257 Roberts Help

Anyone got a link to the Leupold direct? I can't find on their website.

Thank you all for the info! The reason I am not posting so much is I am going through each and every link y'all provided. Learning the rifle, caliber, and even researching reloading!

Thank you and keep it coming
 
Mot45acp said:
Yesterday I impulse bought a 257 Roberts Browning bolt rifle. I've always wanted one due to my last name. The wife said she was wanting to start hunting and it was low recoil rifle that fit the bill.

Low and behold it is an extinct caliber. My search for ammo has led me to sources outside my usual channels. One sight I found near the top of Google search is a scam site. (Glad I researched before purchasing).

It did come with 40 pieces of brass and RCBS dies. Problem is I don't currently have the space to reload. I do have a buddy with RCBS setup and I plan on using it. Looking for a source of projectiles and brass that is in stock.

I'm looking to buy 200ish rounds to start. Is there a reliable source I can obtain this?

Also this rifle is in a beautiful high gloss blue, and seems all scopes today are a matte black. Looking for mount, rings, and scope to match.

Any help? I'm kinda in uncharted territory for me.
Click to expand...
If you don't have room to set up a bench just yet ... Check out a little item called a Lee Hand Press . This is a single stage press that is not bolted to a bench ... but held in your hands and squeezed together and then pulled apart . The Hand Press Kit comes with everything you need to reload except a set of dies , shell holder and a powder scale to weigh / measure powder ,
The complete kit is $72 ... the hand press alone is $53 ... on sale and available at Midway USA .
I load all my handgun amm and small rifle (30-30 ) with one and I'm 72 with old person arms ... the 257 Roberts should be no problem . I reload in my house at desk or table even though I have 5 bench mounted single stage presses I prefer to do it inside with heat or AC ...my benh and presses are in un-cooled un-heated outbuilding ... Even after you up grade these hand press are ,,,Handy for odd jobs , de-capping and priming all kinds of useful stuff .
I put mine in a bag and reload at my desk at the office ...these things are just COOL !
It will get you reloading ammo untill you can get that bench set up .
Gary
 
Bwana John said:
Wouldn’t a “intermediate” length action in a M70/M700 be nice for 7mm Mauser, 6.5x57, 257 Bob, or 244/6mm?

The long vs short receiver available lengths has been kind of hard on these chambering.
Click to expand...

Yes an intermediate length action is the most desirable, in my opinion. A Mexican Mauser would be a great option if you could find one. They're pretty much all gone these days. A Yugo Mauser would also fit the bill. If I was going to do a custom rifle chambered in a 7x57 or any child cartridge of the same length, one of those already modified would be my starting point.
 
Since this thread has veered off into conversations about suitable makes, models and rifle actions for the .257 Roberts here's a pair of .257's for comparison: At top is a 1950's Remington M-722B and below a rifle built on a '09 Argentine Mauser action. The '09 action is about ideal for conversion to the .257 Roberts as it feeds smoothly without any alteration to the bolt face, side rails and magazine. Just fit a new barrel and it's ready to shoot, especially if you're a handloader and want to load longer bullets. This '09 action has been nicely improved with M-70 style safety, classic bolt handle and crested receiver ring for a more graceful profile. IMG-3376-2.jpg IMG-3382-2.jpg IMG-3386-2-3.jpg
 
1948CJ2A said:
Yes an intermediate length action is the most desirable, in my opinion. A Mexican Mauser would be a great option if you could find one. They're pretty much all gone these days. A Yugo Mauser would also fit the bill. If I was going to do a custom rifle chambered in a 7x57 or any child cartridge of the same length, one of those already modified would be my starting point.
Click to expand...
Thats why my .257s built on. Its a nice place to start a build.
 
OP, my condolences. This is a headache. I say this as a long-time .257 Roberts shooter who has killed a stack of whitetails with it. It's a great cartridge, that the gun industry has abandoned, so that it can sell new rifles and cartridges to people that don't need them.

