Hey guys, I just came across a Contender 257 JDJ!! I've been wanting one for 3 years, but had basically given up finding one. The only load data I have thus far is limited (4 loads) and is old (6/91 issue of "The Sixgunner.") I'm going to contact JD for latest data, but it may be a few days getting here. In the meantime, I'd appreciate your suggestions. For now, all I want to do is work up a load for small whitetail deer. Plan on using 85 and/or 100 gr NBT's I already have. Powders I have on hand that might be useful include WW 748, H322, H335, , Benchmark, Varget, RL 19, AA2230, AA2460, RL 15, and H4895. I'm thinking the last two may be most useful. (I can also "borrow" H380, HBlC2, and AA2520.) Until JD's info arrives, I can start by carefully extrapolating data from 250 Savage, but thought I'd first check w/ your experiences for a "magical" load. I'm hoping to have a servicable load to use for 2nd weekend of deer season--only 10 days away!! Talk about a "rush" job. Thanks for the help. Gary T.

[ 11-07-2002, 09:38: Message edited by: Gary T ]

More than likely, all you will need is the Re-15. For me, it produced top accuracy and velocity with both bullets you mention. And of the two, I favor the 100 grainer over the 85 grainer, although I have had good results with the latter as well. The 100 grain load is just a bit more authoritative, or so it seemed in the animals I harvested. Using 37 grains of Re-15, I got somewhat over 2650 fps with the 100 grain Nosler. With the 85 grain BT, 38 grains churned up nearly 2900 fps. Both were near max but completely safe in my gun and with terrific case life. Don't take great stock in data provided by JD as he often uses data from JDJ users instead of his own. I understand he now lists Re-7 for the .257 JDJ data -- and we all know that is far too fast for optimum performance.

Gary

Check your private messages......I sent you a load recipe for AA 2520 and 85 grain ballistic tips that works in my 257 JDJ.

I killed a Blackbuck antelope with it earlier this year.....got about 18" of penetration and the recovered bullet weighed 57 grains.

Click the link to read about the hunt..... story

Hey guys, Thanks for the suggestions. GH, I got the PM. I see AA2520 mentioned a lot w/ 257 JDJ loads. I didn't have much luck w/ it in my 6.5 JDJ, but may have to give it another try. Will probably start w/ RL 15 as I have it a good bit of it on hand and it's been a good powder for me. Might also try H4895 initially for the same reasons. Obviously, I'll have to find a decent load pretty quickly... Gary T.

im shooting 120 gr sierra bthp with 35 gr of imr4350. ive got the load data from jd so if ya need a surtan weight bullet i can tell ya what it says. jason

Jason, Am looking for data for 85 and 100 gr bullets for now. Thanks for the help. Gary T.

ok here ya go.
100 gr bullets reduce 15% it says
31 gr r7 2618fps 100 gr nosler bt
34 gr aa2520 2529fps ''
35.5gr aa2520 2645 ''
34gr aa2230 2619 ''
h4895 29-30gr 2155-2259fps 100gr speer spitzer
imr4320 30-31gr 2081-2154fps ''
imr4350 35-36gr 2209-2303fps ''
ww748 33-35 2326-2454fps 100gr hornady sp
imr4350 36-38gr 2270-2421 ''

87 gr sierra spitzer
ww748 35-37gr 2405-2591fps
87 gr speer spitzer
h322 29-30gr 2195-2278fps
h4895 31-32gr 2299-2426fps
r7 32gr 2726 89gr nosler bt
aa2520 37gr 2797fps ''
aa2230 35gr 2726fps ''

hope this helps ya and dont confuse you. let me no if ya get any thing with it this is the first year ill be hunting with it. jason

Jason, Thanks. One quick question.... Paragraph 2, third line from the bottom, it says "89 gr Nosler BT..." Should this be either 85 or 90 gr NBT?

Hopefully will have a good hunting story to share once I get a load developed! Gary T.

the paper says 89 so i dont no.i got the gun last year brand new. but this data could have been made along time ago i dont no the history of nosler so i dont no if they may have made one in the past. jason