257 Roberts fan

[Aberhan]

I am a diehard 257 Roberts fan but realized from the outset that the Remington offering was wanting. Mainly because it’s a medium/long action cartridge with the bullet seated deep into the case to facilitate use in a short action rifle. I had my original M77 Ruger 257 R lengthened in the freebore to rectify this. My second 257 R which I had built this past year also has additional freebore plus a fast twist barrel to accommodate the longer heavier bullets available today. Here is a photo of a factory Remington Core Lokt 117 grain 257 Roberts, beside my handload 128 grain Hornady. The advantage is obvious. My new rifle is built on a Franchi 30-06 length action with an IBI 24 inch barrel with a 1 in 7 twist rate.
Thank you for your interest.

 

[SJB358]

Very cool. That should be a ripper.

 

[Blkram]

I am newer to the 257 Roberts and am liking it so far. Enough so that I am building that new 257 AI Improved too (257 AI with fast twist barrel).
My 257 Roberts is a beautiful custom rifle on a LH Sako Model 591 with a 22" Shilen barrel and Exhibition grade walnut. I bought it used as it has the barrel work by a gunsmith I have met, and the stock was done by a late, local stockmaker I knew for may years. I couldn't pass up this rifle!
It's mag box is short, so I cannot meet the recommended COAL with the 115 gr Ballistic Tip, but am close. I am going to try the 115 gr Partition to see if the flat base will let me get closer to the lands and hit the recommended COAL. If not, it does shoot the Nosler 110 gr AccuBond ammo well; 0.582" 3 shot groups @ 100 yards, at 2989 fps. Will make a nice antelope/deer rifle for my typical hunting distances (avg over 41 years is just 132 yards!) where the shot opportunities aren't long.


I now have a LH Browning X Bolt 2 Hunter in 30-06 for the long action for the 257 AI Improved, and have ordered another 24" Benchmark 5 R barrel with the 1:7.5 twist. Will get this barrel fluted with the twist in similar fashion as that on the Browning X Bolt Mountain Pro, and then have it Cerakoted black. Intending to use the 128 gr ELD-X and 131 gr TGK.
Hoping Nosler will make an ABLR in 25 cal, and looking forward to what Swift introduces in 2027 in their new Zephyr line.
Will be fun for practicing longer range shooting out to 500 yards (as far as my local range goes), or hunting wide open prairie or savannah.
As a hunter, I am not really interested in the heavier Berger or Hornady match type bullets for this rifle.

While yours may not be the AI version, I will be continuing to follow your progress with your rifle and handloads with interest!