Any .257 Roberts fans
- Thread starter tahoe2
- Start date
Lloyd Smale
Moderator
Ive had as soft spot for the roberts for more then 30 years and have allways had at least one. Ive killed probably 50 or more deer with the roberts and its a great round out to 300 yards. Right now the only one i have is a #1a and it hasnt killed anything but that will be taken care of in a couple weeks come deer season
The .257 Roberts is a fine cartridge, under appreciated, but somewhat superfluous, given more modern cartridges available today. If you ever decide to sell/trade the rifle, it may be quite difficult to do so.
With the relatively small gap between adequate cartridges, a .257 Roberts won't do anything much better (or worse) than the .260 Rem, 7mm-08, .25-06, .270 Win, .308 Win, or .30-06, especially when any or all are handloaded.
That said, if your heart is set on it, go for it! Just don't go looking for ammo in all the wrong places.
With the relatively small gap between adequate cartridges, a .257 Roberts won't do anything much better (or worse) than the .260 Rem, 7mm-08, .25-06, .270 Win, .308 Win, or .30-06, especially when any or all are handloaded.
That said, if your heart is set on it, go for it! Just don't go looking for ammo in all the wrong places.
sc outdoorsman
New member
A friend of mine has one he inherited from a family member. He loves the rifle and has killed several deer with it since I have known him. During the ammo scare a few years back he had a hard time finding any to hunt with. He eventually found some, but paid a premium price. If you reload that is probably not a problem, but it is something to consider.
warbirdlover
New member
Neighbor (a gunsmith) years ago made up a beautiful Ruger #1 in .257 Roberts Improved. Don't remember if it was Ackley or RCBS but it was a super cartridge. I don't reload anymore so haven't considered it on any rifles but if I still reloaded I'd have the improved version.
I had a .257 Roberts in a Ruger M77, tang safety, "Made in the 200th Year of our Liberty", model. I killed many deer with it, passed it on to my son.
It had way too much free bore, could never find a bullet that could touch the lands while still staying in the case. I could never develop a load that would group better than an inch and one-half. Nevertheless, as stated, killed many deer with it.
It had way too much free bore, could never find a bullet that could touch the lands while still staying in the case. I could never develop a load that would group better than an inch and one-half. Nevertheless, as stated, killed many deer with it.
The 257 Roberts in Winchester M-70 Featherweight is my primary hunting rifle. Perfect for deer and antelope. Accurate and more then capable for that size animal.
Only problem I have with it is my youngest son and my granddaughter both claim it. Neither seem to want to wait until I croak to get it.
Only problem I have with it is my youngest son and my granddaughter both claim it. Neither seem to want to wait until I croak to get it.
I built 2 257AIs for my sons, love them and they do too. Factory 257 loads are loader lower than the modern actions can handle, that is why they came out with the 257 +P loading. In a modern rifle you can load it to a AI level. For deer and antilope, hogs ect they would not know the difference. I loaded the 115 grain nosler partions in it and a drt killer, I am sure for those size animals the 100gr NP would be too. Both sons have take Elk with it. It would be fine for black bear with the 120 grain bullets. The cartridge started to get over looked when the 243W/6mmR and 2506 came out and gun writers sang there praises, which they are fine cartridges also. That happens to allot of cartridges, 7x57mm, 280Rem some of the 22 calibers. A previous poster seem to compair it to a 270 3006 ect, maybe I mis understood, but I would not put it in those classes unless, he was talking as a deer, antilope, sheep, goat killer, plus is is more suited for varmits. Recoil in minumal, right now I am debating between another "Bob" or a 6.5x55 Swede.another cartdridge that has met the same fate, and can be loaded hotter then factory loads in modern rifles. If you go with the Bob it is a reloader cartdrige for 2 reasons, lack of availability of factory ammo cheap, and to get its full potential. So concider that, or having a friend reload it for you. If you become an advit shooter reloading is a great hobby, safe and keeps cost down.
Bob
Bob
I had a pre-64 model 70 Winchester chambered for the 257 Roberts around 1968. Made in 1937 with old style safety. Should have kept it but at that time there were many guns I had not yet experienced.
Now, I've tried about all I care to try and can look back and appreciate that gun more than I did at the time.
