257 Roberts or 7x57 Mauser?

[Olympus]

Hey guys, I’m thinking about buying an older Ruger M77 in either 257 Roberts or 7x57 Mauser for a hunting rifle. I’ve never owned an M77 and always wanted one, plus I want one in an older, less common caliber. Right now, I already own a 257 Roberts but I’ve never shot it. It’s a Ruger No. 1 RSI that I bought new and it was just too gorgeous to shoot. With the 257 Roberts RSI only being made one year and with the uncertainty of the Ruger No. 1 model in general, I thought leaving it unfired might be a good idea. The value of No. 1 rifles seems to be going higher and higher every year.


That being said, my deer rifle calibers consist of 6.8 SPC and 243. I’m leaning more toward the 7x57 as it would be more versatile for other game if I ever decided to hunt anything more than whitetails. I like the 257 Roberts also, but it might be too close to my 243 that I already love to shoot and hunt with.


I’m trying to keep an eye on GB auctions for used No. 1 rifles under $700, but that hasn’t yielded much luck aside from African calibers which I avoid like the plague. Really, I’d like to say under $950 total for the rifle and a good scope. A No. 1 would definitely be my first choice, but an M77 in a unique caliber would be a very close second. Interested in hearing thoughts and opinions on this matter. Thanks!

 

[George P]

You already have the 257, so I would go with the 7x57. I owned a No.1 RSI in .243 and I used it for antelope hunting. NO gun is "too pretty" to use........

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

7x57 gets my vote as well. A classic but often overlooked caliber.
Good luck with your "quest".

 

[jmr40]

Both are cool old rounds. The 257 has a cult like following and just to be different is a good choice. But from a practical perspective 7X57 is a much better option and it certainly has some nostalgic appeal as well. That would be my choice especially since you have a 257.

 

[George P]

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...ifles-1/ruger-1-rsi-7x57.cfm?gun_id=101067831

There ya go - Ruger no.1 RSI in 7x57

 

[MachIVshooter]

7x57

, I already own a 257 Roberts but I’ve never shot it. It’s a Ruger No. 1 RSI that I bought new and it was just too gorgeous to shoot. With the 257 Roberts RSI only being made one year and with the uncertainty of the Ruger No. 1 model in general, I thought leaving it unfired might be a good idea. The value of No. 1 rifles seems to be going higher and higher every year.

Should the thing ever become desirable to collectors (doubtful), the overall condition is what will matter. What would likely happen with that one is like any other limited production version of a mass produced commercial firearm; it will end up selling between 25% and 100% higher than a run of the mill critter. So you'll hang onto it for 10, 15, 25 years and turn a $600 or $800 profit. Never enjoying it (leaving it unfired) would maybe add a couple hundred.

Guns are a good investment from the standpoint of being tangible, enjoyable things that will hold value better than most other items and can be moved quickly in a pinch for decent money if you fall on hard times. But as an investment strategy for making money, they will be a total flop 99.9999% of the time, only keeping up with inflation at best. Put money in stocks, bonds or real estate to earn.

 

[George P]

Or a stainless No.1 RSI in 257:

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...ruger-1k-rsi-257-roberts.cfm?gun_id=101067347

 

[Olympus]

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...ifles-1/ruger-1-rsi-7x57.cfm?gun_id=101067831

There ya go - Ruger no.1 RSI in 7x57

Very nice, but way outta my budget. I need to stay under $800 for the rifle.

 

[George P]

Of course, a stainless No.1 in 6.5x55 might merit your attention as well:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...-20-quot-ss-walnut-21322.cfm?gun_id=101057501

 

[George P]

Not going to happen if you REALLY want a RSI

 

[Olympus]

Of course, a stainless No.1 in 6.5x55 might merit your attention as well:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...-20-quot-ss-walnut-21322.cfm?gun_id=101057501

All way over budget, but nice guns.

 

[Olympus]

Not going to happen if you REALLY want a RSI

Doesn’t have to be an RSI at all. I like them, but it’s not a requirement.

 

[George P]

But also not being made any more; it would be different if you were talking about a current production gun.....jes sayin'........BTDT and regretted it a few times settling for something when I really wanted something else.

 

[denton]

I have a 7x57, and love it. My 30-06s haven't been out of the safe in years.

In a modern action, you can get 2750 FPS with a 160/162 grain bullet, and that is plenty for any North American game with the possible exception of the big bears.

My 17 YO granddaughter wanted to go elk hunting, so I loaned her the rifle and made her some cartridges pushing a 139 grain Interlock at 2800 FPS. She loved shooting it and wants it back.

 

[troy fairweather]

Go 7x57 there is a very nice one here by me. Its a tang safety great wood and metal. Asking under 7 for it he may go lower. They came from a man that used them in africa there is a matching 458 there to. I got the 2nd rifle the the 7x57 he had last year its a 7 x57 aswell. I have shot many sub 1/3 moa groups. Call bobs lounsburys 845 343 1808. Tell him troy fairweather sent u u may get a super deal he owes me for a dog leg ruger varmint he was going to sell for 500 i told him they are rare and dont take less the 1200 for it he sold it 2 DAYS later for 1450. Good luck in your search. One tip with rugers keep tje front action screw very tight the middle just tight so u can close tje floor plate. And the rear snug

 

[troy fairweather]

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...ifles-1/ruger-1-rsi-7x57.cfm?gun_id=101067831

There ya go - Ruger no.1 RSI in 7x57

U just had to post that link when im broke

 

[morcey2]

I have both ( 1 257 Bob and 2 7x57). If it's specifically for hunting, I'd go with the 7x57. A 243 is pretty close to 257 in terms of capability so the 7x57 gives you a little more oomph for some larger game. 257 is no slouch either, but not really suitable for anything larger than deer. My go-to right now is a sporterized Dominican Republic mauser carbine in 7x57 that shoots extremely well. The barrel is shorter than I really like at 20" so I lose a little velocity from that but a 140 gr bullet at 2700 fps will work on anything could shoot in the near future.

Regardless, either one works. ( as I said in another thread, I've got a thing for the 57 mm case family.)

Matt

 

[greyling22]

I'm going to vote for 257 simply because I want to keep the caliber alive so I can find brass. And it's a cool round. But realistically, 7x57 is probably a better hunting round, and both are surpassed by the cheap and readily available 308 or 270.

But if I was looking for a cool older round, I'd look at the 300 savage, 358win, or the 6.5x55 sweede.

 

[LoonWulf]

7x57

I'm going to vote for 257 simply because I want to keep the caliber alive so I can find brass

As long as the 7x57 lives forming brass isnt too hard

 

[troy fairweather]

7x57

As long as the 7x57 lives forming brass isnt too hard

an very easy to make out of 06 to.

 

[bannockburn]

Olympus

Another vote for going with a 7x57, be it a Ruger No. 1 (probably not likely due to price but I also love that full stock look), or with a Ruger M77.

 

[rbernie]

I’ve recently decided that the best caliber lineup (most functional, at least overlap) for my needs is 22, 25, 30, and 35. If going with a short action, 257 Rob (75gr-120gr) or 308 (125gr-168gr) would be my personal choice.

 

[Mn Fats]

A No. 1 would definitely be my first choice

Well that's convenient, because you have one! Shoot it and enjoy it. Lifes short. I vote for .257 Roberts being that's what it's chambered for.

 

[Ks5shooter]

PM sent.

 

[stringnut]

The 7x57 is a great round. Had 3 myself. Both Rugers had to use 160 or heavier bullets. The throats were extremely long. Using 139 flat base you were about .080 off the lands and that was the one with the short chamber! The Remington mountain rifle had a much shorter throat.