257 Roberts and the Remington 700 action

[GarMan]

Hola! First Post!

Been lurking around here for a while now, but I decided to join. OK. Here is the dilemma. Growing up in South Texas, I've hunted whitetail, but I always used whatever rifle my Dad's friends gave me. I've never really owned my own rifle. So, I've taken several deer with a .222, 243, .30-30, and my biggest buck was taken by an old marlin .45-70. Long story short, I've moved away to go to college, and couldn't afford to hunt anymore . Recently, I've been interested in going out again, and I have permission to hunt on a buddies land outside of Austin. Now is time for me to buy something for myself (should have done this a long time ago). I've been looking around, and I'm interested in the Remington m700 SF CDL Limited Edition in .257 Roberts, but I was wondering if it can take the 117 or 120 +p loads? I also found a nice used Remington m722 for a good price, and was wondering if it could handle the +P loads as well. I emailed Remington, and they told me that it is wise to use what is marked on the barrel? I have a feeling that is for liability reasons, but I wanted to get some insight from you guys. All I've heard is that the m700 is stong enough for just about anything (don't know about the m722 though). I think that the .257 is ideal, because the deer in the Texas Hill Country are not that big like they are in South TX. The only thing big I might take is a hog though...

Thanks in advance. I'm open to any suggestions. BTW, I've thought about the .25-06 as well. Cheers.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I was wondering if it can take the 117 or 120 +p loads?

The M700 Remington can take any factory 257 load. But what is +P in a rifle? That's a term usually limited to pistol ammunition.

 

[GarMan]

Here is some general information...

"The 257 Roberts was underloaded by ammunition companies. However, in the late 1980's higher pressure +P loads were introduced which enabled factory loaded 257 Roberts ammunition to reach full potential. With modern powders the reloader can improve performance safely in all bullet weights. With 117 or 120 grain boattail bullets at velocities at 2800 fps the 257 can be used successfully on elk and caribou. It is at this end of the scale that it has its advantage over the 6mm's. Ackley's improved version of the 257 Roberts practically duplicates the ballistics of the larger 25-06. Winchester, Federal and Remington all offer this caliber. The 87 grain bullet is no longer factory loaded."

I believe Winchester came out with the ammo first, if I'm not mistaken. Thanks!

 

[GarMan]

Here is some ammo...

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=406404

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=121729

 

[Delmar]

The 257 Roberts +P is a factory load, developed by the ammo companies to take advantage of newer powders. The 700 will take these loads safely, but I dunno about that 722.

 

[GarMan]

That is what I was thinking? I wonder why Remington told me otherwise? I can understand the 722...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Well, I live and learn.

Consulting the Hodgdon #26, I find the following: 117-120 grain bullet, 39.0 grains of Reloader 15, Muzzle velocity (26" barrel) 2809, pressure 47,500 CUP.

It appears then, that the +P load cannot be much over that -- since this load (albeit with the best powder for that bullet weight) is within standard pressures.

 

[Bigfoot]

Another vote for the 700. A smith can open up the port on a 700, that and an extended Wyatts box will allow you to load that Roberts out a couple of tenth's for a little better performance.

Factory loaded +P Roberts ammo usually uses thicker brass.

 

[NCsmitty]

Any 257 Roberts load will be fine in the 700 or the 722 as they are nearly identical in design.


NCsmitty

 

[DRYHUMOR]

A couple of months ago I came across a heckava deal on one of the M700 CDL SF Limiteds' in 257 Roberts.

I tried both 117gr and 120gr +P loads in it. They shot about an inch. I tried some some Hornady Light Mag 117gr in it, and it became a tackdriver.

Granted, I did pull the wooden stock off and replace with an HS Precision stock I had on another rifle. If that didn't appeal to you, you could glass bed the wooden stock- if you needed to.

I'd go for it (Limited). There are enough out there (internet) that the prices are somewhat fair. Some of the dealers I contacted when I was shopping for one typically wanted MSRP, which is over $1000.00

I'm thinking the twist rates are different between the M700 Limited and the M722.

 

[bpl]

I think you would be fine with the 257 +P loads in either the M700 or older M722. It is the older sporterized 7x57 mausers that have been rebarreled to .257 Roberts that may be unsafe with the +P loads. This is why 257 Roberts factory loads have been underloaded, same for 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser vs. 260 Remington (loaded hotter) and 7x57 vs. 7mm-08 (loaded hotter). MCGunner, who posts here frequently, has a M722 in 257 Roberts and he loads pretty hot for it without any trouble, it seems. I like the 257 Roberts and recently bought one myself, a Kimber 84M, but I haven't killed anything with it yet. Hopefully this year. Ruger chambers rifles in 257 Roberts as well, if you're interested.

 

[Jim Watson]

.257 Roberts +P has lower SAAMI maximum pressure than other calibers chambered in the same model gun. The 6mm Remington is a LOT hotter. Don't worry about it.

I find it hard to believe that Remington was so concerned about the safety of Spanish Mausers built up in .257 Roberts that they loaded it so light. I think it was because it was taken for granted in those days that light loads were more accurate than full charge, and they were promoting the caliber on accuracy.

 

[GarMan]

"I'm thinking the twist rates are different between the M700 Limited and the M722.
"
You are right DryHumor. From what I discovered the m722 has a 1 and 10 inch twist compared to the 700 which has 1 and 9 inch. I believe the 9 inches can stabalize the heavier pills.

 

[GooseGestapo]

The +P.257Robt. is really a mis-nomer.

Compared to the "non" +P, they are indeed higher in pressure. But, compared to the SAME rifles chambered in 6mmRemington, and .270wcf, they are still somewhat lower in pressure.

I've owned a Remington 721 (same as 722, but long action), in .270wcf and it would actually take a higer max load of IMR4350 than most of the newer M700's I've shot/loaded for. I used the old "Jack O'Conner load of 56.1gr of IMR4350 in Winchester brass with NO pressure problems. I've seen many newer rifles show cratered primers, and burnished case heads along with sticky extraction with this load.

I highly recommend the .257Roberts. If you don't and don't plan to handload, You can shoot the Hornady "Light Magnum" .257Roberts ammo to see what us handloaders enjoy......

 

[MCgunner]

51 grains of H4831 fills a .257 case pretty full, compressed load, but behind a 100 grain Sierra game king, my 722 Remington shoots 3/4 moa and pushes 3150 fps. It's an impressive and handy little gun. It was my grandpa's and I cannot tell you for sure how many whitetail it has taken over the years from 400 yards in. I know in my hands it's taken a couple dozen. It does have a 24" barrel which probably gives it a few more fps than a 22" gun. I remember my grandpa always getting teased for having a "pop gun", but he always brought home the back strap.

As to heavier bullets, I get 1 moa from a Hornady Interlock using the same powder, just slightly less. The 1:10 twist of the 722 doesn't hinder accuracy with 117 grain pills in my experience. The gun never shot 87 grain stuff all that well and I'd expect a 1:9 to be even worse. If I wanted to shoot varmints with it, though, the 100 grainer would be fine. I know it'll whack a coyote at 350 yards, I have proven that.

 

[flashhole]

Like GarMan I think the barrel twist is a bigger issue. The 117 and 120 grain bullets are long and need a fast twist to stabilize them. I shoot both in my 25-06 1:9 twist with good success. A standard 100 grain spitzer will work well on deer. I prefer a flat base bullet as opposed to a boat tail. They stabilize quickly and have better accuracy at ranges under 300 yards.