I am finally getting aound to loading a 257 roberts that I have had for quite some time, I have a few questions,

1) This rifle will be used for mule deer hunting, I am looking at the 100gr XLC, the 115gr Nosler PT,100 Nosler BT or the 115 Winchester ballistic silvertip, or 110 gr Accubond, The question is, which would you choose for open country hunting?

2) Can I load the Silvertip to higher velocity because of the coating, like I can with the XLC?

3) Is the Nosler BT a good deer bullet?

4) any spcific powder that the ROberts works well with?



Any help that you can offer is much appreciated,

thanks

I load for a 257 Roberts, also. I can't give any opinion on the bullets that you mentioned, as I haven't tried them.

I have had very good luck through the years with the 100 and 120 grn Nosler Partitions, the Hornady and Sierra 117 grn Boattails, and the 100 and 120 grn Speer hot cor bullets. The above bullets have been used to take deer on the west coast at distances of from 35 yards out to about 375 yards. They all performed very well. The ones you are asking about should all perform on mule deer. I would try them, and see what shoots the best from your gun.

I have had my best luck in my gun (Ruger M77, out of the early 80's)with IMR 4064 and Alliant Reloader 19. My grandfather used to have good luck with DuPont 4350 (IMR now) and Nosler 100grn Partitions. He used that combination to take many blacktail and mule deer, and quite a few antelope.

Good luck with your Roberts; I have always like mine. Very good performance with out a big thump in the shoulder.

1) I would choose the 115 gr partition. I have found the 100 gr BT to not penetrate as well as I would like.

2) I doublt it, have no data to back that up though.

3) 100 gr.BT If you place your shots well it will work fine. If something goes wrong you can have a wounded animal that you might not have had with the 115 Partition........Maybe. It is all a percentage thing. I do not think whatever slightly flatter trajectory you get from the lighter bullet is worth it. I would prefer the better sectional density of the heavier bullet and better penetrating power. Life is full of trade offs. It is unlikely you will ever hold any different on the game animal because of a 100 vs. 120gr bullet. Where it might matter is "way out there". "Way out there" old Bob may not have enough remaining energy to insure a clean kill, and you have to place the bullet accurately, but, that is another discusstion.

4) 4064 for bug-hole accuracy with 100 gr bullets. H4831 for speed, you may be able use lots of the H4831. With one my rifles I was able use use a drop tube to make a very compressed load using 100 gr. bullets. It gave very high velocities. Case life was short but the pressure signs were not bad. Your rifle will probably be different. An old timer used to simply dip his case full of surplus H4831 and seat a 100 gr. bullet. It gave fine accuracy.

Now I contradict myself..... at something like 3000 fps and beyond bullet construction becomes very critical. You start to need fancy bullets to keep themselves together on the closer shots. I have become convinced that good sectional density and moderate velocity is the better hunting trade off. In this case a 115 or 120 gr. bullet at 27 or 2800 fps is going to be the best package. You get better bullet performance on the target and trajectory is not notticibly different, under field conditions, than the barrel burners. You could load generic 120 gr. bullets with H 4831 to get 2700 with out a problem. That would be a dandy, IMHO.

The 115 Partition and the Accubond would be my choice. I've gotten great accuracy from the 115 Partition out of my Ruger, haven't tried the Accubond yet. I've had the best luck with H4350 for accuracy and speed, but H414 aint' bad.

The .257 Roberts which I used for many years when living in Colorado does not demand a bullet of sophisticated design and consturction. I've used reduced loads with 85gr 25-35 bullets to 120 gr. bullets of the 50s and 60s erra design. The only 25 caliber bullet problem I ever had was some 25-06, 120 gr. commercial stuff. The shot was text book perfectly placed and it took 6 or 7 hrs. to find the buck and he was still alive . Normally the .257 Roberts' velocity level requires advanced bullet design only in somebody's dreams. It doesn't necessarily hurt but it isn't a prerequisite for a successful mule deer hunt.

Because of its forgiving nature to bullet design, modest recoil in a light mountain rifle and its adequacy in energy level it has always surprised me that the .257 wasn't more widely received by serious thinking hunters. For game up to and including mule deer at most acceptable ranges this cartridge totally fills the bill. roger

Thanks to all that have replied, I appreciate the info. I have loaded some 115gr partitions, and some 100 X, time to go the range,

Don't forget the 120gr Partiton and IMR-4831.

Anyone else have any opinions for me, I have done some testing and I am not happy with the results,

1) Barnes X 100 grain, IMR 4350 46 grains, 1 1/2 group ( the best of the day) 3010 FPS average, seating depth 2.85

2) Not happy with the 115 Partitions, the veloctities were extremely low, all used IMR 4350, seating depth 2.85

38 grain, 2300 fps
40 grain , 2450 fps
42 grain, 2555 fps,

These velocities are quite a bit lower than the manuals say, any reasons? I seated a few at 2.93, with 40 grains of powder, gained about 100fps, but accuracy was the same,

I am using a Lahti rifle rest, so My ability should not be affecting this,


thanks

All were around 2" grouping, not very good,

quote:

Originally posted by Maxx:
"All were around 2" grouping, not very good,

"

If your first bullet hits to within 1" of where you are aiming every time that'll get your mulie every time. That is if you are aiming in the right place. If a second shot is needed and it hits 2" from point of aim at a 100 and 4" at two hundred more than not it'll get the job done also.Repeatability on paper doesn't mean much for a hunting rifle if your warm up shot hits wide of the rest of the group.

Even the warm up shot can be of some concern if you are sighting in at 82 degrees in California and your next shoot at your Mule deer is at 9500' elevation at 17degrees and your rifle and ammo, like you, has been out doors all night.

Now if you must have something to dote on ;think of your best friend consoling your lonely wife while you're running around in those mountains. roger