257 Roberts Powder Choice

[kleanbore 1]

Any long time shooters of the 257 Roberts, a question for you. What powders do you prefer for the heavier bullets, say 90gr-120gr I have IMR 4350, 4064, 3031, Varget , Reloader 15 and others. I know, what shoots good in your rifle may not in mine. Looking for a consensus on where to start. Thanks in advance

 

[centershot]

I am experimenting with IMR 4451 in an Ackley. 115 grain Berger. Also used Rl 19.

 

[std7mag]

For 90gr Sierra BlitzKings i'm using H414.
100gr & 115gr Nosler Ballistic Tips & 115gr Berger VLD-H i'm using Hybrid 100V.
For 120gr Sierra HPBT GameKings i'm using RL26.
Rifle is a Ruger 77 MKII 257 Roberts with 22" barrel.

 

[ncageneral]

I am running H100V in my Roberts. I dont have alot of experience with it but it is working very well. I tried everything in a Hawkeye with lousy results. The one I am shooting now is a rebarreled A Bolt with a Bartlein 5R . It was alot more consistent than I had thought it would be too. 300 yds it printed the attached target. I had one flyer that I blame on little green men. Speer 120 gr SPBT, CCI 200 , H100V, PPU reformed 7mm Mauser brass.

 

[std7mag]

I like your choice for brass.
I use the same!

 

[JEFFPPC]

With 117 gr bullets 4064 worked well for me.

 

[std7mag]

I thought they discontinued 4064 last year?

 

[riverside jeep]

Just finished load development for my .257 Bob yesterday. I wanted a lead free varmint load for here in Komifornia so I went with Barnes 80 gr.tts-bt. Varget I only had luke warm success, 1 moa. Tried out H4350 and at a little over max load it came into .46 moa and 3400 fps with no pressure signs.

 

[std7mag]

Yup!
Only the duuudes in Commiefornia call it "Bob"...

 

[Murray Brook]

I thought they discontinued 4064 last year?

I think that may have been IMR 4320.

 

[jplahr]

I have been using RL-17 lately and my .257 Ackley came to life when I switch to it.

 

[ncageneral]

I like your choice for brass.
I use the same!

Do you ream the necks or turn them down ?

 

[std7mag]

It's a hunting rifle.
Full length size. Trim, chamfer & deburr.
Load.

 

[Gtscotty]

I thought they discontinued 4064 last year?

Negative, it's one of the only decent medium burn rate powders I can actually find right now.

 

[long40shot]

I have had good luck with RL15, but my best is with H4350. I would imagine the IMR 4350 with be similar.

 

[std7mag]

You'd possibly imagine incorrectly, as the burn rates are not the same.
The H4350 may work well with up towards 90gr bullets.
The IMR 4350 would do well with the heavier bullets as the burn rate is slower.
And i see RL15 on your list.
I can understand wanting an accurate load. Believe me, i can.
But for a cartridge aimed at hunting, why not have an accurate load that's fast too?
Only increases your energy on game, and extends the distance the bullet will reliably expand.

 

[stacy]

BACK IN THE DAY IMR-4320 WAS MY GO TO POWDER IN MY 257 ROBERTS

 

[wagonman]

Yup!
Only the duuudes in Commiefornia call it "Bob"...

we live and fight behind enemy lines go easy on us

 

[CaptainMal]

IMR 4350. Been using it in both of mine for decades. Occasionally try other things. Never found a reason to change.

 

[JORTZ]

Imr4350 here