257 Roberts

[Guest Conrad]

A few weeks ago i acquired a new to me Ruger M77 MKII in 257 Roberts. I would just like to hear every ones opinion on this caliber. If there is anyone who has hunted with it their input would be great. I am planning on loading mine with 115 berger vlds and reloader 17 powder.

One other interesting point about this rifle is that it is a long action rifle so should not have any seating depth trouble with the vlds. The thing is my Uncle has a 6mm Remington made by Ruger and it is a short action. IF the 6mm and 257 roberts have the same case why would they make one a short action and the other one long? Maybe someone has some ideas why?

[Guest GunTroll]

Factory barrel on it? 257 is a great cartridge of yester' years that doesn't get the due its owed IMO. I got nothing for you on hunting with one.

[Guest Conrad]

yes all original factory made

[Guest GunTroll]

Makes it a real keeper then. Good find for you!

[Guest Conrad]

Thank you it was actually my uncles he had bought for his wife but they are divorced now and he didnt want it no more so i said i would buy it i needed a good deer rifle anyway.

[Guest GunTroll]

I like Rugers. In my time on working with them I have found interesting things about them. #1's in particular. Seems like the factory might pull from stock piles from time to time to re-barrel some due to some demand/shortage of another caliber. Not saying this is a fact of course. Just something I pondered once when working on this particular #1.

[gregintenn]

I have three, and shoot 100 grain Sierras in them. I don't know why the 6mm would be chambered in a short action. The 257 is a fine deer cartridge, but a pretty much handloading proposition. Cases are made on a yearly run, so if you find some, stock up!

[Guest Conrad]

i have about 200 or 300 cases some are +p and some are not. i know that the +p ones can hold about 2 more grains of powder just need to make sure to watch what i am doing. i already have all the reloading stuff for the 257. I cant remember when the last time i bought any factory ammo for any of my rifles i just handload.

[glockster157]

The 257 Roberts is probably one of the best all around cartridges ever for the southern US. Loaded with light bullets it makes a fine varmint round for ground hogs and coyotes. With heavier 100-120 grain loads it is a fine deer cartridge. It is just behind the 25-06 in velocity but is much easier on barrels. You do need to hand load to maximize performance and cut costs. It is considered a very efficient and classy cartridge.

[leroy]

Conrad and all:___________________

Here is a link giving some historical data on the 257 Roberts. It is probably the greatest of the 25 caliber wildcats.

Link here: Nazarian.

I remember when the 257 came out in the Ruger 77, along with the 7X57 Mauser round. There was great excitement in the "real rifleman" (...no bazooka calibers or weatherbys; these were guys that actually shot their rifles on a regular basis ---target or hunting....) world about the indtroduction of these old time cartridges.

When Bill Ruger was alive, Ruger did a great job of publicizing their production and mixing it up with the great old calibers. The 7 X 57 and the 257 Roberts were two of their best offerings. As I remember, they did them both in bolt action and single shot versions (...Ruger 77 and Ruger #1...).

Enjoy your Roberts, it is a great thing.

Kind regards,

Leroy