.243 Winchester or .257 Roberts?

[cheygriz]

Animals as small as deer don't require big bullets. I like the .243, but I like the 6MM Remington even better.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I have a .243 and .257 I hunt deer with a 7mm-08. Out of the two you mention .243 gets my vote.

 

[J-Bar]

The rifle is a Ruger #1 Light Sporter. I like it because it is short and easy to handle in a tree stand, I like the discipline imposed by a single shot rifle, and it’s different from the rifles used by hunting buddies!

It has served me well and if I can continue to use it without discomfort that would be great. It may be time time to learn to reload rifle cartridges after 20 years of reloading handgun cartridges. I use a Dillon 550, so I will consult with Dillon and get their recommendations.

Thank you for the advice.

 

[Olympus]

I have both and the 243 with a 95gr Hornady SST bullet is deer poison! I’m a huge 243 fan! Killed a lot of deer with that round!

257 is a “cool” caliber, but factory ammo is rare and selection is horribly limited. Reloading is a must for 257 and even then it’s hard to find components. 257 brass is hard to find and expensive. I form my own from necking up 6mm Rem brass or necking down 7x57 brass. 25 caliber bullet selection is limited also. You just have to love the caliber and understand it has drawbacks compared to the 243.

And I used the H4895 reduced recoil loads with the last 270 I had with 120gr SST bullets and it was just as soft shooting as my 243s! Cheapest option would be to try the reduced H4895 loads in your 270.

 

[rbernie]

I just buy Hornady 257 Roberts factory ammo and save the cases...

 

[rust collector]

My 6mm Remington worked fine for many mulies and whitetail. I moved up to a 7x57 M70 which never worked as well as it should have, and I am now back to 6mm in the Creedmoor configuration. I am also a big fan of the 6.5x55 for deer.

 

[LoonWulf]

The rifle is a Ruger #1 Light Sporter. I like it because it is short and easy to handle in a tree stand, I like the discipline imposed by a single shot rifle, and it’s different from the rifles used by hunting buddies!

It has served me well and if I can continue to use it without discomfort that would be great. It may be time time to learn to reload rifle cartridges after 20 years of reloading handgun cartridges. I use a Dillon 550, so I will consult with Dillon and get their recommendations.

Thank you for the advice.

You may want to just buy a single stage kit if you have the space.
I have a progressive I use for 9mm, but I load all my rifle on a single stage, just due to limited number of rounds I make at a shot

 

[silicosys4]

I have known a lot of people who have and still do hunt deer with a .243.
I've only ever known one person who hunted with a .257, they bought it and only used it for a year or two before selling it.
In their words they sold it because ammo selection, especially over the counter ammo selection, was extremely poor compared to other more popular calibers.
I appreciate the.257, thought about picking up a rifle in that caliber, but in the end decided against it for the same reason.

 

[mustanger98]

You may want to just buy a single stage kit if you have the space.
I have a progressive I use for 9mm, but I load all my rifle on a single stage, just due to limited number of rounds I make at a shot

I would suggest the Rockchucker and Lee Pacesetter dies. Last I knew, Lee has the neck-sizer die for .270 sold separately. The factory crimp die is included in the set. As with any other opinion, the next guy's mileage may vary.

 

[Jessesky]

If you ever go to sell it, the 257 will have a better resale value. There’s something about it that is vintage and neat. Feels like there is more soul in the 257 Roberts if that means anything. I guess because the name is traced to a single icon in the firearms community.

But in the practical sense, 243 has so much more availability, as well as the 25-06.

 

[LoonWulf]

I would suggest the Rockchucker and Lee Pacesetter dies. Last I knew, Lee has the neck-sizer die for .270 sold separately. The factory crimp die is included in the set. As with any other opinion, the next guy's mileage may vary.

You can get the "deluxe" version of the lee dies that has the collet neck sizer as part of it....I actually just gave one of those sets away a few months ago.

 

[mustanger98]

You can get the "deluxe" version of the lee dies that has the collet neck sizer as part of it....I actually just gave one of those sets away a few months ago.

Good to know next time this comes up.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'd personally lean toward the .257 between those two. That said, if deciding between .24 and .25 caliber, I think the .25-06 would be more sensible on the quarterbore, not just for availability of ammo and components, but performance. The .257 Roberts is a step up from the .243 in frontal area and power, but not by much. The .25-06 is a considerably bigger jump, and has the powder capacity to drive the heavier hunting bullets at very high velocities, which pretty well makes it king of the hill for whitetail & mulie rounds, and adequate for elk with good shot placement. If tags for species larger than deer will ever be on the table, the .243 shouldn't be.

I did buy a .243 for the wife, but this was her first rifle and it was a killer deal. I'll likely build her a 7mm Mauser down the road if she decides she wants to hunt elk.

 

[ThomasT]

But, personally, If you reload; get some 100-120gr bullets for your .270, and some H4895 and load 40-45gr to get 2,800-3,000fps. This will give recoil identical to a.243/.257 but kills just as good as your current.270 loads. If you don’t reload, Remington makes an excellent “Reduced Recoil” load that will tame your .270.
But really? The whole deal about the .270 is it recoils less than the ‘06. I don’t find the .270 to recoil that much more than a .243/.257.
If recoil is that big of a deal, I suggest a good .223 with a fast twist barrel and a 60-70gr soft point bullet. I actually have had better on-game performance from the .22’s than the .243. The Ruger American Predator in .223 w1/9” twist with the Hornady 60gr Spt comes to mind. The deer in my avatar fell to a Hornady 60gr Spt (MidwayUSA blem!) at ~2,900fps Christmas Day ‘17 fired from my Rem Mod-7. Shot it out my kitchen window at a lased 141yds.
Most important is 1. Shot placement 2. Shot placement 3. Shot placement. If recoil reduction helps, do it! How, is your decision.
But, I suspect you are just trying to justify a new rifle. BTDT!

Best post yet and exactly what I was going to say. For what you will save by not buying a new rifle and getting set up for a new caliber you can get a simple single stage press and be on your way. And you already reload cowboy ammo so you may have the perfect press already and just need the dies.

 

[someguy2800]

I like the 257 roberts, and I have never liked the 243 for deer, but for the goal you stated of reduced recoil I don't think the 257 roberts is the best choice simply because in its +p loadings I don't think its going to be that much different in recoil from a 270 to be worth the switch. The load I would want to hunt with from a 257 roberts would be a 117 or 120 soft point at 2800 fps and that will probably only be a 10% reduction in felt recoil vs a 130gr 3000 fps 270 load. You could go down to a 100 grain bullet in the 257, but then what is the point considering a 243 will do the same thing with less powder and recoil and ammo on every shelf in America.

If more power than 243 is desired I would rather have a 6.5 creedmoor than a 257 roberts. They will do the same thing but 6.5 creedmore has 10 times better availability and that gap will widen in the future.

If you handload a 270 loaded to like 2650 or 2700 fps with a 130 grain ballistic tip would also be a pretty soft shooter.

 

[ThomasT]

I liked to read Finn Aagaard long ago and he wrote about loading reduced speed loads for his 12 YO sons 30-06. So I did the same thing with mine. I used 150gr round nose Remington 30-30 bullets loaded to 2500fps. With full power loads my 06 is one inch high at 100 yards. The reduced 150gr loads land right in the bullseye at 100 yards and are just a little bump when they go off. And they are way above the power level of a typical 30-30 load and could be reduced more but that might also mean adjusting the scope.

 

[Legionnaire]

While I recommended the .243 (followed by a 6.5 Creedmoor) earlier, I'll second the idea of hand loading lighter loads for your .270. You already have and are familiar with the gun. You can run reduced loads normally, and still have the upside capacity should you decide you need a full power load. Definitely the most efficient path forward ... unless in addition to recoil reduction you would also like to be able to reduce weight by moving to a short action.

