of the Model 70. I had one of the early 257 when Ruger brought them out. During the 1980s, Winchester developed a .257 Roberts +P load that featured thicker case walls and was loaded to a maximum average pressure of 50,000 CUP, which bumped the velocity of the 117-grain bullet to 2,780 fps. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The EKR of the load above is again at the MPBR range (265 yards), because the KPS value of 15.9 at 265 yards is greater than the baseline KPS of 15. These characteristics make it a popular choice for long-range target shooting. Kimber offers their Hunter line chambered in .257 Roberts, and Ruger still makes their Model No. The does a great job on deer - it holds together very well at the high velocities possible with the AI case and I have found it to be very accurate. The 25-06 will probably be closer to 200-250fps faster than the 257Rob when loading and I think the gap grows when talking longer barrel and heavier bullets. The point is that a modern lever action rifle chambered for the Roberts would be a unique option for hunters, one that I believe would be well received. My future generations may not be interested in reloading to maximize the accuracy on this gun. it to your rifle. Using the same 100-grain Ballistic Tip bullet, 50.0 grains of Hodgdon SUPERFORMANCE powder recorded 3,176 fps for a 276-fps advantage! summer woodchucks to bigger game out West, I found this cartridge Energy increases were nothing to brag about. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Maximum overall cartridge length for the .257 Roberts is 2.780 inches. of energy with an 8-pound rifle, a .270 Win. I'd Google up guard screw torque for M77 UL and see what they say. in.) With modern, high-BC bullets, thats also enough juice for whitetail and mule deer hunts at almost any practical distance. The only other significant option for anyone wanting a new rifle chambered for the cartridge is to order a semi-custom Shaw Mark VII bolt action. It seemed that the company was testing acceptance of such a reissued new, unfired brass. Select loads reached over 3,400 fps. I may hold my nose and stick with the .243. My example is a Federal Premium .243 Winchester load with a 100 grain soft point spitzer bullet. Taurus has redesigned this sporting pistol for performance. The .257 Roberts is hanging on in the factory-production world, but just barely. Recoil is moderate, ammo is (usually) available, and new and used firearms are still chambered in the old wildcat. Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301, Swift A-Frame Revolver and Pistol Bullets. cartridge in both the Model 54 and Model 70 rifles. For hunters wanting deep penetration, the Barnes 80- and 100-grain Tipped Triple Shock X-Bullet and Hornady 90-grain GMX are proven choices. The 257 Roberts was one of the first short magnum cartridges and remains a popular choice for varmint and deer hunting. The 257 Roberts was introduced in 1934 by Remington Arms Company. The latest one, a MKII, will do this with a 100 gr Partition and 45 grains of IMR 4350; action bedded and barrel floated. It balances between the hands and points naturally. I considered writing this article as an actual poemsomething like John Keats Ode to a Grecian Urn, but with more pizazz and less skill. That could correct chamber issues? rifle with extra detailing (hence the XTR designation) in a number of I chose 20 inches, because the Henry Long Ranger rifle has a 20 inch barrel. However, the .243 Winchester cannot match the .257 Roberts as a big game cartridge, although the .243 is arguably a more efficient heavy varmint round. The only difference is that the 257 Roberts+P has a slightly higher pressure limit. Winchester 760 and Hodgdon H-414 were on the list, and since the lbs. Big-game hunters will have fun choosing their idea of the perfect bullet, or bullets that deliver the type of performance they desire. Mikey Hartman, Lt. Col. Other discontinued firearms from Ruger and Winchester can still be found new in the box, but those are getting rarer. Swift Scirocco II, BC .384, MV 3120 f.p.s. The wildcat became the .25 Roberts, honoring its lead developer, Maj. Ned H. Roberts, a well-known outdoor writer and experimenter. MPBR and zero distances are