Guys I am wondering if I am getting about all I should expect here. Rifle is a commercial Mauser action with an E.R. Shaw varmint weight barrel 26 inches long. I know Shaw are not match grade but this is just a hunting rifle. Built for hunting groundhogs and deer in Pennsylvania. I put a heavy walnut stock on it and it is glass bed. Also has a Bold trigger. Topped with a Leupold 6.5x20 scope. I have several loads I can put three shots in one ragged hole and one load I have put 5 shots in .800. I just can't get 5 shots to touch and the loads that will put three of 5 in a ragged hole still won't put 5 under an inch. Close to an inch but still not under it. It is close to deer season so I am going to just stick with my best load of 120 grain Speer spitzers over 53 grains of R22. That load was the only one I could group 5 shots under an inch with.

i have been shooting 100 gr.partitions and getting groups under1/2 in at 100 yards.mine also likes the 75 gr.v-max

My 257 Ackley is partial to the 110 Accubond and the Sierra 117 ProHunter among others... however your load is a stiff one and really should do what you ask. I use IMR 7828 with 120 Nosler Partitions and R22 is great with the 110 AB. If using a 100 grain bullet, try the IMR 4350 as it is the classic combination. I also use Winchester white box 7 x 57 Mauser brass which gives me better necks and a bushing die to size with FWIW.

Don,
Try 100gr. Sierras(#1620) over RL22. Both of mine like it.

Stepchild

Thanks for the responses so far guys.

I shoot 2 standard Roberts and one AI. They all seem to love the 100 grain TSX barnes. So does my .257 Weatherby.
The standard Roberts prefer H-414 while The AI likes RL-22 and the .257 Roy likes Ramshot magnum.
...tj3006

I know of no reason why a .257 AI would be any less accurate than other .25-caliber rifles if good bullets are used. You are correct that Shaw barrels aren't match-grade tubes, but they do have a pretty good reputation. Try some Berger bullets, some Sierras, and some Nosler BT's.

Tried Nosler BT's refuse to try Berger not that interested in better groups that bad.

I don't see the problem here at all. If you have several loads that shoot 3 shots under an inch then you have a pretty good set up. 5 shots under inch? That is great accuracy. If you miss a deer with that rifle it won't be the guns fault. You are getting more than you should expect ot of that set up. I would expect 1-1.5" for 3 shots with a few groups dropping under an inch.

I have always wondered what the purpose of shooting 5 shot groups with hunting rifles really was. I mean, if you can't get it done with the first 3 shots, what makes you think 2 more will do any good? It's much more important that you're first cold bore shot shoots where you want it. And when you have 3 shots shooting into one ragged hole - that sounds like an excellent shooting rifle and load to me!

quote:

Originally posted by prairiegoat:
I have always wondered what the purpose of shooting 5 shot groups with hunting rifles really was. I mean, if you can't get it done with the first 3 shots, what makes you think 2 more will do any good? It's much more important that you're first cold bore shot shoots where you want it. And when you have 3 shots shooting into one ragged hole - that sounds like an excellent shooting rifle and load to me!

I agree but this is also a varmint rifle plus I just want tight groups if I can get them.

QUOTE]

I agree but this is also a varmint rifle plus I just want tight groups if I can get them.[/QUOTE]

I meant no offense, it's just that your original post mentioned it being a hunting rifle, and I guess I've never really been around Groundhogs, but I'd always heard the shooting was faily slow-paced for them? In other words, your barrel would cool before very many shots were fired, thus negating the 5 round group policy. I don't mean to be disagreeable, I just kinda wonder as to the 5 round group purpose, other than that's what benchrest shooters do, so people become conditioned to shooting that way, when in fact it means nothing in the hunting realm. Sounds like your rifle is a great shooter - good luck!

While I don't believe you have a problem with your 257AI for deer or varmints, I would like to add a little comment. I have a Ruger M77 tang safety, it shoots Speer 120 grs all day into .75 MOA with 48.5 grs IMR4350 but it just not like any of the 100gr offerings. The Speer 120gr bullet equates to drop dead now for Western Maryland whitetails. I use several .223s for varmints.