factory cup and core in 6.5RM, 270W and 358W, but I want to try Nosler partitions and accubonds and Barnes TSX's

I've noticed many "BOB" shooters on 24HCF, researched past threads and thought I'd ask about 6-7 grain differences. Seemed like a lot to me, but I've got the idea now thanks to all of you guys.

Like I mentioned a 115-117 grain bullet at 2800-2900 with minute of buck accuracy will be perfect for me.

Lj

Hard to beat that combination, IMO.

must be BIG game in the picture for the 115!

A 100TSX at 3000 will kill any deer ever born. They WAY over penetrate...

joehemi �

Here�s the combinations I�ve found work well in my 22� Ruger M77:

CCI 250 Primer and WW �+P� brass in all the following:

75g V-MAX with H4895
100g TTSX with H4350
110g AccuBond with H4350
115g TSX with both H4831SC and H4350
120g Partition withH4831SC
120g A-Frame with H4831SC

The 115g TSX loads have a tendency to shoot the centers out of clay pigeons at 200 yards. Accuracy with the Partitions was acceptable, accuracy with all the others has been excellent.

The 120g A-Frames are what I load when hunting combined deer and elk seasons.

If you want more load details, PM me.

I don't see an discrepancy's in the different load data provided. Although there is a 5.5gr difference, there is only a 60fps diff.

Barrel, chamber, blah blah blah all makes a difference. One can load up and 'shoot' for that velocity with the chrono.