reloading 100 gr speer in 257 weatherby

[bmiller]

hello everyone new member here have a couple questions and wondering if I could get some help?

I reloaded some 100 gr speers 3.150 c.o.l. R22 for my 257 bee and accuracy was deplorable !
factory ammo with 100 gr Hornadys was ok . any powder suggestions or should I play with C.O.L?
Thanks

 

[DrMike]

There could be any of a variety of reasons why accuracy is not great in this combination. Adjusting components could be called for. I would do what is simple first. Why did you choose an OAL of 3.150? Are you restricted by magazine depth? Or is chamber dimensions a limiting factor? SAAMI standards allow for more case volume and a longer OAL. The Speer 100 grain BTSP is a cup and core bullet, and cup and core bullets usually give a better accuracy when they are near the lands. I would certainly address that issue.

It is always possible that the Speer bullet won't perform as well for you as would another bullet. However, I would not discard the Speers until I was assured that they are the reason for your disappointment. Speer bullets work well and this is less likely to be a problem for you.

You can explore other propellants, but if the RL22 is giving you the velocities you are expecting, I see no reason to discard it. Other options, if you decide that is where you wish to look, might be suggested by this QL projection.

Cartridge          : .257 Weath. Mag
Bullet             : .257, 100, Speer BTSP 1408
Useable Case Capaci: 79.291 grain H2O = 5.148 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 62500 psi, or 430 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 112 %
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 !

42 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
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
ADI AR 2218                        107.4     83.6     5.42    3606    96.6    62500   18301   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570 *C                 103.4     79.7     5.16    3582    96.2    62500   17926   1.098  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2225                        107.2     78.8     5.10    3564   100.0    62500   16078   1.088  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo                    107.2     78.8     5.10    3564   100.0    62500   16078   1.088  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33 *C              105.1     83.3     5.40    3560    96.6    62500   17632   1.102  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 217 *C                       109.6     78.9     5.11    3557   100.0    62500   16589   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H870                       109.6     82.7     5.36    3554    97.9    62500   17321   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80 *C               102.4     81.2     5.26    3551    98.4    62500   17217   1.109  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N568 *C*T               103.0     78.6     5.09    3545    98.0    62500   17046   1.102  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-50 *C              109.6     86.6     5.61    3543    96.0    62500   17905   1.128  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 8133 Enduron *C*T              110.1     78.7     5.10    3542    99.3    62500   16727   1.105  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                  95.1     71.0     4.60    3535    98.7    62500   16434   1.089  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-26 *C               91.9     72.2     4.68    3535   100.0    62500   15696   1.110  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                            99.4     70.6     4.58    3531    99.1    62500   16001   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                        94.1     70.6     4.58    3531    99.1    62500   16001   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                        93.2     71.1     4.61    3528   100.0    62500   15924   1.098  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2 *C                     102.7     75.1     4.86    3527    99.4    62500   16376   1.105  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 *C              100.6     73.1     4.74    3525   100.0    62500   15299   1.092  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot LRT                        106.2     83.7     5.42    3523    90.9    62500   17122   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                     95.3     74.0     4.80    3520    97.7    62500   16514   1.099  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                         95.2     70.4     4.56    3520    99.0    62500   15846   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                         99.0     75.1     4.87    3516    99.4    62500   15644   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000 *T                   104.1     75.3     4.88    3514    99.4    62500   15599   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217                        104.1     75.3     4.88    3514    99.4    62500   15599   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C               95.4     70.5     4.57    3508    99.7    62500   15773   1.094  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                      98.0     70.8     4.59    3506    99.6    62500   15785   1.094  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C*T                99.4     74.6     4.83    3501    98.9    62500   16186   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                         92.5     67.2     4.36    3483    99.6    62500   15091   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                      95.1     75.7     4.91    3478    99.9    62500   15063   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C               92.9     67.9     4.40    3477    99.6    62500   15129   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41 *C                106.1     82.6     5.36    3470    90.7    62500   16176   1.084  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation          93.6     68.4     4.43    3469    99.6    62500   15020   1.083  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon 50BMG                      111.6     82.9     5.37    3461    86.7    62500   16385   1.092  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T                    98.0     69.6     4.51    3456    98.5    62500   15010   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                 94.2     69.6     4.51    3456    98.5    62500   15010   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T                93.9     67.3     4.36    3456   100.0    62500   14371   1.117  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T            96.8     69.2     4.48    3454   100.0    62500   14089   1.102  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP36 ZT *C *T                96.8     69.2     4.48    3454   100.0    62500   14089   1.102  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon US 869                     111.3     86.6     5.61    3451    90.8    62500   16149   1.099  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T               95.7     68.1     4.41    3426    98.7    62500   14561   1.076  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N170 *C                 106.9     77.3     5.01    3425    94.8    62500   15377   1.106  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780              91.8     70.7     4.58    3423    99.6    62500   14388   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                            92.6     64.8     4.20    3421   100.0    62500   13741   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C                  98.0     70.8     4.59    3415    99.8    62500   14139   1.095  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071                         101.2     69.9     4.53    3406   100.0    62500   13985   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                       95.7     69.9     4.53    3406   100.0    62500   13985   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 8700                      112.0     85.4     5.54    3402    94.7    57868   15878   1.131  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                 90.6     64.1     4.15    3395   100.0    62500   13027   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D100                         103.7     81.6     5.29    3394    91.5    62500   15011   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World BMG                 103.7     81.6     5.29    3394    91.5    62500   15011   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7977 Enduron *C*T              100.2     72.5     4.70    3368    92.9    62500   14206   1.078  ! Near Maximum !

