Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats New build

I Currently own the following custom built rifles:

-30-06 Springfield (built off a 1909 Oberndorf)
-280 REM (Dakota 76)
-7x57 (Springfield action)
-243 win (Sako L57)
-6.5X55 Mauser (Pre 64 Mod 70)

I’m thinking about doing a new build in a 257 Roberts.

Two questions:

1) if this cartridge isn’t the one you would do, what would you prefer?

2) Which action would you choose??

Given what you have now I’d do a 25/06 in preference to the Roberts. If it doesn’t have to be a 25cal the good old 270 would be it. M70 Classic or pre ‘64 for the action.

220 Swift?

Take a close look at the .257 DGR. A well-conceived cartridge. After Duane Spooner died, the info on his wildcat was taken off his website. It's an intelligent design. Neck length corresponds perfectly with a 100-grain bullet, but with higher BC bullets now available in .257 caliber, you'd want faster then 10 twist. You can use LCNM .308 once-fired parent brass; it is harder then most and gives impressive velocity. If it were me, i'd try and score an early Kimber of America 84M or an old Sako medium-length action and built a lightweight sporter on a Brown Pounder. You'll have to modify the stock quite a bit, but its doable.

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/257-dgr-pics.3936/

Considering what you already have (and the fact you don't say what it is to be used for) I would maybe look at a 22-250 or 22 Creedmoor, maybe even a 223.
If however you want something in 25 cal, and want it to be different, I am reading and hearing a lot about the 25 Creedmoor.

If I was going to build a 25 caliber rifle I would not go with the x57 case. Either a 308 or 06 length case I think is easier to source and sized for either short or long actions. Myself, I would build a 25-06 on a model 70 action (pre 64) as the primary use I would have would be deer (mostly mule deer) hunting. I am not convinced that a 25 cal makes sense given bullet selection in the 6.5s though. Then again I am a long time 270 fan/user!

[quote=Tarquin][quote=Ram_Rod

VERY interesting!! Never heard of such. Definitely an oddball for sure!! Very enticing and delightfully intriguing

I'm in this camp. The current roster is a little crowded and don't see anything in 22 cal.

25-06 would be a great caliber!! i was thinking I would want one for predator hunting, given that all I have already are big enough for average to medium sized game. Also thought about possibly a 35 Whelen but there isn’t anything a 35 W would do that a 30-06 won’t do right?! Similar debate regarding a 41 Mag vs 44 Mag. A lot will tell you that a 41 isn’t that popular if a caliber….just an oddball so to speak.

Yep. A well-done 7 or 8 twist .223 shooting the heavier bullets at 2,700-2,800 will be a nice trainer that matches well with the typical spitzer hunting load in all those other chamberings.

Like many have said you need a fast twist 223. The 223 is like a good pocket knife you gotta have one. Plus already having a 243 and a 6.5 Swede why split the different? The Roberts is beaten on both ends by the 243 and 6.5.

That little cartridge sure is an eye opener. Same can be said for 22-250. The downfall is you may struggle getting your super high bc bullets in the bigger cartridges to perform as well as the 223 or 22-250, even at very long range. It makes you focus more, for sure..


Good post L.

I like the idea of a .257 Roberts on a C Ring 98 to compliment you collection of classics.

If you can find a clean Mexican Mauser action you'd be set.

257 Weatherby
Rem 700 action
26” barrel
Good quality synthetic stock

If your gonna build one, have you considered a 6.5-06? You can shoot 100 grainers through 160s. Very versatile cartridge. Brass is easily made. Also a 22-243 is cool. Those are pretty cool wildcats. Don't make sense to build a custom rifle in a clambering you can buy over the counter. But hey it's your rifle. Just an opinion.

I have never heard of those but I will definitely read up on them! I know a lot of people recommend the Pre 64. They are good actions but really there is nothing special about them. They were mass produced on an assembly line and they had all the features you would want. Bolt shroud, flag safety and claw extractor. I would LOVE to get my hands on a granite mountain arms or another Dakota (though they are a clone of the Pre 64).

A Ruger 77 or Mauser 98 I think would be a descent action. Of course you can’t beat a Sako. Remington 700 would be too plan in my opinion. But to go in a different direction, what would you guys think about a Ruger #1 ? And, a Zastava Mark X would be near impossible to find am I right…?

Just remember to build it in a cartridge that others would be interested in if you ever want to sell it Some calibers sound cool but it may not be to others. If you are going to buy a Remington action and then do work to it you are better off to buy a custom action. I have a bunch of customs but my favorite is the 25-06. Great speed. Very accurate. Ammo is easy to find an a fantastic hunting caliber

well im with coyote on this.if you reload build something you really like.i own a 22-243,270-300 win mag and a 6-06 along with 9 other customs.i will tell you this much.the new build im doing now is a 257 bee with a 1-7.5 twist barrel for shooting from 120 grainers up to 133 grainers.it will shoot well under half moa,with best loads 1/4 moa or better.hammer,blackjack,barnes and possibly bergers.friend built one.i doing the same.he shot a deer in pa on a powerline at give or take 400 yards.bang flop.just a opinion as others do.whatever you do enjoy the process.good hunting good life.

257 Roberts with lightweight contour 1:9" twist or perhaps slightly faster. G33/40 if you can find one.