Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 87 gr Speer Hot-Cor in a .257 Roberts

I know the 87 gr Hot-Cor works well on Whitetails in a 250-3000 Savage at 2900-2950 fps.

How does the bullet perform in a Roberts 300-400 fps faster than the fps listed above?

Thanks

Wayne

I don't know. But, if I wanted to push a bullet that fast out of my .257 Bob, I'd go to the 80 gr. TTSX Barnes. E

The primary reason for using bullets under 100 grains for shooting medium game with the 250-3000 are the stability issues related to the 1-14" ROT. While the 87 grain Speer HotCore would probably hold together and work fine at 257 Roberts speeds, the faster ROT allows for a lot more component bullet options. If you're looking for the best combination of speed, penetration, and accuracy in the 257 Roberts, the Barnes 80 grain TTSX seems to get really good reviews.

Actually my go to 250-3000 is a 99-A with the 1-10" ROT and have loaded heavier bullets in it, but found the 87 gr Hot-Cor more accurate. Couple that with good performance on Whitetails is why it has been a constant companion in Whitetail habitat in the Midwest.

Last fall I was hunting coyotes with a Ruger 77 .257 Roberts loaded with a very accurate 87 gr Sierra SPT. A big dry doe showed up at the edge of the field 210 yards out and I had a Farmland Antlerless tag in my pocket. I quickly made a broadside high shoulder shot, she made a couple of hops, stumbled and when she recovered I shot her in the lungs.

After examining the shallow shoulder penetration, I wondered if a 87 gr Hot-Cor would have would have passed thru.

Despite their similar weights my money is on the Speer Hot Cor for penetration over the Sierra.

The 87 gr Sierra is a Ghog grenade, I would not expect much penetration........

If you can find some Hornady 100gr SPs, they were the go-to bullet in the Roberts for a lot of owners. I use them and like them, but Hornady has decided to delist them from their line-up. Stoopid heads.

I don't think I would shoot any C&C bullet under 100gr in a Roberts for deer hunting.

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

I chronoed 100 NPT out of my Ruger .257 Roberts 20" barrel. 46gr IMR 4350 @ 3030 fps.

Light loads of:
35 gr H4895 87 FBHC @ 2814
35 gr H4895 100 FBHC @ 2722