It's not a small game cartridge and it's not a dangerous game cartridge. Beyond that, the trajectory of the bullet starts to drop off sharply, making it more difficult to hit your target. the 7mm Mauser case necked down to .25 caliber complete with a 15-degree Why was the Roberts originally loaded down to .250 Savage pressures? A more typical (as offered by several commercial ammo makers) load for the .243 features a 100 grain bullet at 2920 f.p.s. started turning out rifles in .25 Roberts but with the case extended I believe this would be a great rifle/cartridge package for hunting deer, pronghorn and similar game. Otherwise, hunters hoping to help resurrect the .257 must reload their own ammunition and look in the used or custom-built market for a firearm. the project, assisted by Townsend Whelen, A.O. In 1934, Remington Arms showed interest in the cartridge, changed the Powered by UBB.threads PHP Forum Software 7.7.5. Well, okay, was the deciding factor of a host cartridge later to bear his name. 5.0. Straight-wall cartridges are surging in the whitetail world. animal over the length of a football field. Reasonable shipping cost. One account of the .257 Robertss development states the design team chose the 7mm Mauser case as the parent to take advantage of pre-World War II propellants. some time. The solid top receiver comes with Weaver type scope bases already mounted at the factory, which eliminates the need for a front sight that can catch on brush and branches. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. Maybe it was concern over chamber variations in custom guns. You may have to special order it from your local gun shop or online retailer. lbs. I used the Guns and Shooting Online Rifle Cartridge Killing Power Formula to calculate Killing Power Scores (KPS values) for loads of interest. Its debut platform, the Remington Model 30, evolved from the robust Model 1917 Enfield bolt rifle that was chambered for high-pressure cartridges years before the Roberts was added. Joseph Von Benedikt shows his custom 500 and how well it shoots. " Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. The only other significant option for anyone wanting a new rifle chambered for the cartridge is to order a semi-custom Shaw Mark VII bolt action. MB ". commercial rifles are available. I like them for other reasons, and some get lucky, but a person shouldn't expect it. For primers, stick to standard brands. Accuracy was around an inch; good enough to get my buck at just under 250 yards. The actual range at which the Roberts load falls to a KPS of 15 is 340 yards. 5.0. Roberts, in his initial attempt in designing this new cartridge, wanted Partition, elk could also be on the menu! I full-length size all the cases, not just the Nosler offers a box of 20 cartridges for $93. the cartridge at this time was used only in bolt, single-shot and pump The .257 Roberts was announced in 1928 as a wildcat based on the 7mm Mauser case. The exception will include spherical powder loads, which should not be reduced below the suggested start loads or hang fires, erratic ignition and potentially high pressures can occur. This load has a MPBR of some 280 yards, but its EKR (KPS = 15) is only about 180 yards. This isn't your grandpa's muzzleloading system. velocity was increased by roughly 130 fps and 100 fps, respectively. However, many rifles will permit handloaders to seat bullets to longer overall lengths to increase accuracy. of recoil with a 7.5-pound rifle. Custom builders like Shaw Custom Rifles Other discontinued firearms from Ruger and Winchester can still be found new in the box, but those are getting rarer. Most shooters can accurately shoot a 243 out to about 300 yards. The 257 Roberts is a great all-around hunting rifle. E = KPS / (SD x A) = 15.0 / .0112 = 1339 (ft. It is a very capable cartridge for hunting medium sized Class 2 game when loaded with 115 - 120 grain bullets. 257 Roberts is a very popular hunting caliber here in Texas. By comparison, the fastest heavy bullet .257 Roberts factory load (Hornady Superformance) drives a 117 grain bullet at 2946 f.p.s. lbs. Then, I rearranged the KPS formula to solve for E, with KPS set at the baseline value of 15.0 and (SD x A) = .0112 for the 100 grain .243 bullet. However, it can also be used for larger game such as deer and elk. rifle. Down range, bullet velocity is not the sole, or most important, factor that determines terminal performance. Using the Hodgdon online Data Center, with 100-grain bullets across 12 propellants used in both cartridges, the Roberts averaged 140 fps (less than 5 percent) slower than the .25-06. Pretty pathetic, but I traded it off when it would only do two inches with numerous bullets. Fi. load, detailed above, is 694. Hornady HITS scores for .257 Roberts and .243 Win. The 257 Roberts+P is essentially the same thing as the 25-06 Remington. He said that he thought he could get a lot more velocity out of the Ackley over the standards, but found out that the best he ever got was about 100fps tops. It may not be as Based on personal inspection and range testing, Chuck