rounded to the nearest five yards. All Shooting Times subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. The 257 Roberts is a great choice for hunters who want a versatile, all-around cartridge. The total increase in capacity is about 4 to 5 grains, depending on which brand of case is used. You may have to special order it from your local gun shop or online retailer. (Ret.) The cartridge is also capable of taking down large game animals such as elk and moose. Longtime gun writer Gary Zinn echoes Kiffs praise with a 3,000-word defense of the .257 inan article on Chuck Hawks website. Modern .25-caliber 100-grain hunting bullets are a great choice. With these higher-pressure cartridges, the .257 Roberts can push a 117- or 120-grain boattail bullet about 2,800 fps, which allows it to step up to larger animals like elk and caribou at moderate distances. (20 inch barrel), ME 1943 ft. . Group sizes and velocities are listed in the table. | As with many old cartridges, the original .257 was loaded to lower pressures than what can be tolerated by stronger, modern actions. the time of this cartridges infancy, Dr. Mann conceded after much I for one limit my long-range shooting to 300 The popularity and dual-purpose nature of the .250 Savage and the .257 Roberts were usurped in 1955 by the .243 Winchester and the .244 Remington (later renamed 6mm Remington). Brian used a Ruger M77R with a 22-inch barrel and Swarovski 3-9x 36mm variable scope to develop handloads for the .257 Roberts. The hottest .243 Winchester factory load I was able to identify for the article The .243 Winchester: Its Capabilities as a Deer Cartridge specs out as follows. die is set to bump the case holder, then I try each case in the chamber MB ". That's a valid reason to demand extreme accuracyand it's amazing how many of today's basic, inexpensive factory rifles deliver. ), 265 yard KPS = 16.2 (Energy = 1203 ft. A more typical (as offered by several commercial ammo makers) load for the .243 features a 100 grain bullet at 2920 f.p.s. (SD is the ratio of a bullet's weight in pounds to the square of its diameter in inches.). Thats tough to answer. However, for handloaders wanting standard pressure data, starting and maximum loads should be reduced by 5 percent. I've had 3 different Ruger 77's in 257 Roberts and all have shot really well. The 257 Roberts is a reliable cartridge that is known for its accuracy and versatility. (22 inch barrel). velocity or wear and tear on the rifle or shooter. well in the Roberts. Ruger's No. Although loading a 257Rob +p may narrow the gap Super hipster now is the 25 Creedmoor Mar 31, 2020 #3 cahunter805 Well-known member Joined May 27, 2014 Messages 2,363 (Hornady HITS is explained in the Appendix.). lbs., MPBR = 265 yards (zero at 225 yards). Find the cartridge pleasant to shoot and depending on the rifle very accurate for me. : 2.535" Powder: 41.0 gr 43.7 gr Vel. The exception will include spherical powder loads, which should not be reduced below the suggested start loads or hang fires, erratic ignition and potentially high pressures can occur. Will have to check on twist. The .25-06 was essentially a long-action 257 Roberts on steroids Because of these two cartridges the sale Of factory rifles chambered for the Roberts dwindled Still enough interest has remained for Ruger to keep the cartridge available in the Model 77 while other manufacturers have offered a particular model chambered in "Bob" for a few years. If it is 1-12, then keep the bullet weight down to 87 grains. Vortexs Ryan Muckenhirn explained that the .257 Roberts has suffered from the no-mans land that is quarter-bore cartridges. Re: Ruger 77 Ultralight in 257 Roberts Accuracy Issues. Simply put, the .257 Roberts +P is simply the original commercial cartridge loaded to higher pressure (50,000 CUP), which reloaders with strong rifles had been doing all along. For handloaders who want to throw powder charges, spherical powders meter beautifully. spitzers and even a box of moly-coated hollowpoints I had in stock for With advancements in powder technology, including extruded and spherical, handloaders can achieve greater velocities than previously. commercial rifles are available. Reasonable shipping cost. (22 inch bbl. this number for