What's your go to load (powder, charge weight/velocity, bullet, etc) for deer in the 257 Roberts?

46-H4350-100 Hornady. Does the job near and far in my Ruger. 3050 fps and accurate, I've killed several whitetails with it and an antelope doe at 375 yards. Have yet to recover a bullet.

As of today 100 grain GS customs over 48 grains of Hybrid V100 ,RP brass and federal 210 primers. 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards and 1 inch at 200. Totally suprised as I just put my Rem 700 75th anniversary in a B&C stock and resighted it . 3200 fps.

+1

100 grain TSX over 45.5 grains of Hunter. I'm not sure of the velocity, but it shoots 3/4" groups in my Hawkeye. It hasn't been put to the test on any critters yet, but I'm sure it'll do just fine.

I like 120gr bullets (Speer, Hornady, Sierra have all worked well) with stiff loads of 4831 (either H or IMR). Velocities are 2900+ and deer die just like they were hit with a 270, 280, 264, 308, 7-08, ad nauseam).

This past deer season, just to see what the hype was all about, I tried 80gr TTSX's with 4064. That combo works well, too.

Been shooting the Bob's since the 1960s and tried many loads over the years. The 115 grain Nosler Partition stands out in a combo of accuracy and bullet performance on Mule and Whitetail deer.

Loaded with 42-43 grains H4350 in two tang safety Ruger M77s 22" barrels I get 2820 - 2830 fps.

A Ruger 77 LT (long throat) shoots best with 45 grains H4350 at 2875 fps.

43grn RL19 117 Hornady interlock 2.788"oal, CCI 200's. Accurate and a fairly hard bullet that will hang together when you hit deer in a hard spot. I have taken deer out to 310yrds with zero issues.

43.5grn RL19 115 Nos. BT 2.88", CCI 200's. Even more accurate, but just by a hair, .6-.7 moa, consistantly over several months of shooting.

How far off the lands are you seating those?

Just to back up what other people have posted, if a .257 won't shoot well with a 100-grain bullet and 46 grains of H4350, then there's something wrong with the rifle. I've loaded for about 12-15 .257's and the only one that wouldn't shoot with this load was a Ruger No. 1B with a very long and loose throat.

This is by no means a maximum load, usually getting 3000-3100 fps depending on barrel length, but with the right bullet will kill any whitetail or mule deer quite handily.

MD,
Just reread your signature line-
There's a lot of truth to it, especially in difficult times.

Have you found that you have to reduce that load with "+P" brass to get the same velocity/pressure?

If I understand correctly, the +P brass is thicker and has slightly less capacity.

My loads....

All +p win brass

100 gr. bullet speer, horn, sierra, nosler bt or pt.
Imr 4831 46 gr. CCI 200 and fed 210. Seat 2.800-2.85 o.a.l
chronos at 3050-3098 fps.
3/4 inch groops @ 100yds

117 gr Horn btsp
Imr7828 47.5 gr. fed 210 seat 2.900 o.a.l
chronos at 2950 fps
1/2 inch groups @ 100

Old school 117 Semi-spitz Noslers
Same as the above load
1/2 inch lower impact at 100 yds but shoots just as good
Have not chronoed these, probably won't.
Leaves exit holes in deer like the exit shown in the side of the elk earlier.

Loads have all dropped 'literally' deer and coyote. Other than the bear, who only made it 10 or so feet with the 117 btsp horn, no tracking has been needed.

I blame the easy shootability of the rifle allowing anyone to make very lethal and effective shots

Is there such a beast as a "wrong" 100 grain .257" bullet?

If a rifle looney is at a point in his/her life where all of the really important concerns of everyday life are well in-hand and/or well provided for, is it then OK of roll in the minutia?

Jeff

With the 117grn Hornady I was hitting the lands at 2.92". I ended up at 2.788 becasue the Hornady Custom factory loads shot amazingly well at that length. I started hand loading specifically to duplicate that factory load. Since then I've tried a bunch of loads and components in the Roberts, but that 117 interlock is still a killer load.

Yeah, the 117 Hornady works really well.

Then again, just off the top of my head I can come up with at least a dozen different bullets from 100 to 120 grains that my wife and I have used on various deer-sized animals from several .257's, and they've all worked really well!

