I have had a BBR in 257 Roberts for 20 years now and havent shot it for close to 17. I was thinking about handloading some varmint loads for it in either the 75 or 87 grn. I have been looking at the velocity of these rounds in the modern data and found them very impressive. The question that I have is can I shoot the +P loads in the Browning BBR and do you have to use the +P brass when handloading +P loads? Thanks in advance,

Welcome to AR!

IIRC the Browning BBR is the predecessor to the A Bolt and was made in the early 80's. If that is correct, it is a modern bolt action and should have no problem with +P 257 loads. As to your second question, IMO it would be prudent to use +P brass, if you are going to load to +P pressures. good luck, let us know how it shoots!

BTW, try the 75gr VMax!

A to weather or not the rifle is safe, I would ask myself what other rounds were chamberd in it. Example if the same rifle was chamberd in 25,06 .270 or 7mm Rem mag you can do fine with a roberts. I belive the =p Roberts preasure is 50000 CUP. While the other rounds I mentioned are 52 or 53000. Draw your own conclusions. I shoot the Roberts in 2 rifles. I use the data from the latest barnes manual with H-414 and the 100 grain barnes tripple shock.
Its a prety hot load. In my 20' Ruger I get 3140 Fps and I use Winchester brass. My other roberts is a low numberd springfield. I use more caution with it but I am at max from most modern mauals with that one too ! ...tj3006

Good answers above. The pressure of the +P is closer to modern pressures where the old standard for the Roberts was down in the mid 40k range I think. This was because of the old war models being chambered for it.

If you are using +P data for a load it needs to be in +P brass to get the same results. +P brass holds less volume. Don't mix +P cases with standard! I have used +P data in standard brass by working up to max. My Roberts is an old model Ruger, and it seems to like to be loaded close to max but if I push it to much the accuracy goes away. My best varmint load so far was using IMR4064 and Hornady 75's. Nate

Actually IIRC the BBR is nothing like the A-bolt in it's design and is actually most similar to the "Lightweight" (6-lug)
weatherby MkV action.

It is an exceptionally strong action, though there are stronger actions it's a very short list....

AllanD

Thanks for all the good information. This is my first post here and I am pleasantly suprised at all the knowledge that is shared here. One more question. What is IIRC? Thanks for all the inout on my post.

IIRC

If
I
Recall
Correctly.

AllanD

IIRC=if I remember correctly.
I'm having very good luck with 75 Sierra hp or V-max with H4895 or Ramshot Hunter powder. With the Sierra and Hunter, I clocked 3520fps and under 3/4" groups in a new Ruger M77 Standard rifle last weekend. The H4895 is a much quicker powder, but gives good groups in 2 different rifles.
oops, sorry Alan. Guess I'll need to learn to type faster.

ole_270, is that in a +p case? I havent ever loaded with the Ramshot. Is that the brand? Gotcha on the IIRC