Hornady +P ammo in a vintage rifle - should i be concerned about pressure?

[cash_tx]

There is a good chance that I will soon be getting this FN 1953 rifle in 257 Roberts from a relative, along with four boxes of Hornady +P ammo with the 117 grain SST bullet. While I have used Hornady SSTs in my 243, I've never used any of their +P loads. The Hornady website says that the +P achieves about a 200 FPS increase without additional pressure concerns, but would any of you guys be concerned with firing this factory ammo in an older rifle? Being an M98-based action, I'm not too concerned; but just double checking myself.

 

[JimP]

I'd try it but pay close attention to any pressure signs such as a stiff bolt, sticky case, or backed out primer.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I own a pair of vintage FN Browning Mauser type rifles with one in 308 and the other in 375HH. Both were mfg in the 1960's and both are of the highest quality. I would not hesitate to use the Hornady ammo in such rifles. I also have a old WWII era Mauser that was converted to a sporter in 270 Win in the mid 1950's. It has digested a steady diet of high pressure 270 ammo all of its long life without issue. I have used the Hornady Superformance 243 ammo in 95g, 75g and 58g offerings in my Sako S20 Hybrid rifle and while it is a modern firearm, it performed without issue. In fact the 75g Hornady ammo is one of the fastest, most accurate options I have tried in that wonderful little rifle. I have on multiple occasions achieved 1/2 moa performance at 100, 200y and 400y with it which is stellar for a factory production rifle. I am not necessarily a great fan of Hornady ammo and to date have only used it for target shooting and varmint hunting (coyotes). I have found better options for hunting big game or African game.

 

[cash_tx]

I own a pair of vintage FN Browning Mauser type rifles with one in 308 and the other in 375HH. Both were mfg in the 1960's and both are of the highest quality. I would not hesitate to use the Hornady ammo in such rifles. I also have a old WWII era Mauser that was converted to a sporter in 270 Win in the mid 1950's. It has digested a steady diet of high pressure 270 ammo all of its long life without issue. I have used the Hornady Superformance 243 ammo in 95g, 75g and 58g offerings in my Sako S20 Hybrid rifle and while it is a modern firearm, it performed without issue. In fact the 75g Hornady ammo is one of the fastest, most accurate options I have tried in that wonderful little rifle. I have on multiple occasions achieved 1/2 moa performance at 100, 200y and 400y with it which is stellar for a factory production rifle. I am not necessarily a great fan of Hornady ammo and to date have only used it for target shooting and varmint hunting (coyotes). I have found better options for hunting big game or African game.

Sounds like you and I have similar rifle collections. i have a couple of 1960's FN Browning Safari Grades (30-06 and 308 Norma Magnum), as well as a number of M98-style sporters from the1950's, 60's, and 70's. I too have fired a variety of modern high pressure ammo through them without any concerns (and with good accuracy). This scenario was just a bit of a new one to me, in that I have not used any Hornady ammo specifically labeled "+P"; which from the pistol world at least, indicates a higher pressure load. But I really don't have any concerns, and just wanted to double-check myself in case I was not thinking of something. I think they will be fine though, and I appreciate your input.

 

[deewayne2003]

Honestly, has anyone ever seen a production rifle that was stamped .257Rob+P?

I never have, yet I've seen the +P ammo used in lots of them because ammo can be hard to find.

Point being - Yes it's safe in the rifle, just as always look for signs when shooting a new(to you) gun.

 

[cash_tx]

From what I have been able to determine (based on further Internet research), the +P designation indicates loading the round to a higher pressure of about 58,000 PSI vs. the SAAMI standard of 54,000 PSI for the traditional 257 Roberts. The M98 action on this or any modern rifle should be able to handle this pressure level quite easily.

.257 Roberts - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Sika98k]

Crack on.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Would you be concerned about using factory ammo in a M98 in a 270 or 30-06? If not don’t worry about the 257 +p they are the same pressure.

 

[cash_tx]

Good point, and much appreciated.

 

[Ridge Runner]

There is a good chance that I will soon be getting this FN 1953 rifle in 257 Roberts from a relative, along with four boxes of Hornady +P ammo with the 117 grain SST bullet. While I have used Hornady SSTs in my 243, I've never used any of their +P loads. The Hornady website says that the +P achieves about a 200 FPS increase without additional pressure concerns, but would any of you guys be concerned with firing this factory ammo in an older rifle? Being an M98-based action, I'm not too concerned; but just double checking myself.

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Being a post war, WWII, a quality action, I would first proof test the rifle; then check the rifle and ammo for any excess pressure signs.

If all checks out good then I'd have fun with it.
If there is a check that is questionable then I'd pull rest of the bullets, dump the powder, and reload to within standard load data specifications. Then I'd go out and have fun with it.

 

[steve white]

I would not worry about a 1953 FN. If it was a pre-1924 Mannlicher, maybe. Mine is a touch sticky if I use the +P, but I have done it. Not worried about it blowing.