Hey guys,
You may remember that I came across a used 257 JDJ last year the first week of deer season. I hastily worked up a load w/ RL 15/100 gr NBT, but never got a chance to drop the hammer. After reading "the Crazyman's" glowing report in "The Sixgunner" on the Sierra 90 gr BTHP GameKing, I decided to try some of them. Anyway, the results look VERY promising. Only powder I've tried is RL 15. The brass has had the primer pockets uniformed and the flash hole deburred. COL is 2.600" which is WAY off the lands. I usually start w/ a load 0.002" off the lands, but couldn't do so w/ this bullet as the boat-tail wasn't even completely in the case mouth at this depth. At 2.600" OAL, the beginning of the bt is at the case mouth. Primers are Rem 9 1/2. The gun rests on a Harris bipod up front and sand bags in the rear. Scope is Leupold 2.5-8X w/ T'SOB rings (3) and mount. 3 shot groups w/ avg velocity listed. Loads started rather low because JD didn't have loading data for the 257. Temp was 62 deg. Pressures were acceptable, even at heaviest powder charge. Here we go:
33.0 gr/2361 fps/0.81"
34.0 gr/2463 fps/1.5" (noticable flyer...)
35.0 gr/2547 fps/0.6"
36.0 gr/2653 fps/0.75"
If I get a chance, I think I'll try a few loads at 36.5 and 37.0 gr. If not, I'll go ahead and load up the 36.0 gr load and be a very happy hunter. Gary T.

[ 10-31-2003, 17:11: Message edited by: Gary T ]

Gary-
Looks like Re-15 still reigns supreme in the .257 and 6.5mm JDJs...and it seems as though you have your rig shooting quite well.

A word of caution with the 90 grain BTHP for deer: back when I had a .257 JDJ, I gave it a serious workout and found that expansion was a bit iffy beyond 100 yards or so. If memory serves, it was moving right around 2700 fps MV. That was a few years ago, and the bullet may have changed by now, so you may want to run some expansion tests of your own.

The most consistent expansion, of course, came from the 85 and 100 grain BTs, the latter being my favorite as it seems to drop game with a bit more authority than the 85 grain version. The BTs opened well out to 300 yards and, due to the modest velocity, retained ample mass for more than sufficient penetration. The 100 grain Partition worked well inside of 200 yards, as did the Speer 100 grain BTSP.

Bobby, Thanks for the words of wisdom. I was never fully satisfied w/ the velocities I was getting w/ the 100 gr BT as the pressures were a little too high for my comfort. Could've persued it further, but thought I'd first play w/ the Sierra bullet. Will approach long shots w/ it w/ caution until it's proven itself. Gary T.

Fellows,

This shows it pays to read topics which don't appear to apply to one's personal situation.

This 90 gr. bullet was recommended to me as the be all end all for the 25-35 Winchester! Clearly, it will never go as quick from that cartridge as it will from the .257 JDJ, so I can now see that I need not concern myself with "what ifs" and be happy with my current choices.

Thank you.

Have you ever considered trying XMR 4064. It is a shorter extruded stick then IMR 4064. Have found it to be a better powder than RL 15 in my 7-30 Waters along with many other guns. I have been able to get lower extreme spreads, better accuracy and a little more velocity than RL 15. Maybe it is just my gun. All guns are different.

Accurate doesn't list it but I think if you called them they would provide you with a load worth trying.

7-30 Waters