.257 Roberts Ammo - What?

[RadSav]

The wife has been shooting Hornady ammo out of her .257 Roberts the past few years.  Both her gun and mine like the Hornady stuff better than any of the others.  We went out and used up her ammo to sight in a new scope.  Went to the store and they were out of all .257 Bob ammo.  Checked everyone in Portland and Vancouver...nothing but Nosler which neither of our guns like.  Went on-line and Hornady says, "Production Temporarily Suspended".  Midway - Out, Cheaper TD - Out, Sportsman's HQ - Out, etc, etc, etc!  Remington shoots well, but does not feed well.  But same deal there too - Out of Stock!

Guess Nosler at $68.00 a box is going to have to do.  Also means we have to go sight in again as the Nosler doesn't group with the others.  All my guns love the Nosler stuff except when it comes to the 257 ROB.  Think they load it too far off the lands    Regardless, my .5" Bob shoots 3" with the Nosler for whatever reason.  Guess we are going to need to get her dang close to one this year! 

[bobcat]

Midway has "Doubletap" ammunition in 257 Roberts, with the 110 grain Nosler Accubond bullet. At $45 it's a little cheaper than the Nosler.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/750519/doubletap-ammunition-257-roberts-p-110-grain-nosler-accubond-spitzer-box-of-20

[Dan-o]

I've had Hornady 7MM Rem Mag ammo on back order for probably two months now......     

I don't know what the deal is, but I've never seen anything  like it.

(For the record, Hornady Superformance, 162 grain SST is what I've been searching for, and finally back ordered.)

[Maligator]

Here you go:


http://www.shootersproshop.com/nosler-products/nosler-blemished-2nds/nosler-blemished-ammo.html

I know it's not Hornady but it's available and not to expensive. $37 plus shipping.

[RadSav]

I've had Hornady 7MM Rem Mag ammo on back order for probably two months now......     

I don't know what the deal is, but I've never seen anything  like it.

(For the record, Hornady Superformance, 162 grain SST is what I've been searching for, and finally back ordered.)

I really tried to get the 162 SST to shoot out of my 7mm.  Could not for the life of me get it to shoot well.  The Nosler on the other hand is subMOA.  Not sure why other than bullet seating depth the roles are completely reversed with the Bob.

Double Tap loads their Accubonds to the same depth as Nosler.  And again my Sub-MOA gun will not shoot them either.  They do feed better than the Remington, but at 100 yards the Remington shoots better by 2" over the Nosler or Doubletap.  Even a bigger difference out of the wifes gun. 

I have not tried to shoot the 120 grain NP from Federal.  But I have been unable to find any of that ammo either.

[Dan-o]

My Savage 116 LOVES that 162 grain SST.

I was skeptical of the whole Superformance thing, and whether the stuff was any good, but it shoots incredible groups out of my rifle.

.

[RadSav]

Well, I decided it was time for us to start loading our own Bobs'.  Especially since I figured with both Hornady and Nosler bullet seating on the Bob being in excess of .145" off the lands I could probably get a little better accuracy, speed and consistency doing it myself.  Spent the past week doing my research and talking with guys shooting the same Ruger in .257 Rob.  So I was pretty confident in getting things rolling in a positive direction and getting these guns shooting better than ever.  Of course that was before I tried to find a decent powder

Went around the area to all the stores that sell powder looking for my first choice IMR4350 or my next two choices...NOTHING!  Got on the internet to try and find some...NOTHING!  OK, time to make a list of all possible powder choices.  Call the stores...still NOTHING!   Hit the web once again...still NOTHING!  Seems that unless I want to load for varmints or the 410 I'm basically screwed.  Wow, I knew it was bad getting supplies.  But man I had no idea it was this bad!!!

So I bought the last three boxes of the Nosler Trophy ammo in town.  The wife should be good as long as I can get her within 150 yards of her deer.  Quite a bit different than her usual comfort range.  But, I guess you work with what you can find these days!

