Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 6.5x55 vs 257 Roberts

I'm looking to buy or have made a light kids/ladies rifle for antelope and deer. Does one of these cartridges have an edge over the other in any aspect? Is an Ackley shoulder worth the effort in either?

Never fired a 257 Bob, but I love my 6.5X 55. I haven't even worked out accuracy or a hunting load yet, but I can vouch for the M70 Featherweights. It's a sharp looking rifle in a handy package. Either caliber should make for a good starters rifle. I'm far from a starter, but I've been looking to get back to the Swede. It's not just a beginner's cartridge at all. It's something you can expand on, as you go. You can start off at Mauser pressures, and still get 'VERY DECENT' performance. As you grow with it, it'll grow with you if you have a modern rifle. You can load to high enough pressure that the "Swede" will be right there with 1000 yard benchrest cartridges. In fact, the Swede will surpass ever so slightlly the 260 Remington, or Panther, both 1000 yd. match cartridges of renown. In fact the swede is even easier to " hit with" then the 308 at longer ranges, the 308 is a superb sniper's cartridge) because the bullets are much more aerodynamically efficent)
The "Swede" recoils slightly less then a .308, another fine cartridge, that is a do it all with less type of cartridge. I'd say that the Swede is the equal of the 308 if you select good(premium) bullets on the larger game you may pursue. I wouldn't hesitate to take it out after Alaskan Moose, the largest moose on the planet, but most moose here are taken at 100 yds or less ( which is where I happen to live).
As to your situation, I'd think that 100 or 120 gr bullets at moderate velocities would help to build both skill and confidence, and then even if you pursue larger animals then deer, it doesn't necessitate buying a new rifle.
My 2 cents

Jian Wa

Dido what Jian said. I took my first deer with a Husky 6.5x55 Swede at the age of 12 with 120 grain Sierras. Great gun. Low enough recoil to allow the development of a new shooter without worrying about "flinches" but still a big enough bullet to get the job done. I also haven't shot the 257 Bob, but I would like to. Without shooting both it is hard to say that one is better than the other. All I can say is that the 6.5x55 is a fine cartridge that I think you would be happy with for a while.


SS

RickyD
Either will make a fine deer popper, I doubt you will see any real difference using good bullets. Here is a thought........6.5x257......257 Roberts necked up to 6.5......best of both worlds, or load a 120 Partition in either at 2700 fps and head to the woods.
Charlie

I use the .257 Roberts for whitetail, not reloading yet, so I found .117gr Georgia Arms BP, 117gr Hornady SST, and 117gr Rem SP do great for accuracy and performance in my #1B .257 Rob. .257 Rob recoil is less than a 7mm-08 comparing a Ruger #1B .257 Rob and 84m Kimber 7mm-08 (lighter rifle) - the snap is less noticeable in the .257 Rob.

The 117gr .257 Rob is ideal for whitetail. I vary on the 'first deer rifle' decision, .257 Rob Ruger #1B recoil is noticeable compared to a .243 Ruger #1B. Today I am leaning more to the .257 Rob, yesterday I was adding the .25-06 to the mix!

I usually take the .257 Rob Ruger #1B or .270 Browing BAR camo for whitetail.

I have not fired a 6.5x55 to compare.

Low pressure, low recoil and high sectional density. It has to be the 6.5 mm Swedish Mauser, I'm afraid. Here in the UK, the .257 Roberts, whilst being deer legal (min. energy requirement of 1700 ftlb), is not that well respected, as it offers only a marginal improvement on a .243. Moreover, factory loaded ammo and brass are available only from specialist suppliers, which could curtail field trips, if things go belly-up.

I shoot and reload 6.5x55 and .30-06 for both deer and boar, but when I open the gun cabinet, my hand is automatically drawn to the Swede. It is supremely accurate, hits like an express train and lends total confidence to my fieldwork, i.e. I don't need to think about the shot, it becomes a natural event. For a beginner, this will be the primary objective, I would think - self-belief. With some excellent factory loadings from Norma et al., and the ability to tune the rifle from 100 to 160 grains with homeloads, the 6.5 Swedish offers enough horsepower to tackle anything from 25Kg of small deer to over 500 Kg of European Elk.

