257 Roberts Featherweight Project; Purpose and Goals

[@stephenhair5501]

I absolutely love the .257 Roberts Cartridge. My Son took his first Deer with that round. It is quite possibly the perfect Whitetail Deer Cartridge. It is lethal and very mild recoiling. Plus, it's a Classic Round that has a great history behind it. I'll never be without one. Thanks for sharing and God Bless.

[@robertsanders7061]

Love your show. I have been shooting the 257 Roberts in a number of rifles. Not a hand loader YET and using factory ammo, I have taken many deer. I live in the north east so the 117 grain round nose works great. I have taken 2 black bear with the 120grain. Never had any issue’s with my guns performance.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Robert, and you are confirming my thoughts on the heavier bullets having better penetration.

[@richardgreenup]

these 117 grain round nose, are they core lokts by chance?

[@slowtwist]

Thanks for the video. My dad's hunting buddy had one of these when I was a teenager. Always wanted one because it was his favorite, and he had several rifles. Close as I ever came was borrowing my uncles pre 64 featherweight in 308 during hunting season. My pre 64 is a 1959 in 30-06. In my youth I built several custom rifles. One was a 257 wea. on a p-14 action and a 25-06 on a springfield 03 high number action. Both had Douglas 1-12 twists and both handled 87 and 100 gr. the same. The 257 wea. has a medium sporter and the 25-06 has a light. I can see the hit through the scope on the heavier one even though it has more recoil. If you like heavier bullets Browning is the only manufacture I know that made a 9 1/2 twist in a 257R. Unless you build one custom, which is an expensive proposition these days. That might be another option if you can find an A-bolt II.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks James, and I just happened to run across a guy at the range with an older model 70 in 257 Roberts Saturday. He had put a custom barrel on his and had a 1 in 9 twist rate. He also made the throat a little deeper. He had a nice setup there. And I always thought that was pretty smart of Browning to go with the 1 in 9.5 to just to make sure they could stabilize the heavier bullets. And Browning also made a BLR (lever action) in 257 Roberts for a few years. I always thought was an impressive rifle but those are rare as he's teeth now. The jury is still out on whether this one will ir not, but we're going to try and find out.

[@slowtwist]

@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I have never been a fan of free boring. My 257 Wea. was not free bored and it would shoot a three shot cloverleaf at a 150yds. In 1973 I paid 60 dollars for my first barrel installed. When ebay first started I bought a 22 CHeetah a 22-250 and a 17 Ackley Hornet, all threaded and short chambered for 60 dollars each. I am afraid those days are long gone.

[@cbsbass4142]

Tom, the December issue of Handloader has handloads (via pet loads I think) for .257 using various bullets, powders and about 5 loads for each, working up. Just an FYI if you were interested in maybe getting a prior issue. I have some loads worked up for the 7X57 using brass I already had fired and was going to go today, but since the grass (weeds mostly) were about 3 feet deep, I had to do that. I'll get to the range to test them eventually. Just some loads using H4350, and H414, with 154 gr Hornady SST, 162 gr SST, and the 145 grain Speer Grand Slam. We'll see how it goes. I;ll have to take another rifle or two to shoot in between to keep the barrel cool.

[@cbsbass4142]

I've also asked (FB message) Winchester when they might consider releasing some old calibers again. No idea if they'll respond.

[@leonharris1329]

Tom my model 70 featherweight 6.5 creedmoor 140 gr nosler partition on the final load workup fired a half inch and a eleven sixteenth group with less than two minutes between the two groups. These were shots 25 thru 29 without cleaning new gun. I was being mindful of head position and consistency of cheek downpressure on the stock. I could see crossbars and bullseye at the instant the gun recoiled. Gun is a new featherweight with 3x9 40mm leupold scope.

[@trapdoorspringfieldmodel1888]

I know people today are into the sub-MOA race on guns, but 1 1/2 MOA is easily acceptable for hunting. Heck, Weatherby for years had an accuracy guarantee of sub 1 1/2 MOA on the Mark V, and that isn't a rifle that a lot people think poorly of. It is nice watching a person preparing a walnut stocked hunting rifle to use hunting. Many channels cover the latest or greatest synthetic rifle that the gun companies are pushing, and they along with many of the comments I have read tend to behave as if the walnut stocked rifles should be relegated to just being a showpiece. Anyways, best of luck on the project and it will be interesting to see how it all turns out.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Trapdoor, I think most people today have gotten hunting rifles confused with target rifles?