Mine realy likes the 117gr Sierra SBT, H4831, H4350, H100V, IMR 8208, doesn't seem to matter much.

Barnes 100 gn TTSX
W-W +P Brass
46.5 gns H-4350
CCI-250
COL 2.900
Vel 3100

Shoots a tad over an inch for three shots at 100 yds in a little whip barreled Ruger Ultra-Light.

Gunner

Looking for a good load for .257 using IMR 4064 and 100-120gr. bullets. Can anyone suggest a load that they've tried with this powder/bullet combination?

100 gr. TTSX
48 grns Hybrid 100V

COL: Forget, but just made it short enough to fit into the Remington Mountain Rifle box.

Accuracy was very good with 3 out of 5 in almost the same hole, the two out-lyers I put down to my shooting. Will test again in a little while with a chrono.

120 grain partition, 43 grains of H414, Fed 215 primer in WW brass.

Surprisingly to me, only 1 of the 4 .257s I've owned has shot 100 grain bullets well. Most did well with 75s and 120s, less so with 87s and 115s, and sucked with the 100s.

The one rifle that did well with 100s was the most recent. I shot 48 grains of H4831 under a 100 grain nosler, b-tip and partition both did very well with the same charge, same cases, same Fed 210M primers.

Tom

100 gr. Sierra's over a generous dose of RE-22

IMR-4350 & 100 gr Interlock has done wonderfully for me.

Guess I must be the outlier on the 257Roberts bell curve. I have worked with 5 different 257's (still have 3).

I tried the "magic" load of 100gr Hornady's with 4350 in all of them without success. And subsequently found happiness with other loads in each of the rifles. go figure.

I have one more chance,though. A M70 FWT is on order, and I will try the "magic" load first...

You're required to buy .257s until you find a rifle that will shoot that load.

I just returned from my gun dealer where I was reassured that a .257 Roberts Featherweight with my name on it was on its way to the store. With any luck, it should be in stock next week. After I pick it up I'll have it bedded and a Leupold Vari-X II atop it.

I have a 1951 NRA reloading book that lists .257 Roberts loads. It's amazing how much higher velocities were attainable back in the day.

I have had good luck with IMR 4350. I am going to experiment with 115 Ballistic Tips and 117 Sierras.

I have had six shoulder surgeries, so I am hoping to make this my primary and maybe only big game rifle. With the right bullet and correct shot placement, it will fell elk as cleanly as any other cartridge that is capable of destroying its heart.

The .257 Roberts vs the .25-06 Remington is similar to the .308 Win vs the 30-06. Less than 100 FPS is not going to make a difference in felling big game. And I'd rather have a 22" .257 Roberts than a 24" .25-06. I'd rather have a short action 22" .308 Win than a long action .30-06. But that's just me.


R

Anyone use Accubonds in his .257 Roberts? If so, results?

southtexas,

Just wondering: Do you check the bullet runout on your handloads?

In regards to bullet runout; do you ever try to correct it, al la the new Hornady run out gauge/straightener, or just set them aside for plinking?

My 257 like Nosler Red Box 110 Accubonds just fine (5/8th's groups). They were running a buy two get one free last year so I have 3.5 boxes left out of six. I needed the brass anyway. I also bought a box of Federal Premium 120 Partitions. Point of impact was quite a bit different so I didn't pursue it much since I plan on reloading anyway. 10 twist btw.

Richard

007FJ,

Have you hunted with Accubonds?

I am planning on trying a box of them with IMR 4350. From what I understand, they should be outstanding on mule deer.

R

My 18 year old son placed a nice shot on a Whitetail with it last season at 200 yards. I told him he could use anything he wanted since I was in the middle of recoping his 308. The turd took my 257 that has the Leica on it. I shot a hog that went about 150 with it though. I shot my two deer last season with a 338 Federal because he used the 257 that day and my A-Bolt 270 SS Stalker because I was hunting from an old tripod.

I like the 110 Accubonds. I want it to like 100 grain partitions but until the Accubonds in the factory ammo are used up some, I am not touching that rifle.

Richard

MD: Only recently. You, and others here, convinced me that it is a variable that should be considered. But, to answer your question, the 100gr Hornady loads were not checked for runout. When the new 257 arrives, I will do that.

