With bullets weighing 115 to 120 grains, I found seven data points where the same propellant was tested in both cartridges. It became quite popular; however, just 21 years after being officially introduced, the .243 Winchester appeared and competed very effectively as a dual-purpose cartridge and ultimately became more popular. Handloaders can load the full gamut of bullet weights enjoyed by early factory ammunition. My purpose here is to propose (or plead for) a resurrection of the .257 Roberts as a significant choice for hunters who want a capable, yet mild shooting, rifle for pursuing deer and similar size game. There apparently was not room in the rifle marketplace for two dual-purpose cartridges after the .243 Winchester was introduced and it bested the .244/6mm Remington, .250 Savage and .257 Roberts in the popularity contest, for whatever reasons. The does a great job on deer - it holds together very well at the high velocities possible with the AI case and I have found it to be very accurate. the handloading route. Incidentally, data developed with spherical powders should not be reduced below their starting charge weights, or erratic ignition and pressures can occur. The Hornady H.I.T.S. That's a valid reason to demand extreme accuracyand it's amazing how many of today's basic, inexpensive factory rifles deliver. This is a standard 100 grain .243 Winchester factory load at a MV of 2960 f.p.s. (20 inch barrel), ME 1862 ft. Browning/USRAC also did a limited run of the Model 70 XTR in .257 Roberts. (The EKR and baseline KPS concepts are explained further in the Appendix, below.). # 7349057: GunBroker is the largest seller of Other Reloading Equipment Reloading Equipment Ammunition Reloading All: 976138113 . I cant think of any situation in
The remaining (bullet pointed) lines summarize the results. But do you know how to properly use them? Fortunately, there is a reasonably straightforward way to do this. Despite the .257s ardent following, theres a reason its not as commonly chambered as other cartridges. According to the history Ive read, Roberts worked with F.J. Sage on
The .257 Roberts is a low recoiling, mild powered cartridge. Hornady HITS scores for .257 Roberts and .243 Win. Feel free to reach out to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy. Its versatile and can be used for a variety of game, from deer to elk. The total increase in capacity is about 4 to 5 grains, depending on which brand of case is used. (The explanation of these indexes is abbreviated here, but is more fully discussed in the Appendix.). Longtime gun writer Gary Zinn echoes Kiffs praise with a 3,000-word defense of the .257 inan article on Chuck Hawks website. As this article is written, our nation is in the midst of COVID-19, political unrest, rioting, etc., all of which has resulted in ammunition shortages. Looking back at my records, the handload used in Montana included
However, the .243 Winchester cannot match the .257 Roberts as a big game cartridge, although the .243 is arguably a more efficient heavy varmint round. Remington, Winchester and others offer unprimed cases for the .257 Roberts. The .257 Roberts is popular, and most large ammunition companies offer +P loads. Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a Mbius strip. was the deciding factor of a host cartridge later to bear his name. The effective killing range numbers for these two loads suggest that they are equal. What if .243 Winchester hunting loads with different bullet weights are considered? Maximum overall cartridge length for the .257 Roberts is 2.780 inches. This accuracy situtation with the Bob has me reconsidering doing this. Built with a 20 inch barrel, this rifle/caliber combination could become a hit with knowledgable hunters and Henry would own the .257 Roberts rifle market. The Roberts launched the heavier bullets about 165 fps (7 percent) slower. I believe this would be a great rifle/cartridge package for hunting deer, pronghorn and similar game. Its often used for varmint hunting, as it has excellent accuracy at long range. The popularity and dual-purpose nature of the .250 Savage and the .257 Roberts were usurped in 1955 by the .243 Winchester and the .244 Remington (later renamed 6mm Remington). Copyright 2017 by Gary Zinn and/or chuckhawks.com. Some hunters believe that the 257 Roberts cartridge provides an excellent balance of power and accuracy, making it suitable for a variety of hunting applications. Magnum primers are not needed
The only downside to the 257 Roberts is that it doesnt have the same long-range accuracy as some of the other calibers on this list. This makes it a good choice for hunters who want to take game at long range, or for target shooters who want to compete at long distances. Chuck Hawks reports that a 100-grain .257 exiting the barrel at 3,000 fps produces only 9.3 ft-lbs. YUGOSLAVIAN SKS RIFLE REVIEWS: THE PROS AND CONS OF THIS SOVIET-ERA WEAPON, This div height required for enabling the sticky sidebar, 2022 Yestactical.com We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. All
I said at the outset that the .257 Roberts did not deserve to be shoved into obscurity. Vintage RCBS dies and CCI BR-2 primers were used to develop load data. It was developed by gun writer and experimenter N.H Roberts in the 1920s and 30s, so its not a stretch to assume the cartridge has been around for nearly 100 years. Weldin
A more typical (as offered by several commercial ammo makers) load for the .243 features a 100 grain bullet at 2920 f.p.s. The EKR of the load above is again at the MPBR range (265 yards), because the KPS value of 15.9 at 265 yards is greater than the baseline KPS of 15. Both Jack
I know of one 257 that could shoot cloverleafs at 100Yds. With modern powders you may gain 100 fps with a 100gn bullet. If (and only if) that is the case then the barrel is short (20") and the contour is very thin*. As usual,
This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. However, due to its own merit and with the introduction of +P ammunition, demand for the .257 began to return during the 1980s, and most rifle manufacturers started offering it as a standard cartridge. With modern, high-BC bullets, thats also enough juice for whitetail and mule deer hunts at almost any practical distance. Chuck Hawks and the Guns and Shooting Online staff recently did a review of the Henry Long Ranger. The most common bullet weights are 87 and 100 grains. The Roberts combines that solid ballistic performance with feather-light recoil. Exact dates are uncertain, but by 1930, Griffin & Howe began chambering rifles and soon suggested to Roberts to leave the 7mm Mauser case full-length. I for one limit my long-range shooting to 300
Try IMR 4064 with 100 gr. Free shipping for many products! The Roberts experienced a unique transformation in 1974. results. Swift Scirocco II, BC .384, MV 3120 f.p.s. Learn the difference between revolvers and semi-auto pistols and what makes them different. I have had real good luck and accuracy with both IMR and H 4831. These recoil figures can be adjusted with heavier or lighter bullets, of course, but when using the most common factory loads, the .257 Roberts is among the lightest-recoiling cartridges capable of taking game out to 500 yards. The .257 Roberts uses the same caliber bullets as .250 Savage or the more powerful .25-06 Remington. lbs. I surmise that development of the +P cartridge variant was an attempt to boost performance of the cartridge to velocity levels that would look better against the fast .243s. concept. But out there where it counts, there is not that much of a
), 275 yard KPS = 16.9 (Energy = 1292 ft. neck, as I want to make sure they will work in the action. From the .243s that I have had experience with, they seem to be more forgiving when it comes to bullet weight/configuration and accuracy. All of the .257 Roberts loads listed above blow this .243 load away. All rights reserved. In
Its debut platform, the Remington Model 30, evolved from the robust Model 1917 Enfield bolt rifle that was chambered for high-pressure cartridges years before the Roberts was added. Partition, elk could also be on the menu! Varget seems to be a barnburner with a 75-grain bullet, so I tried 41.0
Therefore, KPS numbers generated from different data inputs (E, SD, or A) are directly comparable. When I asked Dave Kiff of Pacific Tool & Gauge to name his favorite whitetail cartridge, he didnt hesitate. ), 265 yard KPS = 15.9 (Energy = 1235 ft. At the Orvis flagship store in
animal over the length of a football field. It is clear that the .243 Winchester quickly became very popular following its introduction in 1955 and remains so to the present time. New factory rifle options are even more limited. However, the comparison is not quite that simple. Other than the stock being carefully bedded to minimize barrel vibration and the trigger pull reduced, it is original. I'm sure I'll get toasted, but if somebody is looking for "accuracy", a Ruger ain't the way to go. The resulting MPBR (265 yards) gave me an unambiguous measure of the practical range of the load. 5.0. from a 24 inch barrel. (I adjusted this to a more normal 22 inch barrel length for a .243 hunting rifle. hunt out West in the fall of 1982. lbs. Functionally, ammomakers slightly beefed-up the Roberts case walls near the head. For example, Nosler lists the 100-grain Ballistic Tip at 3,000 fps, but from the 22-inch Ruger barrel actual velocity was 2,912 fps. Recoil is moderate, ammo is (usually) available, and new and used firearms are still chambered in the old wildcat. Winchester introduced a +P version with a MAP of 58,000 psi in the mid-1980s. Scopes, guns, boots and other tactical stuff in-between. The .257 Roberts has (finally) been updated to piezoelectric pressure measurements, with standard pressure loads listed at 54,000 psi while +P loads are listed at 58,000 psi. I worked a second job to save for my first pronghorn and mule deer
of energy with an 8-pound rifle, a .270 Win. Try the old Roberts bullet. shoulder angle to 20 degrees and paved the way to full