Don't forget, it is all in the pedigree. This cartridge is nearly 110 years old and has been used throughout Europe and Africa. Indeed, the Norwegian explorer, Admunsen used it successfully on all Arctic game, including polar bear, whilst Karamojo Bell even took elephant! Somehow, I can't see the .257 Roberts in the same league...

I hope this helps.

Either one is an excellent choice for your intended purpose. In regards to pedigree the .257 is a necked down 7x57, one of my favorite cartridges. The advantage for the Swede is it's ability to handle heavier bullets should you be tempted to use it on heavier game. The .257 gets the nod if varmits are on the menu.

Jeff

I would take the superb 6.5 x 55 over the 257 Roberts under any and all conditions.

But if you are including Antelope, you may want to take a look at the 25-06 a fine low recoiling flat shooter.

Neither the 6.5x55, nor the 257 (6.35x57), are factory loaded to their full potential, except in the Hornady Light Magnums, so I wouldn't pick either of them unless you're going to load your own ammo. Both will do the job, but if you're not a handloader, I would suggest that you look at a 25 WSSM, particularly if light is important. The factory loaded 115 grain SBT are really accurate in my Win 70 Super Shadow and the rifle itself handles pretty well for a $429 off the rack special. The only reason that I would consider the 6.5x55 over the 257 Roberts would be if I felt that I needed to shoot bullets heavier than 120 grains and if I was going to shoot elk with that rifle on a regular basis. If you load for either of them, you can tailor your load to the intended target, since they are very close in case capacity and projectile diameter.

I have a couple of 6.5x55s and 257s that are surplus to my needs. Email me if you're interested and I'll give you the details.

Jeff

I have had at one time or another three different barrels in .257 Ackley, and it is a heck of a good round. Mule Deer has used the .257 Bob and great deal and loves it. He has also used the Ackley version and did find good velocity gains, but has basically decided the standard version is all you need. I have two 6.5 Swede's, and it has quickly become one of my favorites. In both barrels, one 26" and the other 22", these gave velocities within 25 fps of my 6.5x284, which also had a 26" bbl. Granted the 6.5-284 may have been a "slow" barrel, but the Swede is awesome. In my MRC 1999 it regularly shoots in the high 2's and low 3's. Having used both, I would go Swede all the way.

The 6.5x55mm takes up where the .257 leaves off, at 120-gr bullets. As said, factory loads are mild for both, especially the Swede.

For a small shooter, you also need a small rifle.
.257 comes in A-Bolt Micro, Rem Model 7, used Mausers, Cooper M-22.
6.5x55 comes in Tikka T3 Lite.

Here's a cheap solution to find out:

Buy a solid military 1896 Swede, have a gunsmith cut the barrel down to 21 inches, move the front sight back along with the bayonet lug, for a poor man's Mannlicher. The front sights come in various heights, but the standard one is set for 300 yard, so when you move it back up to the thicker portion of the barrel, it should be set on 100 yards with the rear in the lowest position. Price $200.00.

I did if for a friend, and it looks great, works better.

I shot my first deer with a sporterized M38. It was my first big game rifle when I was 17 years old. I had drilled and tapped for a scope and dropped it in a synthetic stock. Shot the 175 lbs buck from a stand at about 25 yards. The buck was walking straight away from me and as soon as he gave me the slightest angle and I shot him behind the last rib. The nicely mushroomed PMC factory 139 grain was recovered in the opposite shoulder for about 24" of deer penetration. I still have the M38 but bought a Winchester Featherweight in 6.5X55 about a month ago. I believe the 6.5X55 has the edge especially with heavier bullets.

You guys are doing a great job making me believe I need both! ha ha. I'm sure most of you will agree. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

It seems the 6.5x55 will be the first one I'll give a go with. Actually make that the third one, but the first hunting configed 6.5x55. I do have two Swedes and while that conversion Lee24 described sounds sweet, I'd hate to cut it up. I might change my mind if I saw one though.

I've got a 38 and a 96. Average nice ones that I enjoy shooting but seldom do. They stay under 2" at 100 yards easy. I need to be using them and someday I will.