My question would be: If the same reloading equipment (press, dies, etc.) were used, and the same reloading techniques were used...and other bullets/loads shot well, is there a reason to believe that the runout with one bullet would be worse than the runout with another bullet? thanks for the lesson...

Accubonds ... they're new enough only my most recent .257 was tested with them. I wasn't that impressed with the accuracy, the 100 grain ballistic tip, 100 grain partition, and 120 grain partition all shot considerably better. The other bullets shot 3/4 MOA or better, the ABs went 2 MOA or worse. The best accuracy I got with the 110 grain accubond in my gun came with RL22. I would still absolutely try the AB in any other .257 I laid hands on. Failure in one doesn't mean failure in another and those are GOOD bullets for the .257's velocity.

Tom

.257 Roberts Fans,

It has been many years since I have shot a rifle because of numerous shoulder surgeries. There's a good chance I'll need two more. It seems I have a genetic predisposition to shoulder injury. As a result I am going to sell my Belgian Browning .338 Win Mag and Marlin Guide Gun because I cannot risk another surgery due to recoil. Hence, my purchasing a .257 Roberts.

It has been a long time since I have hand loaded anything. I anticipate hand loading for my new .257 Roberts. Accuracy is my primary concern. So help me out and provide your expert opinions on the .257 Roberts. Which bullet surrenders the best accuracy? Since I hunt the Rockies where shots can be long, I'd like to go heavy for caliber, say 110 grains and heavier. I like through-and-through wounds. That way if a deer doesn't drop where he stands, a lot of blood on the forest floor makes it easier for my aging eyes to follow.

Finally, are Sierra bullets still of good quality? I used to shoot then out of my .270 Win. I don't think I have ever had to shoot a second at a deer or 'lope.


Thanks so much,

R

I have had great success with the 120gr Hornady HP.

I checked old .257 Roberts loading notes I have and some hand loads that were loaded according to an old manual, and they would be considered very warm by today's standards; however they shot very well in an old Featherweight that I gave to my nephew many years ago.

southtexas,

Yeah, different bullets can seat considerably straighter in the same dies. I had an early lesson in this. My first .270 Winchester REALLY shot 150-grain Hornady Spire Points, as in 1" groups at 300 yards. I thought, of course, the rifle just "liked" them, but a number of years later, long after that .270 was gone and I'd gotten my first concentricity gauge, I tried a bunch of different bullets in the same seating die. The 150 Hornady Spire point seated MUCH straighter than any other bullet, probably due to the way the nose of the bullet fit the die.

In my experience, seating lighter (shorter) bullets straight is even more important. Heavier bullets with longer shanks tend to straighted out in the throat, or at least that's my guess.

MD,
How does average modern factory ammo compare to results achieved by handloads, in terms of straight bullet seating?

I would look really hard at the 115 gr Nosler Partition.It can be driven fairly fast,penetrates well,and IME is an accurate bullet.

Seems to stabilize well in the typical 10 twist Roberts,which can be a bit of an issue,sometimes in some barrels with the 120 gr...at least I have only gotten fair accuracy with them.

I have mostly used the 100 gr to hunt myself,but some of my friends have used the 115 on deer, antelope and black bear with good results.

BobinNH,

Thanks. I will give 115 grain Paritions a try.

What power do you use? I have been using IMR 4350.


Thanks,

R

that sounds logical, thanks. I will do a little experimenting myself.

Roundoak, I've only been shooting a Roberts for a few years but it is very accurate with 115-117's.

117 Sierra Gameking
H4350 43.5-44 grains(max)
CCI 200
Rem brass

2900fps give or take.

Yeah, 115-117 grain bullets normally shoot very well with about that much H4350. They kill stuff too!

100 TSXs are the shizzle in the Bob....

Raisuli,the Roberts is a Junior Version of the 270 Winchester, and the same range of powders seem to work well;IMR4350 as you mentioned, H4350 as JB recommends,RL22,and back when we were running the cartridge a lot,IMR 4831 gave great velocities and accuracy with everything from 87 gr varmint bullets(app 3300 fps),up to 120 gr bullets, the 115 and 117's included.

I recall one Ruger M77 that broke 3000 fps pretty handily with the 115 Partition and IMR 4831.

I would not be shocked today to see 7828SC do a great job with the 115 and 117 gr bullets also,but have never tried it.

For me, I pretty much always used the 100 gr Nosler Partition, figuring if I wanted more than that I would just grab my 270,but if I were planning on making a 257 an all round rifle, I would likely load a 115 NPT to around 3000 fps and Talley Ho!

Hi BobinNH,

Thanks for the info.

I have had to reevaluate hunting rifles due to shoulder injuries. I haven't fired a rifle in about 10 years, which was about the time I had my first surgery on my right rotator cuff. I have had two more on the same shoulder since. Now I'm in balance: three on the left & three on the right.

I was drawn for Utah this season. The 7MM Rem Mag is ideal for the area I hunt. But I will not risk another shoulder surgery shooting magnums.

My gun dealer has a Featherweight .257 Roberts on its way. It should be in next week. I am hoping that it will allow me to resume hunting.

With a .257 Roberts and the right load, I might not need another big game rifle. But I will keep my Sako 7MM Rem Mag anyway. It is by far the most accurate rifle I have. I hope I am able to shoot it again.

If all goes well on this year's deer hunt, I will collect on my Utah elk bonus points. I should have about 20 bonus points -after my first surgery on my right shoulder I applied for bonus points only- so I am sure getting a tag will be perfunctory. If I am drawn, it will give me over a year to get good enough with my .257 Roberts to consider it for elk, which is why I am thinking 120 grain Partitions. If my .257 Roberts doesn't work out, I'll have to see if my shoulders can withstand 7MM Rem Mag recoil, or I'll have to give up elk hunting...and a lot of bonus points.


Take care,

R

R: The Roberts is a great cartridge,and I'm sure it will do well on your mule deer hunt.

For the elk, there are a host of other cartridges that squeeze in between the 7RM and the Roberts,toss heavier bullets of greater diameter than the Roberts,yet bounce gently enough that your shoulder will not be bothered, but that is a personal thing that you have to determine for yourself.Among them may be such good things as a 260 Rem, 6.5x55,6.5 Creedmoor,7/08,7x57,etc....maybe even a 270 or 280,though both burn a skosh more powder and recoil a bit more than the others.All are elk capable.

Sounds to me like you may be a perfect candidate for 7x57 and a top shelf 140 gr bullet for that elk hunt!

7828 is my choice, I've got a Winchester 70 & Remington 722 in the 257 Robt's. I've used imr 7828 since it's inception in '87 & have never went back. There weren't any reloading books at the time with the load data for the new powder, I wrote Leupold a letter, they sent me information on the 7828 loadings with the Nosler bullets & I've been using it since. My loads are with 120gr PBT bullets, any brand brass I happen to have at the time, any large rifle primers. The last five shot ballistics I had on the Chrony were: 3298 3259 3248 3245 3230.

Raisuli,

The 257 Roberts with 120 gr nosler handloaded is riding on the heals of the 25-06 or the 270 with 130 gr. As Mule Deer said, The difference is not as great as people think.

If I had only my Roberts rifle to use, I would go elk hunting with it, I have before just to do it.

I don't really hot rod but I like 42.5 of H4350 with anything 115-120. So far I've killed a hog and a corsican ram with 115 BT and a whitetail and bobcat with 120 Hornady Interlock HP. Velocity runs around 2750 fps.

I was VERY PISSED when they stopped selling RL12 because Id found a load of 37 grains of that allowed my 257 BLR to shoot under 1/2" groups with that powder and a speer 100 grain bullet
now the best load Ive found 39 grains of imr 4064 and its only good for about 1" groups, the heavier slugs just don,t group as well in that particular rifle for some reason

"I have had to reevaluate hunting rifles due to shoulder injuries. I haven't fired a rifle in about 10 years, which was about the time I had my first surgery on my right rotator cuff. I have had two more on the same shoulder since. Now I'm in balance: three on the left & three on the right."

