Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .257 Roberts 3,000fps 110 grn Nosler AB

About ten years ago I found a cool custom Dennis Olson mountain rifle. A super lightweight blind magazine version of a Ruger tang safety 77, 30-06 Lija barrel. Very nice, slim fancy walnut stock.

So around eight years ago ordered a PacNor .257 Roberts, 22” 1 in 8 twist. Since it’s built on a long action modern action I had the throat cut deeper chamber to allow a 2.947” bullet a little jump to the lands. At that time there was lots of reloading components available. I loaded up about fifty cartridges with 46.5 grains of IMR 4831, 100 gr TTSX and have eight one shot kills on mostly whitetail since then. I ran out this year and bought a few boxes of off the shelf Hornady Super Performance 117 grain and killed a nice mule feel buck.

Anyway, I found a box of 110 grain Nosler AB bullets and am ready to load them. I think I remember Mule Deer stating that RL22 was sensitive to low temperatures, did I remember correctly? I hunt in eastern Montana where it cad get pretty cold during hunting season. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Maybe check out some stuff H4831, Hunter, etc that may be less temp affected. I am sure you'll get 3000 or better with any of them. RL23 is a great powder, as are the Viht powders.

Cartridge : .257 Roberts
Bullet : .257, 110, Nosler AccuBond 53742
Useable Case Capaci: 49.260 grain H2O = 3.198 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.900 inch = 73.66 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4831 SC *T

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.02% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.2 96 44.00 2677 1751 42038 10600 88.2 1.236
-09.2 97 44.50 2711 1795 43567 10760 88.9 1.216
-08.2 98 45.00 2745 1841 45157 10919 89.6 1.195
-07.1 99 45.50 2780 1887 46812 11074 90.3 1.175
-06.1 100 46.00 2814 1934 48535 11226 90.9 1.155
-05.1 101 46.50 2849 1982 50328 11375 91.6 1.136
-04.1 102 47.00 2883 2031 52197 11521 92.2 1.117
-03.1 103 47.50 2918 2080 54148 11663 92.7 1.098
-02.0 105 48.00 2953 2130 56179 11801 93.3 1.080 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 106 48.50 2988 2181 58298 11935 93.9 1.062 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 107 49.00 3024 2233 60512 12065 94.4 1.044 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 108 49.50 3059 2286 62823 12190 94.9 1.026 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 109 50.00 3094 2339 65238 12311 95.4 1.009 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.1 110 50.50 3130 2393 67764 12426 95.9 0.992 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.1 111 51.00 3166 2448 70405 12537 96.3 0.976 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.1 112 51.50 3202 2504 73169 12642 96.7 0.959 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 107 49.00 3192 2489 72884 12269 98.9 0.964 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 107 49.00 2811 1931 49467 11285 86.2 1.145


Cartridge : .257 Roberts
Bullet : .257, 110, Nosler AccuBond 53742
Useable Case Capaci: 49.260 grain H2O = 3.198 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.900 inch = 73.66 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 7828 SSC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 96 45.00 2728 1818 41749 11424 88.6 1.233
-09.0 98 45.50 2764 1866 43270 11599 89.3 1.212
-08.0 99 46.00 2800 1915 44851 11771 90.1 1.191
-07.0 100 46.50 2836 1965 46499 11939 90.8 1.171
-06.0 101 47.00 2873 2015 48211 12103 91.5 1.151
-05.0 102 47.50 2909 2067 50002 12262 92.1 1.131
-04.0 103 48.00 2946 2119 51867 12417 92.8 1.112
-03.0 104 48.50 2982 2172 53811 12566 93.4 1.093
-02.0 105 49.00 3019 2226 55842 12710 94.0 1.074 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 106 49.50 3056 2281 57961 12849 94.6 1.056 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 107 50.00 3093 2337 60174 12981 95.2 1.038 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 108 50.50 3130 2393 62484 13108 95.7 1.020 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 109 51.00 3168 2451 64909 13228 96.2 1.003 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 110 51.50 3205 2509 67440 13341 96.6 0.985 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 111 52.00 3243 2568 70092 13447 97.1 0.968 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 113 52.50 3280 2628 72871 13546 97.5 0.951 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 107 50.00 3282 2631 73175 13071 99.5 0.953 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 107 50.00 2851 1986 48860 12087 86.1 1.145