Maybe I'll order a Tikka T3, I'm real happy with a T3 270 WSM now, or re-barrel a Model 70. A stainless/walnut Featherweight would be sweet, but then I'd have a hard time turning a pretty one over to a kid.....even my own. The T3 lite in blue/syn would be great for a kid, though. That would be the practical choice, I believe. Touch choice!

There's an interesting 6.5x55 here: http://www.auctionarms.com/Search/DisplayItem.cfm?ItemNum=6740528 . I think it would be a tad heavy to suit me but would hold nice. And when you flute those Shilen barrels they say the warranty is gone. Shilen doesn't like fluting, it seems. I couldn't get a response from the seller with a few questions, so that puts me off too. But it does seem like a lot of gun for the money.What do you guys think?

I will be handloading for it and I can generally satisfy myself in getting an accurate load but I'm not real picky past MOA or close. But that will give me more flexibility with applications. I'd think any Partition or Barnes in 6.5 would be hard to beat, if they shot well for deer or smaller. I understand the heavier bullets can drop anything with correct placement. Yeah, this is sounding like the one to start with.

If the 6.5x55 I come up with is a bit stiff still for the girls, I'll look at the Bob again but then maybe a different 243 would work better.......... It never ends does it?!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Nice rifle. I'd be more inclined to a Ruger 77 for the Bob or 6.5. For deer and antelope, I'd take the Bob with 100gr Hornady's. The Tikkas are nice though, with greater flexibility for larger game. The 129 gr Hornady's kick butt.

As a guy who shoots several 6.5 x 55s, and several 260 Rems and a 6.5 x 57.... I still don't think you'd be wrong with a 257 Roberts either.....I also shoot a lot of 243 and 6mm Remington.....All that is the only reason that I really don't own a 257 Roberts.....It is still a great cartidge.....Personally the older I get the more I like Older Cartridges!

Nice thing about this predictament is there is no DOWN side to this choice!

cheers
seafire

I compared the 6.5x55 and .257 Rob in the Ammo & Ballistics 2nd edition by Bob Forker reference. The notes for the .6.5x55 stated 'Performance wise, this cartridge is identical to the .257 Roberts'. This book details factory loads.

Interesting consideration. Reloading you have more options for both.

Maybe when comparing 120 grain bullets only.
But the swede is available in 130 and 140.

I am going to have to defend the 257 Roberts here. I have done the whole 6.5 thing with cartridges including 260 rem, 6.5x55, 6.5-06 and 264 win mag and concluded that most 6.5s are so close to a 270 that you just as well ought to shoot a 270. The 257 Roberts is an excellent youth round that can be loaded with a good variety of bullets from 75 to 120 grains. I have a standard and Ackely improved version and the Ackley is not worth the touble to me. If I need more speed than the Roberts can offer, I grab the 25-06. My kids shoot a 250-3000 and will graduate to the Roberts when they are ready. They could shoot it now but the stock is a bit long for them. Nothing wrong with the 6.5 bore, it just seems to be in no-mans-land as it is too close to the 270 win and can have a good bit of recoil when loaded to modern pressures in safe actions.

either cartridge, esp for the reloader, is a good choice.
The Swedish 6,5x55 has a few advantages.
Bullet choices and availability-cost of ammo, factory and for the reloader..up to 160 grain if one wants.Premium bullets from most manufacturers,
You may not find loaded ammo in the stores locally for the .257 Roberts.

Face it, the less expensive and more available ammo is, the more often one can shoot-practice... which is a great asset for the hunter with any cartridge-firearm..

Concerning rifles for youth or women, there are plenty of sporterized M94, M96 rifles out there already.Last two M94 rifles I got at pawn shops for 100.00 ..A bit of work and they are easy 2MOA shooters to their effective elk range of 200 yards with iron sights..and one can always D&T an already sporterized milsurp..

Deer with 139-140 grain bullets to 300 yards if one learns to use a bipod, sling, or other rest..

The 6,5x55 Swedish is an excellent cartridge whose modest recoil and middle of the road velocities belie it's effectiveness to kill well..jim

and a couple of pix of two of my mil Mausers with QD 4x vintage glass..The Warne rings and bases cost more than the rifle or scope..:)
These are sub MOA shooters to 300 yards with reloads..
I enjoy the heavy rifles..:)jim