New 257 Roberts Ackley

[real cowman]

I have been following this thread and joined today to post. I have had a 257 Roberts ackley improved for years. My current one is custom Mauser action. I picked up some of these 110 gr eldx about a month ago to try in mine. Any suggestion on starting load?

 

[long40shot]

The Nosler book lists 49.5grn of H4831sc as their most accurate load.

 

[real cowman]

What about H4350?

 

[long40shot]

H4350 is not listed in the book. But, IMR4350 is. The starting load is 43.5grn.

 

[R2surfdaddy]

After much thought and wait, it's finally here. I picked up my 257 Roberts Ackley Improved last week. Now, all i need is the time to go out and run some rounds down the barrel. My dad had a standard 257 Roberts years ago and always said he regrets trading it away. So, in my thoughts of my next deer rifle, i couldn't resist. But if course i had to try the improved version! Here are the specs.

Trued up Remington 700
24" Krieger #4, 1-10 twist
HS Precision sporter stock
Plain old BDL floor plate
Timney 510 trigger
Barrelled action is cerakoted
Bushnell Elite 4500 4x16
Talley one piece rings

via Imgflip Meme Generator

You bought it like that, (built it???) or had it built???

 

[R2surfdaddy]

I was on a quest for years to get a 1" group. In 2002 I got a 0.45" 5 shot group at 100 meters with a 257 Roberts Ackley I built on a VZ24 action with a Lothar Walther light varmint barrel.

View attachment 1116857
That buck was so long his nose drug on the floor like an elk.

In 2012 I built a 257 Roberts Ackley Improved rimmed on a Uberti clone of a Win 1885 falling block action with a Shilen barrel. I shot 4 deer with it in 2012.
Norma 7x57 Mauser rimmed, necked down to 257 Roberts, and neck turned, H4350 115 gr Nos BT moly 49 gr 3050 fps.

I like that recepie,,, nice looking canyon rim sitting firearm...

 

[Stevo86]

Joined today, I’m a big fan of the 257 ackley. Currently shooting a proof barreled R700. H4350 47.5 gr nosler 110 accubond. Fixing to start working on some Berger 115s.

 

[Plumsask]

Found enough time last weekend to run a couple rounds down the barrel. Things are looking good.

via Imgflip Meme Generator

Lookin good, probably about two firings until you get good shoulders on the blown out case, that's at least what I found with my 6mm AI

 

[R2surfdaddy]

What about H4350?

Get yourself a copy of the Hodgdon 2021 reloading Manual I found one at Brownells for $5.00 because the 22 version was out,,,, it has listings For IMR4350 & H4350 but no 110's,,,, 100's start H4350 @ 43,,, IMR4350 @44.8 then jumps to 115's H starts @ 41, IMR starts @ 41.9

just looked in Nosler No. 7 found 110's only has the IMR start @ 39,,,, max @ 43, No Hodgdon on the 110 offering

LOL Pick a number in between

 

[std7mag]

RL19 with 120gr Partitions is what i'm shooting so far in the Ackley.
If the weather would break, i have load tests ready to shoot for the 115gr Berger VLDs.

 

[Stevo86]

Here is my 257 AI.

 

[R2surfdaddy]

That is a really nice looking Rig!!!

 

[R2surfdaddy]

Tested out the H4350 with the 110grn eld-x. The results were great.

Good deal, I was wondering if that 700 is a long or short action good sir?

 

[long40shot]

Since my original writings, I've taken a couple deer and a hand full of prairie dogs with the 257. I'm still holding out hope to draw a Pronghorn tag. I've tested a few other bullets too. The sierra 90grn hollow point shows great accuracy. I've started working on a load for the Sierra 117grn Gameking. They show well under sub moa groups at 100yds. I've been using H4350 for every bullet I've tried in this rifle and it works. I recently had the muzzle threaded to accept a suppressor. My smith was concerned about the extra weight on the barrel since it's not a varmint contour. So far, I haven't seen any ill effects. Only a point of impact change from a bare muzzle to having the suppressor on it, but I expected that. I'm still on my first batch of brass that I fire formed. Probably 4-5 firings on each case. The primer pockets are still tight and I haven't had any other issues with the brass. I've annealed the cases every other firing. So far so good! The only little thing I would mention is, if I did this build over, I'd have it built on a long action instead of the short action. With the 110s and 117s I have to single load them to get the bullets stretched out or seat them deep into the case to have a few in the magazine. But no matter, it's a great little hunting rifle. Go get yourself a quarter bore!

 

[257ack]

I had one for years. Mine was a 1-10 twist. I shot 100 g bullets and used it for deer hunting. Should never had traded it. I wish the OP good luck with his

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

After much thought and wait, it's finally here. I picked up my 257 Roberts Ackley Improved last week. Now, all i need is the time to go out and run some rounds down the barrel. My dad had a standard 257 Roberts years ago and always said he regrets trading it away. So, in my thoughts of my next deer rifle, i couldn't resist. But if course i had to try the improved version! Here are the specs.

Trued up Remington 700
24" Krieger #4, 1-10 twist
HS Precision sporter stock
Plain old BDL floor plate
Timney 510 trigger
Barrelled action is cerakoted
Bushnell Elite 4500 4x16
Talley one piece rings

via Imgflip Meme Generator

looks great, I like the profile.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Since my original writings, I've taken a couple deer and a hand full of prairie dogs with the 257. I'm still holding out hope to draw a Pronghorn tag. I've tested a few other bullets too. The sierra 90grn hollow point shows great accuracy. I've started working on a load for the Sierra 117grn Gameking. They show well under sub moa groups at 100yds. I've been using H4350 for every bullet I've tried in this rifle and it works. I recently had the muzzle threaded to accept a suppressor. My smith was concerned about the extra weight on the barrel since it's not a varmint contour. So far, I haven't seen any ill effects. Only a point of impact change from a bare muzzle to having the suppressor on it, but I expected that. I'm still on my first batch of brass that I fire formed. Probably 4-5 firings on each case. The primer pockets are still tight and I haven't had any other issues with the brass. I've annealed the cases every other firing. So far so good! The only little thing I would mention is, if I did this build over, I'd have it built on a long action instead of the short action. With the 110s and 117s I have to single load them to get the bullets stretched out or seat them deep into the case to have a few in the magazine. But no matter, it's a great little hunting rifle. Go get yourself a quarter bore!

You may have mentioned it, but what brass are you using?

 

[long40shot]

You may have mentioned it, but what brass are you using?

This batch is Remington brass. I have some winchester saved back for when these go south.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

This batch is Remington brass. I have some winchester saved back for when these go south.

guessing original 257R

 

[long40shot]

guessing original 257R

Yes