257 loads
- Thread starter Beater
- Start date
Every rifle is different. Look up some loads in different manuals. Some say what was the most accurate in their testing. It also depends on what you have on hand ie powders etc. The only way to find out is to make up some test loads and shoot. That what makes reloading fun.
I've loaded the 85 grain BT in the .257 using both RL-15 and RL-19. I like 15 better of the two in the Roberts.
Keep in mind that the 85 grain Ballistic Tip is truly a varmint bullet and I wouldnt use it on anything bigger than coyotes.
I tried it on deer at 3000 fps out of a .250 Savage many years ago and the results were what Ballistic Tip haters love to bring up every time the BT is mentioned as a deer bullet.
It will fragment on impact exactly like its designed to do even when placed on or between light rib bones.
If deer are on the menu I load the 100 grain BT at 3000 fps using either of the above powders or move up to the 115-120 grain options.
Enjoy loading that old classic M 30. I have its younger brother the 722.
Sorry, but I don't have any loads with the 85 grain Nosler BT. My .257 Roberts is a deer rifle, so I load either 100 grain or 115-120 grain bullets. Both 100 grain (Hornady) and the heavier bullets work well, but I would not go below 100 for good performance on deer. The 100 grain provide a 'dead right there' and complete pass through. The heavier bullets work just as well or better.
