Anybody have a favorite load for using 100 gr. bullets in .257 Roberts? What kind of velocity are you getting? I tied H414, W760, IMR 4895, and H4831 the other day with 100 gr. NBT and couldn't get better than 1.5" at mild velocity (2850 fps chronoed) in my Ruger Ultra Light. This from a rifle that stacks the 115 gr. NBT into 3 shot groups as small as .375" @ 100 yds. on my good days. Is it a twist rate issue?
One of the most accurate Roberts loads I have found is a 100 gr ballistic tip over IMR 3031. This particular combination has shot great in 3 different rifles.
I don't think the twist rate has anything to do with it but you might play with the seating depth a little.
Fishnfool, I have just started load development for my Roberts. I have tried 117 gr. Sierra BT w/IMR4350. This load shot extremely well. Next, I tried 100 gr. Hornady SP w/ H414; this shot about 1.250". Then I tried 100 gr. Nosler BT w/IMR4350 this shot .400". I have some 115-gr. BT's loaded w/RE19 that I plan to shot on Friday. I'll let you know how they shoot. The Nosler #4 manual states that IMR4350 is the powder for the Roberts. With the few combinations that I've tried, I would not disagree. Good luck and let us know who you are doing.
C-ROY
Posts: 259 | Location: Carolina | Registered: 11 September 2001
Fishnfool, If you ain`t tried RL22 you might want to. I just looked at my target board of keepers and saw 49 gr. with 100 grain Sierra was a 5 shot .535 with a flier.
I'm a Roberts fan and have had great results with IMR 4350, I have been using 100gr. Nosler BT, and loaded some Barnes X's also in 100gr. but have yet to take a deer with them. The posts so far have offered some good info. and if you try IMR 4350 also try changing the seating depth. Primers can also change the consistancy so there's another option. Mine is a 77R and shoots the 115/117 about the same as 100gr. You have found a great deer/ antelope round.
I wanted to post the results of the RE19 & 115-gr. BT. The best group measured .800 at hundred yards. This combination I believe is better than that in my rifle. I was not shooting very well. Just too distracted, there was a concealed weapon class going on at the other end of the firing line and my concentration was not where it should have been. I plan to reload this load maybe go up a .5-1.0 grain and move the bullet closer to the lands. I had the depth about .010 off the lands. It will probably be a couple of weeks before I get back to shoot due to work conflicts. I will post the results if the thread is still going.
C-ROY
Posts: 259 | Location: Carolina | Registered: 11 September 2001
Funny. In the years since this post I've tried both IMR4064 and 3031 and had good results. Switching primers made a difference when using lighter varmint bullets but I didn't switch them when shooting heavier bullets, results were good enough. Nate
The best load I have found for my Roberts is 38gr of Varget over Sierra 100gr SBT. I've also had good luck with 100gr Partitions. This load took a Red Stag cull at a lasered 188yds DRT. GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!
IF YOU'RE GONNA GET OLD,YOU BETTER BE TOUGH!! GETTIN' OLD AIN'T FOR SISSIES!!