Cartridge : .257 Roberts
Bullet : .257, 110, Nosler AccuBond 53742
Useable Case Capaci: 49.260 grain H2O = 3.198 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.900 inch = 73.66 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Ramshot Hunter

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.042% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.4 92 43.00 2772 1877 44111 11212 95.6 1.215
-09.4 93 43.50 2805 1922 45681 11347 96.1 1.195
-08.3 94 44.00 2838 1967 47317 11478 96.6 1.176
-07.3 95 44.50 2871 2013 49011 11605 97.0 1.157
-06.2 96 45.00 2904 2059 50769 11726 97.4 1.138
-05.2 97 45.50 2937 2106 52595 11843 97.8 1.120
-04.2 98 46.00 2970 2154 54490 11954 98.1 1.102
-03.1 99 46.50 3002 2202 56457 12060 98.4 1.085 ! Near Maximum !
-02.1 100 47.00 3035 2250 58490 12161 98.7 1.067 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 101 47.50 3068 2299 60592 12255 99.0 1.050 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 102 48.00 3100 2348 62771 12344 99.2 1.034 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 103 48.50 3133 2398 65032 12427 99.4 1.018 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.1 105 49.00 3166 2448 67379 12503 99.6 1.002 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.1 106 49.50 3198 2498 69816 12574 99.7 0.986 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.2 107 50.00 3230 2549 72347 12637 99.8 0.971 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.2 108 50.50 3263 2600 74978 12694 99.9 0.956 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 48.00 3238 2561 75468 11962 100.0 0.958 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 48.00 2908 2066 50659 12091 94.0 1.134


Cartridge : .257 Roberts
Bullet : .257, 110, Nosler AccuBond 53742
Useable Case Capaci: 49.260 grain H2O = 3.198 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.900 inch = 73.66 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Vihtavuori N560 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.98% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-09.8 99 46.00 2789 1900 43364 11976 89.1 1.217
-08.8 100 46.50 2824 1948 44913 12151 89.8 1.197
-07.8 101 47.00 2860 1997 46523 12322 90.5 1.177
-06.9 102 47.50 2895 2047 48197 12490 91.2 1.157
-05.9 103 48.00 2931 2098 49936 12654 91.8 1.138
-04.9 105 48.50 2967 2149 51751 12813 92.4 1.119
-03.9 106 49.00 3002 2202 53640 12968 93.0 1.101
-02.9 107 49.50 3038 2255 55604 13118 93.6 1.082 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 108 50.00 3075 2309 57654 13264 94.2 1.064 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 109 50.50 3111 2364 59789 13404 94.7 1.047 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 110 51.00 3147 2419 62016 13539 95.3 1.029 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 111 51.50 3183 2475 64339 13668 95.7 1.012 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 112 52.00 3220 2532 66762 13791 96.2 0.995 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.9 113 52.50 3256 2590 69299 13908 96.7 0.979 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.9 114 53.00 3293 2649 71946 14019 97.1 0.962 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.9 115 53.50 3330 2708 74709 14123 97.5 0.946 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 110 51.00 3335 2717 76223 13640 99.5 0.944 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 110 51.00 2905 2062 49834 12656 86.5 1.138


I ran a thru of them thru QL at 2.9" COAL with a 22" barrel. Lotsa great powders that should be excellent for what you're trying to do.

I load the 110 gr. NABs using H4350. 45.5 grains gets me 2,984 fps MV from a 24" barrel.

