In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

257 Roberts

OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
edited April 2011 in Ask the Experts
How is the recoil on this gun.What does it compare to. Iam thinking about getting one but cant handle alot of recoil with my back and shoulder. Had a total back replacement and want something with a mild recoil to deer hunt with.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a dilemna. I need a rifle for my 16 year old daughter, but I WANT a 257 Roberts. What is the recoil like on this round? It would be on a Mauser action and used mainly for Texas whitetail. The girls a twig, but she is nearly six feet. Input please.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Winchester model 70 in a 257 roberts that my father purchased when he got home from WW II. Its in very good condition with the serial #100546 and it has a redfield 4 power scope with a post in it not cross hairs. Is it worth anything
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tocamohatocamoha Member Posts: 271 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get a .243
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • duckhunterduckhunter Member Posts: 7,687 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Take a look at one of the ARs in 243. A real pleasure to shoot.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RCrosbyRCrosby Member Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    .257 is a great cartridge and I don't think you'd be disappointed.
    Ammo availability would argue for the .243 if you don't reload. I've had, and loved, both. Personally prefer the .257 for eastern whitetail, but a well placed premium .243 would work even for those heavies. As to felt recoil, stock fit, design and recoil pad will make more difference between the two than theoretical differences in actual recoil.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Oakie,

    .257 Roberts is not a gun, it's a cartridge. One cartridge will exhibit different recoil characteristics in different firearms depending on a dozen or more variables.

    The first thing to look at is gun fit. It must be fitted properly in order to reduce the effects of recoil.

    A heavier rifle will help defeat recoil better than a lighter rifle.

    A semi-auto rifle will reduce recoil better than a bolt action or pump.

    A slightly lighter payload in bullet weight and powder weight will generate less recoil.

    It's possible to match the bullet weigh/bullet construction with a slightly reduced velocity in order to reduce recoil. You just have to account for the distances that are normal for shooting a deer in your area. Go for the smart shot such as the heart, ignoring the stupid shoulder shots that the gun writers advocate.

    A muzzle brake will aid in lessening the recoil but will require some form of hearing protection. (Which you should be wearing anyway)

    Accessory pad in your shooting coat or on your shoulder will spread the recoil across a larger surface area, reducing the recoil.

    I have killed deer with a .223 Remington, 22PPC and several other .22 caliber rifles. The 6mm or .243 rifles will do just as good a job but with the potential for slightly heavier bullets. (see above)

    Best.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I used a 243 for several years before moving to a variety of other calibers including the 257 Roberts. The rifle I currently use to fill doe tags is a 257 on a Mauser action with a 20" lightweight barrel. Recoil with 100 grain bullets @ 2850-2900 fps is very mild and performance on deer is excellent. In my experience, the 257 is a slightly better deer cartridge than the 243 and I put considerable effort into being scientific about bullet performance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SP45SP45 Member Posts: 1,761 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A 257 fit to you with a good recoil pad loaded with medium weight bullets is easy to handle as long as it is medically safe to shoot. If you reload you can tailor to rounds to fit you. A 250 savage will give you the same bullet diameter with less recoil. I can't feel the diference between a 250 and a 6mm Remington. A nice soft pad like a limb saver will make a big difference.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wolfpackwolfpack Member Posts: 1,283 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    An oldie but a goodie. Excellent whitetail caliber that is mild recoiling. I have one in a pre 64 winchester that my 11 year old daughter shoots from the bench at the local range with no probem at all. Chuck Hawk in his rifle recoil table lists the 257 bob at 10.7 lbs with a 120 grain bullet and the 243 at 8.8 lbs with a 100 grain bullet. Ammo will be a little harder to find (not always available at wally world) but I would go with the bob.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Must be my gun but I do have two 243's. A remington 700bdl and a winchester model 88 and both kick the poop out of me. I have a 308 and it has no kick. I guess the guns are not properly fit to me and that is why Iam experiencing so much kick.I acually hate my 243's and was thinking of selling them but now you guys have given me some insight and I will make the corrections. Thank you. Oak
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reddnekreddnek Member Posts: 1,552 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Ruger Model 77 MarkII in 257 Bob and find it very pleasant to shoot.Its kind of on the heavy side maybe that helps.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've had both and up until recently I'ved like the .257 more. Recently, that is, because there are now really high BC bullets for shoooting target with the .243. Not so with the .257. There are some good bullets in .257 but none that match what has come out for the .243 in the last ten years. All in all though the .257 has the better heavy bullets for hunting than the .243.

    It's one of my favorite cartridges to reload for.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.