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Woodbeef
.275 member

Reged: 30/12/06
Posts: 82
Loc: Badlands of Alberta

Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads?
#159288 - 21/04/10 11:04 PM

I picked up a container of 257 Roberts loads the other day to pull them for cases and bullets. in the bottom were some AI versions. Which have me thinking about possibly rechambering to AI. Is it really worth it these days over the +P loads?

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26994
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: Woodbeef]
#159297 - 22/04/10 02:28 AM

My .257 AckImp delivered exceptional accuracy from it's 26" Shilen barrel using bullets from 75gr. to 120gr. It was a 10" twist.
75gr. Hornady HP - 3,950fps
87gr. Hornady SP - 3,650fps
100gr. Nosler Par - 3,484fps
120gr. Hornady HP- 3,219fps

I most certainly thought the AckImp was worth it. While I had that gun, I chrono'd a fellow's rifle, who just had a .257 WTBY made up on a BRNO action. His seems to be a slow barrel, as it was over max using IMR4350 and 100gr. Noslers at 3,482fps - he needed to use a piece of 2x4 to open the bolt, yet his load was straight from a book - at 68gr. 4350, he said. This was in 1978.
Odd I can remember that like it was yesterday, but the fact my little ctg. out-sped his yet used 15gr. less of the same powder, amazed me.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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kamilaroi
.400 member

Reged: 18/12/04
Posts: 1803
Loc: sydney, new south wales, Austr...

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: DarylS]
#159315 - 22/04/10 09:19 AM

You won't regret it.

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Homer
.416 member

Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: kamilaroi]
#159332 - 22/04/10 08:59 PM

G'Day Fella's,

Wood Beef, If you reckon you need the Extra Range that the AI will give you, go for it!

Another option, if the rifle action/magazine is long enough, just re-chamber it to the .25-06.
The dies will be standard and you will get AI performance at a similar cost per shot!
I have had a Rem 700 25-06 for 20 + years now and it's a cracker of a cartridge for Australia!
These days, I only shoot 100gr B/Tip and X bullets through it!
They are doing a nice 3400fps with good case life ans 1/2" to 5/8" groups!!!

Hope that has been of some help.

HooRoo
from
Hommer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"

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kamilaroi
.400 member

Reged: 18/12/04
Posts: 1803
Loc: sydney, new south wales, Austr...

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: Homer]
#159335 - 22/04/10 09:54 PM

^ I disagree on the 25/06 recommendation. Buckminster Fuller's maxim anyone?

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Woodbeef
.275 member

Reged: 30/12/06
Posts: 82
Loc: Badlands of Alberta

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: kamilaroi]
#159343 - 23/04/10 12:15 AM

I already have an Elwood Epps built 257 Roberts on a HVA 1600 action. But I have a M17 and a Winchester Model 70 with a shot out barrel. I was thinking about the AI venue for one of them.

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26994
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: Woodbeef]
#159344 - 23/04/10 12:45 AM

kamilaroi has a point. The .25/06 will give .257 Roberts IMP ballistics or close enough no animal will be able to tell the difference. Brass is cheap - range pickup being the primary sourse if you don't want to buy it. Anything on the '06 case will do and the FL dies will form them - seater die first, then FL die and ream or outside turn if necessary - seldom is.

I prefer the AckImp .257 myself - anyone and everyone has or can buy a .25/06.

Now, on a good bolt gun or single shot like the Ruger, both using a 24" to 26" tube, the standard Roberts will just about make 3,200fps with 100gr. and about 2,950fps with 120's. Any 57mm brass is good to go for either. I've made mine from 6mm rem, 7x57 and 8x57 brass along with .257 Roberts factory brass.

You merely have to decide if you want another 150fps to 200fps and how important that is to you.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

Edited by Daryl_S (23/04/10 12:48 AM)

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375shooter
.224 member

Reged: 08/05/08
Posts: 12
Loc: Canada

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: Woodbeef]
#159350 - 23/04/10 02:16 AM

Quote:

I already have an Elwood Epps built 257 Roberts on a HVA 1600 action. But I have a M17 and a Winchester Model 70 with a shot out barrel. I was thinking about the AI venue for one of them.

Woodbeef:
How do you find the quality and workmanship of Elwood Epps? Are you using them again for your new project? I don't have any experience with them. I'm just wondering if you are happy with their work and if you recommend them.
375shooter

--------------------
Boresighter Rifle Scopes

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bwananelson
.400 member

Reged: 08/10/07
Posts: 1195
Loc: DELTONA FLORIDA

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: 375shooter]
#159361 - 23/04/10 11:09 AM

maybe hold up and see what that new hornaday powder produces may be a cheaper way to add HP

--------------------
THERE ARE NO DO OVERS IN LIFE DONT LET A CHANCE AT A DREAM SLIP AWAY.

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Woodbeef
.275 member

Reged: 30/12/06
Posts: 82
Loc: Badlands of Alberta

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: 375shooter]
#159379 - 24/04/10 12:39 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I already have an Elwood Epps built 257 Roberts on a HVA 1600 action. But I have a M17 and a Winchester Model 70 with a shot out barrel. I was thinking about the AI venue for one of them.

Woodbeef:
How do you find the quality and workmanship of Elwood Epps? Are you using them again for your new project? I don't have any experience with them. I'm just wondering if you are happy with their work and if you recommend them.
375shooter

If you could be certain only Doug would work on it,I'd say Epps is fine. But you can't be 100% sure that will happen these days. I'd say journey a little further north up Hwy 11 to Wise Choice Sporting Goods. The Gunsmith there,Rob Wise is Ellwood Epps' Grandson.

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375shooter
.224 member

Reged: 08/05/08
Posts: 12
Loc: Canada

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: Woodbeef]
#159396 - 24/04/10 06:35 AM

Quote:

If you could be certain only Doug would work on it,I'd say Epps is fine. But you can't be 100% sure that will happen these days. I'd say journey a little further north up Hwy 11 to Wise Choice Sporting Goods. The Gunsmith there,Rob Wise is Ellwood Epps' Grandson.

Good info. Thanks for that.

--------------------
Boresighter Rifle Scopes

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TAP
.275 member

Reged: 25/01/10
Posts: 56
Loc: Az, USA

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: 375shooter]
#159870 - 03/05/10 07:19 AM

Go with the .257 A.I. I love mine. My dad had it built and gave it to me after his heart attack. He wants me to build him another one now. Case stretch is very low as I only neck size mine and full length size when I have to. However, I do have a soft spot for A.I. cases.

Edited by TAP (03/05/10 07:21 AM)

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Gunnie
.224 member

Reged: 22/07/04
Posts: 36
Loc: Queensland, Australia

Re: Is 257 Roberts AI that much better than the +P loads? [Re: TAP]
#161651 - 07/06/10 11:55 PM

Mate, go for it. I have had a hankering for a 257Roberts Improved for the last 20yrs. Finally scored one built up on a Browning A-Bolt fitted with an older model steel tube Redfield 4-12x scope.
Got a set of custom dies to go with it, a quantity of 87gn moly-coated reloads and two boxes of Winchester 100gn Silvertip factory rounds (for cases after fireforming).
I bought it last year but have had to wait till now to finalise the paperwork to get it from the gunshop. Can't wait to try it out.

--------------------
Reach out, way out, one shot & one shot should do the job!

Edited by Gunnie (08/06/10 08:22 PM)

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