I stopped at 45.5 as the SD was a consistent 7 - 7.2

I load them 0.05" off the rifling for a BTO (Sinclair) of 3.440". This is out of a M77 "Tanger" LA.

How many shots per sample were used to make these SD estimates?

They're not estimates, but measures, as best as whatever chrony is being used to produce them.
My approach is to shoot 5 shot strings to identify nodes, then 10 shot strings on the couple of nodes that look promising, finally a 20 shot string on the node I've selected to confirm.

As an example, next week I'm testing the 110 grain ELD-X load. I'm starting by tweaking the NAB load with 5 - 5 shot strings of 0.2 grains separation. From that I'm expecting to come across at least 1 promising node to explore further.

No, they are estimates. You measure, within some interval of precision, the velocities of a sample of shots. Then from these measurements, you calculate an estimate of the true SD of the probability distribution of velocity.

Nope. I'm not measuring nor calculating anything, true or not. The chrony is providing me with all the information I'm looking for.

Now if the chrony is a lousy chrony, or a lying chrony, then that's a whole 'nuther set of problems.

Next time I'm looking for another chrony, I'll check if it offers the "probability distribution of velocity" feature.

When I wrote "you" I didn't literally mean you. What I wrote about is the mathematics behind what the chronograph is doing for you.

Sample SD (what the chronograph calculates for you) is an estimate of the true SD. The validity of the estimate depends on the number of measurements in the sample. People sometimes quote SD estimates based on three shots, and such estimates are not reliable. If you're quoting results based on twenty shot strings then you're on firmer ground.

I can’t speak to its temp sensitivity, but 3K came easy with that bullet and H100V out of a Ruger #1 RSI. Scrambled the lungs of a youngish buck at 80 yards and 15F. An example of 1, but it worked.

Old70

Thanks everyone; let me narrow the discussion a little. I have a choice of three powders:
H 4350
IMR 4350
IMR 4831

I’d like to try these Nosler 110 gr ABs, but I have plenty of 100 gr TTSX which have worked well for me on a bunch of whitetail the past ten years. That said, recently I’m spending most of my season chasing big mulies over in eastern Montana and thought I could use a larger bullet. This year I killed a nice buck with off the shelf Hornady 117 gr SST.

One last thing, since this is a custom long action Ruger-PacNor barrel, my COL is much longer, 2.947, so I can seat a longer bullet pretty far out, room for lots of powder.

Cartridge : .257 Roberts
Bullet : .257, 110, Nosler AccuBond 53742
Useable Case Capaci: 49.256 grain H2O = 3.198 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.900 inch = 73.66 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4350 *T

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.087% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.9 92 41.00 2696 1775 43839 10336 93.6 1.223
-09.8 93 41.50 2728 1818 45371 10476 94.1 1.203
-08.7 95 42.00 2760 1861 46956 10612 94.6 1.184
-07.6 96 42.50 2793 1905 48597 10745 95.1 1.165
-06.5 97 43.00 2825 1949 50296 10874 95.6 1.146
-05.4 98 43.50 2857 1994 52054 11000 96.0 1.128
-04.3 99 44.00 2890 2040 53875 11121 96.4 1.111
-03.3 100 44.50 2922 2086 55761 11239 96.8 1.093 ! Near Maximum !
-02.2 101 45.00 2954 2132 57714 11352 97.2 1.076 ! Near Maximum !
-01.1 102 45.50 2987 2179 59738 11461 97.6 1.059 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 104 46.00 3019 2226 61836 11566 97.9 1.043 ! Near Maximum !
+01.1 105 46.50 3051 2274 64010 11665 98.2 1.027 ! Near Maximum !
+02.2 106 47.00 3083 2322 66264 11761 98.5 1.011 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.3 107 47.50 3115 2370 68602 11850 98.8 0.995 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.3 108 48.00 3147 2419 71028 11935 99.0 0.980 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.4 109 48.50 3179 2469 73546 12015 99.2 0.965 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 104 46.00 3151 2425 72744 11417 100.0 0.972 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 104 46.00 2843 1974 51124 11183 92.1 1.135