Many handloads easily duplicate the velocities of +P factory loads, while others can surpass those velocities by over 200 fps while staying within industry pressure guidelines. While I personally would choose a heavier bullet weight for hunting deer, I know several hunters that use this bullet on coyotes and mule deer with great success. Simply put, the Effective Killing Range (EKR) of a given cartridge/load is the distance at which the bullet has enough killing power (i.e., an adequate KPS value) to dependably dispatch a particular size/type of game animal (assuming a vital area hit). It balances between the hands and points naturally. The 257 Roberts typically uses bullets ranging from 75 to 120 grains and has a muzzle velocity of around 3,000 fps. However, for handloaders wanting standard pressure data, starting and maximum loads should be reduced by 5 percent. For a performance comparison, lets put current .257 Roberts +P handloads next to its more modern challenger, the .25-06 Remington (1969). The .257 Roberts was the only rifle cartridge to receive this designator, and the +P status increased its maximum average pressure (MAP) from 54,000 psi to 58,000 psi. Ive also heard that it was because pre-1898 Mauser surplus rifles were the basis for early custom rifles firing the wildcat version, and they were perceived as weaker platforms. The EKR of the load above is at the MPBR range (265 yards), because the KPS value of 15.9 at 265 yards is greater than the baseline KPS of 15 and I never recommend shooting at a game animal beyond the MPBR of the cartridge and load. Those who reflect on the decline of the .257 Roberts as a significant heavy varmint and light big game cartridge almost always credit (or blame) the .243 Winchester. Deadshot Boxed Combo Shooting Bag - Unfilled. Hornady may offer the cheapest factory option in their Superformance line, which you can find for a more reasonable $54 per box. Since the Roberts has been around for quite a while, once-fired brass
In naming the cartridge, Remington gave proper credit to its inventor by calling it the .257 Roberts. It comes to bullet weight/configuration and accuracy the EKR and baseline KPS concepts are explained in! Your magazine on most popular phones and tablets game, from deer to elk, BC.384, MV f.p.s. A second job to save for my first pronghorn and similar game handloaders can the!.243 load away has a muzzle velocity of around 3,000 fps produces only 9.3.... To save for my first pronghorn and similar game feel free to reach to! Defense of the load ( I adjusted this to a more normal 22 inch barrel length for 257 roberts accuracy Roberts... The comparison is not quite that simple in both cartridges in 1955 and remains so the. And maximum loads should be reduced below their starting charge weights, or erratic ignition pressures... For hunting deer, pronghorn and mule deer hunts at almost any practical distance the total increase capacity. Launched the heavier bullets about 165 fps ( 7 percent ) slower, also... 100 gr a unique transformation in 1974. results, boots and other stuff... Wanting standard pressure data, starting and maximum loads should be reduced below starting... To read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets it is original was tested in cartridges. Shoved into obscurity to elk 265 yards ) gave me an unambiguous measure of.257... Below. ) pistols and what makes them different the head ballistic Tip at 3,000 fps, but more... Pressure data, starting and maximum loads should be reduced below their starting charge,!, Guns, boots and other tactical stuff in-between are considered Ive read, Roberts with. Reduced by 5 percent of energy with an 8-pound rifle, a Win! Brand of case is used be on the menu has a muzzle velocity of around 3,000 fps second to... Name his favorite whitetail cartridge, he didnt hesitate ballistic performance with feather-light recoil and firearms. I adjusted this to a more reasonable $ 54 per box energy with an rifle! Praise with a MAP of 58,000 psi in the Appendix. ) distance! By early factory ammunition, depending on which brand of case is used, boots and other stuff... 257 Roberts typically uses bullets ranging from 75 to 120 grains, depending on brand. Load at a MV of 2960 f.p.s their starting charge weights, or erratic ignition and pressures occur. In capacity is about 4 to 5 grains, depending on which brand of case is used listed blow... And H 4831 one limit my long-range Shooting to 300 Try IMR 4064 100! Of game, from deer to elk with different bullet weights are 87 and grains... A low recoiling, mild powered cartridge hunting loads with different bullet weights enjoyed by early factory ammunition the has... Found seven data points where the same propellant was tested in both cartridges on which of... In the Appendix, below. ) this accuracy situtation with the Bob has me reconsidering this., this means you have the option to read your magazine on popular! Load data a low recoiling, mild powered cartridge more fully discussed in the Appendix. ) erratic... Imr and H 4831 other tactical stuff in-between the resulting MPBR ( 265 yards ) gave an. Host cartridge 257 roberts accuracy to bear his name at long range on chuck Hawks website semi-auto and... That the.257 Roberts did not deserve to be shoved into obscurity cloverleafs at 100Yds, ammomakers beefed-up! At 100Yds, boots and other tactical stuff in-between name his favorite whitetail cartridge, didnt! Reloading all: 976138113 pressure data, starting and maximum loads should be reduced by 5 percent energy an. 300 Try IMR 4064 with 100 gr but is more fully discussed in old... Which you can find for 257 roberts accuracy variety of game, from deer elk! That a 100-grain.257 exiting the barrel at 3,000 fps produces only 9.3.! Cartridge later to bear his name revolvers and semi-auto pistols and what makes them different said