The Roberts doesn't fall short of anything... it is in its own (quite perfect) niche as a quarter bore hunting cartridge... if we all.had the "I need a little bit more," mindset, we would all end up in the same place, bloated over-bore cartridges that burn powder and barrels.
Part of my problem is my wife is a little too supportive. Just today I told her I saw a good gun deal and she said “why didn’t you buy it then”
You need to touch up some of those numbers...Yep, if you consider that the 1920's .257 Roberts is based on the 7x75 case, one of the kings of efficient cartridges (with the 9.3x62), you can see how true this is
Actually, the Roberts is not all that different from the 1893 6.5×57mm Mauser that shoots a 6.7mm (.264) bullet through a 6.45mm (0.254) bore, ever so slightly bigger than the 6.35 mm (0.25) bore of the Roberts, and that has always been considered, and is still considered today, as a very good caliber in Europe for medium size game. So good actually that Blaser makes a barrel for it
The more things change, the more they stay the same
However, with typical bullet weight in the 130+ gr range, the 6.5x57 probably does not meet odonata's criteria "light, flat & fast..." while the Roberts meets "light" but likely not "fast & flat". Had he said "light and efficient", the Roberts would be hard to beat.
As stated before, the best non-belted answer is .25-06, and the best belted answer is .257 Wby.
As to the slew of more modern offerings like .25 PRC, .25 Creedmoor etc. there is a point of no return for light bullets in as much as the twist rates are designed for long, heavy for caliber bullets (130+ gr) which makes them less than ideal for odonata's "light" criteria. Not to mention that who knows how long ammo will be available for them.
@steve white
@steve white
@One Day...Yep, if you consider that the 1920's .257 Roberts is based on the 7x75 case, one of the kings of efficient cartridges (with the 9.3x62), you can see how true this is
Actually, the Roberts is not all that different from the 1893 6.5×57mm Mauser that shoots a 6.7mm (.264) bullet through a 6.45mm (0.254) bore, ever so slightly bigger than the 6.35 mm (0.25) bore of the Roberts, and that has always been considered, and is still considered today, as a very good caliber in Europe for medium size game. So good actually that Blaser makes a barrel for it
The more things change, the more they stay the same
However, with typical bullet weight in the 130+ gr range, the 6.5x57 probably does not meet odonata's criteria "light, flat & fast..." while the Roberts meets "light" but likely not "fast & flat". Had he said "light and efficient", the Roberts would be hard to beat.
As stated before, the best non-belted answer is .25-06, and the best belted answer is .257 Wby.
As to the slew of more modern offerings like .25 PRC, .25 Creedmoor etc. there is a point of no return for light bullets in as much as the twist rates are designed for long, heavy for caliber bullets (130+ gr) which makes them less than ideal for odonata's "light" criteria. Not to mention that who knows how long ammo will be available for them.
@hoytcanon
Has anyone ever done an "Ackley" improvement on the X57 case? I don't recall one, but it will be a blue wonder if they HAVEN'T.
257 Robert’s and 7x57 have both been ackley-ized by PO Ackley himself.
A 25/06 or more a versatile 270 WINCHESTER 90 grain to 150 grain bullets & left hand bolt available.As far as rifles go, I really have everything I require to do all the hunting I'm currently considering. While I don't need to buy any more firearms, unfortunately that doesn't negate the desire to add more of them to my safe.
I have this one small gap in my lineup that I keep telling myself doesn't need to be filled. But for reasons unknown, it annoys & my mind keeps returning to it. At the small varmint end I have a nice left-handed Cooper that is chambered in 22-250 Remington that I shoot 55gr bullets out of. Then there's a jump to my Ruger No. 1A chambered in 6.5x55 that I shoot 140gr Partitions from.
Because most of the hunting I do is at moderate distances in the brushy southeastern woods, the fact that I don't own a rifle chambered for something light, fast & flat-shooting that's bigger than my 22-250 hasn't really been a problem. But as I start to ease into retirement, I hope to expand my range a bit so I thought I would ask for some opinions so I can mull over some options. Here's the criteria:
I want the bullet to be in the 90~117gr range. Lighter or heavier than that & I have other options than a new rifle already available to me.
I want a rifle that is larger than 224 (22 cal) and smaller than 308. So 6mm, 243, 257, 6.5mm, 270, or 7mm would be good choices. While some of these are obviously appropriate for the projectile weight I'm interested in, I'm curious if anyone is doing something on the edges (e.g. How low can you go weight-wise with a 7x64 Brenneke?).
It would be nice if the bullet / caliber combo was good at taking something antelope-sized at longer distances than I currently hunt at. Based on my shooting ability & eyesight, I doubt I'll ever pull the trigger on anything that is over ~350 meters away except for a target. But I guess that might change based on ideal conditions or how flat the round shoots.
You get bonus points if the round you suggest is available in a left-handed rifle.
In the past, I've come close to buying a left-handed 25-06 on a couple of occasions only to pass for various reasons. A 257 Roberts has a nostalgic appeal but no one ever made a left-handed rifle in that chambering so I would have to rebarrel or get a custom (not a problem!). I pondered over a custom LH Cooper in 6mm-284 for a while because the price was really tempting but I hesitated because it was an uncommon chambering. I have eight falling blocks so I would prefer this to be a bolt action. Some of the larger calibers like the 270 or 7mm have some lightweight bullets like a 110gr Barnes but it would be nice to hear if someone is shooting something like that & how well it worked. I assume someone will recommend the 243 Winchester just to annoy @Bob Nelson 35Whelen. The ubiquitous 6.5 Creedmoor is a viable LH option but I feel like I would be slighting my beloved Swede if I bought one...change my mind.
Everyone. Probably the most common after the H&H children.
