Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 6.5X55 or 257 Roberts

You're talking about what is for all practical purposes the same cartridge, only one has a .257 bullet and the other has a .264 bullet, a whopping .007 difference.

Find the gun you like and let that drive your decision. In the unlikely event that you find a model chambered in both, buy the one the dealer has in stock. If he has both in stock, buy the one with the nicest wood.

I'd go for a Tikka T3 in 6.5x55. I don't think it's available in 257.

Remarkable, is it not?

The more miniscule the differences, the more heated the discussions.

Here are the metrics of it:

6.52x57mm
6.71x55mm

We have learned, that equal pressures are possible.

Conclusion:

The two are more of the same than they are different.

I'd also agree with many that the real difference between the two is moot. I'd spend all my time focusing on rifle selection based on what you can afford.

Personally, I see the Ruger Hawkeye Ultra light in .257 bob as being pretty hard to beat. YMMV.

CLB

It is interesting that this topic showed because I was thinking along these lines. After thumbing through the popular reloading manuals and seeing the same thing those here have stated,i.e.: the 257 Rob has been notoriously under loaded through out it's life time. It like, the 7 X 57 is 95% of its modern brethren.

Where can one find decent modern load data for this great round?

Ramshot's data for the .257 is "modern," though it's of course limited to Ramshot powders (not a bad thing at all, as Hunter and Magnum both work very well in the Bob).

Nosler's data for the 100 and 110-grain bullets is good, but for some reason they don't include what I have found to be the best powders for 115 and 120-grain bullets.

If you can find an Alliant data booklet from a few years ago (mine is from 2005) there is some really good +P data, shot from a pressure barrel. But their latest data is all straight from the Speer manual, shot from a factory rifle that apparently has a loooong throat. The powder charges are semi-modern but the velocities are on the slow side.

Also, I find it interesting that Nosler's data doesn't provide any loads for 110gr Accubonds at the 3000fps mark which, their branded ammunition is said to deliver. Hmmmm, any chrony results out there?

I could be wrong but seems to me that the other night I was looking at a new Nozler booklet and the speeds they had in it struck me as being pleasently realistic.

Dober

Out to 200 yds for deer, take your pick as there's no diff. What one will do the other will do.

As to chucks at long range with either round you'll need a shooter friendly wind and you'll be turning turrets with either so once again take your pick.

Dober

Dober - where is the wisdom of King Solomon when he's needed? He had a similar decision way back when...I like the "Bob" because I load for the .25/06 and the "Roy" while my Swede is in the CZ550FS flavor (love them Mannlichers and metrics). Regards, Homesteader.

The way I see it, load a 117 Nozler in the Rbts @ 2900 and a 140 Nozler in the Swede @ 2700 and good things will happen when the bullets are directed in the proper manner.

Bottom line, and all BG (ballistic gack) aside this stuff is only rocket science when we choose to make it such and or when people run with their own agendas instead of experience and intellect.

Bottom line, I'll keep taking my 06 Improved aka the .270 and kick butt take names and fill up arks...grin

Dober

Its been an interesting read albeit a lot of hair splitting going on. Good stuff for rifle loonies. All your angst can be solved with a nice .270WCF.

I think it's going to come up a tie...go for the rifle you like

the 30-06 improved is a good choice and the 130 rules!

Never cast my vote. Go for the Bob IMHO.

I learned a lot from this thread.

A little more en-lightened about the 257R.

PeRmit me Ce Kwestion. Englis ist not my mocertongue -

WCF - As is .270 What Ce Fu..?

Who needs a .277 when a .284 can be had?

Itz differcuault to finds a 7 x 57 these hear days witch iz fur shure what U iz axing abuot? WCF iz Winechastar Cintar Fare

Maybe a couple of you guys can verify this. I believe Ned Roberts and Townsend Whelen first tried to get the 25-06 to perform but realized it was greatly overbored with the powder available at the time and wouldn't perform. They dropped that cartridge (30-06) and backed down to the 7x57, necked it down to .25 and the rest is history. Is that about right?

dms: There is really nothing funky going on here ....different rifles chambered for the same cartridge can easily show "5% or so" variations in the velocities they deliver at safe pressures with the same load.

Mix in different barrels, throat lengths,hardness of bullet jackets and other factors too numerous to mention and you wind up with different results from what a manual may demonstrate,which is why to some extent manual data is a guide and not an absolute.....we know this by the number of reports we get on here about "such and such" a load giving only "X" velocity from one rifle and "Y" velocity from another.

This is about all we are talking about in the Roberts,and the velocities we are discussing.I have found over the years that the best way to answer questions about cartridges is to own and shoot rifles chambered for them.

Yep, They are neck in neck, in the final stretch.