Model 77 257 Roberts

[TNrifleman]

Things finally came together and a 257 Roberts is mine. I had the "hots" for one for some time before finding one in a local gun shop. As part of an estate sale, this rifle came equipped with a 12x Leupold scope, RCBS dies, and about 90 cases. The price of $550 seemed reasonable, so the deal was made. The rifle is in excellent condition and the bore is sharp. I intend to make her my whitetail deer rifle. I'm leaning towards Nosler 100 grain Partitions as the bullet for this task. I've had great success with NPs in 6.5x55 and 7x57 rifles. What bullets and powders do you "Bob" shooters prefer for deer hunting?

[victorcharlie]

I'm jealous......I think you found a perfect rifle and caliber for deer around these parts........I've always wanted one, but never found one when I've had the money.........

[TNrifleman]

victorcharlie,

It's  funny how that happens! I have found myself there (lacking the needed funds to get what I found) many times. Hey, I noticed you live in SE TN. I live near Chattanooga. How about you?

[Coyote Hunter]

TNrifleman –

Congrats on your new Ruger in .257 Roberts.  I picked one up two years ago this coming January and it has become my favorite bolt gun.  Mine was also used, a 1989 tang safety model that was still so new that there were no marks in the bluing under the safety.  (I fixed that in a hurry!)  It came with a Leupold M8 4x but more recently I bought a used Leupold Vari-X III 4.5-14x for it.

As to bullets and powders for deer hunting...

So far all I’ve hunted is prairie dogs and coyotes.  I had hoped to get a 120g A-Frame load worked up in time to take it deer/elk hunting this fall but didn’t make it.

Here’s what shoots well in my rifle:

WW +P brass
CCI 250 primer
75g Hornady V-MAX, COL 2.803”, 46.0g H4895, 3609fps
115g Barnes TSX, COL 2.803”, 48.0g H4831SC, 2958fps
115g Barnes TSX, COL 2.803”, 44.5g H4350, 3013fps
120g Speer Grand Slam, COL 2.896”, 46.0g H4831SC, 2904fps
120g Nosler Partition, COL 2.821”, 46.5g H4831SC, 2899fps
120g Swift A-Frame, COL , 47.5g H4831SC, 2947fps

Approach these loads cautiously if you use this data as most are top loads in my rifle.

[TNrifleman]

Coyote Hunter,

Thanks for the load info. I am really liking this rifle. The first range session went well, great groups and easy recoil. I still intend to replace the Leupold 12x scope with a 3x9 or so for deer hunting. I'm working on some cases now and intend to have some ammo ready to try out on the range. If things go well, I may even be able to hunt some with this rifle before the season ends.