Micro Med in 257R

[flathead]

Hello,

Question for you Browning groupies. I have a Micro Medallion in 257R that I bought new around 91. It is a fine shooting rifle but clearly a mistake. The 257 is not quite a short action round. How could a gun manufacturer goof like that? Its not like they put the wrong president on the coin or something. 117 grain bullets will not fit, period. I handload 100gr ballistic tips and I have to seat them on the deep side for them to fit in the clip. I'm just curious how many of these are out there. And...If you own one have you had any luck squeezing in 117s. I'm also thinking of hand loading Barnes 100 gr. X bullets. I think the Barnes are always a little longer than standard because of the lighter weight. I'm concerned they won't fit either. Thanks and God Bless.

[pastorp]

Flathead, While I haven't owned a micro medation I did have a Winchester featherweight M70. I could load the 117RN bullets but not spitzers. I usually used the 100gr spitzers and they worked well. My current 257bob is a Browning blr and the 117's work in it.

I really feel the Roberts is at its best with 100gr bullets anyway.  Regards, Byron

[major257]

Is that blr rare or did they make alot of those?

[pastorp]

Major, they were only made for 2 or 3 years in the mid 80's.  Regards, Byron

[major257]

I had my hands on an a bolt in 257 once, but have never seen a blr. Ended up getting one in a ruger. Is the magazine shorter in the the a bolt for that round? One of these days I will find another one and buy it.

[flathead]

Hello Major257,

You asked about the magazine length. I have my magazines in front of me. The mag for my 243 (micro hunter) is exactly the same as the mag for the 257 (micro medallion). Which, of course is the problem. The 243 fits nicely. The 257 with 100 gr bullets is maxed out. I have since contacted Barnes. The 100 gr TSX 257 bullet is .116" long compared to .114" for the nosler I have loaded now. I will go ahead with my project and load the Barnes. They should fit. God Bless! My micro was purchased around the time of the BLR mentioned above. They probably have the same short magazine also.

[major257]

That makes me glad I didn't purchase that rifle years ago. I shoot 117 or 120gr bullets out of my ruger with no problem. Does anyone know whether the mag for a regular a-bolt for .257 is larger than that one for the micro? When I'm in the market next time I don't want to pass one up if it will take my loads.

[1sourdough]

 I do know the mag for an A-Bolt Hunter in 223 is a different size than the "Micro-Hunter" 223 mag. You could easily also have different sizes for the micro & regular A-Bolt in 257R.

[pastorp]

Well fellows, I have a box of factory Hornady 257roberts, factory loads, with the 117gr BTSP bullet. I just loaded 4 in my Browning blr mag, put it in the gun and cycled them through. They fed fine.

Yes 117gr pointed bullets will work in the blr chambered for the roberts. Like I said before I don't know about the a-bolt.

Flathead the a-bolt and the blr are not the same. Don't know how you can give advice on something you don't have. Speculation will get you in trouble many times.  You believe what you want but they work in my blr. Regards, Byron

[major257]

Pastorp,
I thankyou for the info on the Blr. I am also unsure of the mirco or standard action a-bolt. They probably are different length but I can't say. Still waiting on insight from someone who has one.

[pastorp]

Major, I had a casual friend when I lived in New Mexico, that hunted with a micro A bolt in 257 roberts. He spoke very highly of it as a deer rifle. We never discussed the load he used. And I never actually hunted with him so I didn't see any amo boxes.

Perhaps you could get some specs from Browning, or the Browning collectors association.  Regards, Byron