|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,473
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,473 |
I have had five rifles chambered for the Roberts but down to two now, both Hawkeyes, though one is matte blued and the other is gloss blued. Both have the same Leupold 2.5-8x36 scopes and look like peas in a pod. The only difference is the gloss blued rifle was bought second hand and had been long throated by the previous owner. When the same load is fired in both rifles with the bullets sat 30 thou off the lands, the velocity of the long throated rifle (LTR) is about 150 fps less than the standard throated rifle (STR) (100gn Hornady and 47gn H4350). It takes 49gn H4350 to reach the same velocity in the LTR as the STR indicating pressures should be about the same. However, it just seems a bit weird to be loading 49gn H4350 in the Bob, with 100gn bullets, so I tend to load 48gn meaning I settled for lower velocity in the LTR (STR 47gn H4350/100gn/3150 fps, LTR 48gn H4350/100gn/3090 fps). I guess this seems to go against the whole premise of long throating a rifle, i.e. to get more velocity. The throat has only been lengthened about 3 or 4 millimetres but it has had quite an impact on the velocity.
Both rifles have been bedded, floated and had the triggers worked and will shoot three shots into about 1/2 an inch or a wee bit more at 100m attesting to the quality of Ruger barrels. The other Roberts rifles I've owned were a rebarrelled Featherweight which I had rechambered to .25-06, a Ruger M77 in 95% condition which I had rebarrelled to 7x64 and a Ruger Ultralight that I had rebarrelled to .257 AI.
I guess the .257 Roberts is fading away but if you have a rifle and a set of dies you are good to go. There must still be a few fans here in Australia as when the shops get a supply of brass in every couple of years it disappears in a week or two. I have a 100 cases for each rifle (2 x Roberts and 1 x 257 AI) and have five bags of Winchester brass sitting on my shelf. With cartridges that are not that popular I tend to buy cases when I see them, not when I need them, so always have some on hand.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,088
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,088 |
These days, seems the Roberts is a reloader’s round.
Not so much with new rounds, like the Creed. Very consistent ammo quality and reasonably priced. And the rifles are chambered with consistency, twisted right for the new bullets.
But it’s hard to not like the Roberts. I like mine.
DF
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,473
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,473 |
One thing that really annoys me is that some of the ammo companies are still loading factory loads with a 117gn round noise at about 2650 fps. I think Remington and Winchester still do this last time I checked. Why not load a nice 100gn spitzer at 3000 fps? I guess the old sedate loads still sell as people buy them for the brass so no need for the companies to energise themselves a little bit and bring out a new load.
Last edited by Elvis; 02/14/20.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,825
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,825 |
Filaman,
I got considerably more velocity out of the .257 AI when I was using one 20 years ago, but I was more of hot-rodder then.
But have also gotten 2950-3000 fps out of 115-120 grain bullets in the standard .257 with modern powders by adding only a grain or so to +P data.
However, eventually sold my .257 AI because even with 115s at 3100 and 100s at 3300, I never could tell any difference in trajectory or "killing power." MD: I believe it was an article written by you many moons ago that convinced me to try the 257AI. IIRC you built an AI because the standard Roberts wouldn't get you up to 3000 fps with 120gr bullets. Is my memory correct? In any case, i love my "Better Bob" and am still using it today.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,473
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,473 |
In my .257 AI with 23 inch barrel I get just about 3000 fps with the 115gn Ballistic Tip. I load Nosler's load of 50.5gn H4831. This is about 120 fps more than I get in a standard 22 inch barrelled Roberts with the same bullet. I just took it out west a couple of weeks ago and scored nine kills with nine shots and it killed the pigs just as good as the standard Roberts.
The reason I ended up with the AI version was I bought a .257 Roberts Ruger Ultralight in 'perfect' condition online. It was indeed in perfect condition ……...…. on the outside but the barrel was pitted in patches along the entire length. The previous owner had apparently never heard of gun oil despite living in the humid weather of north Australia. So I was going to get my gunsmith to rebarrel it with a standard Bob barrel but remembered he had an AI reamer so I went that way just to try something different (I already had two other Bobs in the safe) and I guess all rifle looneys should try at least one improved cartridge once in their lives.
So whether or not the AI version will be better than the standard Roberts remains to be seen...……...BUT, I must admit I had immense fun in fireforming 50 cases for it. I remember 20 years ago watching a mate fireforming 22-250 AI cases and the memory must have stuck in the back part of my brain. Loading a standard Roberts cartridge and then ejecting a nice shiny fireformed AI case was one of the best handloading experiences I can remember doing. It seems as I get older simple things can still amuse me. I remember feeling a bit disappointed as I fireformed the last case.