[@trapdoorspringfieldmodel1888]

@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I think that you are correct about people getting hunting and target rifles confused with one another. I also think that there is an attitude that is starting to permeate into gun buyers courtesy of magazines, youtube channels, t.v. shows, etc., that if the gun isn't guaranteed sub-moa that somehow it isn't a good gun. The Model 70 Featherweight has a special place for me because it was the rifle I used on my very first hunt. I had just graduated hunter's ed. earlier in the day, and I had picked up the necessary license and tag at the local store. That afternoon I went hunting with my father and I was carrying his Model 70 chambered in 7mm-08 using Remington Core-Lokt ammo. He was carrying his Remington Model 700 in 30-06. The terrain we were hunting was located in the backyard and the BLM land located behind it. Lots of sagebrush and willow trees, with the Rocky Mountains in the distance. Using spot and stalk hunting all we had manged to do was to come across a couple of moose and spook a whitetail that detected us in the thick sagebrush long before we saw it. So, after spending a good amount of time on the BLM we began walking back to the house. Once we had returned to the backyard we encountered my mother who told us the deer were out in the front pasture. So, my father and I navigated our way there using trees and the house as cover to get into position on a jack fence to use as a convenient rest. Now, this was the very first time I had ever shot that rifle, and I lined up an 80 to 100 yard shot and everything looked good when I pulled the trigger on the buck. And it was one clean miss. I don't know why I missed, but I didn't panic. I calmly chambered another round and then analyzed the situation. The deer were panicking and trying to jump a gate, but they were also making it a traffic jam so the buck couldn't easily escape. So, I waited for another quality opportunity to present itself on that very same buck, and when that happened my second shot was true. Now, that rifle has no accuracy guarantee, and neither of us know what groups it produces under range conditions. What we both know is that it takes down deer if the hunter does their part.

[@russellk6415]

257 Robert's. A slowly dieing legend. A outstanding caliber.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Sadly you're right Russell it is certainty fading off into history.

[@edbaker4260]

When I was 11 or 12 years old in 1954 or 5 I watched my father's hunting buddy shoot two bucks across a canyon about 400 or 500 yards one shot each with a 25-06. At that time it was a wildcat that he had made and he was necking down 30-06 brass to re-lode for it. when I got out of the military in 1964 I was in a gun shop and they had a Sako 25-06 I bought it and have been hunting deer and antelope for nearly 60 years only a couple of times did I need a second shot. I use 120grain bullets

[@edwardabrams4972]

Sako’s are truly great rifles I have several and all of them shooters!

[@carriejackson836]

Thank you for bringing an oldy but goody to the fore. It is my favorite caliber for the deer woods in the east. Kudos

[@dominicohea5624]

Anyone that carries a ubiquitous. Caliber as this. Into the field will be well equipped for deer. Great video I’m a seven o eight. Carrier

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

That's another great cartridge!

[@dominicohea5624]

@@TomRiverSimpleLiving we were at a game fair in uk last weekend. There sat in a glass case. Was one rifle made by Rigby. Belonging to a famous hunter Jim Corbett. Including its history. We went back to look at it a couple of times you could feel the history.

[@BuckIt00]

I am definitely showing this one to her.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

LOL

[@BigT27295]

Thanks Tom. You have some mighty fine hunting implements.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

And thank you Big!

[@RogerSnell]

This is going to be very interesting!

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Roger, unfortunately it is getting very interesting! I hit the range yesterday and my groups were not great, but the rifle itself shot like a dream. So now to figure out how to get those groups down.

[@RogerSnell]

@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I know how that can be, but we all get to go through the process and learn something. Really interested in this one, love the 257 Roberts!

