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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 45
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 45 |
I agree, with proper shot placement any 100 gr.+ bullet works well on deer size game. However, poop happens. I watched a buddy hit an antelope in the elbow at 125 yds.+/- with a Sierra 100 gr. SPT and fully expected that animal to tip over within sight (could see it for 200 - 300 yds. before it went over a hill) - never did recover it, bullet did not penetrate to the vitals.
After witnessing that, I recognized the value of a tougher .257 bullet. I now load the 110 Accubond for his .257 Rob. and my .257 Ackley. So far, so good, he took a nice cow elk with it the following year.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,456 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,456 Likes: 2 |
In the past I've used the 75 grain Sierra HP over 44 grains of IMR 4064 for most of my .257 varmint shooting. My Ruger 77 RL really did well with that load. What was on the receiving end really did not.  They were also friggin' wicked in a Ruger 77 VT .25-'06. I've got a box or two of the new-ish 70 grain BlitzKings to try out in the new .257 when it arrives. If they shoot well, I 'spect they may be my go-to small varmint bullet. Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 15
New Member
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OP
New Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 15 |
Wow. Thanks much, thats the kind of info I was lookin for. All my hunting experience is with 7mm/30 cal bullets. I also shoot a 375 win but it throws small lead school busses at em. This will be the smallest caliber I have hunted deer with, I just didnt want any surprises as far as bullet performance goes.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,646 Likes: 5
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,646 Likes: 5 |
I agree, with proper shot placement any 100 gr.+ bullet works well on deer size game. However, poop happens. I watched a buddy hit an antelope in the elbow at 125 yds.+/- with a Sierra 100 gr. SPT and fully expected that animal to tip over within sight (could see it for 200 - 300 yds. before it went over a hill) - never did recover it, bullet did not penetrate to the vitals. Bigger and/or better construction doesn't make up for bad shot placement. Seems an awful lot of "bullet failure" stories contain so much conjecture. Seems poor shot placement a more logical explanation. And no, that isn't a slam on your shooting abilities; as you say, things happen. Problem is we're most likely the "weakest link" not our equipment, even one as (IMHO) poor as a Sierra Gameking.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,831
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,831 |
I've always found the 117s to 120s at about 2900fps to be a sweet spot for the Bob. Trajectory is flat enough to 350 or so. No need for premium bullets, that velocity makes good CnC bullets shine. Recoil is mild.
Had good performance from Speer, Hornady, and Sierra. Your rifle will tell you what it likes. And the 4831s have always seem to work best for my Bobs. Sweet cartridge!
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,428
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,428 |
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?id=26I found this 100 grain speer bullet to amazingly accurate in my BLR with unfortunately RL12 powder (under 1/2" 100 yards groups off the bench rest when I could hold the rifle steady on a good rest) , its still accurate with H414 but not quite as accurate, only 1.1" groups, but even then it is deadly on deer. I loaded that load for mule deer for a buddys Dad, and in his rem 700 its even better.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,159
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,159 |
I have had limited experience with my 257 Roberts for the past two years but my rifle loves 115 grain Nosler BT's over IMR 4350. Deadly on deer. Also shoots Hornady 117 grain factory loads well. Low recoil makes the 257 a pleasure to shoot. Enjoy your new rifle.
.280 AI Fan
"I don't make jokes, I just watch the government and report the facts" Will Rogers
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" Unknown
Trump 2024!
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,203
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,203 |
Starting in 1983, I shot a bunch of deer with the 85 grain .243" and 90 grain .257" Sierra Gameking HPBTs, but no longer do so 'cause I had four failures to penetrated, two with each of the different diameter bullets. These were easy shots, under 200 yards, at unsuspecting animals and the bullets hit where they were aimed, but they came apart on contact and didn't penetrate through the rib cage and into the chest cavity. All four deer were recovered, but only after being hit repeatedly.
Now I shoot Barnes, Hornady SpirePoints, Nosler ABs and Partitions, Speer HotCores, and Winchester/Olin PPs at deer when I'm shooting smaller bore rifles and save the Sierra products for shooting varmints.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,895
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,895 |
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,854 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,854 Likes: 3 |
I agree, with proper shot placement any 100 gr.+ bullet works well on deer size game. However, poop happens. I watched a buddy hit an antelope in the elbow at 125 yds.+/- with a Sierra 100 gr. SPT and fully expected that animal to tip over within sight (could see it for 200 - 300 yds. before it went over a hill) - never did recover it, bullet did not penetrate to the vitals.
