Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 257 Roberts or 243 Winchester in the Montana

Hi I just cashed in a little stock I had in Exon Mobile and am going to buy me a good deer rifle. I am going to get reloading equipment too and a scope too. I don't know if the 257 Roberts or the 243 winchester is best in the kimber montana rifle because it is a short action is the 243 best in this rifle? There are a lot of factory ammunitions also available for the 243 winchester but someone said that they burn up barrels faster. I think the 257 shoots a bigger bullet so if I want to use it for something bigger in the future I wonder if the 257 is better?

Don't exclude the .260.

DF

Orville, the 243 might be a better option for the Kimber 84M action.

I have both and haven't run into any problems loading for either but the 243 will give you more room to work with.

And unless you plan on shooting a lot I don't see barrel life being an issue. And of course if you do get wild and burn it out it could always be re-barreled.


As far as game goes I think you'd have to step up to say a 270 in order to see much difference.

Both are fine deer calibers. I've been shooting the same Savage .243 since the early 60's without ANY barrel issues. Don't be concerned about burning one up. You are correct about more factory ammo options and bullet options for the .243. With the newer Barnes TTSX and other X bullets you can reload even 80 and 85 gr. loads and be good for deer. The .257 isn't going to do anything for you that the .243 can't IMHO, so pick a rifle that fits you well and take your pick of calibers. If you think you might want something bigger, look at the .260 Rem or 7mm-08. Both cartridges, like the .243, are necked down .308 cases.

I would go for the 7 08, but would pick the 257 over the 243 as a deer bullet.

I would also go 7mm-08, otherwise the .257 Roberts was one of the most disappointing calibers I have ever owned..

The .257R at modern pressures in an action with room to stretch the COAL can be impressive.

DF

The 243 has all the modern advantages but I would get a Roberts.

Because I have killed lots of animals with it.

Looks like the old gal will still shoot......

Go with the 257 Roberts. Loaded to modern pressures it is a great cartridge.

GreggH

I shoot both and, as far as I can see, there is no meaningful difference in field performance if all factors are equal. All in all, everything about the 243 is easier, but the 257 Roberts has a mystique about it. When I was younger, "mystique" interested me more than it does late into my sixth decade.

You oughta look up the .260 Remington instead.

If they make the same rifle in a 7mm-08, grab it. It's the same case as the 243 but necked up to 7mm (or a 308 necked down).

The 260 would be fine except I don't think Kimber offers that one anymore.

A 243 and a decent bullet will most certainly kill a deer.

I just checked my 257 Roberts and ran the loads over a chronograph. I am using 100 grain Ballistic Tips and IMR 4350 powder. The rifle is a pre-64 model 70 with a 24 inch barrel and the velocities were within 15 fps of each other at 3275fps, no sign of pressure.

My money would be on the 257...

Kinda dark out to be shooting over a chronograph, you must have an Uber 9000 Chrony.

Don't think she ever quit...

DF

7-08 first, bob second unless you just want a .243.

7-08 all the way :-D

The 257 has panache that the others don't. 😀