Reloading 257 Roberts and 115 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip

[efarias1]

Began reloading again after 35 years as could not find 257 Roberts ammo , much less ammo that shot well in my 700 Remington Classic. Bought Nosler 115 gr Ballistic Tips and got outstanding results. 7/8 “ five shot groups with no signs excess pressure.





Cases Winchester
Primer REM 9 1/2
OAL 2.92”
Powder IMR 4350
Charge 43.0 Avg velocity 2,867 5 shots 7/8” at 100 yds
Charge 43.5 Avg velocity 2,896 5 shots 7/8” at 100 yards
Chronograph Oehler 35 12’ from muzzle

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[SJB358]

Great shooting! Cannot beat that load! Congrats. You make it look easy!

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Glad you are back reloading and with great results.

 

[JD338]

Welcome to the forum and back to the loading bench. You have a great load there. I have the same rifle in 257 Roberts and it's a shooter.

JD338

 

[efarias1]

 

[JD338]

The Remington 700 Classic uses the long/magnum action for the 257 Roberts. As a result, you can load bullets to the lands and not hinder the case capacity. I load the 115 gr BT to a 2.900" COL with RL22 for impressive speeds and accuracy.

JD338

 

[salmonchaser]

Love the Bob, yours is well dialed in.

 

[RL338]

Looks like you shook 35 years of rust off in a hurry. Nice work

 

[efarias1]

Found the right bullet combo.

 

[efarias1]

Have several rifles/calibers, but next to work with is a Savage 110 Storm in 7MM-08 with detachable magazine. What might be maximum OAL? Never have reloaded for this rifle.

 

[efarias1]

I am thinking of not using a bullet with an xtreme point in order to get as close to the lands as possible , but still fit in the magazine.

 

[RL338]

Have several rifles/calibers, but next to work with is a Savage 110 Storm in 7MM-08 with detachable magazine. What might be maximum OAL? Never have reloaded for this rifle.

I’ve never found the need to load past 2.800” for the 7-08.
What bullets are you looking to load for it?

 

[efarias1]

I have Sierra Pro Hunter 140s , Gameking 150s and Barnes “x” 140s.

 

[jimbires]

2.800 is the SAAMI spec for the 7mm-08 COAL .

pick your bullet , then find the lands and seat the bullet .010 - .020 shorter as a starting point . if that length ammo fits the magazine box . if it doesn't fit , load to magazine length minus .010 , for easy feeding , and start there . I like the 7mm-08 , I've taken more deer with the Hornady 139 BTSP bullet than any other .

 

[efarias1]

Thanks for the tips.

 

[Aberhan]

Began reloading again after 35 years as could not find 257 Roberts ammo , much less ammo that shot well in my 700 Remington Classic. Bought Nosler 115 gr Ballistic Tips and got outstanding results. 7/8 “ five shot groups with no signs excess pressure.





Cases Winchester
Primer REM 9 1/2
OAL 2.92”
Powder IMR 4350
Charge 43.0 Avg velocity 2,867 5 shots 7/8” at 100 yds
Charge 43.5 Avg velocity 2,896 5 shots 7/8” at 100 yards
Chronograph Oehler 35 12’ from muzzle

Attachments​

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  IMG_5601.jpeg
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• 
  IMG_5602.jpeg
  420.7 KB · Views: 0

With my new 257 Roberts built rifle with the 1:7 twist I get the best accuracy from 120 and 128 grains. I haven’t tried 134-135 yet. In my old model 77 Ruger it loves 100 grain. Perhaps the most overlooked cartridge in history.

 

[Hunter26]

I killed my first deer and hog over 30 years ago with almost that exact load and rifle. It always shot great. Welcome back to reloading.

Like others have said, you may be limited by the box magazine of your 7mm-08. You'll just have to play with it and see. The Pro-Hunter would be your shortest bullet and also works very well for deer.