Pimp my Rob

[HeathSexton]

I get a call from a friend who happens to own my favorite gun shop @ 9:00am this morning. He tells me he has something I REALLY need to see, nothing else just to get a look at and a feel for. I loaded up and headed north not knowing what to expect. I walk in the door and he hands me a form for purchase? "I haven't even bought anything yet", I say. He replies, "I know, today is customer appreciation day and you won so fill out the form." We go back and forth, I am not used to winning items so I think maybe it's a joke but it's not. I start filling out my paperwork and he lays down my prize, a brand new in the box Ruger Hawkeye .257 Roberts UltraLite! I felt bad and tried to get him to take it back, swap it out, something, but he would not. I am super pleased with it and I have done a trigger job, freed up the mag box and a bedding job is in the future. Should I float it? I am thinking yes but I have never messed with a Ruger UltraLite. I have a new model Weaver 4x on it now because it was in the safe but I will want something different because I have to really crawl the stock. I am thinking Leupold 4x or Leupold 2-7x33?


110gr AccuBond + H4350? Help a brother out.


Thanks

 

[DrMike]

Whoa! What a great day for you! I have two Hawkeyes (35 Whelen and 358). You may not need to worry about free floating the barrel. You may, however, need to bed the action. Again, maybe not. I'd shoot the rifle and see what it does before I did anything. You have already addressed the trigger. The Leupold 2-7X33 is a good scope, but the VX3 2.5-8X36 will give significantly better clarity, and they aren't that expensive. Nevertheless, you will be pleased with either. Again, that is just great. Congratulations!

 

[257 Ackley]

Heath -
I use H414 for my bothers 257 bob and the 110's. The H4350 should be right in the same ball park.

 

[ajvigs]

I have a source on a Zeiss Conquest 4x32 for $275 if interested

 

[FOTIS]

Do not float it yet. Shoot it as is. Lots of thin barrels shoot better with a pressure point




Cartridge : .257 Roberts +P+ (not SAAMI)
Bullet : .257, 110, Nosler AccuBond 53742
Useable Case Capaci: 47.636 grain H2O = 3.093 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.775 inch = 70.49 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch = 508.0 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 58000 psi, or 399 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

