Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters .257 loads with 100 grain bullets and Superformance powder

I have a .257 DGR which is similar to a .25 Souper. I can find published load data with 100 grain bullets for .243 Win, 6 Creedmoor, and .257 Roberts. I have sent emails and left phone messages for Hodgdon and Hornady to get their views but no answers yet. Does anybody have any additional load data for this bullet weight and powder? I am thinking someplace between 46.0 and 48.0 grains might get to 3200 fps in the . 257 DGR with 100 grain bullets with no pressure. Just looking for additional information prior to starting actual load work up. I have been able to get close to 3200 fps with 100 grain bullets in this rifle but ran into pressure with Benchmark powder and 100 grain bullets when I got more than 3200 fps which is the only powder I have tried that got there velocity wise.

I guess work out the case capacity and compare to .257 Roberts, .250 Souper etc. and go from there. I had to look the .257 DGR up as I'd never heard of it.

Just my opinion, but I'd say you need to be a LOT more careful while you're working up a load. Pressure signs often show up only when you're WAY over safe pressure and risk damaging the rifle...or yourself.

.257 DGR is an awesome cartridge. I have one, but have never fired it. I just thinnk the design is very intelligent. Did you check Duane Spooner's web site for load data?

https://www.duanesguns.com/257-dgr/

My bad. No load data on his web site. He used to publish some, but not any more apparently. You might try emailing Duane at his web site. I'll bet he'd be willing to email you some load data.

Are Steve's Pages still available?

Duane built my rifle. I talked with him and he has not done any load development with this powder yet.

czech1022,, with a LITTLE research it appears that Steve’s Pages are available as a subscription service after Steve’s death.

Thanks, rflshtr!

P. S. Re-reading my first post, it looks like I was feeling a bit snotty and should have kept that comment to myself, especially if I didn't have anything constructive to add!

My apologies, and if I find any good load data that could help, I'll make another attempt to post - without the snot!

I would start with 257 Roberts loads. Benchmark is a very fast burning powder not really suited for this cartridge. Superformance is on the other end of the burn rate spectrum.Try filling a case with powder and weighing the powder in your DGR case. Compare that to a Roberts case. Use that to estimate how much larger the DGR case is relative to the Roberts case and load accordingly. You're pretty much on your own unless you can find another 257 DGR owner.

I'm another 25 caliber fan and considered a rifle in 257 DGR a while back, but never went ahead and had one built. Good luck with your project.

I have a 25 Souper and have used 243 load data during the 30+ years that I've been loading for it.

I almost did one of these myself. here's a couple things to look at.

http://www.angelfire.com/nd/243ackleyimproved/257DGR_4.htm

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3209875/25_08_Wildcat_Cartridge

It's always somewhat astonishing to me today when rifle loonies continue to chase a LITTLE more velocity by using a certain "special" cartridge or powder, when higher-BC bullets usually produce better results at any range.

If somebody wants SIGNIFICANTLY more muzzle velocity than, say, the .257 Roberts (or .257 AI) then it's pretty easy to buy a .25-06--which in my experience is a very accurate cartridge.

But whatever.

Right! Don’t try to make a .257 Roberts or .250 Savage into something it’s not.

Or you just buy a 6.5 Creedmoor, which will do the same basic stuff as a.25-06, and more.

But apparently that is too much reality.

As Jessica used to say,

"That was Mean!"

Apparently no one around here likes the 6.5 CM. Tons of different CM loads but nary a box of .308 or .30-06 at North40. Go figure.

czech1022, you are welcome and apology accepted.

Thanks Big Nate. Duane Spooner built my rifle for me about 15 years ago. He and Jeff Milender and I shared load data then. Since Jeff’s death, the angelfire site has not been updated for new data. I have data with several different powders getting good accuracy and velocity of 3100 to 3150 with 100 grain bullets. Was hoping to find some new data with Superformance powder. Not trying to make it into a 25-06, but based on what I have read about this powder and somewhat similar other cartridges, I thought it might get another 50 to 100 FPS safely with the .257 DGR. Isn’t that what being a looney is all about?

Mule Deer,
Guilty as charged. Already have .243AI, 6 Creedmoor, 6 mm AI, 250 AI, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55, 6.5-06, and 6.5 PRC. Just trying to get the most out of the.257 DGR safely with newer powders.