After witnessing that, I recognized the value of a tougher .257 bullet. I now load the 110 Accubond for his .257 Rob. and my .257 Ackley. So far, so good, he took a nice cow elk with it the following year. Given A, how can you conclude B?
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,083
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,083 |
I've been using the 100 gr partition in a 25-06 loaded to Bob velocity for years. It would be my first choice.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,918
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,918 |
I shoot the 115 Ballistic Tip and 120 Partition with H4831 from my Ruger Ultralight.
When I die I hope I don't start voting democrat.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 45
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 45 |
I suppose pieces may have reached the vitals but given how open the land was and our recovery efforts, if they did, damage caused was not sufficient to make that animal recoverable. I watched the impact through binoculars and yes, with proper shot placement he would have had his antelope (he did not compensate for wind), but I have little doubt a stouter bullet would have done the job.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,831
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,831 |
Starting in 1983, I shot a bunch of deer with the 85 grain .243" and 90 grain .257" Sierra Gameking HPBTs, but no longer do so 'cause I had four failures to penetrated, two with each of the different diameter bullets. These were easy shots, under 200 yards, at unsuspecting animals and the bullets hit where they were aimed, but they came apart on contact and didn't penetrate through the rib cage and into the chest cavity. All four deer were recovered, but only after being hit repeatedly.
Now I shoot Barnes, Hornady SpirePoints, Nosler ABs and Partitions, Speer HotCores, and Winchester/Olin PPs at deer when I'm shooting smaller bore rifles and save the Sierra products for shooting varmints. 260: any experience wth the 117/120 Sierras?
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
I have a Sako in 257 Ack Imp and have killed a few deer with it . I use nothing but the Nosler 100 gr Partition and IMR 4831.
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,081 Likes: 5
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,081 Likes: 5 |
Why the hell have I always wanted a 257 Roberts??? Got a real nice 257 Bob at the LGS that is haunting/tormenting me right now... It's a Ruger M77 with stunning wood. Holding out for a pre 64, but don't know how strong I am...  Ruger's looking pretty good right now..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,563 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,563 Likes: 1 |
You might get that Ruger, it is more versatile. You can loan it or lose it and you will never miss it...
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,203
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,203 |
Starting in 1983, I shot a bunch of deer with the 85 grain .243" and 90 grain .257" Sierra Gameking HPBTs, but no longer do so 'cause I had four failures to penetrated, two with each of the different diameter bullets. These were easy shots, under 200 yards, at unsuspecting animals and the bullets hit where they were aimed, but they came apart on contact and didn't penetrate through the rib cage and into the chest cavity. All four deer were recovered, but only after being hit repeatedly.
Now I shoot Barnes, Hornady SpirePoints, Nosler ABs and Partitions, Speer HotCores, and Winchester/Olin PPs at deer when I'm shooting smaller bore rifles and save the Sierra products for shooting varmints. 260: any experience wth the 117/120 Sierras? No, not a Sierra kinda guy unless I'm shooting at paper or varmints.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,918
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,918 |
Why the hell have I always wanted a 257 Roberts??? Got a real nice 257 Bob at the LGS that is haunting/tormenting me right now... It's a Ruger M77 with stunning wood. Buy it
When I die I hope I don't start voting democrat.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,831
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,831 |
Starting in 1983, I shot a bunch of deer with the 85 grain .243" and 90 grain .257" Sierra Gameking HPBTs, but no longer do so 'cause I had four failures to penetrated, two with each of the different diameter bullets. These were easy shots, under 200 yards, at unsuspecting animals and the bullets hit where they were aimed, but they came apart on contact and didn't penetrate through the rib cage and into the chest cavity. All four deer were recovered, but only after being hit repeatedly.
Now I shoot Barnes, Hornady SpirePoints, Nosler ABs and Partitions, Speer HotCores, and Winchester/Olin PPs at deer when I'm shooting smaller bore rifles and save the Sierra products for shooting varmints. 260: any experience wth the 117/120 Sierras? No, not a Sierra kinda guy unless I'm shooting at paper or varmints. I understand. Just curious what your experience might have been, if you had.
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