[@leonharris1329]

My model 70 is pushing a 140 nosler partition at 2700 fps. Cal 6.5 creedmoor one of .my least favorite cartredgeseven though ti groups that load moa. And performes very good on game. Powder of choice is h4831 short cut. No 1 alternative powder is vhit n 550. Imr 4350 doesn't group well

[@scottscheuerman6170]

I have one of the newer featherweight in 270 made somewhere around the time you’re last 257 was made I had been working on hand loads but in December I had neck surgery and I am hoping to heal up but it is slow and I don’t want to mess up my surgery

[@edwardabrams4972]

Be careful I had major neck surgery and it was a couple month at least before I tried shooting on my lead sled with even low caliber rifles!

[@scottscheuerman6170]

@@edwardabrams4972 thanks for the warning I had surgery back in December and I am still not healed up enough to shoot rifle I keep swelling up on both sides of my shoulder doctor said it would probably be a year

[@edwardabrams4972]

Love the 257 Roberts one of the best deer calibers ever and even better in a Winchester feather weight! Good choice with the Leupold scope

[@hankbrinlee4677]

The "Bob" is an awesome cartridge that deserves serious consideration when choosing an all around rifle!

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Agreed!

[@drunknnirish]

A Featherweight in 257 would be part of my ideal three rifle set up. I would take it or the 7x57 (2nd option) over the 7mm-08 (3rd option) and 243 (4th option) because of the cool factor.

[@hammerheadms]

I really like the history behind the "Bob", but I'm not sure I would ever substitute it for my model 70 in 7mm-08. I just like the option to be able to shoot 150-160 grain bullets. Not that it I have a whole lot of opportunities to do so, but if it came to hunting elk, that and .270 Win would be my go-to's.

[@dominicohea5624]

All good for deer.

[@drunknnirish]

@@hammerheadms I agree the 7mm-08 is really my favorite do it all eastern round and the 270 is my choice for out west. I just love the 257 and the 7mm Mauser mostly because my dad loved those two rounds.

[@hammerheadms]

@@drunknnirish i gotta be honest with ya, that's as good a reason as any for loving a particular cartridge. Especially if you are confident and capable with any one those, hunters throughout history have proven deficiencies mostly occur with the shooter. I had a friend who recently started rifle hunting for whitetail after only being a bow hunter, and the only rifle he owned, and the one he was supremely capable with is an AR-15. That would not be my first choice, but with the right ammo, and the shooter who is good with it, I say why not if that's what you are comfortable with. So far he's has never failed to fill the freezer. But to your point, there is definitely something special with being able to carry afield a piece of history and nostalgia especially if there is a familial association. That's awesome that you got something from your dad that you can take out there with you.

[@MrJegjr]

As it comes to accuracy of bullet weights, found that barrel twist and bullet contour selections were important. Usually when It comes to recoil and handling of the shot, in my experience of competitive shotgun shooting , been a fit issue with a stock fit for my purpose. And as far as that dream shot, when shooting in competition would notice that Somedays the target look like ping pong balls and Somedays they look like basketballs. It was more about technique focus focus and focus. Really enjoy you channel and keep teaching and sharing!

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Mr Jegir!

[@danalim9670]

I think the Mauser brothers would be amazed by what Americans have created with this caliber

[@txhuntsman]

I really enjoying watching this project of yours. Of course I love the .257 Roberts and those three rifles are absolute beauties. Looking forward to the load development and selection video.

[@darrelldickerson9696]

I own an xtr from 1981 in 257. Mine shot the Winchester 117 gr roundnose hole for hole when I first got it. I switched to 100 gr Sierra in my reloads and they aren't as tight shooting but they sure slay deer like Thors hammer. Good luck with your project.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Darrel. It's going to be interesting to see what this one does with the heavier bullets.

[@Joe-lk6oc]

My 257 Roberts loved Barnes 100 TTSX and Hybrid-100V powder.

[@frankspina102]

The weight difference between the two 257's might just be the extra steel in the CRF bolt of the 2012 gun.

[@rmatteson3142]

BTW, I have a 7X57 Feather Wiieght XTR I bought in 1986 when I got out of the Army. It is a consistent 5/8 " grouper or less all these years whether hand loads or factory. Thay rifle eats everything and punches bullseyes. It also drops deer in their tracks with 139 Grain bullets.

[@Oneofthetwelve]

Sounding good Tom. I have my old Husqvarna 1600 all dialed-in. 30.06 with 180’s. I have a feeling you would want to buy it from me 😉 Taking the No.4 to the range today. Bless you and the viewers.

[@edwardabrams4972]

I have 3 Husqvarna rifles even an Imperial model and they are truly great rifles and mausers all of them and anyone who has owned one any length of time knows they are a gem in the rough!

[@beamonk]

I have a Model 54 in 257 which has had a model 70 pre 64 barrel installed at some point. It is super accurate with hornady factory 117 superperformance ammo. I subsequently bought an xtr. It was horrible. I bedded the old stock which didn't work. I subsequently put on a cheap factory plastic stock and a barrel harmonic rubber thing. I tried several bullets and finally tried 80 grain Barnes ttsx. Shot a .35 group. The only other bullet I could get close to grouping was the 117 grain round nose hornady. Go figure. That .35 was the best group I've ever shot...

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

It's funny you say that beamonk because someone else just commented on how good the groups were they got from 117gr Winchester round nose bullets, and eventually went to 100gr. I'm wonder if the standard bullets are just to long to stabilize?

[@beamonk]

@@TomRiverSimpleLiving its funny for sure. I think that my xtr has some throat erosion which was shocking as this rifle doesn't look heavily used. Im just going to shoot it with the 80 grainers till it wont shoot. On another note, I bought a 2011 or 12 one in maple that was just too pretty to shoot. Still kicking myself over that one looking at the prices they are fetching today!

[@beamonk]

I think the xtr barrel is too skinny

[@jaybailleaux630]

Good information. I've had similar experience with feather weight rifle as you but with the Remington model 7 in 308. I gave up on it. 4 inch groups did not cut it with me. I did not think it was just the lite weight working against me. The dang thing kick like a mule. Sometimes the quest for accuracy take the fun out of things. I've never been able to find the perfect rifle. I try many rifles and loads . Right now I have a hankering for a full length manlicher stock in 250 Savage in a Remington model 7 or Ruger international. I sure I will be working against myself accuracy wise. Everything is a compromise.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Jay I don't think a lot of people appreciate how much recoil a 308 can generate in a light rifle? I've shot some 308's with more felt recoil than a 300 Win mag. And you're right there is no perfect rifle but it's the searching for one that keeps me going. Along with the occasional surprise like I got with my 1903a3. I was amazed at how well that rifle shot in both accuracy and how it felt especially considering it's in 30-06. Same goes for that pre 64 Featherweight I have in 270 Win. Neither rifle is very heavy but both are as comfortable to shoot as much heavier rifles. Stock design? I have no idea what makes the difference.

[@jaybailleaux630]

@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I have experiment with stock design. The claim is the bore being in line at or below the line of your shoulder reduces recoil. I personally have not found so much truth in that. Years ago I ordered a simi inlet stock from Fajen. Had them to leave a big chunk of wood in the comb of the stock for me to shape. Remove just enough wood for the bolt to clear when fully extracted. Did not make that much difference I could tell on felt recoil. It did help with a good cheek weld and alignment with a scope but the stock looked wide and clunky. It had no cheek piece classic style. A plain Monty Carlo style stock was more comfortable. I do know a curved steel butt plate on an 1886 Winchester in 45-70 is very painful if you shoulder is not in the curve of the butt plate. The stock design on an M16 supposed to mitigate muzzle rise in full auto. It doesn't. Weight and a good recoil pad makes the biggest difference to me. I remember reading an article in one of the hunting or gun rags. It was comical because if you put all the recoil devices made, on a shotgun or rifle , the % of advertised recoil reduction would exceed 100%. That means the rifle or shotgun would fly forward when fired😄

[@martinfitzpatrick6632]

Looks like this will be a great project. Can’t wait to see the final results. 🍻

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

That makes two of us Martin! LOL

[@charliebelle6693]

Winchester calling a 7 lbs rifle a featherweight is an oxymoron. I shot a Ruger 77 in the 257 bob for years and killed numerous whitetails out to 200 yards w/o a problem pushing a 120 Nosler partition. I don't remember the twist but I do remember that it didn't like 117 gr. pills or I just didn't find the special recipe. I currently shoot a Ruger American custom build in the 260 Rem that is 6.5 lbs with a Leupold 3x9 and rings. I consider it light but not a featherweight.

[@trapdoorspringfieldmodel1888]

Actually, it isn't an oxymoron. The Winchester Model 70 Featherweight rifle first came out in 1952 and was discontinued when the pre-64 Model 70 line was discontinued. So, the Featherweight not only was lighter than the Model 70 Standard, but it also had a much thinner contour barrel. Winchester brought back the Model 70 Featherweight in 1981 with the current stock style, and the thinner contoured barrel. When Winchester did this there weren't all these synthetic rifles around either so the name was appropriate. Of course, the rise of synthetics has allowed for much lighter rifles, but the name Featherweight has been on that style of rifle so long that it is not going to be changed, nor should it be.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Yeah, what Trapdoor said! LOL But in all seriousness he explained it well. The Featherweight was a Featherweight compared to everything else at the time. It was also introduced with Winchester's brand new cartridge the 308 Winchester. Lots of history with this rifle.

[@beestoe993]

I have to wonder about the buttplate angle of your first 257. It clearly has a taper in the pad that your new one does not. That "could" cause muzzle jump faster than anything. I also love the 257, I have a barrel on order for one now, I will be building one on a Mauser action.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Bees I ran into a guy at the range yesterday that had a custom barrel on an older Winchester model 70 he did some pretty interesting things with his. He went to a 1 in 9 instead of the standard 1 in 10 and he had the throat made a little deeper. And he did all of that just so he could shoot the heavier bullets without issue. I thought that was really interesting.

[@beestoe993]

@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I wanted to do that with my new barrel as well as I am set up to swage my own .257 bullets. But I just went with an inexpensive Shaw barrel and they only offered a 1-10 twist. But that is ok, I wont be shooting any spectacularly high BC bullets. I just make hunting bullets for 257. I may do a little experimenting though to see just how heavy of a bullet I can stabilize. I was reading an old Towensend Whelen book the other day and it stated that a 1-10 twist will stabilize up to a 125 grain 257 bullet. That took me by surprise.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

@@beestoe993 And it just might... or at least I'm going to try my best to find out!

[@beestoe993]

@@TomRiverSimpleLiving You know there is bound to be a little wiggle room in there somewhere. My thinking is a heavy tangent bullet like a game king should be easier to make shoot than something like a Berger with less bearing surface. Good luck with your testing.

[@judodavid1]

The problem with inaccurate heavy-long bullets may be related to the twist rate of the barrel. Often slow twist rates won’t stabilize the bigger projectiles.

[@keithprinn720]

after you try a few things other mods will be worth testing then a muzzle break maybe, very nice looking rifles.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Keith, I just can't bring myself to put a muzzle break on a hunting rifle. I know the advantages but the disadvantage is the noise and I can't stand to wear hearing protection while hunting. And my hearing is to far gone not to with a break.

[@XD1908]

Ok Tom, I have 3 different rifles I have setup for elk /mule deer season this year. Can't decide which one I want to hunt with. 270 with 140 grain sst, 308 with 150 grain sst or 30/06 with 180 game kings. I worked up these loads at 200 yards cause I figure I was going to zero them anyway at that. They all shoot about the same size groups between 1.043 MOA and 1.100 Moa. @ 200 yards. Which caliber and bullet combo would you go with if you had to choose these 3 options? I have enough components and primers to make all the rounds I will need. Help.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

D.B. those are all 3 great cartridges but if it were me I would pick the 270. Keep in mind I have zero elk or mule deer experience but I have taken a ton of deer with a 180gr 30 cal Game King in 308 and 30/06 and I was never really impressed by them. They were as accurate as they could be and I never lost a deer but they never performed like they should have. I never got the shock or penetration I expected from them. Now the SST is an outstanding bullet and in my opinion it's by far Hornady's best hunting bullet and fortunately you have 2 great cartridges loaded with them but I would be worried about penetration on the 308 with a 150gr. I'm sure it would work but that 140gr 270 has a much higher sectional density and that combined with the rapid expansion on the SST should make it a great choice. Now I wouldn't think twice about using the 150gr SST on Whitetail but I would rather have that extra penetration on elk. And when I say I like the SST that's probably what I'm going to load in my 1903a3 if I ever get it finished. I hope that helps?

