6.5x55 or 257 Roberts?

[rbernie]

I'm looking to add a new chambering to my stable - something in between 223 and 7x57, to be used for hunting thin skinned medium size game under 120lbs. If you had a small-ring Mauser action and could barrel it in either 6.5x55 or 257 Roberts - which would you choose and why?

 

[priv8ter]

If it was me...

Living here in Washington, I would make the choice of 6.5 X 55. From everything I have seen of the ballistics, I should shoot an elk with relative confidence using 6.5 Swede, but not the .257 Roberts.

I know you stated it would be for 'thin skinned medium size game under 120lbs', but I am a big believer in versatility.

Around here, 6.5 is also a bit easier to find, although, neither round is exactly popular. You have a hard time finding anything between .243 and .270.

greg

 

[jefnvk]

6.5, but I am biased. I own two 6.5,55's no .257. Shot three deer so far, all three have droped instantly. Furthest was 150 yards, which is about the farthest I get.

I could be wrong, but I do believe that I have read that the 6.5x55 has taken all big game in N. America.

 

[kaferhaus]

I have both. The 257 Bob will kick less and be as or more accurate than the swede at modest ranges... anything over 300yds and the Swede's BC advantage will leave the Bob in it's dust.

I prefer the 257 for deer and like sized game.

 

[Gewehr98]

The 6.5mm Swede will have longer legs.

That would increase your effective range on those 120lb critters.

 

[Dale Taylor]

6.5x55

I have a 6.55 x55 sporterized mod 96 which has killed 180 lb hogs and 120 lb deer. It has gentle recoil and easy to handle. [email protected]

 

[Colt46]

Go with the Swede

Far more versatile as to what game you can take. I think you can go from 80 on up to 160 grain bullets. All swedes really shine at the longer ranges.
They are really sweet to shoot.

 

[BlackCat]

I like the .257, maybe it's just sentimental though.

My uncle has a Mauser in .257 that has a carbine treatment, lovely rifle.

 

[Bwana John]

Could you call a .257 Roberts a 6.35mm X 57mm Mauser? Might make a better compairison to the 6.5mm X 55mm Swede.

 

[rbernie]

Could you call a .257 Roberts a 6.35mm X 57mm Mauser? Might make a better compairison to the 6.5mm X 55mm Swede.

Roger that.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions so far. Here's where I'm coming from, in case it helps.

The 7x57, even when downloaded with 120gr bullets stepping out at 2700fps, seems to be a bit much for the smaller deer (fallow/sika does). Most deer that I shoot at are within 150 yards of me, and truth be told most of 'em are less than 100 yards away. (I'm not a great shot off-hand or kneeling, and I hunt around this limitation as best I can.) I'm happy with the range-n-trajectory *on paper* that I get with my Barnes 120gr and 140gr .284 handloads in the 7x57. I don't feel the need for longer-range punch than the 7x57 as much I'd like to have something a little less, well, destructive. That's the background.

Now the fun part. I can get a butchered (drilled/tapped, no stock, mismatched numbers, but otherwise sound) small-ring Mauser action in 7x57 for $100 and rebarrel it to 257 Roberts. That was my intended approach to all of this - until this past weekend. This weekend, I was offered the purchase of a 6.5x55 Swede action. The receiver on it has been D&T but it, too, is in good shape and has a great bore on the barrel. I can get into it for $200.

And therein lies the dilemma. The 257 Roberts *appears* to have better support for the 80gr - 100gr medium-game bullets that would nicely complement my 120gr 7x57 loads (both hot and mild). These 257cal bullets will have a slight loss in BC and SD when compared to the 6.5x55 (.264) stuff, but for my purposes that appears largely irrelevant. On the other hand, the .264 caliber doesn't SEEM to have the same support in the lighter hunting ranges (80gr-90gr) as does the .257. So you're thinking - he's talked himself right into the 257 Roberts, right? Well, no. After all, the 6.5x55 I'm looking at is already barreled and headspaced, so it's certainly the path of least resistance. Having to just reblue and restock the rifle is a lot more appealing to me than rebarreling it, too. Hey - I'm lazy.

So - do I get the 7x57 and rebarrel it (mo' money, but maybe a little mo' appropriate for the game) or do I get lazy and run the 6.5x55 and hope that I can find some decent 90gr offerings? Am I correct in reading the bullet ranges and such for each of these calibers, or have I overlooked some killer options?

 

[ThreadKiller]

Take about yer classic calibers. Tough choice. For deer sized game and smaller, you and the animal will have a difficult time finding any difference between the two. Both are absolutely superb deer cartridges.

The boys in Sweden use the 6.5 for moose and it's been a favorite of target shooters for many many years, so if bigger deer deer are on the menu, maybe it would be the better choice. However, I don't think there's a deer made that a 257 can't kill cleanly, especially with the 120 Nosler partition.