Not long ago I bought something close. Another pre-64 model 70 Winchester chambered for the 270 Winchester cartridge. This one made in 1951. I'll probably die owning this gun--and a Browning 1886 SRC.
Don
Now, I've tried about all I care to try and can look back and appreciate that gun more than I did at the time.
Not long ago I bought something close. Another pre-64 model 70 Winchester chambered for the 270 Winchester cartridge. This one made in 1951. I'll probably die owning this gun--and a Browning 1886 SRC.
Don
The 257 Roberts is my favorite 25 cal rifle shell.
What is nice about the 257 is that it's just a 7x57 necked down, which means any KAR length Mauser is a simple re-barrel job to convert. No action or magazine work at all is necessary
With all the Yugo and 24/47 rifles out there these days, the 257 makes a lot of sense as a custom project.
Longer actions work with the 06 length family of shells easily enough (25-06 270, 280 30-06 and so on) but longer actions cost more as a rule because they are getting more scarce.
Now speaking only for myself, I would take a 6.5 X55 or a 7X57 over the 257 Roberts, but if I were to make a 25 cal for myself, it would be a 257 Roberts.
I do own a 25-06 which was left to me by a very good friend in his will when he died, and I like the rifle (I made it for him years before he left it back to me) so I do used 25 caliber at times to hunt with, but overall I would have made it a 257 Roberts if I would have been building it for myself. I won’t modify it at all because it’s what Bob wanted, and it’s my memorial to him now.
Anyway, I don’t use bullets that small for elk. They are fine for deer and antelope. I see no great advantage of a 25-06 over a 257 Rob for deer or antelope. If I was starting with a long action I would use the 06 case just because it works best in a long action.
But for those that want a GOOD rifle in a "deer caliber", you’d go a long way to find anything better then a short Mauser rebarreled in 257. Twisted 1-10” it will shoot any 257 bullet from 75 to 120 accurately, and makes for a nice light handy rifle.
What is nice about the 257 is that it's just a 7x57 necked down, which means any KAR length Mauser is a simple re-barrel job to convert. No action or magazine work at all is necessary
With all the Yugo and 24/47 rifles out there these days, the 257 makes a lot of sense as a custom project.
Longer actions work with the 06 length family of shells easily enough (25-06 270, 280 30-06 and so on) but longer actions cost more as a rule because they are getting more scarce.
Now speaking only for myself, I would take a 6.5 X55 or a 7X57 over the 257 Roberts, but if I were to make a 25 cal for myself, it would be a 257 Roberts.
I do own a 25-06 which was left to me by a very good friend in his will when he died, and I like the rifle (I made it for him years before he left it back to me) so I do used 25 caliber at times to hunt with, but overall I would have made it a 257 Roberts if I would have been building it for myself. I won’t modify it at all because it’s what Bob wanted, and it’s my memorial to him now.
Anyway, I don’t use bullets that small for elk. They are fine for deer and antelope. I see no great advantage of a 25-06 over a 257 Rob for deer or antelope. If I was starting with a long action I would use the 06 case just because it works best in a long action.
But for those that want a GOOD rifle in a "deer caliber", you’d go a long way to find anything better then a short Mauser rebarreled in 257. Twisted 1-10” it will shoot any 257 bullet from 75 to 120 accurately, and makes for a nice light handy rifle.
sc928porsche
New member
The 257 Roberts is a very good cartridge and has been around a long time. As previously stated, it is essentially the 7x57 necked down to .25 cal..
Your Spanish Mauser (mod 93) is a small ring Mauser and was designed for the 7x57 cartridge. It makes an excellent deer rifle. Conversion to 257 Roberts is easily done with a barrel change by a good smith.
While the smith is at it, it wouldn't hurt to have the action "blue printed" and especially retempered. You could have him do a little trigger work or better yet, replace with a Timmeny trigger.
There are a lot things you can do such as bending the bolt handle or replacing it. You could have it drilled and tapped for scope. You can even get a new stock and have it bedded.
I have seen a lot of these old girls crafted into some very fine rifles.
Your Spanish Mauser (mod 93) is a small ring Mauser and was designed for the 7x57 cartridge. It makes an excellent deer rifle. Conversion to 257 Roberts is easily done with a barrel change by a good smith.