[grundy53]

Gander mountain has Remington core-lokt 117 grain SP's in stock.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Remington-Core-Lokt-Ammo-30-06-Spring-180-Gr-PSP&i=414010&str=.257+robets&merchID=4005

[grundy53]

also 5 boxes of core-lokt here:

http://gooseislandsales.com/product/remington-257-roberts-117gr-core-lokt-soft-point-20rd-box-r257/

[jackelope]

I've had Hornady 7MM Rem Mag ammo on back order for probably two months now......     

I don't know what the deal is, but I've never seen anything  like it.

(For the record, Hornady Superformance, 162 grain SST is what I've been searching for, and finally back ordered.)

I really tried to get the 162 SST to shoot out of my 7mm.  Could not for the life of me get it to shoot well.  The Nosler on the other hand is subMOA.  Not sure why other than bullet seating depth the roles are completely reversed with the Bob.

Double Tap loads their Accubonds to the same depth as Nosler.  And again my Sub-MOA gun will not shoot them either.  They do feed better than the Remington, but at 100 yards the Remington shoots better by 2" over the Nosler or Doubletap.  Even a bigger difference out of the wifes gun. 

I have not tried to shoot the 120 grain NP from Federal.  But I have been unable to find any of that ammo either.

The Superformance stuff shoots lights out in my .280Rem but it's a weird rifle.
 

[RadSav]

Ordered in some Norma 204, URP and MRP powder yesterday.  Sounds like pretty good stuff even if the load data is limited.  Hopefully it is not a hard expensive lesson learned.  The Norma ammo always shot great out of my 7mm so maybe I'll get lucky.  Anyone use the Norma powders before?  Also found a buck load of 117 grain SST's that I have always been wanting to try.  If nothing else it should be fun!

[RadSav]

Also, I have both a digital scale and a counter balance scale.  I expect the old technology is probably better suited to measuring powder, but I thought I'd ask what others have found between the two.  Both are RCBS.

[grundy53]

Also, I have both a digital scale and a counter balance scale.  I expect the old technology is probably better suited to measuring powder, but I thought I'd ask what others have found between the two.  Both are RCBS.

I use a digital scale.

[kentrek]

Also, I have both a digital scale and a counter balance scale.  I expect the old technology is probably better suited to measuring powder, but I thought I'd ask what others have found between the two.  Both are RCBS.

I use a digital scale.

I use both..

[wiremonkey]

I bought a digital scale but found I like the 505 much more

[JLS]

I have the old school scale.  What kind of 4350 are you looking for?  I can look through my stuff and see what I have.

Edit:  All I have is a little bit of H4350, and I need that for a few .243 loads.  I will look at White Elephant next time I'm in Spokane if you want me to?

[Fisherdave10]

This is likely what happened.  http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/07/hornady-suspends-production-of-150-ammo-types-and-150-bullet-types-for-balance-of-2013/

Hornady is focusing only on the highest demand SKUs right now until backlogs are cut down.  A few 257 Roberts loads are on the suspended list.

[KimberRich]

The wife has been shooting Hornady ammo out of her .257 Roberts the past few years.  Both her gun and mine like the Hornady stuff better than any of the others.  We went out and used up her ammo to sight in a new scope.  Went to the store and they were out of all .257 Bob ammo.  Checked everyone in Portland and Vancouver...nothing but Nosler which neither of our guns like.  Went on-line and Hornady says, "Production Temporarily Suspended".  Midway - Out, Cheaper TD - Out, Sportsman's HQ - Out, etc, etc, etc!  Remington shoots well, but does not feed well.  But same deal there too - Out of Stock!

Guess Nosler at $68.00 a box is going to have to do.  Also means we have to go sight in again as the Nosler doesn't group with the others.  All my guns love the Nosler stuff except when it comes to the 257 ROB.  Think they load it too far off the lands    Regardless, my .5" Bob shoots 3" with the Nosler for whatever reason.  Guess we are going to need to get her dang close to one this year! 

What Hornady stuff do you want exactly?
Bullets or factory loaded ammo or?
117 gr or?
My Dad and I are very big fans of the 257 Roberts and have a bunch of bullets and I have a few boxes of Hornady ammo lying around.
I know its close to hunting season but I'd love to help a guy out.
I've got a new bow and could use some fine tuning assistance.. maybe we could figure something oit.

