I need some help guys, I recently got a 257 Rob in a Mtn Rifle. I loaded some rounds up using 37 IMR 4895 using a 100gr Nosler Solid Base. This rifle shoots them real well heck it shoots any bullet I put in it as long as I use IMR-4895. Well I thought it would be Ideal for my boy who wieghs 100lb soak and wet. I shot it and there was no recoil then again I wiegh 215lbs. Well I took my boys out to the range to get ready for there upcoming Couse deer hunt down here in Ft. Huachuca. Well he shoots it and it is knocking him around he shot it three times and afterwards he is holding his shoulder saying ouch. I need a good youth load for this round that will shoot flat enough for the Couse deer hunting down here. My other boy is shooting a 250 savage with no problems and it is loaded up with 40grs 4350 with a 90gr bullet. I have some 90gr loaded up for the 257 with 40grs of VARGET but I have not shot these yet and do no tknow how they will group. So any help will be appreciated using IMR-4895.

John

See if you can find some 75gr barns x bullets and work up a load of about 2600fps or so. The barns bullet works very well in a custome contender 250 savage at 2600fps for me. I would think it would be just the thing for your son.

It sound s like a job for Blue Dot and a 75 to 90 gr. good deer hunting bullet.Even an 87gr. 25-35 bullet would do. I suggest to "Start" with 19gr. and work up.Light recoil and you should be getting around 2600 fps with the 87 gr.bullet and 21 gr. Blue dot. Make sure you visually examine the powder level of each charge and do it twice if youngsters are involved while reloading. roger

Have the lad wear a PAST recoil shield on the range. He won't feel the recoil in the field. So all he has to do, is learn not to flinch on the range.

Does the rifle have a recoil pad on the stock, and does the stock fit him??

- mike

It has a recoil pad but it is one of the Remingotn ones. As far as the stock goes it probably is a little long for him. I'm going to switch gears and pull out his other rifle a 6.5swede the 257 is actually his moms anyhow the swede was made for a small kid. I thought the mtn rifle would be perfect since it was in 257 no recoil, how wrong I was.

John

323,
I wouldn't necessarily give up on the 257 Roberts just yet. You've got adequate components to still work up a good youth load/reduced recoil load for the Roberts, although you'll need to drop the velocity some. You've got at least two choices: use a reduced recoil load w/ IMR 4895 or use a Blue Dot load, as previously mentioned. The Hodgdon web site (http://www.hodgdonpowder.com) has a number of youth loads using H4895. I'd think IMR 4895 could be used, as well. Not sure whether there are any 257 Roberts loads or not, but if not, you shouldn't have any trouble coming up w/ one using their guidelines. The load you were shooting was probably doing close to 2900 fps.

Another option would be use some Blue Dot. Even a relatively low recoiling round like the 257 Roberts can be toned down considerably to make it even more agreeable to the young/beginning hunter. Last summer I developed a load for a friend to use w/ his two grandsons (7 and 9 y/o) for deer hunting last year. Both used the same load (90 gr Sierra BTHP/22.0 gr Blue Dot/2675 fps)in a 257 Roberts. Recoil was about like a 243 Win. So far, they've killed 5 deer w/ 8 shots. (The older grandson went through a cold spell where missed 2 deer , but redeemed himself w/ an 8 point at 150 yds.) You might could well use the 90 gr bullet used in the Savage. BTW, I would've used the 100 gr NBT for my friend's load except the ranch he was taking them to has outlawed the Ballistic Tip.

Some years ago, I remember reading an article by John Wootters dealing w/ rifle rounds that were good for beginners to learn w/ and continue being able to use into adulthood. The title was something like "Seven Rounds to Start and Stay With." He recommended the 250 Savage, 257 Roberts, 6.5X55, 7-30 Waters, 7-08, 30-30, and 300 Savage; the 260 Rem was not available then or I'm sure he would've rec'd it as well.

The 257 Roberts (w/ aforementioned bullet or 85/100 gr NBT) or the Swede (w/ 120 gr NBT/Sierra/Speer), loaded to 2400-2700 fps should be both very effective and very manageable. I've killed enough big game w/ similar loads in Contender pistols to appreciate how useful these loads are. Gary T.

Thanks for the info I'm going have to get some blue dot casue all I got is red dot , bullseye and unique pistol powder. What rifle were the kids shooting these out of and what type of groups were you getting with the blue dot. I figure sight the rifle in about 1 1/2 high at a hundred it should be good out to 200 yds.

