Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .257 Roberts

I have a Ruger M77 Mark II in .257 Roberts. The gun doesn't seem capable of shooting less than about 2.5 moa even using Hornady +P ammo. Reloading, I tried Varget, RL-22, and 4831. Tried 117 Sierra GameKing's and 115 Berger VLD hunting. I was able to get groups down to .81" but was only getting 2400fps. I want to be around the 2700+fps range and less than an inch (size matters!). Any one have any suggestions?

Pillar bed action, timney trigger, h4350, 100 gr Sierra and good scope and mounts.

You're workin heavies... Why not try 100s? That is what I would do... 100 gr Interlocks & Ballistic Tips... Then down to 87 gr TNTs and 90 gr GMXs... 75 gr VMax...

Varget or RL15, IMR- & H-4350s and Ramshot Hunter are your friends propellant-wise.

I have had fantastic results from IMR-4350 & 100s, Hunter & 90s, RL15 w/ 87s, and H-380 w/ 75s. All fantastic speed, great accuracy, and long case life.

I agree with efw.
I use the Roberts almost exclusively.
Have owned the same rifle.
My own baseline when evaluating any Roberts rifle is IMR 4350 and the Sierra 90gr HPBT. If it won't group that one you probably have a hair puller.

Trade it for a good .25-06 or .243..

Now that 25-06 might not be a bad idea but a 243?
You'll need some magic to get a 120 to stabilize in that one too.

I'd go with shorter bullets, the 1-10" twist don't always do well with the longer bullets.

Clean the barrel of copper fouling, loosen the action screws, and then tighten them again doing the front recoil lug bolt super tight, the back trigger guard screw almost as tight, and the front trigger guard screw snug, then try again.

My Ruger Roberts is surprisingly accurate with 43-43.5grn of RL19 and either Hornady 117grn spbt interlock, or 115grn ballistic tip. 2.88" coal.

For whatever reason my Roberts hates IMR4350.

My MK II 3" will shoot 117 Sierra's,120 NP, & 120 Speer's into an inch or less at 100yds. 47gr H-4831 does the trick. All are about 2800 fps.

Yep. Try 100 gr bullets. I prefer 80 TTSX.

My Kimber is at IT&D getting a new Bob barrel put on it.I have some of those 80 grain TTSX's waiting for it hope they shoot well.

The new 120gr Speer Deep Curls have proven very accurate in a couple of my 257's. work great at 2800-2900 fps on deer & hogs.

100 grain TTSX anda max load of Hybrid 100.

IMR 4350 117 grain sierra and cci br-2 primer. Changing to br-2 primer shrank groups to 3/4" @ 200 yds.

100 grain GS Custom over a max + load of Hybrid 100.

I also had a MK II in .257 and was also never able to get to to shoot worth a hoot. I tried 100 Pro Hunters, 117 SSTs, 115 Partitions, and I can't remember what else. And with different powders. The best I could get was about 1.75" groups. I sold the gun and had a Bob built on a 700 short action. Presto- problem solved!

A quick survey of responses seems to indicate the smaller bullet is the way to go. As a former Wyoming Elk/Deer/Goat(prairie)hunter, I've been of the opinion Bigger + longer + faster = better. Now that I'm in the land of tiny critters, it might be time for a paradigm shift in my approach. Thanks Gents, I'll try Smaller + shorter = Faster and more accurate, although it does go against my ever present desire for most energy available from the cartridge. Then again, game on a Texas hunting ranch can only run to the high fence. Hmmph...

My 1976 Ruger 77 tang safety 257 Roberts absolutely LOVES Barnes 100 gr. TTSXs over a heavy charge of Hybrid 100 V, Remington case, Remington 9 1/2 primer.

With this load, it shot a 3 shot group you can cover with a dime!