Flip a coin.

Tim

 

[Bwana John]

I think there is a wildcat that is very popular in Europe called th 6.5mm X 57mm Mauser.

 

[one-shot-one]

Research

if money and preceeding comments have not sawed you,
check to see wich will have the easiest to find ammo, and or reloading supplies. go from there.
i too have a 6.5X55, and love it but i've always wanted a .257 also.

 

[ACP230]

I have a .250 Savage and it has killed most deer I shot with it on the spot.

I like the .25 caliber, so I'd go with the .257 Roberts.

I have a 6.5X55, a sporterized Swedish Carbine but it isn't as accurate, or as interesting, as my Ruger 77 lightweight in .250.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
--------------------------------
Could you call a .257 Roberts a 6.35mm X 57mm Mauser? Might make a better compairison to the 6.5mm X 55mm Swede.
---------------------------------

Which is to say, close to identical for all intents and purposes. The Swede, with its faster twist and slightly larger caliber will handle heavier bullets.

 

[CB900F]

Rbernie;

I've had experience with both. IMHO, this really isn't an apples & apples comparison. The difference in available bullets is the rather large difference between the two. But then, I'm into reloading.

The heaviest commonly available bullet for the .257 is 120 grains. The 6.5 can be had with bullets up to 160 grains. Seeing as how the actual diameter difference between the two calibers is .007", it's obvious that the heavier Swede bullets are going to carry a much higher B/C. Note also, the sectional density differences.

As a general rule, and of course there are exceptions, the Swede tends to do better with bullets of 120 grains & up in the accuracy department. The Roberts seems to perform the best with bullets in the 85 to 117 weight range.

You pays yer nickle & you makes yer choice.

900F

 

[Sulaco]

For the game you are describing .257 Roberts would be a killing machine. I know some hunters around here (SC) that don't even discuss shooting anything other.

 

[pete f]

In reality we are talking about a difference of.007 inch diameter, about the .257x57mm verses the .264x 55mm. the actual differences are insignificant for any game animal suitable for a mid size cartridge, the big advantage of the 6.5 swede is to be able to handle bullets up to 160 grain in wieght. but a .257 Nosler partition 120 or a Trophy bonded Bearclaw loaded to modern pressures will kill most anything in North America except the big bears

One of the problems of the 96 mauser is it is a cock on close action which means it just is abit awkward to function. otherwise they are magnificent examples of the machinists trade.

 

[rbernie]

One of the problems of the 96 mauser is it is a cock on close action which means it just is abit awkward to function.

Actually, for me it's just perfect. I prefer cock-on-close, which is why I've sold most of my commercial sporters and have been busily building up Enfields and small-ring Mausers.

Thanks again to everyone who chimed in. I guess that I'm gonna let the '96 6.5x55 pass and keep working towards building up the '93 in 257 Roberts. If I wanted to replace my '95 7x57 with one rifle, the 6.5x55 would probably do the deed. But I'm looking to augment the 7x57, and that means that the greater bullet selection in the low end of things (sub-100gr) for the 257 is simply the deal-maker.

 

[Dale Taylor]

If you prefer cock on close, convert it. [email protected]

 

[rbernie]

If you prefer cock on close, convert it.

You can convert a cock-on-close Mauser (small ring) to cock-on-open, but that's going the wrong way for me. I've never seen anything that would let me convert a cock-on-open Mauser (large ring), say, to a cock-on-close design.

 

[afvoo52]

I have the 257 Bob and have owned the 6.5X55, I think neither get the respect they deserve. The Bob seems to be loaded mild on most factory loads and is a reloaders dream as is the 6.5X55. Both can be vastly improved for hunting by reloading. I prefer the Roberts due to less recoil and availability of bullets and variety to suit the game I am hunting. The 6.5X55 I had was amazingly accurate for a surplus rifle and was no slouch when it came to punching paper. The Roberts is also a tack driver but as we all know this has more to do with the barrel and rifle than cartridge. I feel that for short to meduim range and small to medium game the Roberts is a great choice. I also feel if I was going past 300 yards neither round would be my first choice.

 

[deadkenny]

I would also agree that the .257 might be a bit closer to what you've said you want, since you're specifically looking at the lighter weight bullets. However, there's not a big difference and if the 6.5x55 would save you time and money, that makes a lot of sense too. I will just add that the perfect cartridge for what you're asking about would be the .250 Savage.

 

[22LongRifle]

If you reload, either is going to give the results (and beyond) that you desire.

I personally would go with the 6.5 Swede.

22lr

 

[Bigfoot]

Rbernie, what did you do and how has it worked out for you these past three years?