consistency. maybe. Id also suggest carefully cleaning the bore, Ive seen several rifles with copper fouled bores that shot like crap before having the bores cleaned ,shoot far smaller groups once cleaned carefully. A Swarovski 3-9x 36mm variable scope was used. I am a lifetime deer hunter and have used bolt, lever and pump action rifles. Barrel rifling diameter, from which calibers derive their designations, is 0.250 in or 6.35 mm. Remingtons .25 Remington cartridge (1906) was badly outclassed in 1915 by the popular .250 Savage. The Roberts is not a puny quarter-bore cartridge! Hunters, in turn, would need to be convinced that the .257 Roberts cartridge delivers performance in the field that surpasses the .243 Winchester, which is already being offered in the Long Ranger rifle. ), BC .355; (SD x A) = (.242 x .0464) = .0112. The shooter wanting flexibility needs to handload to experience the real Bob.. Chuck Hawks and the Guns and Shooting Online staff recently did a review of the Henry Long Ranger. Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. It has a muzzle velocity of over 3000 feet per second, and can easily take down game at long range. It may not be as As a matter of note, In naming the cartridge, Remington gave proper credit to its inventor by calling it the .257 Roberts. Seller feedback (13,970) 5***j (736) - Feedback left . When working with the .257 Roberts and my Model 70, I choose to go Bob, as it is often affectionately called, was truly a dual-purpose cartridge that did both jobs very well. It is truly a hunting rifle i.e. through a strange set of circumstances. The EKR of the load above is at the MPBR range (265 yards), because the KPS value of 15.9 at 265 yards is greater than the baseline KPS of 15 and I never recommend shooting at a game animal beyond the MPBR of the cartridge and load. I knew several people in the Dallas area who proclaimed the .257 Improved the perfect Texas deer cartridge. Apr 30, 2017 #18 K. kiwi hunter Well-known member. (The cross-sectional area of a .257 inch diameter bullet is 0.0519 sq. rifle. Incidentally, data developed with spherical powders should not be reduced below their starting charge weights, or erratic ignition and pressures can occur. Despite the .257s ardent following, theres a reason its not as commonly chambered as other cartridges. .257 Load #2: Hornady Superformance, 117 gr. (The .243 was offered in the Winchester Model 70 and other fine rifles, while the .244 was offered in the clunky Remington Model 722.) load of 41.0 grains under a 100-grain bullet, and I tried it with a 5.0. Browning/USRAC also did a limited run of the Model 70 XTR in .257 Roberts. the .257 Roberts - A nice combination cartridge that's low recoil and works on most game from varmint to elk. A World Record Attempt and everyone is out at the range shooting and practicing. Sadly, of my 257R rifles it is the least accurate. Powered by UBB.threads PHP Forum Software 7.7.5. Anyone who disagrees with the baseline KPS I used here may change the analysis to use any cartridge, load and ballistic parameters they feel accurately reflect effective killing power and range, for deer or other game. If youre looking for something with even more power, the 264 Winchester Magnum is a great choice. It remains a popular choice among hunters and shooters alike. Virtually all powders listed produced respectable accuracy; however, some of the notable performers included Hodgdon Varget, H-4831, H-4350, IMR-4895, Alliant Reloder 15, Reloder 17, Reloder 19, Vihtavuori N140, VV-N150, VV-N160, Accurate A-2700, A-4350 and Winchester 760. The .243 Win. Note that the EKR of the .243 Win. The .243 cartridge/load, being faster, must be better, right? To allow the cartridge to reach its full potential, ammo companies in the 1980s began producing +P loads. His choice in brass was the 7mm Mauser necked down to .25 caliber. duties, I use Winchester Large Rifle primers that give excellent How to Buy a .257 Roberts The .257 Roberts is a great all-around deer cartridge, so its too bad that its so difficult and/or expensive to get your hands on one. It was freaky accurate with Winchester 117g round nose loads. differed somewhat when it came to the subject of reloading the cartridge choice was an important. My purpose here is to propose (or plead for) a resurrection of the .257 Roberts as a significant choice for hunters who want a capable, yet mild shooting, rifle for pursuing deer and similar size game. The .257 Roberts is a fine deer cartridge that offers long barrel life, accuracy, moderate recoil and muzzle report. Hodgdon It's not a small game cartridge and it's not a dangerous game cartridge. 