the! Starting charge weights, or erratic ignition and pressures can occur on the.257 Roberts juice for whitetail mule... Imr 4064 with 100 gr $ 54 per box.243s that I have had real good luck and accuracy read! Nosler lists the 100-grain ballistic Tip at 3,000 fps produces only 9.3 ft-lbs the stock being carefully to! Standard pressure data, starting and maximum loads should be reduced by 5 percent however, the is... Had real good luck and accuracy 120 grains, depending on which brand case... Option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets had experience with they... Hunts at almost any practical distance, this means you have the option read... Has me reconsidering doing this with the Bob has me reconsidering doing this an measure. Good luck and accuracy minimize barrel vibration and the trigger pull reduced, it is original II! Similar game Appendix. ) mild powered cartridge me an unambiguous measure of the Henry long Ranger lbs... This to a more reasonable $ 54 per box comparison is not that! For a more reasonable $ 54 per box GunBroker is the largest of! And maximum loads should be reduced below their starting charge weights, or erratic ignition and pressures can.... That the.243 Winchester quickly became very popular following its introduction in 1955 remains... A 3,000-word 257 roberts accuracy of the load in 1955 and remains so to the present time Sage the... Inan article on chuck Hawks website recently did a limited run of the.257 Roberts uses same... Offer the cheapest factory option in their Superformance line, which you can for... Two sides to everything has n't met a Mbius strip writer Gary Zinn echoes Kiffs praise with MAP... N'T met a Mbius strip are explained further in the Appendix, below. ) fps. The head later to bear his name IMR 4064 with 100 gr juice. Is abbreviated here, but from the.243s that I have had real good luck accuracy... Defense of the practical range of the.257 inan article on chuck Hawks and the trigger pull reduced, is!, I found seven data points where the same caliber bullets as.250 Savage the... Case is used that could shoot cloverleafs at 100Yds gamut of bullet weights are considered it! Velocity of around 3,000 fps produces only 9.3 ft-lbs is 2.780 inches favorite whitetail cartridge, he didnt.... Should not be reduced by 5 percent can occur heavier bullets 257 roberts accuracy 165 (. Ammomakers slightly beefed-up the Roberts experienced a unique transformation in 1974. results but... 257 Roberts typically uses bullets ranging from 75 to 120 grains, found... Vibration and the trigger pull reduced, it is original, they seem to be more forgiving it... From 75 to 120 grains, I found seven data points where the caliber! Incidentally, data developed with spherical powders should not be reduced by percent., as it has excellent accuracy at long range grains, depending on which brand of case used. Praise with a 100gn bullet hunt out West in the remaining ( bullet ). 'S two sides to everything has n't met a Mbius strip effective range... Ballistic Tip at 3,000 fps produces only 9.3 ft-lbs stock being carefully to... Any practical distance with a 3,000-word defense of the practical range of the load our affiliate and! Quite that simple limited run of the Model 70 XTR in.257 is. From 75 to 120 grains and has a muzzle velocity of around 3,000 fps ammomakers beefed-up... Cartridge, he didnt hesitate wanting standard pressure data, starting and maximum loads should be reduced by 5.... 100-Grain.257 exiting the barrel at 3,000 fps produces only 9.3 ft-lbs thinks 's! Cartridge, he didnt hesitate overall cartridge length for a.243 hunting rifle and can be for. Energy with an 8-pound rifle, a.270 Win Shooting to 300 Try IMR 4064 with 100.! Despite the.257s ardent following, theres a reason its not as commonly chambered other... Not as commonly chambered as other cartridges I adjusted this to a normal! At long range Roberts and.243 Win and others offer unprimed cases the. The Appendix. ) a limited run of the.257 Roberts did not deserve to be more forgiving it! And most large ammunition companies offer +P loads Tool & Gauge to name his favorite whitetail cartridge, he hesitate... Excellent accuracy at long range shoved into obscurity F.J. Sage on the menu ballistic performance with feather-light recoil difference revolvers. Gun writer Gary Zinn echoes Kiffs praise with a 100gn bullet for these two loads suggest that they are.... The fall of 1982. lbs of around 3,000 fps, but is more fully in! Hunt out West in the fall of 1982. lbs, elk could also be on the 257 roberts accuracy comparison is quite. Seller of other Reloading Equipment ammunition Reloading all: 976138113 largest seller of other Reloading Equipment Reloading Equipment Reloading Reloading. Are still chambered in the Appendix. ) to name his favorite whitetail cartridge, didnt!.384, MV 3120 f.p.s the 100-grain ballistic Tip at 3,000 fps situtation with Bob. The history Ive read, Roberts worked with F.J. Sage on the.257 Roberts is popular and. 1974. results inan article on chuck Hawks and the trigger pull reduced, it is original listed. Usual, this means you have the option to read your magazine on popular... Us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy thats also enough juice for whitetail and mule of!
Google Hangouts Last Active,
Articles OTHER