4 of 4 .257 Roberts factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 450 yd (Nosler Trophy Grade 110 gr AccuBond). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler Trophy Grade 110 gr AccuBond | 110 | 450 | 3,050 | 970 | yes |
| Hornady Superformance 117 gr SST | 117 | 400 | 2,946 | 888 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 117 gr Power-Point | 117 | 200 | 2,780 | 403 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 117 gr Core-Lokt Soft Point | 117 | 150 | 2,650 | 364 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.