I have come upon a used .257 Roberts in new condition that I might get. This would be a whitetail rifle. What type and weight bullets do you people like for deer in this cartridge? Thanks for any help.

100grain Barnes TSX...this from a fella that killed a few with the old Rem 117grain corelokt round nose factory load.
Leo, what type of ranges do you expect to be shootin?

Leo-

So far I have only used Hornady's 117gr BTSP in my Roberts on whitetails. They performed flawlessly every time and I can wholeheartedly recommend them. However, I have tinkered with loads using 100gr Ballistic Tips, 120gr Sierra BTHPs, and 115gr Partitions. They all shot well, with the Sierras punching some impressive groups. I'd be confident with any of them on whitetails. With exception of the 100gr x-bullet, I like a 115-120gr bullet in the Roberts. If I want to shoot 100 grainers, I'll take my .243.

PS- My Roberts detests XLC X-bullets, but I plan to try some of the new triple shocks. I agree that they might be worth a try.

Regards - Gib

I wouldn't think any more than 250 yards at the most.

Iv'e used 100gr. Nosler BT, 49gr. H4831, CCI200 primers, Rem cases. It shoots pretty well out of my rifle. I don't shoot into the shoulders so can't comment on what they'll do in that situation but, through the ribs they are devastating.

I have also loaded a similar round using 100gr. Barnes X, 47.8gr. of the same powder. Another one that worked well was 46gr. of IMR4350.

I love my "Bob" and have even used it quite a lot for coyotes. My load for them is a Hornady 75gr. HP, 43.5gr. IMR 4064, CCI200 primers, again in Rem cases. OR, use 46gr. of H4895 with the same componets.

If you hand load you won't be disappointed with the old Roberts. Nate

Og the 257 roberts that I have tinker with, some would shoot the light bullets standard 75gr up to and includeing some of the 100gr and the 117 roundnose. Others were differant in that they liked longer bullets the 115-120gr stuff. So, if your gun likes the heaver bullets, I like the Nosler 115gr BT and the 120gr sierra for deer. If you gun will not shoot the heaver bullets well, then see if the 100gr nosler partition will shoot in your gun. If still not satisfied, dig arround and find some of the discontuned Barns 85gr X bullets. These are shorter and will hold together and penatrate. I think they now make a 90gr X bullet, but I have not shot that particular one. The Bob is a great round to hunt with, you will like it. Your 243 will collect dust after you get this.

I prefer the 115-120s in Bob. Deer out to 250 yds, I'd go with the 120 Speer at 2800 fps or so. H414 is good powder choice.

Good luck.

9.3

I've killed around 30 whitetails with the old, out of production, 100 grain Nosler Solid Base bullet. Only my first deer required more than one shot.
When Nosler quit making that bullet to increase Ballistic Tip production, I stocked up.
Should I ever run out of the solid Base bullets, my Roberts shoots the 120 grain Speer quite well, too.
Any bullet weighing 100 grains or more should work well. Whitetails are thin-skinned, light-boned, tasty game.

Ah, the old Solid Base bullets. I've never forgiven Nosler for discontinuing them. They were great. I've still got 1 box of 120 gr 257's, and they are being hoarded appropriately! Jim

I have taken deer with both the 117 gr. Hornady BTSP and the 120 grain Nosler Partition. I am planning to try some of the 115 grain bullets, i.e. Partition and TBBC. I think the 115-120 gr. slugs are best in the Roberts

My dad's taken 6 whitetail with 115grn Partitions and his .257AI. He said none of them went more than 10 feet from 80 yards away.

I don't think you can beat the 100 grain Barnes X bullets. I am going to try the coated ones though. Get tired of scrubbing out copper. For performance on game though, there about as good as it gets. My Roberts is the most accurate with 115 grain Nosler Ballistic tips. Almost as good with Factory Feredal Premium 120 GR partitions. In my expierence with both, because of a little less sectioal density, My Roberts with 100 grain bullets FAR outperforms my 243 with 100 grain bullets on deer.

I have had great experience on whitetails with Partitions in my 257WBY . I prefer the 120s, though I think what shoots best in your particular rifle should determine the weight.
Stay well,
Paul

I cant think of a reason to use anything but ballistic tips or sst's for deer from my 257. They are easily the most accurate bullets Ive tried in mine, they deliver tremendous shock, make big mushrooms and have more than enough s/d to penetrate a deer any way you want it to. Very efficent killers!

So far Ive used 115 grn bt's but I am going to try the 117 grain sst's. If they shoot as good as the BT's then Ill make the switch.