138 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Norma MRP 107.7 49.3 3.20 3016 96.8 58000 14420 1.007 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 96.6 44.5 2.88 2993 100.0 58000 13173 1.007 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 109.2 49.0 3.17 2989 92.8 58000 14278 1.007 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 109.6 48.6 3.15 2980 95.3 58000 13975 1.010 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 109.6 48.6 3.15 2980 95.3 58000 13975 1.010 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 109.6 48.6 3.15 2980 95.3 58000 13975 1.010 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 109.6 51.2 3.32 2976 90.9 58000 14211 1.011 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 103.6 45.3 2.93 2971 100.0 58000 12620 1.018 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 107.3 48.4 3.14 2965 93.1 58000 13806 1.001 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213 108.0 48.0 3.11 2948 92.9 58000 13605 1.001 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 101.2 45.9 2.97 2945 97.8 58000 13159 1.015 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 95.5 44.4 2.87 2938 97.0 58000 13117 1.018 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 95.5 44.4 2.87 2938 97.0 58000 13117 1.018 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 105.7 46.4 3.01 2936 95.2 58000 13246 1.010 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 100.7 43.7 2.83 2933 99.1 58000 12797 1.022 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 100.7 43.8 2.84 2933 99.1 58000 12793 1.022 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 104.9 45.8 2.97 2932 94.9 58000 13129 1.004 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 104.7 44.0 2.85 2931 99.1 58000 12837 1.038 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 97.7 43.9 2.84 2930 99.0 58000 12900 1.027 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 106.4 46.7 3.03 2929 95.1 58000 13145 1.011 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum 110.0 51.7 3.35 2921 92.6 55397 13854 1.023 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 110.0 47.9 3.11 2919 92.5 56874 13308 1.020 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot BigGame 93.8 42.5 2.76 2918 99.7 58000 12393 1.021 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 11 94.0 42.6 2.76 2917 99.7 58000 12376 1.021 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 105.7 44.5 2.88 2917 99.2 58000 12565 1.030 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12 110.0 51.6 3.34 2911 92.5 54846 13796 1.028 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 103.4 45.4 2.94 2911 94.9 58000 12864 1.011 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 103.4 45.4 2.94 2911 94.9 58000 12864 1.011 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 100.1 45.4 2.94 2911 94.9 58000 12864 1.011 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 103.5 44.0 2.85 2907 99.9 58000 11950 1.018 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895 90.5 39.7 2.57 2906 99.8 58000 12261 1.029 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517 110.0 51.6 3.34 2905 92.3 54534 13777 1.031 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 106.0 47.1 3.05 2904 96.3 58000 12811 1.029 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR 110.0 47.8 3.10 2900 93.9 53464 13628 1.049 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA11 91.3 40.1 2.60 2897 99.5 58000 12198 1.029 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15 91.3 40.1 2.60 2897 99.5 58000 12198 1.029 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP11 ~approximation 91.3 40.1 2.60 2897 99.5 58000 12198 1.029 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC 106.6 47.3 3.07 2897 92.4 58000 12793 1.009 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203B 91.7 40.3 2.61 2896 99.8 58000 12125 1.030 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation 100.9 45.0 2.92 2895 96.7 58000 12588 1.024 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old 93.2 41.4 2.68 2890 100.0 58000 11990 1.042 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780 104.1 48.2 3.12 2887 94.9 58000 12537 1.013 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 92.7 41.6 2.69 2886 98.8 58000 12262 1.032 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4320 93.2 40.3 2.61 2885 99.7 58000 11784 1.014 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903 95.3 41.4 2.68 2884 99.9 58000 11909 1.042 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070 100.0 43.4 2.81 2881 97.2 58000 12418 1.034 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355 95.3 40.9 2.65 2878 99.9 58000 11865 1.036 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 102.6 44.1 2.86 2877 96.3 58000 12281 1.018 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 100.7 44.0 2.85 2877 96.4 58000 12267 1.018 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7 NT ~approximation 94.5 41.9 2.71 2876 97.4 58000 12023 1.006 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904 103.9 45.0 2.92 2875 93.6 58000 12426 1.015 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 3031 90.7 37.2 2.41 2872 100.0 58000 10994 1.031 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 110.0 46.9 3.04 2868 91.9 56283 12668 1.023 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065 98.6 42.4 2.75 2863 98.2 58000 12045 1.034 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2208 93.6 39.9 2.58 2862 99.5 58000 11704 1.018 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 93.9 39.9 2.58 2862 99.5 58000 11704 1.018 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064 97.1 39.8 2.58 2858 100.0 58000 11249 1.063 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3 NT ~approximation 96.2 41.9 2.72 2857 98.2 58000 11794 1.017 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4064 94.5 39.2 2.54 2857 99.6 58000 11539 1.023 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S062 92.2 39.4 2.55 2857 100.0 58000 11412 1.037 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214 110.0 50.1 3.25 2856 91.4 54253 13108 1.033 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907 97.4 42.0 2.72 2856 96.4 58000 12094 1.029 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 94.3 42.0 2.72 2855 96.4 58000 12086 1.029 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 110.0 46.9 3.04 2855 91.1 51895 13302 1.055 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation 110.0 49.2 3.19 2855 89.2 55199 12902 1.030 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 110.0 47.8 3.10 2844 95.1 55218 12287 1.040 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N150 100.4 41.6 2.70 2843 100.0 58000 11153 1.033 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N540 91.0 40.4 2.62 2843 100.0 58000 11080 1.033 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R902 91.1 38.6 2.50 2839 100.0 58000 11213 1.040 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361 102.8 48.1 3.11 2839 92.5 58000 12093 1.026 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495 90.3 37.5 2.43 2837 100.0 58000 10809 1.068 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 110.0 46.3 3.00 2831 93.0 56303 12076 1.031 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 110.0 48.0 3.11 2830 96.3 48183 13532 1.094
Vihtavuori N140 90.8 39.1 2.53 2819 100.0 58000 10538 1.032 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N135 96.6 38.4 2.49 2815 100.0 58000 10313 1.041 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2700 95.3 43.2 2.80 2809 96.1 58000 11408 1.031 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N133 90.5 36.4 2.36 2762 100.0 58000 9643 1.031 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100 110.0 45.7 2.96 2726 95.5 47541 12082 1.141
Lovex S071 110.0 45.7 2.96 2726 95.5 47541 12082 1.141
Norma MRP 2 110.0 48.3 3.13 2716 88.6 43255 13132 1.159
Vihtavuori N570 110.0 50.9 3.30 2673 79.6 42379 13235 1.169
Alliant Reloder 33 110.0 53.1 3.44 2667 80.6 42751 13153 1.165
Hodgdon H1000 110.0 47.8 3.10 2666 87.3 44774 12157 1.133
Hodgdon Retumbo 110.0 48.6 3.15 2581 88.0 38499 12627 1.222
Lovex D100 110.0 52.0 3.37 2571 75.6 44777 10891 1.149
Vihtavuori 24N41 110.0 51.5 3.33 2520 71.2 41574 11000 1.185
Vihtavuori N170 110.0 47.8 3.10 2516 78.6 39749 11007 1.225
ADI AR 2218 110.0 51.5 3.33 2494 71.4 39045 11740 1.219
Hodgdon H870 110.0 49.9 3.23 2431 75.7 33741 11623 1.301
Alliant Reloder-50 110.0 52.2 3.39 2351 70.3 30547 11430 1.361
Bofors 12,7mmRA NC1214 Lot20115087 110.0 51.1 3.31 2346 64.9 31938 10668 1.359
Hodgdon 50BMG 110.0 49.0 3.18 2327 62.5 33511 9870 1.309
Hodgdon US 869 110.0 51.5 3.33 2320 66.0 33254 9935 1.316
SNPE Vectan SP 13 110.0 49.4 3.20 2263 69.8 29870 9869 1.375
PB Clermont PCL 513/520/9520 110.0 49.4 3.20 2197 66.1 28236 9380 1.408
Vihtavuori 20N29 110.0 52.0 3.37 2185 63.4 28322 9414 1.409
Accurate 8700 110.0 49.5 3.20 2159 64.7 27949 9051 1.413
Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star 94.5 20.7 1.34 2076 100.0 58000 4479 1.107 ! Near Maximum !
NC A3502 ,test only 110.0 47.3 3.06 2048 45.0 27765 6844 1.427
TLP A 502(RH) ,test only 110.0 47.3 3.06 2023 48.5 25709 7230 1.469
IMR TrailBoss 110.0 16.3 1.05 1829 100.0 39992 3643 1.304
ADI AS 25 BP 110.0 16.3 1.05 1829 100.0 39992 3643 1.304
V1734 7-multiperf ,test only 110.0 47.3 3.06 1458 22.1 14734 3325 1.918

