rbernie
Contributing Member
I just buy this, five boxes at a time.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...rnady+257+Roberts++P+117+gr+SST+Superformance
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...rnady+257+Roberts++P+117+gr+SST+Superformance
So to view that there's no difference in ammunition prices between the two depends on if you're always shooting premium hunting ammunition or not.
If the OP is like most hunters, which he said he was, they take their rifle to the range once a year to check POA/POI. They don't usually shoot more than 20 rounds. Some don't even shoot that many. A box of ammo will usually get them thru a hunting season.
Ammo costs shouldn't be a factor, at least for the OP. For me it would be because I shoot 2-3K a year so I reload. I'm always trying to find the least expensive bullets I can. 257 Roberts wouldn't be a good cartridge for me. It would have to be a 6 mm something or other.
Everyone's situation is different.
I usually have a box loaded....tho I think I shot up most of my rifle ammo now...... time to dig the reloading bench out of the car parts....again.Don't you guys stock up at least a "little", on ammo for the rifles you own??
I never could understand the concept of owning a firearm you were going to "use", and then not having ammo around for it!
I don't have a 6.5 CM, IF I bought one tomorrow, I'd buy some ammo for it tomorrow too! Then if I liked it, I'd immediately buy/order more ammo for it!
DM
The difference in cost for 243 and 257 factory ammo probably isn't that much. Both are available online so what's the big deal?
Buy a hundred rounds and shoot it for 10 years.
The other day I saw a Ruger #1 257 Bob at the LGS. I think it may have been rebarreled. $650. Nobody wanted it probably because nobody had a clue about the cartridge. Everyone wants a 6.5 CM.
Sure. Offhand I know that I have 7,000+ rds of .223 and 5.56, 6,000+ of x39, 2,000 rds of .308, 700 of 30-06 and 400 of .270. It's a drop in the bucket compared to some here, certainly enough to go shooting a few times.Don't you guys stock up at least a "little", on ammo for the rifles you own??
Don't you guys stock up at least a "little", on ammo for the rifles you own??
Nope. I just stock up on dies and brass.
I have a 257 Roberts and I really like it. I don't know if I'll ever own a 243 although one of my favorite-ever guns was a BLR in 243 that I borrowed from my uncle. Never got a deer with it, but it was a blast shooting jackrabbits with it.
Matt
If the OP is like most hunters, which he said he was, they take their rifle to the range once a year to check POA/POI. They don't usually shoot more than 20 rounds. Some don't even shoot that many. A box of ammo will usually get them thru a hunting season.
To me, stocking up on components IS stocking up on ammo!Nope. I just stock up on dies and brass.
Matt
Don't you guys stock up at least a "little", on ammo for the rifles you own??
DM
I’m the OP.
One box of Remmie 150 grain Core Lokts would last me 4 or 5 years...a few sighters over the bench to confirm/adjust POI, one or two shots in the field depending on on how many deer I wanted to harvest. No brag, just fact. I did not shoot the gun recreationally because I did not enjoy the recoil.
The reloading tools and supplies were delivered today. I plan to make some trial loads tomorrow, test them within few days.
More to come. Please keep your fingers crossed!
I recall those factory-loaded 150's kicked like a mule. I'm not the only one I've seen react to them, either.
I want to reiterate Good Luck here, in hopes that you can actually enjoy your old familiar deer rifle more/better than what you describe.
You might try 130 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips and load them at the bottom of the recommended range of IMR 4895 or similar burn rate powder. Ballistic Tips open a bit fast when pushed near maximum, so may be perfect for milder loads. I'm usingI will try reloading for the .270. It is a trustworthy old friend and it’s the right thing to do as we both slip / slide into old age!
I have ordered the necessary tools and supplies that I can’t find locally, and I’m researching loads for bullets in the 100 to 110 grain ballpark (I was using 150 grain factory loads).
Here’s hoping I can post some “Gee Whiz” target photos before long!
Thanks again to all for the informative posts.
Actually, Winchester did offer the M-70 in .257 Roberts chambering from 1936 until 1960. And also listed it in the Post '64 version as well. Factory records indicate they made 14,641 .257's from '36 until '60. An interesting side note is that before Remington introduced the .25/06 as a factory round, it had previously been a popular wildcat and quite a few M-70's in .257 Roberts were converted to .25/06 by simply rechambering the barrel and modifying the magazine for the longer cartridge. I've seen several of these conversions over the years.This reminds me that I read somewhere... and I think Jack O'Connor mentioned it, too... back when Winchester was working on what became the .243, they thought about going .257 and didn't bring it to market. I don't know why they didn't.