John

I think you hit the nail right on the head when you said the stock was too long for the boy. An ill fitting stock will hurt, even with as light a reloiling round as a .257 Roberts. If the shorter Swede is comfortable for him to shoot, go with that one.
What area did you draw for in which hunt? I drew the November hunt in area 32 for Mule Deer. Well, I gues I should be thankful I drew for something. Didn't draw elk or antelope. I quit trying for sheep and bison years ago.
I hope your boys get their deer.
Paul B.

I agree let him wear a Past. He won't feel the recoil when he shots that deer.

If you have to shoot the 257 Bob, I agree with the others that you should reload alight bullet and light powder charge for plinking only. use stronger loads for hunting.

I had my daughter shoot my 223 at the bench to get used to shooting and trigger pull. I switched to a 7x57 in the field. I've never let her shoot a big game rifle at the bench and see no reason to start now, it just seems to develop a flinch and scares them.

I moved her into my 30'06 (her idea) with reduced loads and she did fine several years later. That load was 165 gr@2600 fps.

She then decided to use my big gun shooting 250 gr bullets at 2700 fps for bear hunting when she was 16 and never gave that gun back.

So far this fall, she has knocked down 2 antelope and 1 mule deer buck with three shots ranging from 200 yds to 369 yds and never complains about the recoil.

Try the starting loads with IMR4895 and move up slowly looking for a good group and go hunting.

Same advise with the 90 gr and Varget. Start over with the 36 grain starting load and look for a good group and don't be concerned about max vel.

Good luck!

Reduced Loads With H4985:

For all cartridges we chose H4895 because it is the slowest burning propellant that ignites uniformly at reduced charges. For years, H4895 has been the top choice by cast bullet shooters. For this type shooting, loads are reduced even more than the hunting loads listed herein. To create loads of this type for target and plinking, we recommend our 60% rule with H4895. By taking the maximum charges listed in our Annual Manual with any given cartridge and multiplying it by 60%, the shooter can create a 1500 to 2100 fps load, depending on the bullet weight shown. This works only where H4895 is listed. Do not use H4895 in a cartridge where it has not been shown.

323, Sorry to be so late getting back w/ you, but I've been really busy the past few days trying to get some last minute projects taken care of in preparation for the upcoming deer season. Anyway, as to your questions: the grandson's were shooting an identical loads 2 different rifles. Consequently, I had to make some compromises w/ the bullet seating depth. Horndady brass was used (the primer pocket was uniformed and flash hole deburred). The two guns were a Remington M 700 (synthetic stock) and a Ruger M 77 (wooden stock). No trigger work had been done. Since I didn't adjust the scopes to suit my eyes, the targets were VERY BLURRY...I haven't played w/ the loads since then, but I bet the Ruger could be made to shoot better. Not sure whether the Ruger may have had a shorter barrel. Hope you find this helpful.

Remington Ruger
scope 2-7X 3-9X
100 yds 0.44" 2.7"
3 shot grp
vel 2705 fps 2665 fps
Gary T.

quote:

Originally posted by Paul B:
I think you hit the nail right on the head when you said the stock was too long for the boy. An ill fitting stock will hurt, even with as light a reloiling round as a .257 Roberts. If the shorter Swede is comfortable for him to shoot, go with that one.
What area did you draw for in which hunt? I drew the November hunt in area 32 for Mule Deer. Well, I gues I should be thankful I drew for something. Didn't draw elk or antelope. I quit trying for sheep and bison years ago.
I hope your boys get their deer.
Paul B.

We are hunting couse deer on Ft Huachuca.

John

I had a .257 Roberts jab me pretty hard too. It was in a Browning Micro medalion. Very light gun and at the bench it jabbed me something nasty.

I'm over 200 pounds and one would think that it wouldn't bother a bigger guy.

I just let it jab as I knew it will be sweet in the field.

I agree with the suggestions to put a pad on the shoulder for the bench shooting. I had the 20" barrel of the Micro shooting 100 grainers at 3,100'/sec and was truly surprised at the crack on the shoulder with the light gun.

I hunt South Texas with a 257 Robts and have killed numerous large bucks with one shot, lots drop in their tracks. I load 43gr of H4350 with a 100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. The load runs just under 2900fps and has very little recoil out of a 700 Classic. So little so that you can watch the bullet hit through the scope. The load is also almost a one hole group at 100yds. I swithed to the Accubond late in the season because the BT was destroying the shoulders of pigs when I shot them in the neck! For terminal performance, accuracy and light recoil Bob is hard to beat.

I am loading the new 110 grn Nosler Accubond with great results. Low recoil (my hunting range in N. Mich. it limited so I don't load too hot - 2800 fps). My suggestion: the bench is for load development and sight-in and will subject the shooter to the most recoil (except prone). Have the young man practice standing with a rest like a pair of shooting stix - much less abusive on the shoulder. And I also agree with the Past recoil pad - very worthwhile product.