Cartridge : .257 Roberts
Bullet : .257, 110, Nosler AccuBond 53742
Useable Case Capaci: 49.256 grain H2O = 3.198 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.900 inch = 73.66 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 4350

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.087% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.9 91 41.00 2702 1783 44137 10354 93.8 1.219
-09.8 92 41.50 2734 1826 45680 10493 94.3 1.199
-08.7 93 42.00 2767 1870 47277 10628 94.8 1.180
-07.6 94 42.50 2799 1914 48929 10759 95.3 1.161
-06.5 95 43.00 2831 1958 50639 10887 95.8 1.143
-05.4 96 43.50 2864 2003 52410 11011 96.2 1.125
-04.3 97 44.00 2896 2048 54243 11131 96.6 1.107
-03.3 99 44.50 2928 2094 56142 11248 97.0 1.090 ! Near Maximum !
-02.2 100 45.00 2960 2141 58109 11359 97.4 1.073 ! Near Maximum !
-01.1 101 45.50 2993 2187 60146 11467 97.7 1.056 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 102 46.00 3025 2235 62258 11570 98.1 1.040 ! Near Maximum !
+01.1 103 46.50 3057 2282 64447 11668 98.4 1.024 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.2 104 47.00 3089 2331 66716 11761 98.6 1.008 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.3 105 47.50 3121 2379 69070 11849 98.9 0.992 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.3 106 48.00 3153 2428 71511 11932 99.1 0.977 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.4 107 48.50 3185 2478 74045 12009 99.3 0.962 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 46.00 3156 2433 73213 11400 100.0 0.969 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 46.00 2850 1984 51496 11206 92.3 1.131


Cartridge : .257 Roberts
Bullet : .257, 110, Nosler AccuBond 53742
Useable Case Capaci: 49.256 grain H2O = 3.198 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.900 inch = 73.66 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 4831

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.075% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.8 95 41.50 2741 1834 43750 10770 97.5 1.238
-09.7 97 42.00 2773 1879 45352 10886 97.9 1.217
-08.6 98 42.50 2806 1924 47012 10997 98.3 1.197
-07.5 99 43.00 2839 1969 48732 11102 98.6 1.177
-06.5 100 43.50 2872 2014 50516 11201 98.9 1.158
-05.4 101 44.00 2904 2060 52365 11295 99.1 1.139
-04.3 102 44.50 2937 2107 54283 11383 99.3 1.120
-03.2 103 45.00 2969 2153 56272 11465 99.5 1.101 ! Near Maximum !
-02.2 105 45.50 3002 2201 58336 11540 99.7 1.083 ! Near Maximum !
-01.1 106 46.00 3034 2248 60477 11609 99.8 1.066 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 107 46.50 3066 2296 62700 11672 99.9 1.048 ! Near Maximum !
+01.1 108 47.00 3098 2344 65007 11728 100.0 1.032 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.2 109 47.50 3129 2392 67404 11777 100.0 1.015 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.2 110 48.00 3161 2441 69893 11820 100.0 0.999 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.3 112 48.50 3193 2490 72480 11861 100.0 0.983 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.4 113 49.00 3224 2539 75170 11902 100.0 0.967 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 107 46.50 3188 2483 75393 11205 100.0 0.970 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 107 46.50 2885 2034 50292 11713 96.3 1.153



H4350 would be my first choice if you have enough of it. They all look pretty good though.

Thank you Beretzs, that’s very helpful.

Those powders should work well. I think you’ll end up with one of the 4350’s, but maybe not.
I’ve used IMR4350 since I started shooting. Many of my favorite loads are with IMR4350. I’m doing a lot of experimenting with H4350 now as it has properties I desire. I’m presently out of IMR4831.

I’m working with a new to me 257 R also. My old one was a beautiful M98. The new one is a 700 Classic.

Can’t wait until warm weather.