 

[HeathSexton]

Shot it this evening with Hornady Superformance 117gr SST factory ammo. Groups were 2"-3"

 

[Oldtrader3]

I would go with IMR 4350 and RL 17. I am also using Hybrid 100V in my load development on the 110 AccuBond for my .257 Roberts. My loads are probably different than your rifle because my rifle is full length magazine and freebored chamber. Good luck on that BTW!

 

[Wincheringen]

It is really tough to beat any of the 4350s in the Bob. I load the 85 and 100 grain BTs for mine.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

Heath -
I use H414 for my bothers 257 bob and the 110's. The H4350 should be right in the same ball park.

H414 in mine as well. IMR4350 as a close second.
Steve

 

[SJB358]

Congrats on the 257 Heath. Those are some slick little rifles for sure. Good luck with the load work. If RL17 acts as good in the Roberts as it does in the 7mm Mauser I would give it a whirl as well.

 

[truck driver]

Though I do load IMR 4350 in my Rob I get better performance with ball and short grain powders. I only load 4350 under light varmit bullets. Win 760 and IMR 4895 works best with 90 to 117gr bullets in my 1-12 twist barrel.

 

[Oldtrader3]

In my .257 Roberts-Mauser/Browning, 24 inch barrel, free bored rifle, I am using IMR 4064 with the 85 grain Ballistic Tip bullet, 1/2 inch groups at 3395 fps, IMR 4350 with the 100 grain Partitions bullet, 1/2 to 7/8 groups.

I have just started with 110 AccuBond bullets using Hybrid 100 V and IMR 4350 powders, no groups size yet.

 

[HeathSexton]

Thanks for the info and the offer on the 4x Zeiss. I really think the 2-7 or 2.5-8 would be a better fit, I like to be able to zoom.


Load data is appreciated, I need to get some dies and bullets on the way.

 

[HeathSexton]

I burned the box of Hornady 117 SST +P ammo and I'm struggling with the rifle. 10 rounds as it came from the factory strung up a 2"-3" group. I bedded the action and floated the barrel and 10 more shots gave me 2"-3" groups. Maybe it just doesn't like that ammo?

 

[SJB358]

I'm of the belief the Superformance either works really well and the rifle likes it or its like yours and won't. I'd give some plain 257 Roberts a try before you count it out Heath.

 

[DrMike]

SuperFormance has not demonstrated the accuracy I could have wished when I tested it. Velocities were somewhat higher, but accuracy is lacking. I tend to agree with Scotty on my limited experience with this particular ammunition--a rifle either likes it or it doesn't. His suggestion to try another, non-premium ammunition, has real merit.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Heath, I would get some 85 and some 100 Ballistic Tips and try some loads for them at SAMMI COAL. Get some IMR 4064 and 4350 and maybe try some of my favorite loads. I have not had particularly good results with the Round Nosed 117 gr Remington factory loads in the .257 Roberts.

You might consider trying the following loads:
-85 gr BT, 43 grs 4064, 85 gr BT, std. primer.
-100 gr BT, 45 grs 4350, 100 gr BT, std. primer.

If these loads will not shoot in your rifle, I would start looking at the crown for damage and other barrel damage issues. These loads have always given me MOA sized groups and no pressure issues in three different rifles. I am at a loss this minute as to why your .257 Roberts rifle will not shoot? Very strange, they always shoot in my experience!

 

[HeathSexton]

The only other box of Roberts ammo in town is a box of Win 117+P, I will pick them up tomorrow and tru again.


I have no dies for this rifle as of now, I will fix that also



Thanks guys

 

[Oldtrader3]

Heath, the Winchester 117 gr +P always was always been more accurate for me than the 117 gr Remington RN. Good luck on that. That rifle will shoot as I have never seen one that would not!

 

[Oldtrader3]

The loads that I gave you were standard pressure loads for a standard COAL .257 Roberts at 50 KSI pressure.