[@dominicohea5624]

We are listening from ireland comment later

[@mattgeiger1979]

Hey Tom I was wondering if you are going to use the scope that came with the rifle and what your preferred magnification is with the 257. What are you looking for in mpbr?

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Hi Matt, I am planning on using the scope that came with it. I put a 2x7 on my XTR and this one came with a 3x9x40 and both are really good just all a around scopes. For longer range I would prefer a 4x12 but I don't really think of the 257 Roberts as a long range deer cartridge even though I know it can reach out there. And I figure my MPBR is going to be somewhere around 250 yards with the heavier bullets. It would probably be closer to 300 yards with the 100gr bullets but I really wouldn't want to be shooting 300 yards with a 100gr bullet. I know it's capable but I also know it's loosing energy quick.

[@TheQCollection]

I picked up a custom full stocked 1952 model 70 featherweight chamberd in 308 earlier this year. Haven't put a round through yet or stripped it, to see if glass beded and if the barrel is free floated..But next week load development & testing begins..we will see if it makes the cut for this hunting season.. Looking forward to see how your load development works out on that beautiful rifle...cheers from 🇨🇦

[@leeadams5941]

Great video and I promise Ill be waiting for next week...I'm as curious as you are about what you will end up with and how it will shoot. God Bless

[@Lray4x4]

When are you going to do some more fishing videos?

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Hopefully this fall! I've been burning the candle at both ends lately to get some projects finished up while it's still hot and I should be wrapping some things up soon. That will hopefully give me some time to really enjoy this fall as far as hunting and fishing.

[@leonharris1329]

Wonderful video Tom. My kimber 257 Robert's doesn't handle heavy bullets well but groups 87 to 100 gr bullets inside 1 inch consistently..

[@gizmocarr3093]

It is common to believe a lightweight rifle and light barrel contour is simply not as accurate as one with a heavy contour barrel. The reason for the idea is true but not because the the rifle is less accurate. It is, because they are harder for the shooter to shoot them accurately. If you hold a lightweight rifle inconsistently from shot to shot, it will show in the groups you shoot. The cure is practice holding the rifle exactly the same and pressing the trigger the same too. I try as much as possible to shoot every rifle regardless of the cartridge size the same. Most problems of not seeing the shot happen in the scope is not holding the rifle tight enough to control the push of the recoil. Shooting many heavy recoiling rifles and cartridges made this clear to me. You can only shoot heavy recoiling guns the same so many shots, the same as only doing so many pushup exercises. The rifle can still do it but you can’t and just waste ammo trying. Practice shooting offhand shows it best of all. It is the same for pistols, bows, air rifles and slingshots. If you are not hitting the black you are not getting better, just more tired. 😓🤔

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Good points Gizmo! I've noticed Watchung video of me shooting that my head and shoulder aren't staying together. My shoulder just goes back with the rifle while my head stays still. I'm guessing that's part of my issue with not being able to watch impact?

[@hammerheadms]

I love that rifle, Tom. .257 Roberts caught my attention a while back, but I wonder how it stacks up against, when hand loading, 25-06? I know the "Bob" doesn't have the case capacity of a an 06 case, but I wonder if that receiver is a short action? That would obviously have some weight savings on it, if so. For me, I'm kind of a sucker for history and the Mauser parent case always has a special place in my heart for it being the inspiration for the 06 case here in the states.

[@FredHenry1850]

GunBlue490 talks about this in passing in his video about the .257 Roberts.

[@robertsebacher44]

Is there a difference in twist rates on the two 257 Roberts rifles?

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

No Robert, same twist rate. But that was a good question especially since FN has owned Winchester for some years now and has always owned Browning and Browning used a 9.5 to 1 twist rate instead of the standard 10 to 1.

