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

The 6.5 has 257 recoil with 270 ballistics.

Why settle for less in shooting a 257?

The first centerfire rifle I ever bought was a 257 Roberts. The last was a 6.5X55.
Both my Roberts rifles are Rugers, the first a "Bicentennial" M77, the second an Ultralight. Neither are tackdrivers with deer weight bullets, but the older one has taken at least 30 whitetail with a single shot each. The newer one hasn't been taken hunting yet.
Last summer, I bought a Tikka T3 Hunter in 6.5X55 and used it on my deer last fall. It worked just fine. The rifle shoots a variety of bullet weights very well.
I suspect the differences in accuracy lies more with the difference in rifle brands (especially the quality of the triggers) than with any differences in potential accuracy of the two cartridges.
If the rifle is not going to be used much for anything other than deer, I'd pick the 6.5X55. If it is going to be used for a walking varminter as well, I'd pick the Roberts. The velocities of varmint weight or deer weight bullets is similar, but the 6.5 uses heavier bullets for each job, so it recoils a bit more. In a lightweight rifle, neither is going to be mistaken for a centerfire .22.
As for effectiveness arguing between them is like the 270/280 arguement. There's only .007" difference in bullet diameter. The 6.5 has a faster twist rifling, however, so it uses longer (heavier for caliber) bullets than the 257.
My heart likes the Roberts, my brain tells me the 6.5 is the better round.

I've never owned a Roberts but I understand what you mean.

I've owned a few Ruger's too and have generally have had better accuracy luck with other manufacturers. That didn't mean I didn't like the Ruger's because I did. I like the classic styling of the Ruger better than the utilitarian look of the T3. But since the T3 does everything so well, it gains charm to a user of one.

How long did you have to wait for your T3 in 6.5x55? I've seen some wood stocked ones around but would prefer the weight savings of the lite models. I know they'll kick more but I figure I'll carry it a lot more than I'll shoot it while hunting and can reduce recoil at the bench a number of ways.

My Tikka showed up in about a month to six weeks. Last year, the 6.5 was only available in the wood-stocked "Hunter" model.

The 6.5 Swede is a perfect cross of the 257 and the 270. I've got both, and thus can't really justify buying the Swede. Your original question was about a cartridge for your wife and kids to hunt deer and pronhorn. The 257 will absolutely shine at this, with plenty of power, great bullet selection, and the ability to load down for lighter practice/varmint loads. The Ruger 77 is a classy looking gun for the money, and generally shoots great with a little fiddling.
222Rem

I have used both a LOT and have to vote for....both.

You can argue about the 6.5x55 being able to use heavier bullets, but in the real world (where we actually shoot deer, who cannot read ballistics tables or magazine articles) I have never been able to tell the difference.

This even includes elk. Both cartridges are used on meat elk here in Montana, and with anything like proper bullet placement the elk fall down very quickly.

Even in factory loads I can't see a big advantage for one over the other. The Federal Premium .257 load with the 120 Partition usually meets or exceeds its published muzzle velocity of 2780 fps, which is plenty for any deer hunting except that practiced by the super long-range boys. I have also seen the wimpy little 140-grain Winchester 6.5x55 factory load (muzzle velocity 2400 or so) plant a cow elk on her nose at 200+ yards.

The .257 100-grain factory loads do shoot flatter than anything else available from the factories, and are plenty for most deer/antelope hunting, with a little less recoil than anything else as well. A 100-grain bullet at 3000 has always been plenty for that sort of thing, especially for hunters who are not looking to shoot big pronghorn at 400 yards, or giant mule deer across canyons. If you want to do those things, though, in my experience either cartridge with a good 120-grain bullet will do the trick.

I tried the .257 Ackley for a while. Could see the difference on the chronograph, but the deer and antelope could not see it in the field. All it meant was extra time and components spent fire-forming, so went back to the factory version.

So how to choose? WHY CHOOSE? Eventually you must own both.

MD

Just get a 257R and neck it down to 6mm and shoot 100 gr. bullets. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Might also be good for varmints.

Yes, the sooner a guy realizes this the sooner his anguish is laid to rest. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

This thread reminds me of the .243/6mm debate.

Also like the debate between blonds and brunettes. If you shut your eyes you really can't tell the difference. Try them both, then pick one that fits you the best (for most, not too heavy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />). Was I just talking about guns or women?

For the record, I have both a 6.5 x 55 and a 257 Bob, as well as a .260 Rem (guess I had to try a redhead too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />), and my wife's a brunette!

Happy Hunting!

Chris

I have great respect for the 6.5 Swede, and will probably own one someday, but right now I still don't have a 7x57 which seems like a larger empty spot in my life. A tiny little ultralight with pretty wood in 250-3000 is also somewhere in my future.
222

dang you charlie, and all you wildcatters,

there you go neckin' up a perficcly good .257 to that furrin 6.5.... next thing you know some body or other's gonna 1 up you with a 7mm!!! caint leave well enough alone, can ya!!!

and all so the custom guys anfd the die makers kin turn a buck..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have four Swedes, a 94, 2 38's, and a Rem Classic. I have one 257, a Rem ADL.

If I had to have only one rifle to fill the niche I would get a Rem Model 7 in 260!! If I wanted something bigger, I would get a 260 in Rem 700 with a 22"/24" barrel.

If you want to pay for dies and brass and a barrel, and have something no one else has, get a 6.5x57. Might get 100 fps more than a 260, esp if you Ackley it. Mighty expensive 100 fps.

just my 2 cents,

Sycamore

what .260 remguy said..... john w

260 Remguy - you recommended a 25wssm - not a 260? Whatzup with that? I am also curious as to what "surplus" rifles in 257 and 6.5x55 you are willing to part with (you are such a tease <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

My 22� Ruger M77 in .257 Roberts pushes 120g Partitions and Grand Slams to 2900fps, 115g TSX�s to 3,000fps and 75g V-MAX to 3600fps. Federal factory 120g Partition loads chrono out at 2807fps for a 5-shot average. If I need more I�ll grab the .22-250 or 7mm Rem Mag.

.257 Roberts +P, 6.5x55, .260 Rem, all peas in a pod.

Not a 257 roberts but I have a custom made 250 ackley Imp.

With100-120 grains in a premium bullet. Its meat in the freezer.