wrote the following summary assessment of the rifle: "The Long Ranger is an ideal woods rifle, as it has a fast, smooth, rack and pinion action with a six lug, front locking, rotary bolt. It appears that some rifles chambered in .257 Roberts can be very picky about bullet weight/configuration. The .257 Roberts has (finally) been updated to piezoelectric pressure measurements, with standard pressure loads listed at 54,000 psi while +P loads are listed at 58,000 psi. The KPS formula combines these variables in a direct, easy to calculate way. | There apparently was not room in the rifle marketplace for two dual-purpose cartridges after the .243 Winchester was introduced and it bested the .244/6mm Remington, .250 Savage and .257 Roberts in the popularity contest, for whatever reasons. In 1974, The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) established a +P designation for cartridges that are loaded to higher pressures, but specifications still had to be approved by SAAMI. Not surprisingly, shooters flocked to the new fast cartridges, especially the .243 Winchester. For this project, I explored many I did not have the opportunity to try If nothing else, it would have saved a lot of later confusion. Exact dates are uncertain, but by 1930, Griffin & Howe began chambering rifles and soon suggested to Roberts to leave the 7mm Mauser case full-length. In deference to the older rifles of questionable metallurgy, some loads like the Remington 117-grain round nose bullet leave the muzzle at 2650 fps. Buy Lyman Neck Expander M Die for 25-06 Rem & 257 Roberts NEW! The .243 Winchester: Its Capabilities as a Deer Cartridge, The G&S Online Rifle Cartridge Killing Power Formula: Implications and Applications, Determining the Effective Killing Range of Rifle Cartridges, 100 yard KPS = 20.7 (Energy = 1602 ft. The Roberts is not a puny quarter-bore cartridge! Kiff has developed or consulted on thousands of cartridge designs, so for him to name the .257 without second thought is no small potatoes. There is no need to magnumize the Roberts, even when The biggest confusion, and most important issue, was whether +P cartridges could be fired safely in rifles built before the new ammunition came on the market. lbs.). Kimber offers their Hunter line chambered in .257 Roberts, and Ruger still makes their Model No. ), SD .226, A = .0745 sq. ), 100 yard KPS = 22.0 (Energy = 1631 ft. Taurus has redesigned this sporting pistol for performance. in the past. In Magnum primers are not needed this number for consistency. The 87-grain and 100-grain loads were influenced by the .250 Savage, and the 117-grain load reflected the old .25-35 Winchester and .25 Remington cartridges. Functionally, ammomakers slightly beefed-up the Roberts case walls near the head. Less than a decade later, the Niedner Rifle Company The 257 Roberts was introduced in 1934 by Remington Arms Company. . In the velocity department, the .257 Roberts is really two different cartridges. Smaller calibers like the 6mm usually boast higher ballistic coefficients and sectional densities while shooting comparably weighted bullets. Hodgdon 4350, IMR-4831, Alliant Reloder 19 and IMR-7828 rounded out the Its perfect.. This translates to an effective killing range of 175 to 180 yards. Since this was my first time out West for antelope, difference in trajectory. Have a friend, bought a ruger.. in 257 roberts. seem to hear repeatedly is that this classic is too slow. Then, in 1934, Remington took interest. The only downside to the 257 Roberts is that it doesnt have the same long-range accuracy as some of the other calibers on this list. Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301, Swift A-Frame Revolver and Pistol Bullets. using so-called +P brass. The Roberts experienced a unique transformation in 1974. The .257 Roberts is a low recoiling, mild powered cartridge. (Hornady HITS is explained in the Appendix.). The Roberts launched the heavier bullets about 165 fps (7 percent) slower. My future generations may not be interested in reloading to maximize the accuracy on this gun. .257 Load #1: Nosler Custom, 115 gr. I considered writing this article as an actual poemsomething like John Keats Ode to a Grecian Urn, but with more pizazz and less skill. My purpose here is to propose (or plead for) a resurrection of the .257 Roberts as a significant choice for hunters who want a capable, yet mild shooting, rifle for pursuing deer and similar size game, Zinn writes. Whenever a load has a KPS = 15 range that is longer than its MPBR, I call the EKR of the load as being equal to its MPBR range. Its trigger Federal has created a safer, easier and more reliable way to shoot a muzzleloader. Load data for 37 loads in caliber .257 Roberts with .257 | 117gr | Hornady InterLock RN bullet including underlying parameters such as bullet length, cartridge length and case capacity. In the years since, most other ammunition manufacturers have followed suit, including Hornady (117-grain SST at 2,946 fps), Federal Cartridge (Nosler 120-grain Partition at 2,800 fps) and NoslerCustom (100-grain Partition or Ballistic Tip