I would look at COAL first and only then would I begin to go digging for other powders.

 

[RL338]

First thing I would is clean the barrel of copper. I scrub mine every 50 rounds. Second how hard are you pushing them. I have good luck with the 100gr TTSX in mine but are hard to find now.
Speer’s data

 

[SJB358]

I’m with Mike, I’d try seating the bullet out, make sure your bullets are getting seated straight with as little run out as possible. RL22 should be a great powder.

If you stretch them out and get the loads up to speed and accuracy is still dismal I’d probably look at another bullet to try myself.

 

[bmiller]

ok fellas Thanks the Speer is a flat base Dr Mike I should have mentioned that , I checked the factory c.o.a.l ammo it veried from3.130 to 3.140 but I'm gonna try stretching out my handloads .
Thank you for the QL and Speer info.

 

[DrMike]

Recalculated with the Speer SP. Here is what showed:

Cartridge          : .257 Weath. Mag
Bullet             : .257, 100, Speer SP 1405
Useable Case Capaci: 79.364 grain H2O = 5.153 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-22 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   86    63.45   3152    2205   45132  14473     96.6    1.275
-09.0   87    64.16   3187    2256   46627  14636     97.0    1.255
-08.0   88    64.86   3223    2306   48170  14792     97.4    1.236
-07.0   89    65.57   3258    2358   49760  14943     97.8    1.217
-06.0   90    66.27   3294    2409   51400  15087     98.2    1.198
-05.0   91    66.98   3329    2461   53092  15225     98.5    1.180
-04.0   92    67.68   3365    2514   54836  15355     98.8    1.162  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   92    68.39   3400    2566   56636  15479     99.0    1.145  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   93    69.09   3435    2620   58492  15595     99.3    1.127  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   94    69.80   3470    2673   60406  15704     99.5    1.111  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   95    70.50   3505    2727   62382  15805     99.6    1.094  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0   96    71.21   3539    2781   64420  15898     99.8    1.078  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0   97    71.91   3574    2836   66523  15984     99.9    1.062  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0   98    72.62   3608    2890   68694  16061    100.0    1.046  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0   99    73.32   3642    2945   70935  16129    100.0    1.031  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  100    74.03   3676    3001   73249  16190    100.0    1.016  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     95    70.50   3661    2976   74390  15336    100.0    1.009  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     95    70.50   3283    2394   50488  15529     95.0    1.206

Cartridge          : .257 Weath. Mag
Bullet             : .257, 100, Speer SP 1405
Useable Case Capaci: 79.364 grain H2O = 5.153 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 62500 psi, or 430 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 112 %
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 !

42 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
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
ADI AR 2218                        107.3     83.6     5.42    3605    96.6    62500   18343   1.074  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570 *C                 103.4     79.7     5.17    3580    96.1    62500   17968   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2225                        107.2     78.8     5.11    3562   100.0    62500   16117   1.087  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo                    107.2     78.8     5.11    3562   100.0    62500   16117   1.087  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33 *C              105.0     83.3     5.40    3558    96.6    62500   17672   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 217 *C                       109.5     78.9     5.11    3555   100.0    62500   16629   1.111  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H870                       109.5     82.8     5.36    3552    97.8    62500   17361   1.102  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N568 *C*T               103.0     78.6     5.09    3544    98.0    62500   17086   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-50 *C              109.5     86.7     5.62    3541    96.0    62500   17945   1.127  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 8133 Enduron *C*T              110.0     78.8     5.10    3540    99.3    62500   16766   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                  95.1     71.1     4.60    3534    98.7    62500   16472   1.089  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-26 *C               91.9     72.3     4.68    3533   100.0    62500   15734   1.109  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                            99.4     70.7     4.58    3529    99.1    62500   16040   1.078  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                        94.0     70.7     4.58    3529    99.1    62500   16040   1.078  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                        93.2     71.1     4.61    3526   100.0    62500   15962   1.098  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2 *C                     102.7     75.1     4.87    3525    99.4    62500   16414   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 *C              100.5     73.1     4.74    3523   100.0    62500   15336   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot LRT                        106.1     83.7     5.43    3521    90.9    62500   17161   1.081  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                     95.3     74.1     4.80    3518    97.7    62500   16553   1.098  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                         95.2     70.4     4.56    3518    99.0    62500   15883   1.074  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                         99.0     75.2     4.87    3515    99.4    62500   15682   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000 *T                   104.1     75.3     4.88    3512    99.4    62500   15637   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217                        104.1     75.3     4.88    3512    99.4    62500   15637   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C               95.4     70.5     4.57    3506    99.7    62500   15810   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                      97.9     70.9     4.59    3505    99.6    62500   15822   1.094  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C*T                99.3     74.6     4.84    3500    98.9    62500   16224   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                      95.1     75.8     4.91    3476    99.9    62500   15100   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C               92.9     67.9     4.40    3475    99.6    62500   15165   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41 *C                106.1     82.7     5.36    3469    90.7    62500   16214   1.083  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation          93.6     68.5     4.44    3468    99.6    62500   15055   1.082  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon 50BMG                      111.6     82.9     5.37    3459    86.7    62500   16422   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors 12,7mmRA NC1214 Lot20115087 109.8     84.9     5.50    3458    88.4    62500   16993   1.133  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                         91.2     66.7     4.32    3458    99.5    62500   14854   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation           91.2     66.7     4.32    3458    99.5    62500   14854   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T                    98.0     69.7     4.51    3455    98.5    62500   15045   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                 94.2     69.7     4.51    3455    98.5    62500   15045   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T                93.8     67.3     4.36    3454   100.0    62500   14406   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T            96.7     69.2     4.49    3453   100.0    62500   14123   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon US 869                     111.2     86.7     5.62    3449    90.8    62500   16186   1.098  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T               95.7     68.1     4.41    3425    98.7    62500   14595   1.075  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N170 *C                 106.8     77.3     5.01    3423    94.8    62500   15413   1.105  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780              91.8     70.8     4.59    3422    99.6    62500   14422   1.089  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                            92.5     64.8     4.20    3420   100.0    62500   13774   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C                  97.9     70.9     4.59    3414    99.8    62500   14174   1.094  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071                         101.1     70.0     4.53    3405   100.0    62500   14019   1.119  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                       95.6     70.0     4.53    3405   100.0    62500   14019   1.119  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 8700                      112.0     85.5     5.54    3402    94.7    57950   15921   1.129  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem 12.7-0                     111.8     84.5     5.47    3400    86.5    62500   15289   1.085  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 13                  112.0     83.7     5.43    3399    94.6    59157   15841   1.135  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                 90.6     64.1     4.15    3394   100.0    62500   13059   1.092  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D100                         103.7     81.7     5.29    3392    91.5    62500   15046   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World BMG                 103.7     81.7     5.29    3392    91.5    62500   15046   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7977 Enduron *C*T              100.2     72.5     4.70    3367    92.9    62500   14240   1.077  ! Near Maximum !

What difference there is is miniscule.