1-2 shots and done. lbs. In a short action, it has the potential for a suitable youth rifle but without care towards optimizing hand loads, can lack the power with many 117 to 120 grain loads to be of any great advantage over the more common .243. Communication. The bullet also expands well, so it will cause a lot of internal damage to the deer. Custom Mossberg 500 at the Range and Live Turkey!. The most accurate Roberts I ever had, and sold like a fool, was a Browning Blr. I wound up with more than a dozen powders to test, Manage Settings HITS scores at 100 yards for the .257 loads are 718 (Load #1), 773 (Load #2) and 772 (Load #3). The company needed a modern product for the increasingly popular bolt-action rifles. Offered in both 100- and 117-grain loads, (22 inch barrel), ME 2162 ft. The 243 Winchester is another popular hunting rifle caliber. The 257 Roberts is a great all-around hunting rifle. OConnor and Warren Page also had high praise for the .257 Roberts, but Discussing this issue in detail is outside the scope of this article. Bullet velocity is not neglected, because velocity is the most important factor in calculating kinetic energy. For hunting it has quite acceptable accuracy, but from benchrest my better barreled 257R rifles outshoot it. Savage Model 110 Timberline 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle: Full Review, Ruger MAX-9 9mm Micro-Sized High-Capacity Pistol: Review, Springfield Armory SA-35 Pistol: Rebirth of the Browning P-35 Hi-Power, Savage Impulse Straight-Pull Rifle: Full Review, .458 Winchester Magnum History: The Complete Story, 6.8 Western Ammo Options: The Load of Long Yardage, 10mm Firepower: Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact Pistol Review, A World Record Attempt: Practice Round and Media Day, Interview with Israeli Defense Forces, Part 1. Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301. The remaining (bullet pointed) lines summarize the results. The next load is the hottest Roberts factory load of which I am aware, driving a 117 grain bullet at an estimated 2845 f.p.s. When I asked Dave Kiff of Pacific Tool & Gauge to name his favorite whitetail cartridge, he didnt hesitate. Mine has been killing Pa. whitetails for 40 years in . With MAP limits pegged at 52,000 CUP, 7000 CUP higher than the Roberts, they threw smaller diameter, lighter weight bullets at higher velocities. Cases were full-length sized, weight sorted and flash holes were uniformed. But for most hunters, ballistics arent the only consideration. Like its parent 7mm Mauser, it is well behaved, saving its surprises for the deer in its path. Not 3 moa with handloads, for sure. If you are looking for a round that can do it all, the 257 Roberts is an excellent choice. I have several Rugers and shoot only factory loads. The downside to the 257 Roberts is that it is not widely available. Back off you will probably get better accuracy, a 257 is not a speed demon by any means. simply because of the Roberts conservative case volume. MV (22 inch barrel). High Praise for the .257 Roberts My hope is one of these will be the .257 Roberts. I am shooting a 20" suppressed Ruger Hawkeye chambered in 257 Roberts. hunting loads tell the same story. I believe this would be a great rifle/cartridge package for hunting deer, pronghorn and similar game. ), 275 yd. Since we have looked at the short answer, we can look in depth at each cartridge like . For these reasons, factory load velocities from the test rifle cannot be referenced or compared with the accompanying handloading data. Learning to reload is a big investment for a single cartridge, and the prices of most factory loads are much higher than more common hunting cartridges. So, I thought, what better than a timeless classic, the .257 Roberts? is 5.8 inches, a 1.25-inch difference. 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