Starline does not make brass for .257 Roberts, have asked them to do it for years, no response. Nosler has the new brass market sewed up, and if you buy it, they rip the wallet right off of your rear end. Winchester brass is reasonably priced, but they only do a run of brass once in a blue moon.

The cartridge is best with 100-115 grain bullets of normal cup and core construction. Unfortunately, everything rifle bullet these days are designed for super velocity cartridges and most are too hard for the speed of the .257 Roberts, expansion is poor. Moreover, post-pandemic, trying to find many .25 calibre bullets can be dicey. If it ain't 6.5mm, the manufacturers don't care. Speer bullets are made of unobtanium, Sierra hardly produces anything other than 9mm anymore, and Hornady has been doing a fine job discontinuing bullets that are useful.

Factory ammo is another rare manufacturing run, and the prices are outrageous. Best to look online.

If you can negotiate all the headaches... it's fine rifle. That A-Bolt Medallion is the rifle my kids learned on, it's quite accurate. Has taken a few deer. I also have a .257 in a Kimber 84M Montana, very light and my main deer rifle. Recently passed on a Ruger No.1 RSI stainless in .257, as there's just no new brass available at the moment, I don't care to mix brass between rifles.
 
yes my kimber montana in .257 roberts is my prime carry rifle for deer, as i had two remington 722,s in the roberts and have been reloading since 1958 and being a brass hoarder i have all the brass i need. but 6mm and 7mm mauser can be used to made 257 roberts cases with no problems at all.
 
Boom Vang said:
OP, my condolences. This is a headache. I say this as a long-time .257 Roberts shooter who has killed a stack of whitetails with it. It's a great cartridge, that the gun industry has abandoned, so that it can sell new rifles and cartridges to people that don't need them.

Starline does not make brass for .257 Roberts, have asked them to do it for years, no response. Nosler has the new brass market sewed up, and if you buy it, they rip the wallet right off of your rear end. Winchester brass is reasonably priced, but they only do a run of brass once in a blue moon.

The cartridge is best with 100-115 grain bullets of normal cup and core construction. Unfortunately, everything rifle bullet these days are designed for super velocity cartridges and most are too hard for the speed of the .257 Roberts, expansion is poor. Moreover, post-pandemic, trying to find many .25 calibre bullets can be dicey. If it ain't 6.5mm, the manufacturers don't care. Speer bullets are made of unobtanium, Sierra hardly produces anything other than 9mm anymore, and Hornady has been doing a fine job discontinuing bullets that are useful.

Factory ammo is another rare manufacturing run, and the prices are outrageous. Best to look online.

If you can negotiate all the headaches... it's fine rifle. That A-Bolt Medallion is the rifle my kids learned on, it's quite accurate. Has taken a few deer. I also have a .257 in a Kimber 84M Montana, very light and my main deer rifle. Recently passed on a Ruger No.1 RSI stainless in .257, as there's just no new brass available at the moment, I don't care to mix brass between rifles.
Click to expand...

This is a good summary and I agree on all points. It's a shame we can't have easy access to rifles, ammo, and reloading components without having to get lucky, spend too much $ and/or wait forever just to enjoy the greatness of the 257 Roberts.
 
I load for the 257 Roberts and have for decades. I pay attention to the brass and ammo market. Manufacturers do runs of both. You have to be patient, but it will become available. It doesn't sell out quickly, but when it is gone, it stays gone for a while.
 
Boom Vang said:
Those aren't "options". That's what called monopoly power and pricing, also known as "take it or leave it". Average price $2.50 for one little piece of brass, minimum purchase 50 plus shipping and tax. What a deal! You must work for Nosler...
Click to expand...
I pay 150 for 50rnds of 28Nosler lol welcome to the reality of shooting a limited production cartridge:p

Now doesn't that 6.5 creedmoor or 308 looks so much nicer......(to me they don't lol)
 
if you don,t shoot deer past 300 yards a .260,7-08,308 is all you need, and as the parent cartige is .308 and if you reload your in like flinn as .308 cases all all over the place. i,m looking at over 400 BMA match once fired cases right now that i picked up after a black hat shoot at a local range.
 
