Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters SO ABOUT THE 257 ROBERTS...

Thanks very much. guys. Need to find some of that powder as I've never used it before.

Mine likes a max load of Hybrid 100V topped with GS Custom 100 HV's , WW+p brass and Fed 210's.

What impressed me was the fact that one can get over 2900 fps. with a 100 gr. bullet with the SAAMI pressures with loads like 39.5 grs. of IMR 4064. Brass lasted JOC for something like 40 reloads. The report is milder than that of the .243 with the same weight bullet and velocity, etc. No, I don't buy expensive brass, say WW +P or Remington. Definitely not a finicky round to load for. E
My rifle is an iron sight 760 Remington bought used. Even with iron sights and mild loads, it throws groups of 1.5 - 2.0 MOA @ 100 yds.

I have IMR 4064 as well.

I would love to see lab tested and certified 60K psi loads for the Roberts. The +P goes to 58K, whereas it's cousin, the 6mm Rem, is SAAMI rated for 65K psi.

In the same action with the same quality brass, why can't the Roberts operate at 60K, or even 65K, although that may asking too much.

So, when I see shooters operating their Roberts slightly above book limits, I don't criticize. That's probably where it needs to cruise in modern actions with top quality brass.

Just my opinion.

DF

Due to wanting more temperature-stable powder for hunting here in Montana, I usually load H4350 or, these days, IMR4451. In most rifles around 47 grains gets 3100+ with a 100-grain, and if you want to push things 3200 is usually possible. With 115-120 grain bullets, both powders will get 2900-3000, depending on barrel length.

Eileen and I have both been shooting the .257 since the 1980's, and dunno how many animals we've taken with it, but they've including antelope, whitetails, mule deer, pigs and cow elk. Ranges have been out to around 450, though when I was guiding for antelope in the late 80's I did take down a wounded buck at around 550, with a 100-grain Partition at 3250 fps.

Have used a bunch of different bullets, including Barnes original X's, and theTSX and TTSX; Hornady Interlocks, Nosler Ballistic Tips and Partitions. There were probably some others too, but can't remember right now.

Jorge,

I bought one of the Kimber French Walnut 84Ms in 257 Roberts. I have not handloaded for it yet,but can tell you that the Federal Premium load with the 120 grain Partitions is a very effective load on deer and hogs.

The 257 is fine round with very little recoil,but kills stuff very nicely. Your little carbine is going to be the perfect stalking rifle in wooded country with openings here and there,which pretty much describes most of the south.

Yep, it kills stuff deader and quicker than one would think, based on noise and recoil...

It's a great round and I love Jorge's new rifle. Pure class. Hope it shoots as good as it looks.

A good bud just left my office, driving a beautiful black Jag convertible. I asked him about it. He said it was 18 yrs. old; it looks new.

Now, that's a classic. Jorge's rifle is a classic. Classics age, they never get old...

DF

I'm a fan of the cartridge. I don't like the M-S rifle's look ... forward butterknife bolt handle looks "funny" to my very American Ruger-Remington-Winchester .. or even Mauser .. eye. YMMV .. I'm glad you found what you like.

Anyway, on to loads.

My all time favorite .257 hunting load is 43 grains of H414, WW+P or Nosler+P brass, Fed 215M primers, and 120 grain partition.

I didn't like the 110 grain Accubond's performance on game and won't use them again, but YMMV in that arena. Accuracy was good with RL22 .. 47 grains I think.

I've had good luck with 47-48 grains of H4831 under 100 grain bullets. My first .257 did it with Speer and Sierra. 2nd to last did it with Nosler BT and partition, current with the BT only / doesn't like the 100 grain partition.

Varmint loads ... 44 grains of 4064 and 75 grain Sierras or 41 grains of 4064 and 90 grain sierra BTHP in a couple guns. Starting from scratch, I'd try the 70 grain Blitzking and if I found accuracy, not bother with other varmint bullets. I've only shot a few .. slightly over MOA in my Kimber montana with 4064.

Good luck!

You are right about the mild noise of the Roberts,it is quieter to me than the 243 and 6mm cartridges. I can only assume that this is do to the lower operating pressure and the larger bore having less jet effect.

The same thing happens with bullets of roughly equal weight and velocity from the 45 Colt and the 44 Magnum in handguns. The bigger bore and milder pressure make things more pleasant to shoot in terms of recoil and velocity.

I get good accuracy with IMR 4064 in my .257 Roberts, as a matter of fact it is my go to powder not only in .257 but also in .30-06 and .35 Whelen. Keeping powder inventory to a minimum and making reloading simple is a prime objective for me.

Nice Rifle Jorge. A score for sure. Enjoy getting out with that one.

I had a Remington 700 in .257 Roberts during the early to mid 80's. Mine shot best with 120 grain bullets over IMR4831. Off hand I can't tell you what the exact load was but it shot and worked well. Eventually sold it off while lusting for something different.

Jim

Good info here:
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11728092/5

LOL, I'd have to shoot 120 gr Partitions with H-4350 if it's twisted tight enough to spin em in Jorge's old rifle.

Geez, we now have TTSX’s available in 100 grain faster flatter and penetration aplenty.

I know, and will shoot em in newer or custom built rifles, I have a form of retardation that wont let me shoot newfangleds in old guns, Woodleighs, Partitions or Swift A Frames only.

Kinda like you may be towards a big squishy Speer 350 gr hollow point in a cool 500 Linebaugh single action big bore revolver, just say no. ;]

I hate to inform you but Swift A Frames are infact “newfangled”

Still copper and lead my friend!

You gotta understand. Gunner is sort of a renaissance man, known to revert back in time, on occasion as far back as the 1800’s. He likes big fire belching Sharps and such. Fire and brimstone sort of a guy.

So, you can’t hit him too hard with cold logic...😀

DF