Why not a .257 85gr Partition.......
- Thread starter mbogo3
- Start date
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Certain bores seem pidgeon holed or typecast. The .257 has not been updated in years. Lots of hot new 6, and 6.5 calibers, use in target; means interesting new bullets and applications. Meanwhile the .257 sits in limbo, not popular enough with target shooters or reloaders to inspire large for caliber target bullets and fast twist barrels in new calibers. Meanwhile bullet companies cannot keep up with demand for popular bores like .223 and .308; oddballs....which stuff like .358, 9.3, and .257 is, get little or no production; forget new bullet and caliber development.
Gettting back to the .257 specifically, typecast uses put < 100gr bullets as "varmit" uses,> as hunting bullets. If nosler cares to make any 85-87gr bullets they would probably be frangible, not a premium hunting application like a partition or accubond.
Recently had a pm discussion with the new owner of Matrix bullets about lack of large for caliber choices. It comes down to volume, interest, and barrel twist. The 120grain seems to be the upper limit for all manufacturers. Low volume of projectile sales doesnt warrant a high bc bullet that would need 1 in 8 twist replacement barrels on old rifles to stabilize. People looking for this seem to just go more specifically to the 6.5 bore. Bit on the heavier weight of choices from the OP's question, but in many ways it applies to his light bullets. A shame really that manufacturers are not experimenting more, blame Barry and the threat of Hillary. If one tried a large for caliber bullet and a smaller premium, they would undoubtably corner the .257 market. The volume demand would not justify others competeing.
Anyways
Gettting back to the .257 specifically, typecast uses put < 100gr bullets as "varmit" uses,> as hunting bullets. If nosler cares to make any 85-87gr bullets they would probably be frangible, not a premium hunting application like a partition or accubond.
Recently had a pm discussion with the new owner of Matrix bullets about lack of large for caliber choices. It comes down to volume, interest, and barrel twist. The 120grain seems to be the upper limit for all manufacturers. Low volume of projectile sales doesnt warrant a high bc bullet that would need 1 in 8 twist replacement barrels on old rifles to stabilize. People looking for this seem to just go more specifically to the 6.5 bore. Bit on the heavier weight of choices from the OP's question, but in many ways it applies to his light bullets. A shame really that manufacturers are not experimenting more, blame Barry and the threat of Hillary. If one tried a large for caliber bullet and a smaller premium, they would undoubtably corner the .257 market. The volume demand would not justify others competeing.
Anyways
Getting back to the .257 85gr Partition .......I think there's a market.......like a Rem 7 in 250 Savage .A Savage 99 I had ,with 1-14 twist would only shoot the extinct 100gr RN CIL pulled bullets in that weight.So I ended up using 87gr Hornady when I ran out and avoided shoulder blades on deer........Harold
I really do not think the shooting world is looking for any more frangible offerings in 25 cal, I have a pile of TNT from Speer in 25 caliber, an 87 gr. bullet I have not found a use for. How many handloaders shoot varmints with 25 caliber rifles? Damn few I am thinking. FS
Speer Hot/Cor in 87 and 100gr have the shortest ogive so they will usually shoot and work as deer bullets in the older 1-14 twist 250 -3000 Savage 99's and 1920 models.With Hornady's 87gr you need to avoid the shoulders on deer and just double lung them.The .243 has stolen what was an already great platform ......had they made suitable bullets in the first place ...Newton wanted a 100gr bullet but Savage insisted on velocity for marketing hype and ended up with an 87gr bullet instead....the .257 Roberts has also faded away..shame...Harold
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
it would be a fine bullet for the 250 Savage or 257 Roberts but most .257" bullets fly out the barrels of the 25-06 and 257 Weatherby which both really shine with a bullet fo 100 grains or over. For open country and flat shooting the lighter pills just haven't got the momentum and BC that the heavier ones do.
