Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Favorite Powder .257R and 120gr Speer GS

2900-2940 22" bbl

Speer data would indicate you're leaving a few hundred fps on the table with that one.

Did you clock it?

DF

I use IMR-4831 for my Swede.

That's not to shabby.

Burn rates pretty close, all those in the same neighborhood..

DF

Agree with Dirtfarmer. With heavy bullets I used to use RL22, have replaced it with RL23. Norma MRP is very good.

RL26 has worked good also, heavier bullet the better. My model 70 did 3129 FPS with RL26.and 115gr Partitions.

RL23 did 3129 FPS with 115gr Nosler Partitions

RL17 also did over 3100 FPS with 110gr Accubonds. Had to back load off.

Did you get unburned powder residue with '26 in your Roberts?

I was using heavy bullets and got granules in the chamber such that I couldn't chamber the next round. Once I shook it out, all was good.

Swore off '26 in the Roberts. It's the cat's meow in the 7RM with 160's. I have a big jug and really like it. Just not in the Roberts.

I have Pw Pro 4000 and StaBALL, just haven't tried either in the Roberts. Too many projects, not enough time....

DF

After looking high and low for RL22 or MRP locally, I think I’m going to try IMR4831, Ramshot Hunter, and RL17. Hopefully, one of those will give acceptable results. If none of those work out I guess I’ll order some RL22 and/or MRP.

Those are all good candicates.

When you go to get more RL-22, get RL-23 instead. Better powder that will do about the same thing.

DF

I’ll keep that in mind.

H4831sc with 115/120gn bullets in my Roberts'.

Thanks

Do not remember any granules left over after firing. I usually use 215M primers or CCI250 primers

I shoot the RL23 and the MRP the most as I think they are a little more accurate. Like I said I had good luck with RL17

But do no use it much in that Caliber. I use it in my 7mm-08 mostly

I see you are using PP4000MR. Are you having any luck? I,m trying to make a load for my 7mm-08

So far limiter success, but last load using WLRM primers and 145gr Speer BT bullets I got 2895 FPS but SD was 28.4 not good.

For any 120, my go-to is 43 grains of H414 and Fed 215 or 215M primers. .257 seem picky, inconsistent, but that has worked in several rifles for me.

Tom

No one said it so maybe I am old and out of date... I use IMR 4350 in my rem 722

I was thinking about that as well. I saw that one in my Ken Waters book.

Nothing wrong with being a vintage type guy, using vintage stuff.

It worked back in the day; it works now.

Sorta vintage myself.



DF

I used to shoot IMR4831 with the 120 Partition in a 22" short action 700 Roberts. It made around 2,800fps. Killed deer nicely.

Good news! The gun shop called this morning and set back 1 lb each of RL23, and PP4000. So, it looks like I have a bunch of powders to try now. As soon a Grafs ships my MRP, I’ll have enough variables to keep me crazy for a while.