.257 Roberts

[joelkdouglas]

Can anybody tell me about the .257 Roberts?

Long or short action? Standard bolt face? What's up with the +P? Are all the cartridges made today made +P?

How is it for reloading?

Nice cartridge, probably for varmints / deer only? How would it do with caribou?

 

[gerry]

Can anybody tell me about the .257 Roberts?

Long or short action? Standard bolt face? What's up with the +P? Are all the cartridges made today made +P?

How is it for reloading?

Nice cartridge, probably for varmints / deer only? How would it do with caribou?

They have been made with both long and short actions and have the normal standard bolt face. The Nosler 48 is built on a short action I guess there are some really underpowered factory loads so the slightly more powerful loads were labeled + Power it think. Handloaded it is better yet only a bit less powerful than the 25-06 so could easily handle game from varmints to caribou. Caribou aren't that tough to kill, you will be fine.

 

[DrMike]

Many of the first 257s were built on older rifles that had weaker steel. Consequently, they were loaded to rather mild pressures. The +P designation is an attempt to be more realistic on stronger actions in modern firearms. The Bob would work very well to take caribou.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Factory loaded ammo varies as far as standard and +P loads go. The Rem 117gr SPCL loads are fairly mild while the Win 117gr PSP load is almost 200 fps hotter.

I'm new to this cartridge also with just 5 loads under my belt and I can easily reach +P levels with little recoil and no pressure signs whatsoever. I load for two 25-06s and they are not hard kickers but recoil is definitely more substantial. 257Roberts velocity is roughly 200fps lower than the 25-06. I don't think you will notice any performance difference on anything smaller than an elk.

 

[JD338]

The 257 Roberts is a fantastic round. The short action will limit you on COL and crowd the powder capacity so get a long action if you can. I load my 700 Classic, which is a long action, to pretty good speeds without hurting case life. Accuracy is .5 MOA. My buddy used my rifle to kill a couple of caribou bulls with the 115 gr BT and the performance was excelent.

JD338

 

[Bruce Mc]

85gr BT for varmints up to yotes, 110 AccuBond for everthing up to 500 lbs or so. The 257 Roberts is a versatile round and doesn't give up much on either end of the spectrum. They are easy to load for and there are many .257 caliber bullets with which to entertain yourself and they operate in a broad range of powder speeds. Back in 1981 or so both Remington and Winchester introduced bolt action rifles in the Bob. They introduced these rifles in various chamber forms. Winchester threw it out in a Model 70 featherweight with a long action that was blocked and the chamber was cut to original specifications. Remington chambered their 700 Classic with a longer throat so the bullets could be seated out and they put it on a long action. They both introduced a pumped up cartridge to introduce with the rifles. Remington even loaded theirs with a nickle case. The rifles are coveted today but the ammo has gone south. Since then most companies that have chambered for the Bob have made the throat longer. Several companies including Nosler now make ammo to a higher chamber pressure and some even label then +P. But none load to the pressure that is useable in a strong bolt action rifle with new cases. To a handloader, the Bob can surpass the book values to where it is within a whisp of the 25-06. You can't go wrong with a .257 Roberts.

 

[Wincheringen]

I have one in a Ruger No. 1, so action length doesn't matter to me. I started with some 115 graing NBTs and was pretty disappointed with 1.5" groups. I was pretty confident it could do better. I was proven right with some 90 grain Sierras and .635" groups.

 

[PJGunner]

I have one in a Ruger No. 1, so action length doesn't matter to me. I started with some 115 graing NBTs and was pretty disappointed with 1.5" groups. I was pretty confident it could do better. I was proven right with some 90 grain Sierras and .635" groups.

I picked up one of those Ruger #1's at a gun show. Came with scope and 100 rounds of Norma factory ammo. I'm not sure Norma even loads .257 Robt. anymore. Guy said the rifle was sighted in and ready to shoot so I took it to the range and fired off 5 rounds of that Norma ammo. Right off the bat it got a .60" group. :shock: Needless to say that ammo is reserved for that #1B. 8)
My other .257 Robt. is a Winchester M70 Featherweight. I'm still fighting with that one as it does not seem to want to shoot groups smaller than 1.25", regardless if it's factory or handloads. The only reason I keep it at all is it's a companion piece to my M70 Feathereight in 7x57 which just happens to be a tack river. After all, it wouldn't be much fun if the first load I tried was MOA or better. Right? :wink:
Paul B.

 

[Wincheringen]

A B Bob is not a common gun, keep that one!

 

[6mm Remington]

Joel I do not personally have experience with a 257 Roberts, but a friend of mine has one and used it for coyotes, deer, antelope, and a couple elk. I think it's a well balance and efficient cartridge and is a great round, kind of like its little brother the 6mm Remington! :mrgreen: Awe come on guys you knew I had to throw that in there!

Now I do have experience with the 25-06 and I really like that cartridge. As shown by the young man with his father, my son, and his first elk, it works pretty darn well. The 257 Roberts would be right there on the same playing field as the 25-06 in my opinion. Probably not a lot seperating the two as far as real life performance. Now I've never taken a caribou but I've been told they can weigh as much as this cow elk in the picture, but everything I've read about them tells me that they aren't nearly as tough.

The hole on the left side at the back of the ribs was the entrance on a quartering shot at 250 yards with a 120 gr. Partition. It exited out the right side just tight to her right shoulder. She ran about 40 yards and went down. I don't think you could as much more than that, and I bet a 257 with the same shot would perform the same.
David

 

[SJB358]

I'm really giving a hard look at the 257 in a Featherweight. Very nice cartridge and I have really started to like the 7x57 case! I think with the new rifles available the 257 might just get the respect it deserves. I don't think it could get much better as a great handling rifling in the deer woods. Looking at how well the 25's do on elk and caribou I can't believe I've been without one!

