High there
I just bought a Mauser 98 sporter in 257 Roberts for my son as a first deer rifle. I don't reload and am dismayed at the selection available from factory loads. I would realy like a 100grain in a partion or other tough bullet to keep the trajectory flat and the recoil light. The 117 grains from Federal and Remington loads have a round nose bullet and the Winchester +P loads a 120 grain partion hot, I think maybe too hot for a beginning shooter. Not to mention expensive.
Any help?
Shawn

Factory 257 robert loads they make such things. Iknow that unless it is a plus p 257 roberts load they are all mild even the plus p stuff are are not to bad as recoil goes. I would buy some regular 257 100 spire pts and let you son go at it.

Personally I do believe that the regular stuff will work just fine. No need for the Plus P for Jr.

Just my thoughts

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

Try Hornady's light Magnum ammo. They list a 257 Roberts, 117 gr. BTSP at 2940 fps.

-Mike

Sorry,

I misread the post. I thought you were looking for a hotter heavy load.

-M

z1r,

That name anything to do with the bikini fairing clad Kawa?

I don't think anyone loads premium bullets in the 257R. I handload for a 257Ackley and the 100 & 115 Ballistic Tips are wonderful for deer. You might see what Federal has in their premium line. Other than tha I would go for the light magnum from Hornady.

1894,

Yes indeed it does refer to the old Kawi. I have one that one day will be back on the road in all its former glory.

-Mike

Had a 257 Roberts built on a Springfield at one time. Bst I could get out of it was 2750fps. with the 117gr. bullet. Any hotter and cases started sticking. Deer did seem to mind, killed them just fine. Pete

the whole reason I started reloading was because I couldn't find any factory loads like I wanted for my ruger #1-B in 257 rbts. For that first year I used the hornady light mag. It was the most accurate I found. The next year I started handloading using the nosler 100 gr bt. Have never had a problem with these bullets dropping deer. In fact this is the gun I let my niece use for deer. You didn't say how far a shot may come at. If less than 150 yds just about any factory load will work because of the slow factory speeds bullets open up like they are suppose to and don't explode on inpact. The federal partition loads did not impress me with there accuracy at all. 3" at 100 yds is not a good return on the dollar. If you are going to hang on to the gun start reloading. You don't have to go overboard, a lee kit will take care of your needs for now. It will also give you some bonding time with you and your boy. Heck my daughter is 4 and she is always there to pull down on the ram. I've blabed enough but if you want some more info e-mail me.

The .257 Roberts and the .220 Swift are probably the best two small bore calibers on the face of the earth. There is not much that can't be done with them, even with factory ammo. And Hornady gets my vote. And for the reloader, they are next to heaven. I doubt if there is a powder or bullet that hasn't already been tried and results posted somewhere.

I just happened to go to the range today with a friend and he brought along his Winchester Feather Weight in .257 Roberts. I was IMPRESSED!!!! This is a neat little rifle. He had some 85gr V-Mav bullets worked up, with reduce loads that clocked 1450fps, that had very little recoil. Then we shot some of the Hornady Light Magnum ammo, which clocked 2920fps, the recoil was not bad at all. I'd have to say it felt even less than my 6.5x55. You'll love the .257 Roberts. I'm glad I have my 6.5x55 or I'd be looking for a Roberts.