Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 25-06 vs 257 Roberts AI

I am a bit confused. I was over at another forum the other day and found a thread where the OP was selling a 25-06 and buying a 257 Roberts AI. My question is why?

I'm brand new to 25-06. I just got my first rifle back over the summer. At the time, all I had in the house was H4895. I ended up with loads that were anemic by 25-06 standards, but not 257 Roberts. I figured I'd hunt with that load for deer season and then work on wringing a some more velocity out of the rifle later.

So help me out here: why would a fellow want to dump a perfectly good 25-06 and crow about his new 257 Roberts AI, when all he had to do was probably knock a few grains off his current loads and have essentially the same thing?

I asked the question on this forum, but did not get an answer. Is this simple rifle looniness, or is there some underlying logic that is eluding me?

Mostly rifle looniness, I would guess. The .257 Roberts AI can fit into a short action, and he may enjoy the increased "efficiency" of the cartridge as well. Plus, he can call his rifle "The Bob". Can't do that with a .25-06. And possibly some reduced recoil.

Rifle looniness for "cool factor" would be my guess. I have a 257 AI and get great results compared to 06 but only a few less grains of powder; not enough to matter.

Of course if I were unhappy with the rifle itself then it might make sense? Like if I had a Sendero '06 and could get a 721 rechambered to Better Bob to lose weight?

My guess is his thinking is same as mine was when I built this; cool factor. That 40 degree shoulder is awesome.

Obviously looniness.

Or maybe he got tired of trimming .25-06 brass. That can really wear on a guy.

Or maybe the AI was simply in a better rifle.

Probably the rifle the AI is chambered in.

For example, I would really like a 25-06 Kimber Montana 84L. The Kimber rep at the gunshow is pimping the 257Bob in the 84M. A little bit trimmer package. However, the Bob is not the 25-06. Even the 257AI is not the 25-06 (although close). However, I have found with RL22, the 25-06 with 115 and 120 bullets is getting close to 257Bee.

When I ditch my current 25-06s, I will likely get the 25-06 84L. The 257Bob in the 84M is tempting though.

I have had both and still have the AI, mainly because it is built on a medium length Mexican Mauser action with a Krieger barrel and a slim Rimrock stock. I built it to be my Coues whitetail rifle and use it for that and for pronghorns almost exclusively. The Ruger S/S .25-06 that I had was a little over a pound heavier and longer overall. If I were buying new, would probably buy a Forbes or a Montana in .25-06 and forget the case forming.

I think the real lesson here is the kind of confusion that can ensue when you get involved with forums on some of those other sites....

Without knowing what rifle makes and models we're talking about, plus the OP's likes, dislikes, intended use, etc., etc., there probably isn't enough information available to offer an informed opinion other than "just 'cause".

From an "ease of use" perspective, I guess that I'd rather have a 25-06. From a "cool" perspective, I guess that I'd rather have a 257AI.

I have multiples of both, so for me the choice comes down to which rifle I want to shoot. I have both short and long action 257AIs, so my loading isn't limited by the magazine length. I do know that I've shot two of my 25-06s, a Marlin XL7 and a Remington 700 SPS, more recently than any of my 257AIs. Awhile back, I gave a Savage 110 parts gun in 25-06 to the son of a friend, along with two hundred rounds of PP 90 grain HP factory ammo. Father and Son both report good accuracy, a few sudden and violently dead coyotes, and three punched deer tags.

That said, who can account for individual taste or just plain rifle looneyism? The .257" bore cartridge that I like/shoot the most is the virtually orphaned and often maligned 25 WSSM. Why? I just like the rifles and the cartridge.

Jeff

260Remguy:
I think you're wrong about one thing. There was probably enough info from the original post.

"From an "ease of use" perspective, I guess that I'd rather have a 25-06. From a "cool" perspective, I guess that I'd rather have a 257AI."

Sounds about dead-on. Nobody wants to tell their friends they are out hunting with a downloaded 25-06 cartridge, but they can crow about a 257 AI.

Folks yawn when I start talking about downloading my 308 WIN to 300 Savage levels for deer hunting out of a treestand. However, if I started yacking about getting a 30-30 to run at 300 Savage levels, folks would wake up and listen.

Thanks all for the input. I thought I was missing something.

The Montana in .257 Roberts is something I might own soon. Already have brass, roberts dies and AI dies. Would make for a very svelt and efficient deer killing machine.

I didn't have a link to the original thread, so I didn't know what the OP had written, only what you had posted.

Jeff

My point was that you seemed to have pegged it well, even with out the OP's post. I was complimenting you.

Selmer hit the nail right on the head for me. I'm just not a long action fan. Can't warm up to them despite trying numerous times. I'm in the camp that believes a 257 Rbts or AI is right at home in a 700 short action. So if I had a Bob or Better Bob on a SA and a 25-06 sitting in the corner, I'd take the SA for my hunt 100% of the time.

Even slightly different is cool in our world.

Oh I thought you were calling his dad a Mason or something .

I absolutely love my 257 AI but have seriously contemplated a lighter rig (it's a heavy sporter barreled Mauser) and would go 25-06 if I could find the right rifle... Like a Mauser 96 American...

That must be the correct answer, if there is one?

I've known dairy farmers that go out every year and kill deer with a 30-06 or 30-30, because it is the only deer rifle they've ever owned. They know the art of consistantly finding/killing deer and consider their rifle to be the perfect tool for that job. Once accomplished, the tool goes back in the closet for another year.

And I've known far more people that own dozens of deer rifles and agonize a bit each year, over which one to tote on opening day.

Such agony is desireable. ;O)

Never owned a 257 Roberts, although I have tried to acquire a few in a M722 when I come across one at auction and have failed so far. Usually because someone else wanted it more than I did and paid far more than it was worth.

Do have three 25-06s, so that'll work for now. Once enjoyed making cases from donor 30-06 brass when I was younger. Gave that up 30 years ago, so doubt fussing with the AI approach to the Bob would appeal?

Dropped the ball years ago, when an old gunsmith friend wanted to build me a 22" pencil barreled Bob on my small ring Danzig action. He'd done that back in the 1960s and thought we needed to build another one. He passed away before I ever decided. One of my few rifle regrets.

Can't resist pointing out that any rifle is "worth" what people will consistently pay for one. If you've missed out on "a few" Remington 722 .257's at auctions, then they're obviously worth more than you think.

Of course, this is from somebody who inherited one from his family, but the prices for 722/721 Remingtons in less common chamberings has gone steadily up over the past decade or so. The .257's I've run into usually go for at least $500 anymore, and a 721 .300 H&H a minimum of $750.

+1 on this.

I've got one in .257 Roberts and it makes a great little rifle. Shoots 110 gr Accubonds very well.

There is an easy answer to your question. On various threads I've learned that the 257 Roberts is cool, the 250 Savage is cool, the AI version of either is cool and in demand. However, the 25-06 is vastly inferior to the 243 Win. and only a couch potato would own one.