While the smith is at it, it wouldn't hurt to have the action "blue printed" and especially retempered. You could have him do a little trigger work or better yet, replace with a Timmeny trigger.
There are a lot things you can do such as bending the bolt handle or replacing it. You could have it drilled and tapped for scope. You can even get a new stock and have it bedded.
I have seen a lot of these old girls crafted into some very fine rifles.
My 257 Rob was originally a way to salvage a slightly damaged VZ24 action. While the action was probably fine, I felt it prudent to use it for a lower pressure cartridge hence the 257 Rob. I used a Midway A&B 20" lightweight barrel and a Butler Creek stock (OEM for Interarms) with a Boyd sidesafety trigger.
This makes a moderate weight carbine which is perfect for taking meat deer w/o damaging a lot of meat. It is the rifle I chose after having surgery on my right hand and being forced to shoot lefty(2 shots=2 deer).
I use Sierra 100 grain BTSP loaded just a little north of the manuals' conservative data with excellent results.
This makes a moderate weight carbine which is perfect for taking meat deer w/o damaging a lot of meat. It is the rifle I chose after having surgery on my right hand and being forced to shoot lefty(2 shots=2 deer).
I use Sierra 100 grain BTSP loaded just a little north of the manuals' conservative data with excellent results.
DeerSlayer86
New member
I am a fan of the .257s. Great deer cartridges and I know some guys that had taken elk with 115-120 grain bullets in the 25-06 rem. I keep to deer sized game but that's just my preference. I don't have a Bob but the 06 is my primary deer gun. Took a mule deer a couple weeks ago at 380 yards with nosler partition 115g. Also seems like that round doesn't tear up a lot of meat. Small entry and exit wounds but pretty much always goes through. I have really had good success with the barnes ttsx 100g. You should do it, you'll like what you get out of that caliber.
longfellow
New member
257 and chamber length advice
I took the plunge myself this year and had Shaw rebarrel a fine old Husky in the Roberts. I am trying to find time right now to get to the range to sight it in and get some practice for Deer season. It doesn't seem to matter but if I knew how short I'd have to seat the heavier bullets to, I'd have probably asked for a slightly longer throat. The 117's base sticks below te case neck quite a bit; it doesn't seem to matter though. It is just a shame I didn't catch this because the Mauser action can handle any COL.
Make your own choice.
I took the plunge myself this year and had Shaw rebarrel a fine old Husky in the Roberts. I am trying to find time right now to get to the range to sight it in and get some practice for Deer season. It doesn't seem to matter but if I knew how short I'd have to seat the heavier bullets to, I'd have probably asked for a slightly longer throat. The 117's base sticks below te case neck quite a bit; it doesn't seem to matter though. It is just a shame I didn't catch this because the Mauser action can handle any COL.
Make your own choice.
WildBill45
New member
I have always wanted one myself! My EX had a 25'06, and it was a deer taker in a big way! It shot nice, low recoil, and deadly on game...
I hope you decide, and have fun with it. We need more fun these days!
I hope you decide, and have fun with it. We need more fun these days!
sc928porsche
New member
Converting a Mod # 93 is not recommended for 25-06 because of pressure. It can be done, but reciever MUST be checked for cracks and retempered. I have a mod # 95 that has been converted to 25-06 with blueprinted and retempered reciever. It sports a lilja barrel, Timmeny trigger w/safety, scope mount safety on bolt, knerled bolt handle, orbendorf follower, extended latch pin with hinge mounted to floor plate, and bedded in exhibition grade richards microfit wildcat carlo walnut stock. Glass is leopold.
Bushmaster1313
New member
Had my mid-life crisis.
Kept wife -- Bought Gun:
Kept wife -- Bought Gun:
To the OP - You've probably noticed that a lot of the commentary you're getting here is from guys who really know their stuff.
The .257 Roberts is essentially an "Enthusiast" round. There are more versatile & capable cartidges to handle a wide variety of game but if you're looking for a nice handy little deer rifle and want something a little different, it's an excellent choice.
The .257 Roberts is essentially an "Enthusiast" round. There are more versatile & capable cartidges to handle a wide variety of game but if you're looking for a nice handy little deer rifle and want something a little different, it's an excellent choice.