#2267632 - 06/21/08 01:49 PM
257 Bob Range Report
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TomM
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Registered: 03/17/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Chugiak, Alaska
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Here's the range/rifle report on the Hawkeye I picked up in .257 Roberts. This is the 3rd M77 I've owned (1st Bob) and played with a couple more. I'll start with the rifle.
The good - nice piece of walnut for the $, like the matte finish and steel floorplate. Trigger is much improved over the MKII. The barrel is smooth and doesnt foul easy, cleans up nice.
The bad- The checkering Hmm... lets just say I've seen my labrador do better (I went over it with a F-1 and cleaned it up), barrel was making some serious contact with one side of barrel channel, black spacer in between buttstock and recoil pad is kinda brown because something is stuck to it? Looks like cardboard particles that wont come off?
The headspace appears to be tight. W-W +P Brass out of the bag chambers very hard. Shoulder must be bumped back, .004" to chamber correctly. Havent tried any factory stuff, thats next. Rate of twist useing the patch down the bore method was 1:10".
Next is loads:
15-June
100 Hornady, 42.5 H4350 @ 2646, 1.075"
100 Hornady, 43.0 H4350 @ 2676, 2.475"
100 Hornady, 43.5 H4350 @ 2716, 2.750"
100 Hornady, 44.0 H4350 @ 2755, 0.475"
16-June
100 Hornady, 44.0 H4350 @ 2761, 1.800"
100 Hornady, 44.5 H4350 @ 2842, 1.100"
100 Hornady, 45.0 H4350 @ 2886, 2.875"
19-June
100 Hornady, 38 IMR4064 @ 2761, 2.500"
100 Hornady, 39 IMR4064 @ 2823, 2.075"
100 Hornady, 43 IMR4350 @ 2678, 1.000"
100 Hornady, 44 IMR4350 @ 2782, 0.575"
100 Hornady, 45 IMR4350 @ 2848, 2.375"
100 Hornady, 45.5 H4350 @ 2905, 2.875"
100 Hornady, 46.0 H4350 @ 2952, 1.450"
20-June
90 HPBT, 39 RL15 @ 2934, 4.200"
90 HPBT, 40 RL15 @ 3011, 2.600"
90 HPBT, 41 RL15 @ 3078, 2.350"
90 HPBT, 40 H4895 @ 3118, 2.300"
90 HPBT, 41 H4895 @ 3192, 2.900"
100 Hornady, 44.0 IMR4350 @ 2808, 1.325"
100 Hornady, 44.5 IMR4350 @ 2840, 2.450"
100 Hornady, 46.0 H4350 @ 2939, 2.775"
100 Hornady, 46.5 H4350 @ 3017, 1.250"
21-June
100 TSX, 46.0 H4350 @ 3021, 1.450"
100 TSX, 46.5 H4350 @ 3066, 2.025"
100 TSX, 47.0 H4350 @ 3127, 1.350" (Sticky Bolt)
100 BT, 46.0 H4350 @ 3056, 1.575"
100 BT, 46.0 H4350 @ 3116, 3.025"
All loads chronographed at 15 ft from Muzzle, 3-Shot groups @ 100 yds.
Bullets:
100 Hornady Interlock SP seated to cannelure at 2.850"
100 Barnes TSX seated .050 off lands @ 2.805"
100 Nosler Ballistic Tip .015 off lands @ 2.885
90 Sierra HPBT Gameking @ 2.775
So, feel free to draw your conclusions. Seems to be a bit particular about charge weight. 1/2 grain can mean the difference between a stellar load, and shotgun pattern. Th smallest group shot .475" one day then 1.800" the next. Sure conditions change and shooter can definetly be blamed some, but the rifle is picky. Not sure where to go next. Might load some of the better ones up and go hunting, or might dump some money/time into bedding, re-crown, or float the tube. Definetly gonna try some factory fodder to see if it chambers (I dont have any go/ no-go's). Maybe try some heavier bullets with some RL19, 4350's, or IMR 4831.
Hope this helps the next .257 Newbie out some. Love the cartridge, wish the rifle wasnt so picky!
Also wanted to say thanks to Kimberman for donating brass. I owe you one. Thanks.
