I have three decent loads worked up for whitetails for my .257 Roberts.
Average shooting distance is usually somewheres around 200 yards, some shorter some longer. Bullet's include 117 Gr. Sierra Pro Hunter, 115 Gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, and 110 Gr. Nosler Accubond. Of these three which, in your opinion would have the best performance on whitetails. I have to select one for hunting next fall. Kick it around alittle. Thanks--tr

Assuming accuracy being equal, I'd go Sierra Pro Hunter first, Accubond 2nd and the Nosler BT last. Thats just me though. I like Pro-hunters


-DallanC

Personally I would use the Nosler Accubond out of the three bullets mentioned,mainly because of short range shots at higher impact velocities or shots at less than perfect angles I believe they would retain more of their weight and penetrate better.

moose2 wrote:

I have three decent loads worked up for whitetails for my .257 Roberts. Average shooting distance is usually somewheres around 200 yards, some shorter some longer. Bullet's include 117 Gr. Sierra Pro Hunter, 115 Gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, and 110 Gr. Nosler Accubond. Of these three which, in your opinion would have the best performance on whitetails. I have to select one for hunting next fall. Kick it around alittle. Thanks--tr

Sorry but I wouldn't use any of them. I load the Hornady 117 gr BTSP Interlock bullet in my Rem 700BDL 25-06 and it performs very well on deer size game and it is also very accurate in my rifle.

Of the ones you list, I would choose the AcuBond. I have tested these bullets on dry/wet media as well as water and their accuracy and retained weight is impressive. But, like 1895ss, I have a different preference in my 257AI, that being the Barnes 100gr TSX.

The TSX is the wave of the future as concerns about lead in the environment continue to grow. More importantly, I have never seen performance that equals this bullet on deer, antelope or elk. I get great velocity (22" barrel, 3,385fps) and flat trajectory as a result.

I would go with the accubond. I have used the accubond with great results on big game. They also perform on paper at the range nicely. I dont think you will be dissapointed with them..... I have took 3 bull elk and a handfull of deer, using accubonds, shots from 125 yds up to 622 yds and they all dropped like a bad habit.

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Sorry but I wouldn't use any of them. I load the Hornady 117 gr BTSP Interlock bullet in my Rem 700BDL 25-06 and it performs very well on deer size game and it is also very accurate in my rifle.

I actually did try these. Of everything I tried, they were by far the least accurate in my rifle.--tr

IMO if I was using a 25 cal I would lean toward the Noslers. I am not very familiar with this caliber on deer sized game but in my experience with the BTs they seem to be a bit on the destructive side at impact velocities above @ 2600 fps. At under this speed they seem to hold together very well. I would probably use the Partition of the same weight as the BC is not diffrent enough to matter at the range you are stating. If your shots are under 300 yards the Partition is an excellent bullet and you know it will stay together.

i have a 257 roberts and i use the 117gr. sierra gameking. have not had any problems dropping 200+ lb mule deer. all have dropped in their tracks and had good bullet weight retention. i would definitely stay away from the BT's...used those in a 6.5/284 once and shot a big muley in the chest and it basically blew a big chunk off of him and away he went. looked for the deer for 2 days thinking that something from that bullet would have got in and did him in...never found him. i have to say though that they do shoot good.

as for the accubond i use them in my 7mm STW and they perform very well.

just my .02

moose2 –

Of the three, my choice would be the 110g Accubond.

Using H4831SC, WW +P cases, CCI 250 primers:
46.0g = 2909 fps
46.5g = 2926 fps
47.0g = 2950 fps
47.5g = 2979 fps
48.0g = 2997 fps

The first 3 shots yielded a 0.50” group. For all 5 shots the group was 1.15” – not bad for a 2.0g spread in the powder charge.

My plans, however, are to use the 115g TSX or 120g A-Frame when I go stalking mule deer. Here’s my favorite loads (including my varmint round):

46.0g Varget, 75g V-MAX = 3609fps, 0.232” @ 100, 3 shots, 14x scope
48.0g H4831SC, 115g TSX = 2958fps, 1.05” @ 100, 4 shots, 14x scope
44.5g H4350, 115g TSX = 3013fps, 0.90” @ 100, 3 shots, 4x scope
46.0g H4831SC, 120g Partition = 2904fps, 2.41” @ 100, 3 shots, windy day, 4x scope
46.5g H4831SC, 120g Grand Slam = 2899fps, 1.25” @ 100, 3 shots, windy day, 4x scope
47.5g H4831SC, 120g A-Frame = 2947fps, 0.65” @ 100, 3 shots, 14x scope


A word of caution, my Ruger .257 Roberts has a very long throat, wich tends to reduce pressures. My loads could well be beyond maximum in another rifle, especially a short-throated one, although I doubt they exceed .25-06 pressures (54,000 CUP). SAAMI MAP for the .257 Roberts +P is 50,000 CUP. The load data is for informational purposes only – no recommendations are being made. As always, start low and work up carefully.

Thanks to all for your input. --tr

moose2 wrote:

I have three decent loads worked up for whitetails for my .257 Roberts. Of these three which, in your opinion would have the best performance on whitetails. I have to select one for hunting next fall. Thanks--tr

Whichever one gives the best accuracy at a reasonable muzzle velocity in your rifle. None of them will bounce off!