257 Roberts +P brass loading question

[jimmyjazz]

Finally have enough brass to reload for my 257 but curious anyone out there load for this and is the loading data for +P brass the same as regular brass?

Cheers

 

[KDX]

+P is generally a hotter load than regular loads. I have an AI chambered rifle and have been using H335 for fire forming, but my best group was shot with XBR. Both with 75gr V-Max bullets.

 

[hk33ka1]

In pistol cases with +P loadings the +P and regular brass are the same. The marking is just for hot factory ammo. I don't know for sure if your rifle brass is the same or not, but I would assume that it is.

 

[jimmyjazz]

Thats what I thought as well, just factory loads are hotter.

I will load up some +P and some standard cases with the same load and see if there is a difference.

Cheers

 

[KDX]

You could measure the capacity with water or powder.

 

[Fassteel]

plus P loads are mean't for modern firearms, the others were for rifles made 50 or more years ago. Mine is actually yhe Ackley version and it shoots great with 110gr accubonds. FS

 

[H4831]

+P is pretty much a catch phrase.
I think it started when police forces wanted a bit more power in their 38 Specials. Not sure if it was the RCMP that started it, but they were deeply involved in it.
They just loaded another about 3,000 pounds pressure in the standard 38 Special and stamped the cases as "+P."
I don't think age has much to do with what guns can safely shoot the +P ammo. S&W developed the famous model 10 38 Special shortly after 1900 and it was one of the models suitable for +P ammunition.
I never heard of +P applied to any rifle case.

 

[Eagleye]

Many 257 Roberts cases stamped +P.
I found the Winchester variety to be slightly heavier than the standard case, requiring a small drop in max loads.
Problem with the Roberts is most earlier factory loads are quite anaemic.
You often find loading data reflects the older standards [120 grain at 2700-2750 fps]
In reality, I have yet to see a Roberts with a 24" barrel that will not drive this weight bullet to 3000 fps safely.
The +P factory loadings are considerably faster than the standard loads.
Regards, Eagleye.