Last edited by Elvis; 02/14/20.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,164
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,164 |
One thing that really annoys me is that some of the ammo companies are still loading factory loads with a 117gn round noise at about 2650 fps. I think Remington and Winchester still do this last time I checked. Why not load a nice 100gn spitzer at 3000 fps? I guess the old sedate loads still sell as people buy them for the brass so no need for the companies to energise themselves a little bit and bring out a new load. Winchester used to have a 100g factory load. I used it some and found it very accurate in the Win. FWT I had at the time. Like most things .257 R. it probably didn't sell well enough to keep it going.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 102
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 102 |
Mule Deer speaks the truth but having said that, my four 257’s do not require life support things shot them don’t either their dead!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 102
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 102 |
My collection of 257 Roberts rifles includes a pre-64 standard grade, a Ruger 1 much like one you had some years back, a 257 Ackley built on a pre-war action and,and a custom Roberts built on another pre-64. It’s a very cold day in hell when any of above shoots a group with any component combination greater than 1” for three shots at 100 yards! My pet of pets is the custom rifle, with it’s 23” Krieger barrel it’s up to any game here in Arizona.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,854
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,854 |
Sent from my Dingleberry Handheld Wireless
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,086
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,086 |
southtexas,
Actually, Melvin Forbes talked me into the .257 AI. I was having him put together a NULA in .257, and he said the .257 AI was a lot better. So I tried it and eventually decided the only place I could see any difference was on the chronograph, not in the field.
But the AI does kills stuff. Why not, since it's right between the standard .257 and .25-06 in case capacity and hence potential muzzle velocity.
On a more "holistic" level I eventually also decided that the standard .257 worked very well as my light-recoiling .25, and the .257 Weatherby as ultimate zapper .25.
Of course, now there's a whole new array of fast-twist 6mms and 6.5s on either side of the .25s--and of course I've been dabbling in those as well.
So much rifle gack, so little time....
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,407
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,407 |
My Mauser 257
Last edited by Bugger; 02/15/20.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,265
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,265 |
Bartlein # 0 contour it is a modified Fwt. The 21.5" bbl mics 0.600 on the nose @ the muzzle. I really like the contour a lot Thanks for the intel C-Roy.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,517
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,517 |
Some pretty wood on this thread.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,324
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,324 |
Bartlein # 0 contour it is a modified Fwt. The 21.5" bbl mics 0.600 on the nose @ the muzzle. I really like the contour a lot Thanks for the intel C-Roy. A mega bonus for me is that you can get that contour in stainless!
PASS IT ON!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,147
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,147 |
I was sorely tempted to buy a mannlicher stocked 257 Roberts earlier today.
It has a quilted maple stock with a skeleton grip-cap and butt-plate that probably cost whoever bought it the asking price for the whole package.
The downside is that it was built on a Chilean 1895 small ring action. The action was made by Ludwig Lowe and has had a cock-on-opening kit installed, but it is still over 100 yeas old.
It came to the shoulder and balanced really well, tempting, very tempting.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 54
Campfire Greenhorn
|
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 54 |
My 257 Roberts is a 1952 model 70 shoots greats looks good, loves Hornady 117gr interlocks !!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,916
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,916 |
My .257 Roberts Ruger MII shoots well with quite a few different bullet/ powder combinations. I settled on 110 Nosler AB with 42.5 grains of H4350. Leaving some velocity on the table at 2800FPS, deer have yet to notice the lack of speed. The last buck was a pain to track. Had to go at least 20 yards before I found him. The Nosler AB do like to be seated a wee bit deeper tho.
"Its easier to fool people......Than convince them that they have been fooled." Mark Twain
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,041
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,041 |
My Mauser 257 WOW!
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,515
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,515 |
My Mauser 257 That doesn't suck. Tell us a little more about it, please. REx
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,097
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,097 |
Speculation on my part but one possible reason for lack of chatter on loads for the .257 is that few folks have issues related to achieving the desired results. I have toyed with two .257 Roberts, a .250-3000, a .25-20 Win and Single Shot. Most boring caliber I've ever worked on.
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
|
|
|
|
226 members (160user, 12344mag, 10Glocks, 2500HD, 1eyedmule, 2UP, 16 invisible),
1,689
guests, and
1,003
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,191,388
Posts18,469,804
Members73,931
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|