The 6.5x257R wildcat

After a fairly extensive search online, I could not find a custom ammo manufacturer that had this caliber in their list, but that doesn't mean that someone doesn't have it.
A knowledgeable reloader can even fabricate the cartridge without the $150+ custom dies normally required, by utilizing other similar caliber dies.

You apparently do not have reloading experience, I'm guessing, so hopefully someone else can offer suggestions to help.
About where are you located?


NCsmitty

Research it,
I do believe that the brass was fire formed from roberts or MADE, I don't know from what round, but it was done pretty extensively.

The cartridge is made from empty .257 Roberts or 7mm Mauser brass by necking it down to .257" caliber and loading it.

It would be against Federal law for a reloader to load and sell you ammo without a manufactures license from the ATF.

rc

You mean 6.5 x 257 roberts? The 257 roberts is not a rimmed case.

Neither is the 6.5x50 Jap, or the 6.5x257R wildcat.

The R in this case just stands for 257 Roberts.

rc

Check with GAD Custom cartridges. I'm pretty sure he can make some for you. You'll need more than a box (20) to get the gun sighted in then hunt with it. You also will find that the gun will shoot best with bullet weights in the 140-160 grain range.

The .257 was based on the 7X57 Mauser(circa 1892). The 6.5X57 Mauser(circa 1893) is the 7X57 Mauser necked down 6.5. Ergo, the 6.5/257 is actually the old 6.5X57 Mauser. Now go do more research and see what you find.

the 6.5/257 is actually the old 6.5X57 Mauser.

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For the sake of the OP, that information is not actually correct. The 257 Roberts and the 7mm Mauser are nearly identical. The 6.5x57 actually has a longer, .020"+ base to shoulder dimension and has a slightly different shoulder angle.
I know that I cannot with conscience, recommend trying to use 6.5x57 Mauser ammo in the 6.5x257 Roberts chambering.


NCsmitty

would it be possible to load my own 6.5x257 roberts using say, fire formed 257 roberts cases and the 6.5x55 swedish kit?

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That's how I would do it, and as rcmodel mentioned, you either neck up 257 Roberts, or neck down 7mm Mauser cases to fit your chamber. You will need to size the case neck without going too far and touching the shoulder too much. The 6.5x55 die set will form the neck to accept a 6.5 bullet, but you need to know what you're doing to prevent excess headspace on the case itself, by pushing the case shoulder back too much. You screw the die down in the press, while frequently checking the empty, sized case in your rifle's chamber until the bolt just closes. It would be best to use 7mm Mauser cases to give the right "feel" as you bring the case to size.
It's not rocket science, but new reloaders need to be cautious.


NCsmitty

You might want to check E-bay or other sources for used dies.They would be much cheaper than buying them new,and as long as they are cared for,don't wear out.This caliber was fairly common after WWII,and surely someone has dies they don't use.Once you find dies,you can dive headfirst into the great adventure known as reloading.Enjoy!

I have an older Speer manual in which there is data for the "6.5mm/257 Roberts". Their description includes the statement: "The resultant cartridge was a virtual duplicate of a standard European sporting cartridge, 6.5 x 57 Mauser".

According to their cartridge drawings, the 257 Roberts and 6.5mm/257 Roberts cases are identical with the exception of the distance from the base of the case to the base of the neck in which case the 257 case is .010" longer. As such, the best route for creating the case would be to neck a 257 Rob. case UP, then load the rounds with the bullets firmly in the rifling and fire. the result should be a perfectly formed case for the 6.5mm/257 Roberts.

Blade, you might ask around locally. Surely there's someone who could load for you or help you load.

35W

I just took a look on E-bay and found a set of 6.5x257Roberts dies.They were in the sporting goods section.I searched "reloading dies"and they were about 5or 6 pages down.Starting bid was 20 bucks,I think,with no takers yet.If you pick up a set,you should be able to find someone local to help with loading some ammo.I'm thinking if you provided all the components,and just had someone assemble them,it shouldn't be considered an ammo sale.I would do it for no charge if it were asked of me.Check your local range and gun shops. Maybe someone would be willing to help.

Where about in central Nebraska are you? I live in Oshkosh,out west a ways,but I drive over the road.I might be able to help you out if you can't find anyone local.Plenty of time before next deer season.

Blade&Bullet94 said:

whelen, do you think you could scan or copy that information for me on the cartridge? i think that would be a HUGE help. and osprey, im in valley county, kinda rural area, in ord, bout 16 miles from burwell, which used to be the biggest rodea in nebraska. iv been asking at the local gun shop, i think there is one guy who is their reloading expert, but hes not in the shop often. ill see if i can find those reloading dies, even if i cant start getting more in depth to metallic cartridge loading, having the dies would be a sound idea.

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I'd be glad to.

35W

My dies go back to Herters, the box is marked 6.5 Japanese/257 Roberts, the chamber reamer is marked 6.5 257 Roberts/Japanese, the 257 Roberts was a great improvement over the 6.5mm50 Japanese.

F. Guffey

6.5mm/257 Roberts Data

As promised:





Hope this helps!

35W

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/202726/rcbs-2-die-set-65mm-257-roberts




http://www.midwayusa.com/product/202726/rcbs-2-die-set-65mm-257-roberts

It has been years, so many I do not remember what I paid for my 6.5/257 Roberts-Japanese dies, if you have time I would suggest you start looking for a set of dies that are not that expensive, you could have someone form cases, when forming I suggest new, unfired cases, it is possible to find someone to form and size cases, I consider it a ‘sorta’ bad ideal to form and sizes for a chamber with an unknown head space factor,

The last time I formed cases for a Japanese rifle it was a 7.7 for a shooter reloader NW of Forth Worth, TX. I formed and sized 80 cases, I saved two from each group of 20 in case their there was a problem, the first group of 18 were minimum length, the second group of 18 were go-gage length, the next 18 were no-go gage length and the last were field-gage length, he loaded and fired the first group, he loaded and fired the second group with a slight resistance to bolt closing and, none of the two other groups would chamber, so he sized and trimmed.

F. Guffey