.257 Roberts 85 grn BT

coolhand · Jul 14, 2005

Guys, I'm trying to work up a lighter load for my Roberts. I hunt deer in the hill country of central Texas. These deer are medium to small in size, and my ranges are usually between 100-200 yds. Do ya'll think a 85 grn BT @ around 3200 would work ok? I know the 85 grn are supposedly for smaller game, but I have had good luck with 55 grn. BT's out of my .223 on deer out to 200 yds. What do you think?

LoneStar · Jul 14, 2005

I think that if velocities are held lower than maximum then the 85s may work fine if placed in the lungs. This is a lightly constructed bullet designed for varmints and is rather explosive at high speeds. I strongly recommend using the 100-grain BTip bullet in the Roberts, it will give you a margin for error in case you have to take a quartering shot; why handicap yourself when a simple bullet change will make all the difference? At Roberts velocities the 100 BTip will perform well.

(I've shot five Kodiak Island deer with a .223 using six of the old 60-grain Solid Base bullets at reduced velocity and they behaved like heavier game bullets - but that was a stunt I won't repeat.)