257 Roberts revisited

[Aberhan]

I sincerely believe the 257 Roberts is a classic cartridge that deserves a better fate than the dust bin of history. As such here is what I have done to restore this cartridge to everything that I believe Ned Roberts intended it to be. The cartridge on the right is the standard factory offering. The one one the left is one of my 120 grain handloads for my chamber with added freebore. You can see the advantages of case capacity and seating the bullet closer to the lands. I can actually move this out a few thou more even.

 

[Aberhan]

The original 257 Roberts was loaded as I recall to a very anemic 48,000 lbs. pressure. The newer SAAMI specifications has raised this to 58,000 in the designated +P loads. Still shy of the 60,000 - 65,000 for comparable centre fire rifle cartridges.

 

[JD338]

Love the 257 Roberts. I have a Remington 700 Classic chambered in the 257 Bob and settled on the Nosler 115 gr BT. It’s a little hammer on WT deer.

JD338

 

[PJGunner]

Interesting. I have two rifles chambered to the .257 Roberts. The Ruger #1 B came with several boxes of the now long gone Norma 100 gr. load which shoots less than MOA in the Ruger. The other rifle is a Winchester M70 Featherweight that has a long action but the magazine is blocked for the shorter cartridge, So far, I haven't been able to get that rifle to group worth a damn.
When I bought the Ruger, it came with six boxes of that Norma ammo. I've only run some from one box and I have 6 rounds left from that box. I'm thinking of running two 3 shot groups with that six rounds over the chronograph and on paper at the same time. If it groups well, I'll see if I can duplicate the load and also try it in the Ruger. I also have a supply of the Hornady 117 gr. round nose bullets that I have yet to try. Maybe they'll work and as oth rifles are modern and strog, maybe get a bt more zip than from factory.
PJ