PLease help me test the best factory load for my 84M

[bushmaster1313]

When I got my 84M in .257 Roberts from the LGS/FFL I picked up a box of the Hornady Boat Tail Soft Point, 117 GR, 2780 fps, which just so happen to be the only thing he stocked and the cheapest on the Internet.

I was disappointed. After sighting in, 4 inch group at 100 yards

Because I do not reload I purchased 5 boxes of assorted factory loads, with the most expensive I bought being the Nosler Trophy Grade Ammunition 60010, 257 Roberts + P, AccuBond, 110 GR, 3000 fps.

I took them all to the range, and started shooting low price to high.

Of course, the most expensive rounds came in with the tiniest group.

Now my question is, did the Nosler's give the best group because they:

Have better quality control
The load and bullet were best for my gum
The barrel was broken in by the time I got to the Noslers
The barrel was fully warmed up by the time I got to the Noslers.

Only a new trial will tell, so I am going back for some more of the cheap Hornady's. I will compare against the Nosler's.

What should I do to make it a fair comparison in one trip to the range. I am allowed by the range to swab out the barrel at the bench.

 

[beatledog7]

You left out two possibilities -- you were more practiced as you went along, or you experienced a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I suggest you have a buddy load your mag without telling you which ammo it is. Shoot your groups, assess.

 

[bushmaster1313]

You left out two possibilities -- you were more practiced as you went along, or you experienced a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I suggest you have a buddy load your mag without telling you which ammo it is. Shoot your groups, assess.

That is certainly a possibility.

But I am think more long the lines of how long to wait between rounds, should I swab the barrel between round (yuck), should I load every other?

 

[tc54]

most rifle shoot best with a fouled bore. not every one, but most. clean the barrel, shoot a few rounds to get the barrel fouled, then start shooting 3 shot groups. due to the thin barrel on kimbers, you'll need to let the barrel cool well before shooting any groups. however, when you do shoot your 3 shot groups, just fire, chamber the next round, and fire again. much like you would do in the field. you aren't going to wait for the barrel to cool when mr elk is walking over the hill after that first shot. lots of other stuff you could do, but this will give you an idea as to what your rifle is capable of doing.

 

[bpl]

I have a 84M Classic Select in 257 Roberts. It is one of my favorite rifles. I have mine topped with a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36 scope. Mine will shoot 1-1.5" 3 shot groups with the Hornady 117gr BTSP load most of the time as long as I let the barrel cool between shots. If I do not let the barrel cool sufficiently, it shoots mostly 1.5-2" groups. I like this load and it is what I use to hunt. With it we (our boy and I) have taken 6 deer, four of which were bucks, all with excellent results. Dropped them on the spot. Haven't had to track one yet. I personally feel it hits harder than my .243 with 100gr bullets.

These light rifles tend to jump a bit off the bag, so holding some downward pressure helps I think as does making sure the forearm is in the same exact position on the bag with each shot. Also, you may have gained a little practical experience with the rifle which improved your groups later with the other loads. Maybe try revisiting the Hornady load and shoot it along with the other loads on the same day under the same conditions and see. Maybe it will shoot better or maybe not. Good luck with your load search.