257 Roberts "-P"

[Bruce Mc]

My experience with the Bob has shown that I get around 50 fps gain for each grain of powder until I get close to max. I've never gotten close to max with reloder 22 because the case won't hold enough powder. Given that I would guess somewhere between 2700 and 2800 fps.

 

[tddeangelo]

Thanks, guys.

I'm going to verify tomorrow, might creep up to 46 or even try to edge up over to 47-ish if the cases let me. I can't imagine I'll get better accuracy, but it might be worth a look-see....

Even at 2700fps, that lets me zero 2" high at 100 for a 200 yard zero, -8" give or take at 300, and energy about runs out at 300 regardless. Come to think of it, I don't know why I'd push more powder, to be honest. I'm not going to get much for it. Best I could probably hope for would be another 2gr, so at best I'd see 2900fps...on the outside.

If 45.0 repeats for me, I think I'm going to call it "done".

CsC, that load has some bark to it, but not a lot of bite on the shoulder. Really, really mild, even with the hard, red Winchester "recoil pad" that's on it. I can't imagine it'd be too stiff for your dad.

 

[SJB358]

Won't be a darned thing wrong with that bullet at 2700 Tom. I would prefer a little more oomph if you could get it and still maintain accuracy, but since you aren't worried about it, heck shoot it and have fun. It will make a sweet deer load for your daughter as well. It is solidly in the 243 territory for sure and a whole lot of deer have been smoked with them! You should get excellent performance from the bullets as well. Scotty

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Even at 2700fps, that lets me zero 2" high at 100 for a 200 yard zero, -8" give or take at 300, and energy about runs out at 300 regardless. Come to think of it, I don't know why I'd push more powder, to be honest. I'm not going to get much for it. Best I could probably hope for would be another 2gr, so at best I'd see 2900fps...on the outside.

If 45.0 repeats for me, I think I'm going to call it "done".

CsC, that load has some bark to it, but not a lot of bite on the shoulder. Really, really mild, even with the hard, red Winchester "recoil pad" that's on it. I can't imagine it'd be too stiff for your dad.

Sub-moa and 2700-2800fps for a 110gr NAB with your magazine limitations is doing just fine. There's nothing you're missing out on in our corner of the world.

I just spoke to a friend who retired a few years back. He's had a Ruger M77 in .257 for many years. He's basically talked me out of trying to find a light load. He swears that his hottest 100gr, 115gr(NP - his pet load) and 117gr loads were still pussycats. I think I'm going to load up a full course of powder charges with the 100gr NPs and just see what shoots best. It has to be softer than the 12ga Lightfield slugs he's been shooting these past 20 years.

 

[SJB358]

I doubt he will even notice the recoil of that little 257 then! He will think he is shooting a 22 compared to that big 12ga with slugs! Scotty

 

[JD338]

Tom,

Sounds like you found a decent load. I would think you load would be around 2700 fps.
Plenty of power for WT deer and easy on the back end.

JD338

 

[tddeangelo]

Here's what 45.0gr turned in:

Measured 0.690" center to center, as close as I read the micrometer.

First shot was the middle of the three, 2nd went to the left, third went to the right.

Gonna put together a few more and get back at it tomorrow. Scotty, I'd think it does better than just pulling even with a .243. This is a bit heavier bullet, and is making some decent tracks for the weight. Most I think I'd get would be another 100fps.

The 300 didn't shine, but I loved the new VX7 on it. Have some ideas there.

CsC....compared to a Lightfield slug, you can't make the Roberts kick. It's not even in the same zip code, lol.

 

[SJB358]

Here's what 45.0gr

Looks great Tom. Looking forward to the retest. I think your 300 is just being picky with the ABs. I wouldn't be surprised to see a flat base like a PT come around really quickly. Scotty