Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 6.5X55 or 257 Roberts

For about 5 years in the 1980's my go-to deer rifle was a M1952 Mannlicher-Schoenauer .257 Roberts. With it I killed a handfull of Pennsylvania bucks and a small pickup truck load of Mulies and Pronghorns in Wyoming. 100gr. Norma (which you could still find back then) @ 3000fps. A very pleasant rifle to work with, and that load killed with alacrity (but all shots were under 200yds. as I recall).

I then snatched up one of the first M70 FWT's in 6.5x55 and proceeded to kill another pile of deer-sized game, using 129gr. Hornady's and Nosler140gr. Partitions. Again, a very pleasant, accurate rifle to work with that also killed like the Hammer of Thor. (Sorry, had to slip that in!)

My point is that through strictly empirical observation/usage I can't honestly tell a mouse's breath difference in practical performance. Close your eyes and pick one, if you can't have both. Or get a 6.5x57 and split the difference!

The "hammer of Thor" is entirely appropriate when discussing a cartridge designed and used by Norskys and Swedes.

Only when used indiscriminately is HOT not so hot.

Tikka T3 in 6.5x55

Good god! I start with a simple question then go in the hospital for 3 days and all heII breaks loose! I'll just flip a coin. Heads the roberts and tails the swede! Here we go.................

There's nothing simple about asking about what caliber is better...

For what it's worth, I hunt with the 6.5x55 and love it. But I'd love to own a 257 Roberts and doubt you'll be able to tell a lick of difference between them 99.9% of the time.

The best of advice is to find the rifle you want and take home which ever of the two calibers it comes in.

Your question sure has provided some fun here. It's something like going onto a truck forum and asking which is better, Chev 1500 or Ford 150?
Most of us hunt someplace near home. I hunted for over 40 years in the way up north of NY so I know a little about the game up there. I also have a 250 Robt. Ackley Imp. and have a PacNor barreled 6.5x55 on the way. Either one will take anything in northern NY from field mouse to Adirondack black bear.

Your decision making process process of a coin flip may serve you well.

Take a look around the stores where you purchase your sporting goods for ammo. Have they got what you will need?

I have an opinion which may be less valuable then the coin you flip.

6.5x55 - if you use factory ammo it offers closer to the stuff I like for NY State.
If you handload you MAY get a LITTLE more out of the 6.5.
The 6.5 will also allow heavier bullets.

Whichever you choose, you will not be disappointed.

Thanks for the great question and
Best to you.

Jim

I asked myself the same question, which caliber. I had to get them both. I am now the owner of a T3 6.5 and a Hawkeye 257 roberts which my daughter will be shooting this year. The tough question is which load.

Greetings Gentlemen,

I just became a member of 24hourCF this evening because of this thread. Excellent, courteous back and fourth discussion, backed up with reasonable numbers and practical hunting experience. Thank you.

I already have a 222R and a 270 WCF and was looking for a caliber between the two for coyotes and larger deer at ranges from about 75 to 300yds or so. So after some thought and research I decided on the 257 Roberts and purchased two Ruger M77 rifles in that caliber. Then I started having second thoughts about effectiveness on a big muley right at the 300yd mark (with proper shot placement of course) when I really looked hard at the "Load Book" velocities plugged into a ballistics calculator. Just that last 50-70 yards made me think I should limit my shots to 250-260 vice 300 or so. Made me think I should have gone with a 6.5x55 or 260 shooting faster 120 grainers.

I now have a lot more confidence with my choice. I think the Nosler 110gr AB at 3000fps or a 115PT at 2900fps or a host of other fine bullets would do the job very effectively.

I found a larger degree of meat destruction with the 270WCF at closer ranges, and that is why I was looking for a between caliber. I just wanted a 257 Roberts.

Thanks again and I'll be seeing you around the campfire.

Regards

Chevy....always

joehemi,

Welcome to the fire. I don't own a 257 Bob, but I wouldn't be uneasy about how it would perform out to 500 yards. Considering that's further than I've ever shot at game, I wouldn't feel handicapped at all...

joehemi

welcome to the fire. Your reasons for the 257 bob are valid. They could be used as well if 6.5 was your choice.

Randy