[RadSav]

Her gun is sighted in right now for the factory Hornady Custom 117gr  Interlock.  Beyond the factory ammo stuff it looks as though I'm set with bullets and brass.  Just don't expect the Norma powder to get here until late in the week.  I did get mine sighted in for the Nosler stuff (even if it does only get 2"@100). And even though it is not cut down for her she can always shoot mine for a week. 

She can always shoot the 270 WSM or 338 WM without any difficulty.  She just doesn't like carrying the big heavy stuff around.  About the only two guns she will not shoot are the .308 Model 88 and the .325 Kimber due to the sharp recoil of those two.  She actually shoots the 270WSM and the 338 WM better than I do as long as she doesn't have to shoot them off hand   After finally getting her new $50,000 eyes she is a good bit apprehensive about shooting the Kimber even though it is the same weight as her RL.

After this week we should be swimming in ammo!  Just a little late for the opener with her favorite gun.  If you happen to have any extra of that H. Custom 117 stuff laying around we can certainly talk about some archery fine tuning.  I just so happen to know a guy with the goodies for that   Where are you located KimberRich?

[lazydrifter]

My local walmart has had a ton of IMR 4350.  I'll be coming down to Vancouver next week for a couple of days to visit my son.  Let me know if you need some.  I can pick it up and bring some down.

Brant

[KimberRich]

After this week we should be swimming in ammo!  Just a little late for the opener with her favorite gun.  If you happen to have any extra of that H. Custom 117 stuff laying around we can certainly talk about some archery fine tuning.  I just so happen to know a guy with the goodies for that   Where are you located KimberRich?
[/quote]

I'm in Kitsap County.  Just north of Bremerton.
I'll look through my ammo closet this evening.

[RadSav]

My local walmart has had a ton of IMR 4350.  I'll be coming down to Vancouver next week for a couple of days to visit my son.  Let me know if you need some.  I can pick it up and bring some down.

Brant

I will check the local Wal-Marts.  Never even thought about them.  But, by next week I should be set up sweet.  I really do appreciate the offer.  Very nice

[hookr88]

I have a box of .257 reloads. 15 loaded and 5 pieces of brass. It's Remington brass if any body wants it. I'm located in Issaquah

[runningboard]

I use the Lyman powder dispenser/scale in 1, set the charge push a button and it does it all, "enter" button went south on me and I had to send it in, they stood behind it and even upgraded it for me. in the meantime I had bought a  JDS powder dispenser directly from the inventor in Spokane, go here to see.

http://www.quick-measure.com/

I like it so much I haven't even opened the rebuilt/upgraded Lyman. it's fast, easy to use and acurate. takes longer to set up than to use, charge 100s of cases in minutes.

[Taco280AI]

I found Nosler 110 Abonds for $37 a box online. They are out of the Hornady stuff though.

[Don Fischer]

I'm just curious. Was the OP a handloader that just didn't load for the 257 Robert's? Or did he just get into handloading?

[RadSav]

I'm just curious. Was the OP a handloader that just didn't load for the 257 Robert's? Or did he just get into handloading?

Last time I did my own loading was while on the Sheriff's rifle team back in '85.  Don't hunt with a rifle but every couple years for Bear so it really never became an issue until this year when all the mfg's except Nosler decided they wouldn't make the stuff.

My Norma powder showed up Friday afternoon.  Had everything waiting so I got it loaded and she was good to go this morning.  Best this gun has ever shot.  Amazing how good the Bob shoots when your not .130" off the lands.  Haven't run it through a chrony yet , but I'm loading for her gun with 47 grains MRP behind the 117 grain InnerLok BTSP .025" off the lands.  Would like to have had CCI primers, but the Remington 9.5 seems to be just fine.  With limited time to sight in I took a risk starting at one grain and then .7 grains shy of Norma's Max load.  Figured the Hornady brass would handle it easily.  Absolutely no signs of pressure troubles at all and the Ruger seems to like it.

After season I'll try to get picky and see what more we can do, but so far these are grouping about 1"/100.  Not sure I can expect much more out of the stock Ruger bedding anyway.  I've bedded my RL (twin to hers) for better accuracy with pillars and 75% of the barrel floated.  Should be able to really dial that one in once we have time to play.