I've shot deer and hogs with my .257 Roberts. If I were to move back to Texas (and I'd like too) the Roberts would be all I'd need. I have always kept an eye out for 7x57 family of brass to keep the Roberts fed. Years ago I found myself with limited space in a rental. I was in a bind for ammo and needed to load. I built a pedestal stand for my press. It could easily stored away when I didn't need it. I have plenty of room now and dedicated loading bench, but I'm still using that pedestal stand for my Rock Chucker. I need to take some new pictures, I guess if I'm going to be posting glamor shots like this. It's since been sanded and painted, looks a little prettier. But when you think of it most of you reloading tasks are not using the press. This setup has been durable and strong enough to resize for .35 Whelen, 260 Remington, 25/06, and the .257 Roberts. I reformed brass for all of those using this pedestal setup.
IMGP1521.JPG IMGP1520.JPG
 
dranrab said:
I load for the 257 Roberts and have for decades. I pay attention to the brass and ammo market. Manufacturers do runs of both. You have to be patient, but it will become available. It doesn't sell out quickly, but when it is gone, it stays gone for a while.
Click to expand...

It took darn near seven years of waiting till ammunition manufacturer's made new 257 Roberts brass. Scalpers gobbled up the entire production so I had to pay confiscatory prices. There is 257 Roberts brass on Gunbroker. Take a long stiff drink before you look at the prices. The pain will be less.

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=257 roberts brass&Sort=13

Anyway, get new brass at ridiculous prices because you don't know how many years it will be till you see new stuff again. Them's the breaks.

I have a long throated pre 64 M70 in 257 Roberts

CLi5zBA.jpg

the last owner removed the short magazine conversation stuff that Winchester installed, which was a bolt stop and short magazine. The pre 64 had one action length. That was smart. Converting the magazine to 30-06 length allowed seating the bullet on the 257 Roberts out.


IqtaafW.jpg


The current SAAMI OAL on a 257 Roberts is ridiculously short and it cuts into powder space for no good reason at all. I also purchased a 257 Roberts Ruger M77 tang safety from the Winchester seller, and that rifle is built on a long action. However Ruger used the standard 257 Roberts throat. That 1970's barrel is crap and the rifle does not shoot well at all, and I have not done anything with it. But if it shot well, I would go looking for a reamer that would cut the throat deep so I could long seat my bullets. It is worth it. You can get the same velocity, but at less pressure, using a bit more powder in the case, or you can pack more powder in, and get higher velocities. Either way, I consider a longer 257 Roberts cartridge a win-win.

And when you look at the bullets and velocities that a 257 Roberts can provide, you have to ask, "Why a 243 Win?". No one shot a 257 Roberts in competition, but one shooter who used a 243 Win as an across the course rifle told me his barrel life was 800 rounds. He had his own machine shop, and he ran all his ammunition at maximum. At long range, his bullets barely arched before plunging in the 600 yard bull.

I do think you could get a better barrel life with a 257 Roberts. Maybe 1200-1500 rounds if run at max. I have friends whose 6.5 -284 Improved died at the NRA F Class national with less than 1000 rounds through the tube. His scores went from upper ten or twenty, to just above the DNR's. (Did not Return). He drove out there, spent easily a grand on the trip, shot for several days, and then the tube died. It is still a sore topic if I poke!


YjUqv0r.jpg
 
Slamfire said:
It took darn near seven years of waiting till ammunition manufacturer's made new 257 Roberts brass. Scalpers gobbled up the entire production so I had to pay confiscatory prices. There is 257 Roberts brass on Gunbroker. Take a long stiff drink before you look at the prices. The pain will be less.