 

[widgeon]

I'm really giving a hard look at the 257 in a Featherweight. Very nice cartridge and I have really started to like the 7x57 case! I think with the new rifles available the 257 might just get the respect it deserves. I don't think it could get much better as a great handling rifling in the deer woods. Looking at how well the 25's do on elk and caribou I can't believe I've been without one!

X2

I've never owned or even fired a .257 Roberts, but it has always intruiged me.

 

[nvbroncrider]

I'm really giving a hard look at the 257 in a Featherweight. Very nice cartridge and I have really started to like the 7x57 case! I think with the new rifles available the 257 might just get the respect it deserves. I don't think it could get much better as a great handling rifling in the deer woods. Looking at how well the 25's do on elk and caribou I can't believe I've been without one!

X2

I've never owned or even fired a .257 Roberts, but it has always intruiged me.

It's a sweet chambering my brother has one in M77 MkII. If Winchester chambered it in a stainless featherweight my check this week would be gone!!

 

[ridgewalker]

My first big game rifle was a Centurian Mauser (98) in .257 Roberts. Had to sell it to pay college tuition back in 1968. I have missed having it many times since.

FYI, as I understand it, the +P brass has a thicker web so it can handle higher pressures.

I have been very tempted to get a Kimber Montana in .257 Roberts several times.

If you have a .257, enjoy it. Jack O'Connor really liked it and stated that it was one of the most usable big game cartridges.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Nobody makes anything but +P Roberts or 7mm Mauser brass anymore. I don't care what they put in it for loads. As DrMike mentioned, a lot of early .257 Roberts rifles were rechambered, rebarrellled, relined, Spanish Model 93 Mausers with no safety lug and softer steel.

I have owned several .25 Caliber rifles of which two were .257 Roberts. The first one was a made in 1956 model, Winchester Model 70 Super Grade that I hunted deer with several times and shot at the range using heavy (for the time) loads of IMR4350 (45.0 gr) for the 100 gr Partition at a little over 3000 fps. This rifle served me well and was very accurate. I have regretted selling it ever since the day that I sold it. It always killed any deer that I shot with it in their tracks with no drama.

I am presently in the process on finishing up pillar bedding and stock refinishing a Browning High Power action, Douglas barreled, .257 Roberts Mauser with 24 inch barrel. This is a rifle which I traded into and am developing loads for it in the 85 gr Ballistic Tip and 100 Partition bullets. I need to find and buy some 100V Hodgdon powder and 110 gr Accubonds for the rifle because I believe (fron the data) that I can easily and safely load the 110 gr AB up to about 3100+ fps, or approaching the velocity of the .25-05, 120 grain. In the meantime, I will keep using the same loads of IMR 4350 which I have for the past 40 years for this cartridge.

This pushes the old Roberts over into the fast lane into a different catagory. All older Model 70's and Browning Safari actions are standard long actions and the browning has a long magazine box as well. Some of the older or first built rifles in this cartridge had a slightly different extractor groove (smaller) than the newer rifles and required a different shell holder. This was many years ago and all .257 Roberts made since WWII have the SAAMI standard Mauser dimensions for the case.

I will keep you posted as the weather cooperates.

 

[Coyote Hunter]

My 1989 Ruger M77 is a long action I purchased used in 2004. It was so little used there were no scratches in the bluing under the tang safety. It quickly became – and remains – my favorite rifle.

Although the .257 Roberts will work in a short action, a long action is needed to get the most out of it, for reasons mentioned by JD338 above.

 

[cloverleaf]

Favorite rifle no doubt! CL

 

[BK]

I am presently in the process on finishing up pillar bedding and stock refinishing a Browning High Power action, Douglas barreled, .257 Roberts Mauser with 24 inch barrel. This is a rifle which I traded into and am developing loads for it in the 85 gr Ballistic Tip and 100 Partition bullets. I need to find and buy some 100V Hodgdon powder and 110 gr Accubonds for the rifle because I believe (fron the data) that I can easily and safely load the 110 gr AB up to about 3100+ fps, or approaching the velocity of the .25-05, 120 grain. In the meantime, I will keep using the same loads of IMR 4350 which I have for the past 40 years for this cartridge.

This pushes the old Roberts over into the fast lane into a different catagory. All older Model 70's and Browning Safari actions are standard long actions and the browning has a long magazine box as well. Some of the older or first built rifles in this cartridge had a slightly different extractor groove (smaller) than the newer rifles and required a different shell holder. This was many years ago and all .257 Roberts made since WWII have the SAAMI standard Mauser dimensions for the case.

I will keep you posted as the weather cooperates.

Sounds like a cool project! I like the old Browning (pre-A-bolt) rifles. Should be quite the shooter when you finish.

 

[Oldtrader3]

It is getting warmer hereabouts and I have started making loads for the .257 Bob. Had some minor facial surgery yesterday (artery biopsy) and that needs to heal before range day, but soon!

 

[EOD Diver]

Damn, have you guys seen the special edition .257 Roberts M70 Super Grade Featherweight in the Cabela's catalog? Talk about a beautiful rifle! I don't own any quarter bores, but if I did, I think that'd be the one. I was wondering what kind of velocity one could expect loading it to standard pressures with a 110 AB and 3100fps seems more than reasonable considering they're pushing a 115gr Partition at 3050fps with Hybrid 100V and that's only at 46,600 CUP. I wonder what you could do pushing it to 25-06 pressures of 51,000 CUP?
Joe