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Will this load work?

2K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  big dan 
#1 ·
Just finished testing a load I worked up for my .257 Roberts. The load consists of Remington brass, CCI BR2 primers, 44.0 grains of Hodgdon H4350 powder, and Sierra 100 grain Pro Hunter flat base spitzer bullets.

At the range it produced a 1.313" group at 100 yards. Might have done better, but the bench provided at the range wasn't very comfortable. The chronograph was approx 15' from the muzzle and for 10 shots showed an average of 2761 fps with an extreme spread of 52 and a standard deviation of 17.

I want to use this load for antelope and whitetail deer. A buddy says bump the load up to 45.0 grains of powder. Will this load work effectively for my intended use? Should I go up to 45.0 grains of powder? Opinions and advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
 
#2 ·
If that was a ten shot group from an uncomfortable bench, I would leave that load alone. It should work very well for your intended purpose. I saw 45.0 grains listed as maximum on the makers website. 1.3 inch for three shots is not bad for a sporting rifle in my book.

Cheezywan
 
#3 ·
The range I was using is a really nice setup that the state fish & game folks built and maintain. The only downside from my personal view is that the benchs seem to be built a little short. Seems like you have to bend down a lot, and they just aren't real comfortable to me. Maybe I should start taking my folding bench with me. It has legs that adjustable for height. I use it when prairie doggin' and can set it just right for me. :) Just not really sure where I'd set it up at since pretty much all the space is taken up with the permanent benchs.

I may go ahead and try raising the powder charge to 45.0 grains and see what happens. Is the velocity high enough for the round to be effective for it's intended purpose?
 
#4 ·
If it is not showing any signs of pressure I would maybe bump it up a .5. I am not sure what make of rifle you are using but a 257 is known for being real flat and accurate. I think there is a load out there that you could get under 1".
But just over a inch is likely going kill anything you shoot at.
 
#5 ·
what shape are the groups? if they have more vertical variation in them than horizontal then you need to throw more powder at it. inch and a third isn't bad, we all think that when we go west we're gonna have to shoot a mile but from my experience the vast majority of game is shot at well under 300 yds.
does this rifle/bullet combination have any history together? there are times that i've found it more effective to try a different bullet than to mess with a load that ought to shoot but doesn't, but i have a lot of components on hand, and am single so i have time to ponder such things.
 
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