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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745 |
.243 is so easy and fun to shoot. But if it were me, I'd get the Roberts to be different.
The recoil is not noticibly different from the .243 and since you're going to reload, it won't matter much anyway for bullets.
Camp is where you make it.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,001 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
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I will say 308 since people are suggesting 7-08 and thats NOT what you asked about.
If its your gun only and you plan on reloading... go 257.
If you plan on handing it down to your kid that may not be a rifle looney or interested in reloading... then 243.
The 7-08 suggestion isnt bad because it lets you handle larger game.
I own a 708 and 308 and cant tell the recoil difference so I lean towards 308 because I am not a reloader (yet).
The ammunition shortage made finding 7-08 ammo a challenge and my father in law had a hard time finding ammo for his 257 roberts.
Other than that, How was the show Mrs. Lincoln?
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,891 Likes: 12
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,891 Likes: 12 |
243
Better fit to short action.
Wider variety of bullets available, particularly low drag designs.
Better brass available.
The better types of dies are available in the lowest price tier for their type.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,219 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,219 Likes: 9 |
Lot of good suggestions.
You just gotta get into reloading if not already there. Too much difference with what can be accomplished. And, it's enjoyable.
The .243 is a good one for the non-reloader, as is the .308.
I'm partial to the .257R over the .243. I don't see .243 loads pushing 100 gr. bullets at 3,250+ FPS...
For the .257R to really shine, I'm thinking a 3" box mag. That's an expensive proposition, converting a SA, or one can go LA. I know there's wasted space in the longer box, but I'd rather have the room than not.
IMO,
DF
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,014
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,014 |
When in doubt, go big. Of your choices my preference would be the Bob. I have an 84M in 308 and it is a dandy rifle and has been used up to zebra. The 7-08 would be a fine choice also. Don't have any experience with the 260 and the my experience with the 243 was long ago and bad because of the bullets available at the time.
I am continually astounded at how quickly people make up their minds on little evidence or none at all. Jack O'Connor
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,310
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,310 |
We have both in our house as well. They both work for deer fine, but the .257R is a favorite that gets passed around.
As previously pointed out, it does better out of a standard length action where COAL can be a bit longer.
Not my first choice but it'll work on an elk if need be.
“You never need fear a man, no matter what his size. When danger threatens, call on me, and I will equalize.” Samuel Colt.
�Common sense is genius dressed up in work clothes.� - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I love the .243 but I would be tempted to get the Roberts in that gun.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,694
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,694 |
I would opt for the 243 if you are sticking to deer with this gun. The .243 has a great selection of bullets available to the reloader and a plethora of factory ammo available until you get your reloading bench and supplies set up and become proficient. That being said the .257 115 gr Nosler Partition is good enough to build a gun around!
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,471 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,471 Likes: 2 |
Mine is a .257 Roberts.
I don't see a real strong practical reason to choose one over the other and what reasons there are seem to mostly offset.
Unless you want Nosler, .257 factory ammo and reloading brass is pretty scarce. Mine likes 120 grain partitions and 110 grain accubonds ... haven't seen either in months. So far it shows no love for 100 or 115 grain partitions.
With those bullets it is, IMHO, fractionally more effective than the .243, however, I don't work in fractions, if I need more than a .243 will do I'm not stopping at .257 caliber, I'm going for a .270 with 150s, a 7mm with 160s, a .30 with 165s or 180s .. etc.
I've seen a little bit of WW .243 brass lately but 6 months ago it was nearly as hard to come by as .257 brass.
It is possible the .257 will have a little more barrel life. Doesn't matter. Barrel life in a rifle bought to hunt game, not shoot varmints or paper, is measured in lifetimes. A non-factor.
You might consider .260 or 7mm-08 if you can find one. Both have been discontinued in the Montana. You might find one on a shelf somewhere, otherwise it's a "build" proposition. If you are going to build, you might also want to think about a .22-250 std or AI with a fast twist. Its a notion that's been percolating in the back o' my cobweb collection for a while.
Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,485 Likes: 18
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,485 Likes: 18 |
The thread title says hunting in Montana. Who can hunt in MT without eventually trying for an elk? The 7mm-08 is a good all purpose caliber that will do an elk nicely.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,471 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
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^^^ ... and is also no longer offered in the Kimber Montana which the OP said he was going to buy. Just in case you forgot.
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,485 Likes: 18
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,485 Likes: 18 |
Ah, the Kimber Montana. I though he was talking about hunting in MT. Sorry about that.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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No worries. You had the answer right. Kimber is who done forked it up. What the heck are they thinking? That's the LAST cartridge they should have discontinued.
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I would also go 7mm-08, otherwise the .257 Roberts was one of the most disappointing calibers I have ever owned.. The .257R at modern pressures in an action with room to stretch the COAL can be impressive. DF Wow! That is the exact same load I use in my Ruger 1976 "Year of American Liberty"! Like yours, that load shoots fantastic in my rifle!
Liberalism is a cancer Support Christian Family values
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,611
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,611 |
To me the 257 comes into the equation as a better cartridge because of the availability of 115-120gr bullets. The .25 caliber hole is bigger, even though just slightly and the recoil is a wash. A good modern 257 w/24in barrel and 120gr Partition is right on the heels of a good 270W. powdr
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,219 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,219 Likes: 9 |
I would also go 7mm-08, otherwise the .257 Roberts was one of the most disappointing calibers I have ever owned.. The .257R at modern pressures in an action with room to stretch the COAL can be impressive. DF Wow! That is the exact same load I use in my Ruger 1976 "Year of American Liberty"! Like yours, that load shoots fantastic in my rifle! I could say "great minds", etc. But, that load was given to me by gunner500. It worked out exactly like he said it would, even the velocity. That boy is lot smarter than he looks, for sure... DF
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,971 Likes: 25
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,971 Likes: 25 |
A good modern 257 w/24in barrel and 120gr Partition is right on the heels of a good 270W. powdr Powdr, that is a valid point but also goes to show that you might as well just get a 270 and be done with it...grin Dirtfarmer, not too shabby! I would prefer your TTSX Roberts combo for jump shooting deer. For sub 450 yard 'calm' shooting I think the 243 is still a decent choice. Perfect truck gun. Re-bedded my 243 Montana on Sunday, re-zero'd it early this morning before the wind came up. Last 3 shots(420 yards, dirt/bipod/rear bag), not bad for a little POS lightweight factory rifle...grin 2.5-8x36 VX3 w/B&C that is left on 8x 99% of the time.
Last edited by SamOlson; 10/01/15.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 39,317 Likes: 40
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 39,317 Likes: 40 |
You missed the tape measure.
Me
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
Its a kimber...what do you expect?
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I've killed elk with my 243, anything bigger than that you'll want more than a 243 or 257.
243 is way more common, components are easier to come by, and I've found often bullets are cheaper with more deals. mainly shooters proshop since mine loves the 95 NBT. heck I picked up 1k of the 70gr 6mm varmigeddon bullets 2 weeks ago for $106 AND got a free hat. try buying 1000 257 bullets that cheap (that aren't cast)
Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
Calm seas don't make sailors.
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