Edited by TomM (06/21/08 02:02 PM)
Edit Reason: Typo's
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#2267642 - 06/21/08 02:04 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: TomM]
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mathman
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Registered: 06/03/04
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barrel was making some serious contact with one side of barrel channel
Float.
W-W +P Brass out of the bag chambers very hard. Shoulder must be bumped back, .004" to chamber correctly.
How straight was the brass? Were all of these results from new brass?
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#2267756 - 06/21/08 03:43 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: the_shootist]
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Steelhead
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Registered: 10/17/02
Posts: 23105
Loc: SE AK
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Playing with OAL usually solves problems, well that and a bedding job.
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#2267793 - 06/21/08 04:02 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: Steelhead]
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TomM
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Registered: 03/17/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Chugiak, Alaska
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mathman, new winchester brass (2 different lots) chambered very hard. Ran them through a FL sizing die w/o touching the shoulder and still chambered hard. Shoulders had to be bumped back .004" then all was good in the world of Roberts. Went to the dealer to make sure it would chamber factory stuff, and it digested Rem factory stuff w/o a hitch.
As far as the barrel touching the barrel channel on one side, thats been taken care of. The pressure point at the end is still there and I will probably leave it.
shootist, like the way you think. I will probably run with that and try to find a good varmint load to accompany it. Searching for the perfect load is half the fun right. Interlocks at 2800 have been very good to me in other calibers.
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#2267853 - 06/21/08 04:53 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: TomM]
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santeerangerman
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Registered: 05/23/08
Posts: 69
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I'll be very interested in hearing what kind of results you get with the factory loads, if you try any.
I've got my eye on 3 different .257 roberts right now.
A Ruger Ultra light that I can get for $620.00 shipped
A Winchester M70 Featherweight XTR for $775.00 shipped
I'm waiting to hear back about a Kimber Classic Select for about $1120.00 shipped.
I've wanted a "Bob" for many years, but I've shot my .270 for soo long that it's like a extension of my arm. I throw it to my shoulder, and it's "there" without thinking. So I've been a little reluctant to change rifles. But the "Bob" bug is just too strong this year, so I'm shopping.
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#2267858 - 06/21/08 04:57 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: santeerangerman]
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Steelhead
Campfire Kahuna
Registered: 10/17/02
Posts: 23105
Loc: SE AK
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Changing OAL will fix much.
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#2267870 - 06/21/08 05:05 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: Steelhead]
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rugercollector
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Registered: 01/30/07
Posts: 98
Loc: Central Louisiana
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I agree with Steelhead!
Ive been playing with my ultra lite 308 for a couple of days, this rifle is new to me, and I have found that it likes a jump.
I can get 2 to touch with the third out an inch and sometimes a little less. Im seating the bullets .125 off using a sinclair bullet compairitor. Setting them close scatters them.
Good Luck!
_________________________
RC
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#2267875 - 06/21/08 05:09 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: rugercollector]
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Steelhead
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Registered: 10/17/02
Posts: 23105
Loc: SE AK
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Bingo, and it is something I have found more than once with Rugers. My 30/06 liked a .25" jump to the lands and shot lights out.
Folks fret to much about getting close and then changing charges, bullets, primers and underwear without changing what usually changes things the most, OAL!
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#2267911 - 06/21/08 05:22 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: Steelhead]
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TomM
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Registered: 03/17/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Chugiak, Alaska
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Interesting. I played with OAL a bit in a M70 I was loading for and it seemed like the rifle didnt respond much to the changes. I never did a thorough comparison though. I will do that and post results. What increments do you guys step by?
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#2267922 - 06/21/08 05:28 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: TomM]
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Steelhead
Campfire Kahuna
Registered: 10/17/02
Posts: 23105
Loc: SE AK
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I don't know, say .020" at a time. I fly by the seat of my pants and kinda make it up as I go or my gut tells me.
We know certain bullets/powder have given decent accuracy in your rifle, so time to change OAL. It ain't a bullet/powder problem.
I also bed all my rifles out of the gate, don't make much sense not to.
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#2267926 - 06/21/08 05:30 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: TomM]
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rahtreelimbs
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Registered: 01/18/06
Posts: 1357
Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.
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I always started .010" (assuming the mag box would allow) from the lands. After finding my most accurate load I would go to .020", .030".........all the way to .060!!!
Once I find the seating depth that was best I would go .005 each way from there.
I don't know if this is right or wrong but it works for me!!!
_________________________
Always remember to use a Serious chunk of Whoopass.
Later, Rich !!!
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#2267999 - 06/21/08 06:25 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: rahtreelimbs]
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rugercollector
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Registered: 01/30/07
Posts: 98
Loc: Central Louisiana
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The way I discovered mine liked the jump was I loaded some Hornady SSTs to the cannulure and I also loaded up some Sierra spitzers at .020 off the lands and the the Hornadys shot very well and the Sierras scattered everywhere, that got me to experimenting so I bought the Sinlair and started measuring.
Ive shot the Hornadys, Noslers and Sierras with the ogive .125 off and it shoots well, like I mentioned earlier It will give me 2 touching and the 3rd one out a little, even in Louisianas sweltering heat right now and to add a note that is about as good as my ability these days.
Again Good Luck and Im sure you will get it going like you want it, Lots of good help here
Edited by rugercollector (06/21/08 06:27 PM)
Edit Reason: PP spelling
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RC
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#2268078 - 06/21/08 07:24 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: rugercollector]
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Planemech
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Registered: 11/13/06
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My M77Mk2 .257 was a 1.5" rifle as issued. I bedded and floated the bbl and it's a 3/4" rifle with the 100 TSX at .050" off the lands. Nothing closer than .010" to them in my loads. and 100 bt, partitions and Hornadys all run about 1". The powder is H4350 at 46.5 grains 3100-3150 depending on bullet.
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#2268349 - 06/21/08 11:44 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: Planemech]
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TomM
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Registered: 03/17/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Chugiak, Alaska
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This has me thinking, Ive loaded for years and never played with OAL much. I think this is mostly because I shoot interlocks and seat them to the cannelure. I have had very good results accuracy sake by doing this. When I have tried other bullets, Ive usually given them a short jump and "usually" the interlocks shoot better. So, I loaded up some more Nosler BT's a little deeper and will try to get to the range tomorrow. Also going to try to touch up the crown tomorrow. Thanks all for the input.
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#2268377 - 06/22/08 01:59 AM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: TomM]
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balltownbob
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Registered: 07/14/07
Posts: 4
Loc: western PA
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I've used 120 Hornady HPs for years in the Roberts in several different rifles. RL 22 has given sub-MOA accuracy in all of them....48 to 50 grains, depending upon the rifle, in W-W +P brass....15-20 thousandths off the lands....instrumental velocities run 2900-3000-all in 24 inch barrels....
Great performance on deer, too....
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Life's too short to smoke cheap cigars....
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#2268501 - 06/22/08 06:10 AM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report
[Re: TomM]
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Planemech
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Registered: 11/13/06
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Tom, I would certainly not give up on the H4350 and 100 interlocks. I always have some around when hunting with the Bob and they are my practice bullet. They kill damn fine from the Bob. They are probably my favorite GP bullet.
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#2292403 - 07/04/08 03:04 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report (Update)
[Re: Planemech]
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TomM
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Registered: 03/17/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Chugiak, Alaska
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Well just a follow up. After some tweaking got the Bob where I want it to be. Bedded it, floated the barrel, re-crown, tried some more loads. Definetly seems to have a preference for IMR 4530 over the hodgdon. 44 grains of IMR and a Nosler 100 gr BT gives me 3/4" groups at 2925fps. The same charge and Sierra 90 HPBT also gives me 3/4" groups at 2850fps. Its still picky as far as bullet/powder combination and charge weight, but is very consistent with the loads it likes. As far as factory ammo, Remington 117 gr stuff does 2" or so. Thanks again all for the help.
Edited by TomM (07/04/08 03:05 PM)
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#2292431 - 07/04/08 03:42 PM
Re: 257 Bob Range Report (Update)
[Re: TomM]
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JD338
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Registered: 05/14/05
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TomM
IMR4350 is a great powder for the 257 Roberts. I have a M700 Classic in 257 Bob, 100 gr BT or PT with 45.0 grs IMR4350 shoots in the .5" at over 3000 fps in the 24" barrel.
This load is safe in my rifle, just work up carefully.
JD338
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