Sometimes Things Just Go Right

[DrMike]

I went to the range today to do some work with the 257 STW and the 270 WSM I have been working with for other people. I have had some serious difficulties with the 270 WSM, but I did have one load today that shows promise, and I'll focus on it for the coming week. The 257 STW is a Browning High Wall. My first series of loads, using Accurate 8700 and 115 grain TSX, yielded groups between 0.70 to 0.75 inches. It was consistent across the charges tested, which was most gratifying.

I took my 257 Roberts with me. I'm still in break-in for this rifle, so I really wasn't expecting much with it. However, the first load fired gave me a start. This is three shots at 100 yards. Velocity is not what it could be, but the accuracy is pretty good.

I'll definitely be working with this rifle some more.

Here is a closer look at the group.

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Whilst shooting, I was asked to take two delightful rifles just to prove they go "bang." The first was a Mossburg 30-30. It was delivered to the smiths with the complaint that it was shooting a foot and a half high. I printed three shots at 70 yards with rag-tag ammunition into a group of about 2.5 inches, pretty well where I aimed. I think the owner needs to get comfortable with the rifle. The other rifle was a Model 92 that had a barrel reline. Chambered in 44-40, this was just serious fun to shoot. At 50 yards, it put all the shots on paper. I'd love to have this rifle just to work with. However, it did go bang, and it was fun to shoot.

 

[nodak7mm]

Way to go Doc Mike... Another Bob comes thru... Good shooting fer shure.

Rod

 

[DrMike]

Rod,

I just measured the group--0.12 inches. I wish all that I shot today were that good. The rifle is showing promise with mild velocities. As I approximate maximum charge, the groups open up, sometimes rather rapidly.

Consequently, the Model 92 was well over a hundred years old. I am still on a high over that old rifle. I may have to invest in a Model 92. I'm certain the Duke would approve of a '92 chambered in 44 WCF.

 

[Desert Fox]

Hey Doc, That group increased my longing for a 257 Robert evenmore. Never own a quarter bore rifle. A Pre-64 Model 70 in this caliber if I find one will definitely turn my knee into a noodle. I have an El Paso Weaver 4X for adornment.

 

[DrMike]

A Pre-64 Model 70 in this caliber if I find one will definitely turn my knee into a noodle. I have an El Paso Weaver 4X for adornment.

That would be a sweet set-up for certain. This is the first quarter bore I have owned. I am a little surprised that I bought it, as I was looking for a 25-06. However, I am not displeased. I believe it will be a fine deer rifle, though I am hard pressed to imagine that it will ever replace my beloved 280.

 

[6mm Remington]

I took my 257 Roberts with me. I'm still in break-in for this rifle, so I really wasn't expecting much with it. However, the first load fired gave me a start. This is three shots at 100 yards. Velocity is not what it could be, but the accuracy is pretty good.


Wow what a group. Tell me about your .257 Roberts. Make, model, barrel length?? :grin: You are correct, it won't EVER replace your .280 Remington, but what a great rifle and a neat caliber to hunt with.

 

[6mm Remington]

Dr. Mike I see you like the old goodies. MY father passed this Winchester 38 WCF down to me recently. It was my great grandfather's. I sure would like to know some of the stories it could tell. It's not hard to find 38-40 ammunition so I took it out to shoot. I don't recall for certain, but I think it holds 11 in the magazine tube, and what fun to shoot. No recoil, no muzzle blast, just fun! :wink:

 

[6mm Remington]

 

[6mm Remington]

Dr. Mike, are you drooling yet :?: :?: :?:

 

[6mm Remington]

Patent 1866 and 1860

 

[DrMike]

6mm Remington,

What a great heritage to hold. I'm certain your great grandfather enjoyed his rifle. I hope it was used to tag a few deer. These old calibres seem quite anemic to us today, but they were used to take deer, hogs and bear. Maybe that is because our great grandfathers were hunters and not shooters.

I admire the old guns, in part because they do make us realise there was a life before now. That is a sweet old 38 WCF, and in the day it was a hot item. You are correct when you state that these old rifles are fun. They have no recoil and no muzzle blast.