bullets and the 110-grain AccuBond all at 3,000 fps, or the 115-grain Ballistic Tip at 2,800 fps). Remington's .25-06 is likely most responsible for killing the .257 Roberts, as the .25-06 offers an average 200 feet per second (fps) additional velocity over the Roberts . To summarize, the .257 Roberts can drive 115 - 120 grain bullets to +/- 3 inch MPBR ranges of 265 yards (or more) with killing power that is more than adequate for deer and similar size game. ), 200 yard KPS = 18.4 (Energy = 1360 ft. (The .243 was offered in the Winchester Model 70 and other fine rifles, while the .244 was offered in the clunky Remington Model 722.) My hope is one of these will be the .257 Roberts. ), 100 yard KPS = 23.2 (Energy = 1771 ft. Fortunately, there is a reasonably straightforward way to do this. What is the twist of your friend's 257 Roberts? Unlock the Benefits of Knowing Your Winchester Serial Number, Complete Buyers Guide to the Sig Sauer P228. The Roberts isnota puny quarter-bore cartridge!, Frank C. Barnes, author of the classic Cartridges of the World, agrees that the .257 Roberts is one of the most useful rifle cartridges ever developed.. handloaded for use in the field. Assuming a field ready weight (rifle, scope, sling and cartridge load) of 8.5 pounds, the recoil of the Long Ranger rifle would fall between 9.0 and 10.0 ft. Would have to assume its 10. Once again, the EKR is stated as the MPBR range (275 yards), because the KPS value of 16.9 at 275 yards is greater than the baseline KPS of 15. The .257 Roberts is hanging on in the factory-production world, but just barely. What's the Perfect Trigger Pull Weight for a Hunting Rifle? It features a straight-grained walnut Remember that old childrens story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears? Some take the moral as a warning against breaking and entering, but most folks probably remember the storys lesson about moderation: not too hot, not too cold, not too hard, not too softjust right. Handloaded with 85- to 90-grain varmint bullets, the Roberts is as comfortable shooting spring varmints as it is hunting deer. That is well beyond the MPBR of the load. Shipping speed. One hundred-grain bullets from Hornady, Swift, Nosler and It should be noted that when using top performing powder measures such as Reddings Competition Precision Riflemans PR-50, many extruded powders can be thrown accurately. Townsend Whelen mentioned in one of his many books: I think Mine has been killing Pa. whitetails for 40 years in . As with many old cartridges, the original .257 was loaded to lower pressures than what can be tolerated by stronger, modern actions. (20 inch barrel), ME 1943 ft. In addition to easily outperforming the landmark .250/3000 Savage cartridge, the first U.S. round to exceed 3,000 feet per second (fps), it illustrated unusual versatility and accuracy. The .257 Roberts is a fine deer cartridge that offers long barrel life, accuracy, moderate recoil and muzzle report. I am only stating what the numbers show. Their monolithic construction and controlled expansion make them excellent choices for heavier or tough game that are usually taken at moderate distances. pump it up to 3,300 fps, with the same 200-yard zero drop at 300 yards The .257 Roberts is the Goldilocks of whitetail cartridges. Noted gun and cartridge experimenter Its also relatively inexpensive, which makes it a great option for budget-minded hunters. Who knew wild turkey's were so stupid!? Once again, here is the strongest .257 Roberts factory load, as detailed above. Some hunters may find that the 257 Roberts cartridge is an ideal round for medium to large game, while others may prefer a different caliber for these purposes. lbs. The .257 Roberts first became available to hunters nationwide when Remington took the wildcat into factory production in 1934. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. I am shooting a 20" suppressed Ruger Hawkeye chambered in 257 Roberts. experimenting that existing powders of the day would perform much With these higher-pressure cartridges, the .257 Roberts can push a 117- or 120-grain boattail bullet about 2,800 fps, which allows it to step up to larger animals like elk and caribou at moderate distances. This cartridge is at its best when loaded Its often used for varmint hunting, as it has excellent accuracy at long range. These recoil figures can be adjusted with heavier or lighter bullets, of course, but when using the most common factory loads, the .257 Roberts is among the lightest-recoiling cartridges capable of taking game out to 500 yards. Modern .25-caliber 100-grain hunting bullets are a great choice. It offered modest recoil, a flat trajectory, accuracy and reliable performance on deer-sized game. : 3,453 3,671 Press. This accuracy situtation with the Bob has me reconsidering doing this. Wrong! I ve used a 25/06 for over 30 years and love it, but i keep it right at 3000-2920 with Sierra 117. How to Buy a .257 Roberts The commercialized version restored the 20-degree 45-minute shoulder angle of the parent 7mm Mauser case to be the cartridge we know today.