Originally Posted by SuperCub
Originally Posted by Dixie_Rebel
In my opinion, the 257 Roberts is an excellent, VERY under rated cartridge! It is better than the 243 Win. as a combination varmint/deer cartridge.

How is the 257Roberts better than the 243?

Before you flame me ... FYI that I've owned a 257 for +15yrs and it continues to be my fave deer rifle even after a steady stream of other guns have come and gone.

The 243 has a few advantages that the 257 will not offer ...

- Fits better in a short action. I use a LA for my 257 to get a 3" OAL case length.
- Far better selection of rifles and action types in 243..
- Tons of ammo and loading kit and components to choose from.
- Better selection of bullets.
- Must be more that I can make up later. smile


I have owned and like both. My feeling is that for my use, primarily deer hunting, the 257 Roberts is better than the 243. If I were to use either as a combination varmint/deer cartridge and I did more varmint shooting than I did deer, I would feel just the opposite and say the 243 is slightly better. Yes, the 243 does fit better in a short action, absolutely. Yes, the 243 has more factory rifle choices. Yes, the 243 has more ammo choices. However, I don't mind a long action and as I said, I lean more toward deer hunting. Thus, I do feel the 257 Roberts gets the advantage here. It will also do in a pinch on larger game, though my experience personally is limited to deer. There is also just something to be said about owning a 257 Roberts.

If you were to build a custom rifle from scratch, with all of your preferred options, I'd always lean toward the 257 Roberts....Everyone owns a 243, but not everyone owns a good 257 Roberts.

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