That has to suck big time. I have arthritis in my right shoulder so I've been playing with the 7x57 cartridge. I'm hoping I can find a load I feel confident with on elk with that rifle. I ave two rifles i .257 Robt. One, a Ruger #1B is a tackdriver with the ammo that came with it. It's the Norma 100 gr. load. I wish they still loaded that one.
The other rifle is a Winchester M70 Featherweight that matches my 7x57. I've only messed with a few bullets in it so far but about the best it will do with anything is 1.25". So far anyway. Best bullets so far have been in the 100 gr. tange, the Sierra Game King, Pro-Hunter and the 100 gr. Barnes TSX. I've only tried once with the 120 gr. Speer bullets but the rifle hasn't liked them so far.
A suggestion, if I may. If your shoulder is a problem, why not add a Pachmeyr Declerator or Limbsaver recoil pad to the gun? I have them on a couple of my now semi-retired magnum rifles and they do make one hell of a difference. So far, my 7x57 isn't giving me much trouble with the shoulder but I'm seriously considering having one of those pads installed.
I was looking in the Brnes manual and they have a 115 gr. TSX that can be pushed anywhere from 2769 FPS with H4350 to as high as 2902 with Vit. N165. My 100 gr. TSX load does 2950 FPS from Barnes' max load of 44.5 gr. of IMR4350 which is quite a bit slower than what they published. I haven't used it on game at all. Seems like I can't draw a tag for anything in my home state. Well, I'll be doing an elk hunt in December. Hopefully with the 7x57 but I will take the .35 Whelen as a back up. I do love that cartridge even if the shoulder complains.
Paul B.

Hi PJGunner,

Thanks for the info. I have lumbar problems as well, but I have yet to experience anything as near as painful as shoulder pain. More often than not, typing aggravates my shoulders.

I hope you're able to reduce your pain with anti-inflammatory medication. Naproxen works for me when the pain is not that bad.

It's been a long time since I have fired a big game rifle. If I am able to shoot a big game rifle, I'll probably be limited to sighting it in, firing a few rounds now-and-then, and hunting.

I am going to take your advice. If my new .257 Roberts aggravates my shoulder, I will try a recoil pad.

Thanks again, PJHunter,



R

Dagnabbit, BobinNH, now you went and got me to giving serious consideration to the 7MM Mauser. I sure as heck hope I don't find one 'cause I'm liable to buy it. Heck, I'm already checking loading data for it. A 150 grain .284 caliber bullet at 2800 FPS is about as good as it gets and much better than necessary. No wonder hunters of yesteryear who weren't as bright as we are used it for everything. A cartridge that costs five simoleons has got to work better than one that costs 90% less, right?

I need to stay off these boards. They're gunna cost me money.

Now where can I find me a 7MM Mauser???



Take care, BobinNH,

R

I think the 7MM Mauser has been hiding in plain sight:

http://africanxmag.com/mausers_7mm.htm

I dunno if anyone else has had trouble but that link locks my computer up solid as a rock. I tried three times and eveytime a pop up slides across the screen asking you to subscribe. Click o the close button and poof, locked up tight. Wait for it to go away and that don't happen.
Paul B.

Jack O'Connor used to use 39.5 grs. of IMR 4064 in his Roberts with a 100 gr. bullet. Said the cases would fall out of the gun and they would last "at least 40 times."
What has impressed me with the Bob is that one can get good velociites at low pressures. That and it can be loaded with alot of diffrent powders. Makes for lower muzzle blast vs. my usual loads in the .243.
There is alot to like with the Bob.
Heck, I've even tried .257 Roberts ammo in my .25-284, mostly to see if it will feed from the magazine. It wouldn't completely chamber BTW.
Why ? Because I'm toying with the idea of making it into a Roberts, maybe with a heavier, or a shorter barrel. The Disease never sleeps does it ? E

Raisuli,

BobinNH has given great advice and suggested alternatives to the 7mm Magnum for elk. I know you hate to risk damage to the shoulder that has already been an ordeal. I've a 7x57 that I love. Never used it on elk, but it has accounted for many Scottish stags that of course are much smaller than elk. But it's cleanly killed everything I ever shot with it -- with no fuss, no muss, and without joining my shoulder blades together. The recoil is quite gentle.

Admire your spirit. Good luck!

Shot my Mark X Mauser yesterday, 75gr Hdy HP, 2.75g (42.43gr) IMR8208XBR, 2.870" OAL, CCI 200, WW Super brass, 3520fps avg., 17.0 sd. 5 shots in 1.8", 3 of them in .75", at 300 yds. I think this load is a keeper. 4-12x40 Redfield scope, no PA other than centering the image with dark edges, new eyeglasses. I may have to try one of Doug's 6.5-20x44 Vipers to see if this thing will really shoot.

Many folks in Africa had great luck with the 7x57 and 173gr bullets at ~2300fps. You could make up some mild loads that launch a 175gr Partition at 2300-2400fps and have less than 14lbs of recoil in a 7 pound rifle (which is only 3 lbs or so more than a .257 Roberts with 100gr bullets). It would give you a +/- 3" point blank range of ~240 yards and you'd have enough velocity for proper expansion out to 300 yards.

That load would be a fine choice for big game if recoil is a concern.

I talked to a representative of my gun dealer today, which is Bass Pro in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. He said he couldn't find my purchase request. He went on to tell me that a .257 Roberts Featherweight might be hard to locate. After I explained to him that I had requested one and was told a day later that one was in transit to the store for me, he said he was going to check on it. He called me back a few minutes later and found the requisition order. He said it indicated a .243 Winchester. He apologized for the store's error. He said he will work tirelessly to try to fulfill his store's promise to me. I am confident that if it's possible to find a Featherweight .257 Roberts, he will get one for me.

I know employees are not infallible. However, I am completely confident that Bass Pro will do everything possible to locate a Featherweight .257 Roberts for me. Bass Pro Shops has always been top notch. But just in case, I will pray.


Take Care,

R

I know of a nice one for sale up here. Can you guys buy/import guns from Canada?

R: The Roberts and the 7x57 make a great "pair",and compliment each other nicely.Same case,different bore diameter.The Roberts for the varmint/deer gig,and the 7x57 for the general purpose,all round chores.Neither gulps a lot of powder and both kick lightly for what you get from them.

A 7x57 is just a rebarrel job away from any 270 or 30/06. The money thing is another issue.

For us rifle hobby guys the odd rounds like the 257R, and 7mmM never caught on because they don't fit most actions.

They are not popular here in the USA and never will be.

I got a neat old Brno 21F and it's a 7x57M. The round is too short for the magazine. A 7x64 would fit, so would a 280 or a 30-06.

When I had my .257 it was 42 grs. of IMR4350 behind Sierra 120 gr. GK's. Wish I still had that rifle. It was an older PF model 70 Featherweight.

That isn't what I've seen. The .257 Roberts is more popular now than it's been for many years. That's because the "rifle hobby guys" have kept it alive. Some of us have noticed it's very nice as is. Heck, even the .250-3000 still lives on simply because of our interest.
The 7X57 still has alot of appeal to those that appreciate classic, effective, light kicking rounds.
BTW, the .257 Roberts does just fine in a short action. E

Savage_99

I would not hesitate to use a 7X57 on any big game animal in North America, even big bears were I to use a bonded 175 grain bullet. I am sure such a bullet would penetrate both shoulders of the biggest bears.

The .257 Roberts is a proven cartridge with a stellar legacy. So is the 7x57.

Both of these cartridges had caught on and were extensively used. While their luster has tarnished somewhat, I do believe that they're in the process of burnishing. I can see why the .303 British lost favor. I believe its rim did it in. But both the Roberts and Mauser have anchored big game and will continue to do so. I do not see either going anywhere but into big game fields. I would not hesitate to hunt with either. There's magic in .284 projectiles.


Take Care,


R

overdrawn:

Your post is confusing to me.

1) why would you ask Leupold (a scope manufacturer) for loading data??

2) what does "PBT" mean?

3) how much 7828 are you using in your 257R to get over 3200 fps with 120gr bullets? Hodgdon lists 47grains as a maximum load, with a velocity of 2745fps. And 47gr of 7828 is listed as a compressed load. How can you get enough in the case to get velocities that are 500 fps higher than a maximum (compressed) load???

4) please identify yourself at the ranges where you shoot. If you are there, I want to leave

They shot about as good as the Sierra's in mine.

Yes it does! No issues killin chit with my short action Kimber.

I like the 100gn Hornady bullet and 48gn H4350. However, I recently loaded some 100gn Swift Sciroccos with 47gn H4350. I shot a feral billy goat with it and he dropped on the spot. The 100gn Scirocco penetrated diagonally through the goat and exited down his left ribcage leaving a hole about the size of a 20c piece (about an inch). Very happy with performance like that.