I am still in initial load development with my Roberts. The rifle is a Remington 700 Mtn. Rifle w/22" barrel. I have tried Speer 117 gr. SPBT with IMR 4350 and Nosler 100gr. BT w/IMR 4350 and both these loads shot really well. I tried 100gr. Hornady SP w/ H414 and this combo did not shoot as well; it was 1.1" at 100 yds., so that's not really bad. I was thinking of maybe a little slower powder like RE19. I think I will use 115-117 gr. bullets too. I know the 100gr. will be just fine for deer but I am a heavy for caliber guy and in my mind I would be more comfortable with the 115-117 gr. bullets, I will probably try the 120gr. bullets later. What do you guys recommend? Thanks.

C-ROY

C-ROY -
I've always had good luck with 115 Nosler Partitions and H4831, either the standard version, or Short Cut. IMR-7828, if you can get enough in the case, works well, too.

Those Mountain Rifles are really nice guns, aren't they?

R-WEST

I agree with R-West. I always used surplus 4831 (almost as slow as IMR 7828) when I had a Roberts with 117 Sierras and Noslers. Excellent results with velocities in the 2950 fps range (23.5" barrel). RL-22 and H4831 SC, as well as perhaps VV N-165 should be good candidates. IMR 4350 will be good with 100 grain bullets, and as you've discovered, not bad with 117's.

You might also try IMR 4064. It seemed to shoot well for me, I also shoot 115-120 gr bullets.

Both of these loads work great for deer in my 20" barrelled Ruger M77 Mk.II UL .257 Roberts:

42.0 grs. IMR4350 w/115 gr. NBT (super accurate)

44.0 grs. IMR4831 w/117 gr. Sierra Pro Hunter(flat base spitzer)

Both use CCI200 primers and Rem cases.and both produce the exact same m.v. of 2750 fps chrono.

I think I'm gonna try some fast 100 grain Sierra or NBT bullets for next yr.

Here are two loads that work in my A-Bolt Micro Medallion (20" bbl), both with the Sierra 117gr SP:

46.0 RL-19, grp avg 0.71"
46.0 H4340, grp avg 0.43"

I've never been able to get any 100 grain bullets to shoot consistently.

Stonecreek -

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as well as perhaps VV N-165

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I've never been able to get enough N-165 into the .257 case to get decent velocities.

R-WEST

I recomend a case full of H-4831.

I used to fill the case with H-4831 using a drop tube and maximum powder change that would allow seating the bullet and not distort anything. You get about 3200 and some fps with a 100 grain bullet and no pressure problems. A case full of 4831, just not so compressed worked great with 117 gr bullets. The thing with H-4831 and the 100 grainers is that you can't fit enough powder to cause pressure problems. I used to shoot a Remington with a 26" bbl. Your milage may vary.

Work up slowly, please don't cram as much powder in the case as possible, seat a bullet and light it up. Only do that when you know your rifle is safe with that load!

One of my buddies simply dipped the powder with the case and seated the bullet. Fast and accurate!

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Originally posted by C-ROY:
I am still in initial load development with my Roberts. The rifle is a Remington 700 Mtn. Rifle w/22" barrel. I have tried Speer 117 gr. SPBT with IMR 4350 and Nosler 100gr. BT w/IMR 4350 and both these loads shot really well. I tried 100gr. Hornady SP w/ H414 and this combo did not shoot as well; it was 1.1" at 100 yds., so that's not really bad. I was thinking of maybe a little slower powder like RE19. I think I will use 115-117 gr. bullets too. I know the 100gr. will be just fine for deer but I am a heavy for caliber guy and in my mind I would be more comfortable with the 115-117 gr. bullets, I will probably try the 120gr. bullets later. What do you guys recommend? Thanks.

C-ROY

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