In an effort to keep my powder inventory from becoming too extensive, I have done a lot of reading and research on loading the .257 Roberts and .35 Whelen. I have settled on IMR 4064 as the best powder for both of these cartridges. Anyone else load 4064 in these cartridges? Any other suggestions? I load 100 & 120gr. bullets in the Roberts and 200,220,225gr. in the Whelen, use both for eastern whitetail hunting.

I have never loaded either, but looking at my manuals it looks like heavier bullets in the 257 work better with a slower powder such as 4350. 4064 should be great with the Whelen and very good in the 257.

I didn't have good luck in my .257 with 4064 (though I love it in my 30-06). I had best luck with 4350 and Reloader 22.

I also agree that IMR4350 would probably suit You better than 4064. If You wish to keep things SIMPLE then WHY are You using so many bullet weights?? For eastern deer pick ONE for either cartridge and go from there.

FN in MT

I agree with Frank.4350 should serve you better and I don't understand why you'd be choosing so many bullet weights for the same use.

For some reason I don't fully understand, the derivatives of the 7X57 seem to like slower powders. I use IMR 4831 and slower in my 6mm Rem (based on the same case as the .257 Rob). My .35 Whelen likes a little faster powder, so I use 3031 in it with 200 gr bullets.

Paul- Any time you neck down a cartridge in is going to perform best with slower propellants.

Neck them up and they like faster propellants. Even faster if you neck them all the way up to a straight case.

Some respondents misunderstood, I am indicating a range of bullet weights. What I am trying to say is that in the .257 Roberts I am using 100 or 120 gr. bullets as opposed to the lighter 87 gr. And in the .35 Whelen my preference is for 200 gr., though I am willing to try 220 or 225 gr. bullets, just don't want to go heavier due to recoil.

With just a quick check of Speer #8, I found the 7X57, .257 Rob and the 6mm all preferring N205, H4831 and etc. especially with the heavier bullets. The 8X57 does like faster powders.

There are a lot of factors to consider with these offshoots of the 7X57, including the allowable pressure for each one being different.

IMR-4350 or RL-19

Marksman,

I don't happen to have loading data in front of me at this moment but since the 257 Roberts is a necked down 7MM mauser and the 35 Whelen is a necked up 30/06,I think one powder should do fine.Look over the data and pick your own poison.Personally,I could be quite happy with 4895 and 4350 for the rest of my life (for rifles).

I have been handlaoding for 35 yrs., I've used 4895 in .308 and 4350 in .338 Magnum with complete satisfaction. I did extensive reading, not just of handloading manuals in arriving at my choice of 4064. I loaded it in both the .257 Roberts and the .35 Whelen, I picked the .35 Whelen for the particular deer hunt that I was preparing for. My reason for selecting the Whelen over the Roberts was the ability to use .357 pistol bullets (Midway was selling blemished .357 bullets in bulk packs of 500 and I bought several thousand) for plinking and practice. I am looking forward to doing more work with the .257 to see if 4064 works as well in it as the Whelen, I will also try some of the other powders suggested. Thanks for sharing your experiences with these fine classic cartridges, I think of Ned and the Colnel everytime I work with these great old timers.

Best results in my .257 Robts came with H4831(SC) using a 100gr Sierra BT.

I think that you are really handicapping yourself trying to find a single powder that will be used to load two very different calibers, especially with various bullet weights.

I do have experience with the .257 Roberts. IMR 4350 has produced the best accuracy in my rifle with bullets in the 115-120gr. range. These are the bullet weights to use in that quarter-bore. If you are looking to shoot lighter bullets.......get a 6mm rifle.

I think most folks are drawn to the .35 Whelan due to its ability to shoot a 250gr. bullet. You ought to be looking for the most accurate powder for that bullet weight. While I do not have any experience with the .35 Whelan, I do load for a similar round.......338-06. I developed a load that would give me the best accuracy for a certain bullet in my rifle......the 210gr. Nosler Partition. IMR-4320 is the powder that works best for this bullet in this gun. Needless to say, one needs to find the best bullet seating depth for any individual rifle.......picking a powder is simply one part of the solution for accurate loads. I've never been willing to compromise with a "one powder does it all" approach.............just my 2 cents!