Edit: Went back and read that you're shooting a Ruger #1. Nice rifle! I would definitely start hand loading for it.

 

[eastbank]

I have two 722 rem,s in .257 Roberts and find them very good deer killers with a 115-117 gr bullet at 2900 fps.

 

[Offfhand]

If you have a classic nostalgia appreciation, the Roberts is the easy choice. I would pick a rifle with classic lines, great wood and a solid scope regardless of your choice.

I

I agree about the .257 being a classic cartridge deserving a rifle with classic lines and fine wood. Here is a custom .257 built on a Mauser action and beautifully framed by classically sculpted walnut... .

 

[SSN Vet]

I'll be the outlier and suggest you put a Limbsaver on your 270 and call it a day.

 

[Riomouse911]

In my safe:

The Remington 722 in .257 Roberts was my grandfathers gun. It killed a ton of deer over the years, and was his “go-to” rifle for almost all of his years using it. Winchester 100 gr Silvertip were his favorite loads.

Ammo can be limited, and certainly isn’t everywhere. If you load your own it’s much more versatile.

The M77RSI in .243 is an easy-carrying, easy-shooting rifle. For all day carry and light recoil it’s a great gun.

I bought Federal 100 gr ammo at Wal Mart last month for 9.97 a box. Roberts ammo won’t come close to that price...and it isn’t found at any Wal Mart I’ve been in.

I also have a .270, which has even more potential use for larger game than the smaller bores. This does come with the cost of more recoil, so dialing down the recoil by loading lighter .270 loads or buying a new .243/.257 both are options.

If you WANT a new rifle, a .243 will give you gobs of rifle and ammo selection... the .257 gives a sense of retro nostalgia by using a caliber that faded in popularity years ago.

With the increased ammo and rifle selection being a big part of my rationale behind buying a hunting rifle, I will suggest you get a .243 in a rifle that best matches your wallet limitations and primary use criteria.

Stay safe!

 

[mustanger98]

Okay, let's go with a combination here... I've seen a Limbsaver help, and you can get a grind-to-fit installed by a gunsmith who knows how to set up the jig. Several years ago, for a .270, I handloaded some Hornady 140gr BTSP's at, IIRC, 2700-2800fps according to the manual. For recoil, they seemed pretty mild compared to Winchester factory-loaded 130gr and 150gr SP's.

A Ruger #1 isn't exactly a lightweight rifle. Add the Limbsaver, then your choice of handload... each factor will add up the reduction in felt recoil.

(Edited: I just realized the OP's rifle is the "Light Sporter" version. I'm really not familiar with this variant, so I can't say how much lighter it is or isn't.)

That said though, if a .243 sounds good to you, get a .243.

 

[mshootnit]

I have used a .270 Winchester on whitetail deer for years with great success. One - shot kills have been the rule. Shoulder arthritis is becoming significantly worse. I did not really enjoy checking my .270’s sights a few days ago. I hate to admit recoil sensitivity, but I’m considering switching to either a .243 or a Bob. Most shots will be taken within 150 yards; none over 300 yards at the extreme.

So those of you who have taken whitetails with both the .243 and the .257 Roberts, which would you recommend?

Thanks for your insights.

I really think that 243 is the more lethal round for several reasons. 243 has flatter trajectory and less kick for better shot placement. 243 has higher SD. 243 has a great track record too.

 

[mustanger98]

J-Bar, didn't Ruger offer the #1 in .243, too? Seems there ought to be some in the supply chain.

Hey, what's better than one rifle? Two rifles. Use a .243 and take it easy on the shoulder while you figure out an accurate, not-so-painful handload for your .270. If they're both Ruger #1's, then you're already accustomed to the platform.

 

[J-Bar]

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