Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Why the fuss about pre-64 Model 70's in .257 Roberts?

I believe that if this model was ever made it would have sold very well, especially if the pre-64 series model 70 had been produced into the early 1970's. The .25/06 might never become a factory round.

Winchester was promoting their new .243 WIN in 1955 and it was seen as the "right" chambering for a FW rifle. The .243 WIN pushed the .257 RBTS aside in the dual purpose cartridge catagory in the eyes of Winchester marketing (and from the buying public then too).

Pre 64s are all about Rarety and Condition . I had a Mint 257 Super Grade but sold it many years ago . Same for a few 22 Hornets . I've had several 7 MMs , and two 9 MMs in my hands , but the prices were astronomical . The one I passed up which really makes me wonder what I was thinking about when I looked at it .... was a 25 Souper . Yes , they made ONE and it came with a Fctory Letter . Seems it was a one-off the Factory was using for some sort of possible Government Contract . For the young Collectors out there : buy the Rarest of anything and upgrade the Condition as you go along .

Bushmaster1313: Pay attention to "gregintenn" - as he is right on!
If you had ever shot a Winchester Model 70 in 257 Roberts you would have appreciated it, GREATLY!
The perfect Rifle in the perfect caliber!
AMEN!
I have three of them in my collection two standard weight Rifles and a Supergrade Rifle - I don't believe the factory offered a Featherweight in 257 Roberts - special orders not withstanding.
And YOU halfway answered your own question actually - the "supply is limited" THAT is indeed what is driving demand.
Having said that there are many other chamberings and models of the Riflemans Rifle that command higher prices than the 257 Roberts.
Comparable condition Rifles in 30/06 and in 257 Roberts - yes indeed the 257 Roberts offering would be NOTICEABLY higher in value than the most common calibered Model 70 (the 30/06).
As strongly priced as they are (257 Model 70's) if I saw one for sale today I would investigate and contemplate buying it as an investment.
So there ARE some folks who would buy Model 70's in 257 Roberts - I don't know if those "some folks" are driving a demand or not but based on 40+ years of observations 257 Model 70's usually sell very quickly when offered up.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy