.257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 7x57 Mauser, 7mm-08

[valnar]

Just a general question for everyone.

When people post seeking a caliber between .223 and .308, I frequently see the recommendations of .243, .257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 7x57, 7mm-08 and .270 Winchester. I myself own a couple rifles in 6.5x55 and usually jump on that bandwagon in those same threads.

I currently see no point of owning a .257 or 7mm since my 6.5x55 covers me nicely. So is there? Other than just "wanting" one, is there a particular reason why a .257 or 7mm-08 would be better than a 6.5x55 on any particular game? How about a .243? (I don't own one of those either).

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The advantage of the .243, .270 and 7mm-08 is that there are rifles in current production for those cartridges. New-made rifles in .257 Roberts, 7X57 and 6.6X55 are hard to come by. Which is a shame, since those are fine catridges.

 

[Slamfire]

The 6.5 Swede is an excellent round. Mine are accurate and don't kick that much.

Captain Crossman said the 257 Roberts "cartridge was the finest developed since the war" (WW1). So obviously it is a good cartridge and it is based on the 7mm Mauser.

Loaded to its proper potential the 7mm Mauser is an accurate cartridge and it does not kick too much.

Heck, I don't know, there is so much overlap between "general purpose" cartridges. Just enjoy what you have.

 

[MachIVshooter]

.243 is cheap and very easy on the shoulder.

The 7mm cartridges can take advantage of heavier bullets, and it's just a more popular caliber in the USA.

.270 is a good round for all game in the lower 48. I personally feel the .280 is better (well, it really is better), but Jack O'Connor didn't write about the .280, so it is not as popular.

The 6.5x55 is a fantastic round, but like the .280, it will never become more popular than common small bore numbers like the .243, .25-06 and the 7mm's you mentioned.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

As a reloader, I see it differently.

257, not many bullets, enough but not the variety.
270 good selection long case neck. Good round
7mm tons of bullet varieties. Lots of options. 7-08 is a good round.

If you have a 6.5, the only reason to flop around a caliber or 2 is bullet selection or wanting more power like the 270.

Myself, I chose the 7-08 for variety of bullets and then went with 2 25/06's for more power and a nice long easy case to load for. 708 is my hunting gun, the 25/06's so far have mostly just been for fun.

 

[Rem.222]

I have .243, .257 Rbts, 6.5 Swed, my son has a 6mm. I believe 6.5 to be better than the smaller rounds on deer. .25 and under bores are ok on deer and smaller game but I have had to many bullets not exiting for my liking (didn't say wouldn't kill'em). This past fall ground was gun powder dri, my son using 243 100gr bullet shot whitetail about 250yrds and no blood trail and became dark. The next day went back after 2 hours of looking (many game trails in area) I finally found the deer about 100 -150 yards away but no blood trail. I'm sticking to 6.5 for deer and use lesser other rifles for coyotes and pdogs.

 

[wlewisiii]

I got bit by the 7x57 bug and just like it. I'll probably add a .257 Roberts sometime just because they go together much as someday I'll add a 9.3 variant for the bigger end. No really good reason but since I reload anyway, no biggie.

I've had a 7-08 in the past too. It's a really fine chambering, too. I just like my 7x57 rifles better, that's all.

 

[mljdeckard]

I agree. I love the .257, but mine is probably 50 years old.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

the 257 roberts is one of my favorite rounds but i agree it doesn nothing that cant be done by a 6.5x55

 

[ball3006]

All are excellent cartridges. It boils down to personal preference. Like, do you drive a Ford or a Chevy? chris3