[@sandybarnett7502]

Hope you are reloading for them....I can't find any factory ammunition for mine. I look online every day, luckily I still have some Norma 100 grain and some 115 from Georgia arms.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Fortunately I do reload and I'm even more fortunate in that I have some components put back. 257R brass is tough to fund right now!

[@johncline8416]

I am a subscriber of your channel Tom and I enjoy your videos but I’m sorry I just can’t agree with you with no more weight difference in your rifles and bullet selections. I have watched you shoot and you always have a lot of muzzle jump with all the rifles. Our group standards are quite different I expect more out of my rifles then you are satisfied with in your rifles. I also have a pre 64 featherweight and a pre 06 featherweight in 243 and I get much better droops out or my rifles 1/2 MOA or less. I have been shooting and hand loading for many of years also and I work very hard at my shooting technique to make sure that I hold my rifles and shoot the same every shot. You and I also do not agree on triggers pull weights I like 2-3 lbs even in my hunting rifles. I try to keep all of my rifles very close in triggers weights. It does make a difference.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Hi John, I suspect you and I agree on a lot more than we disagree on? I certainly do get a lot of muzzle jump on all of my rifles and I agree with you 100 percent on that but I still manage to get pretty decent accuracy out of most of them. But you're right I'm rarely 1/2 MOA. I have a couple of rifles in that range or just over and I'm ok with that. But I can also appreciate you expecting more out of your rifles. For me it just depends on the rifle. I'm sure I could get more out of the pre 64 but I just don't want to run the rounds through it I would need to doing the load testing to get it to that level and I know bedding it and free floating the barrel would help also but again I just don't want to do that with that rifle. So I'm fine with it where it's at. As for the weight on the new Featherweight, it did make a difference. Something I'm doing different for this project that I don't normally do is shooting the videos ahead of time so that something doesn't come up like bad weather and then I can't get to the range or do I what I need to in order to get the video shot. I want this project to be a lot more orderly. And with that said I actually went to the range Saturday and shot the new Featherweight and that extra 1/2 lb made a world of difference. My accuracy wasn't there but I'll explain all of that not this coming Sunday but the next because that's when the range video will go up. I also explain in that video that jump I'm getting the XTR Featherweight is not the fault of the rifle but the shooter, me. But I think you'll be surprised out how little jump I got from the 2012. So that weight did make a big difference. And I also get more into muzzle jump with the video going up this Sunday and I think you'll find that interesting? It's going to be on load development. And John, it's perfectly ok if we take different approaches so I have no problem with you disagreeing with me and I certainly don't mind you saying so. With that said I do have a couple of rifles that I think you would appreciate the groups I get from them? I just never saw any need to do a video with a rifle that I already know is driving tacks. That would just take the fun out of it. LOL

[@easttexan2933]

3 of the purdiest rifles a man could ever hope to own. If your goals are met with the newer 257, I'm guessing the other one is going to be sold. Only accurate rifles are interesting, right? Or worth having. Great video Tom. Thanks for sharing your treasures.

[@WayStedYou]

The difference could also be in the recoil pads. Looks quite a bit thinner on the old rifle.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Good point and they are different. With the XTR it bounces off me so quick that I'm not sure of the recoil pad even comes into play but it is possible.

[@jimguthrie1583]

I hope you took advantage of the recent run on Nosler brass. As you probably already know .257 roberts brass is often tough to come by. I had one in a Remington 722 that loved 115gr balistic tip hand loads.

[@brianwilliams2719]

My mentor has the exact same xtr as you have and there's no recoil with all the grains mentioned, so I'm curious by what you find out , good luck 🤞

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks for mentioning that Brian. I've had several people make similar comments so it's really interesting to know that some have had similar experiences and some haven't.

[@jacobstates8583]

What is the twist rate of both rifles? I’m going to guess that’s a large part of the problem with the heavier bullets.

[@rmatteson3142]

A Model 70 Featherwiegth should not spray shot all over the place. I suscpect a poor beddingjob. That rifle needs some sort of work on the action/stock /barrel interface. Work on that when you finish the 2012 257 project. I promise you , you will not regret it.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

That might end up being part of the project? The more I dig into the 2 rifles the more impressed I am with the XTR.