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=257 roberts brass&Sort=13

Anyway, get new brass at ridiculous prices because you don't know how many years it will be till you see new stuff again. Them's the breaks.

I have a long throated pre 64 M70 in 257 Roberts

View attachment 1144878

the last owner removed the short magazine conversation stuff that Winchester installed, which was a bolt stop and short magazine. The pre 64 had one action length. That was smart. Converting the magazine to 30-06 length allowed seating the bullet on the 257 Roberts out.


View attachment 1144879


The current SAAMI OAL on a 257 Roberts is ridiculously short and it cuts into powder space for no good reason at all. I also purchased a 257 Roberts Ruger M77 tang safety from the Winchester seller, and that rifle is built on a long action. However Ruger used the standard 257 Roberts throat. That 1970's barrel is crap and the rifle does not shoot well at all, and I have not done anything with it. But if it shot well, I would go looking for a reamer that would cut the throat deep so I could long seat my bullets. It is worth it. You can get the same velocity, but at less pressure, using a bit more powder in the case, or you can pack more powder in, and get higher velocities. Either way, I consider a longer 257 Roberts cartridge a win-win.

And when you look at the bullets and velocities that a 257 Roberts can provide, you have to ask, "Why a 243 Win?". No one shot a 257 Roberts in competition, but one shooter who used a 243 Win as an across the course rifle told me his barrel life was 800 rounds. He had his own machine shop, and he ran all his ammunition at maximum. At long range, his bullets barely arched before plunging in the 600 yard bull.

I do think you could get a better barrel life with a 257 Roberts. Maybe 1200-1500 rounds if run at max. I have friends whose 6.5 -284 Improved died at the NRA F Class national with less than 1000 rounds through the tube. His scores went from upper ten or twenty, to just above the DNR's. (Did not Return). He drove out there, spent easily a grand on the trip, shot for several days, and then the tube died. It is still a sore topic if I poke!


View attachment 1144880
Click to expand...
Im running 3.1" on my Roberts, which is a little too long for my personal preference.....shot fine, but some genius with a bore scope decided that ding 1/3" up the rifling really needed to go away......
At 3.1" i still have .2ish of freebore before hitting rifling. Im curious to see where my loads end up topping out on this one.

I have a decent supply of 7x57 brass to convert. PPU seems to turn it out regularly.
I do have about 200pieces of old stock federal and win 257.
 
There are a lot of stories about the .257 Roberts.
Like "The .257 is loaded lightly because it might get shot in a Spanish Mauser."
Well, maybe; of course you can chamber a Spanish Mauser for lots of cartridges too hot for its design and materials.
But what you will NOT do is slip a .257 Remington Roberts into a Spanish Mauser with barrel for the earlier wildcat .25 Roberts. Not the same, not interchangeable. Heck, there were two different .25 Roberts wildcats, the original from Neidner and the later version from G&H, not themselves interchangeable with each other or the .257.

I think the reason for the light load and blunt bullets is that was the way to better accuracy with components of the 1930s.

As good spitzer bullets got available, reloaders did things like Slamfire describes; shorten the M70 bolt stop and use a .30-06 follower to produce the "Three Inch Roberts" with spitzer bullets loaded as long as the throat would accept. Even lengthen the throat to take an '06 OAL, forming the "3.3 Inch Roberts." Accuracy was better with better bullets seated closer to the lands, but claims of great increases in velocity are suspect. The gain in working volume is small, what they were doing to get higher velocity was loading to higher pressure.
Industry finally got brave and brought out the .257 Roberts +P with the same maximum chamber pressure as a .30-06.
 
I used to get 257 Roberts brass to make 7x57 cases. A long list of possibles. 8x57, 3006, 7x57, 270, etc. The simplest thing might be to start w 25-06. That would be a one-stroke operation. Just push it up your 257 die & cut it.
 
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