Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Best factory .257 Roberts?

All the posts I see on the campfire about the .257 Roberts have made me think about getting one. I mostly hunt mule deer and elk and occasionally antelope. I hope to do more antelope hunting in the future. A .257 Roberts would give me a lighter recoiling rifle for deer size game (I mostly use 7mm's and .30's) and I could use it for coyotes as well.

What are the best options in factory rifles that don't cost an arm and a leg? I would like to keep the cost under a thousand. It looks like the Winchester M70 and Ruger Hawkeye are the most economical current offerings. From what I have read it sounds like the M70's are more likely to be accurate than the Rugers. Is this true? I currently use mostly Remington 700 rifles (except for my .338 and .375) as they have tended to shoot well for me. I guess I could look for a used Remington 700 as another option.

I would like to hear opinions from those with some experience with these rifles.

Thanks,
bowmanh

I wouldnt mind having a Remington M722 in 257R, should be able
to find one for less than a grand.

I have had a 700 classic in the past and currently a ruger 77. Both are very nice rifles but my 77 has had the stock reworked to a much slimmer profile I really have come to appreciate. Actually one of the nicest factory Roberts around is the 700 in mountain rifle dress. That would probably be what I would look for a and probably be less than $1000

Last summer a local hardware store got in an order of Ruger Hawkeyes in various calibers and I purchased a Roberts. It was one of those situations that I really didn't need it but wanted it. There were three 77 "tangers" in that cartridge back home in the safe.

Worked up loads and it shot very well, but it wasn't clunky enough for me and I missed the tang safety. Someday I will get a wild hair and sell it.

Maybe a good used 77 tang safety would be an option for you.

Wayne

My M70 FWT is dang accurate. That would be my choice from what is available.

My left hand Savage from their custom shop is very accurate. And it will meet your price list easily.

Why does money always have to be an obstacle?

Had a 700 Classic and loved it. But it had a 24" barrel and was built on a long action.

If cheap were a requirement, I'd find a Ruger bolt new or old and be done with it.

Remington made a stainless mountain rifle in 257 on a short action, but not sure how hard to find they would be.

Of course, Rem also made a std blue/wood mountain rifle that would be a gem if you could score one.

I actually would prefer a 24" barrel. Does the long action have any disadvantages other than slightly increased length and weight?

I believe it to be unnecessary. Others think it's a requirement for the Roberts round. I've shot tons of 257 and 257AI rounds loaded to 2.825", and never felt undergunned. But I don't shoot any bullets over 100 grains.

I can't find any love for 24" barrels for standard calibers.

I bought a 257 Classic when they came out. Kept it for a while and then sold it without ever firing it To me, it was just too long and heavy for a 257.

There are some Cabelas Anniversary models on sale and going down in price. These are super grades with nice metal and wood. There are many Win FWT from their Special edition of 2012 that are still available. I have one of the Ruger models and one of the 2012 models and consider myself well satisfied.

Exactly.

The Rem are somewhat heavy and long. Wins not so much.

+1 on the M-70 Featherweight.
I love mine.

On the Ruger website it says the Hawkeye's in .257 weigh 8 lbs. That's a pound or so heavier than my Rem 700's w/ 24" barrels. Do they really weigh that much?

A bit over your price but too close not to mention... Kimber 84 Select... Uh baby... Then Win FW, then Ruger Hawkeye.

Just can't like the 700 for Intermediate cartridges... .

I have one in a 77.

The rifle shoots great and is fine to me.

I just need a McMillan for it.]


I might go chubbowitz over a SA 257 BYOB, but its at its best with 100 grs of bullet, so all the varmint gibberish goes over my head.

I just bought a 700 Mountain Rifle in 270 and had it rebarreled. Later put a TI take-off stock on it. Couldn't be happier with it.

.

There is always the lipsey run of ruger #1As. Very cool and I would 2nd the kimber

Nice 722's can be found pretty easily for $600 +/- sometimes less; classic.