I confess that I found myself wanting to own that old Model 92, if only for the history it represented.

 

[DrMike]

The 257 Roberts is a Remington Model 700 CDL SF Limited Edition. It is a handsome rifle. I have it topped with a Leupold 2.5-8 x 36 VX-3. I likely will change this out for a little more power and a somewhat larger objective lens. However, for the moment, this will be the glass I keep on the rifle. I'll try to post a picture of the rifle a little later.

 

[JD338]

DrMike

You just have to love the 257 Roberts.
Great group! I am curious what it will clock although it really wouldn't matter.
I am looking forward to the new 257 100 gr E-Tip, planning on trying them in my M700 Classic 257 Roberts.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

JD,

The load clocked 2653 fps. It was my lowest charge. As velocity increased, the groups grew larger. Since I'm still in break-in, I did not take particular pains to worry about seating depth. However, I'll now focus on jump to the land and refining the charge. I have ordered several boxes of the 100 grain E-Tip, when they are released. I literally scavenged Canada to find four boxes of 110 grain ABs. Two are still in Vancouver waiting for me to pick them up and I just received two from Alberta this week. This gives me enough to begin to work with.

 

[6mm Remington]

The 257 Roberts is a Remington Model 700 CDL SF Limited Edition. It is a handsome rifle. I have it topped with a Leupold 2.5-8 x 36 VX-3. I likely will change this out for a little more power and a somewhat larger objective lens. However, for the moment, this will be the glass I keep on the rifle. I'll try to post a picture of the rifle a little later.

The 700 CDL and the MTN rifles are THE TWO most handsome rifles that Remington makes perior! They are gorgeous. I bet that 2.5-8x36 looks just perfect on it too, and it's a fantastic scope. You say you LIKELY will change this for more power and a larger objective lens, but I don't know if you can impove on the group you just showed us! It would appear you have a match made in heaven sir. :wink:

 

[DrMike]

I chose this scope because it maintains a low profile and makes for easy carrying. Where I hunt, I seldom need a sling, opting to carry my rifle in my hand or cradle it in my arm. However, for reaching across a meadow or a cut-block, a little more glass would help these aging eyes.

 

[6mm Remington]

I chose this scope because it maintains a low profile and makes for easy carrying. Where I hunt, I seldom need a sling, opting to carry my rifle in my hand or cradle it in my arm. However, for reaching across a meadow or a cut-block, a little more glass would help these aging eyes.

That's very true, it does help in that situation. Those 4.5-14x40mm Leupolds aren't much larger yet would give you the magnification you would be looking for, and it would not look HUGE sitting atop such a beautiful rifle and it should carry and balance just fine. Just curious, is that along the lines of what you were thinking of going with? :idea:

 

[FOTIS]

Nice groups doc!

 

[DrMike]

I'm allowed to purchase one Leupold scope each year at a great discount through the store. So, yes, the 4.5-14 x 40 VX3 would get serious consideration, though two other scopes would be of interest, if for no other reason than I don't have them (the VX-7 2.5-10 x 45, and the European 30 3-9 x 40). The only problem with purchasing another scope is that I will have an extra scope laying around, which is dangerous.

 

[JD338]

JD,

The load clocked 2653 fps. It was my lowest charge. As velocity increased, the groups grew larger. Since I'm still in break-in, I did not take particular pains to worry about seating depth. However, I'll now focus on jump to the land and refining the charge. I have ordered several boxes of the 100 grain E-Tip, when they are released. I literally scavenged Canada to find four boxes of 110 grain ABs. Two are still in Vancouver waiting for me to pick them up and I just received two from Alberta this week. This gives me enough to begin to work with.

I would be interested in your results with the 110 gr AB. I load 48.0 grs RL 22 for an avg vel of 2974 fps ES 16 SD 8 and .7" accuracy. I plan on tweaking this load and may consider other powders.
MAX loads of IMR 4350 with the 100 gr BT/PT shoots .5" and the 115 gr BT/PT shoots .6" out of my M700 Classic 257 Roberts. My scope is a Vari X II 3-9.

JD338