Hello folks, I'm think of joining the "quarter bore" club and a .257 Roberts seems to tick all the boxes.

I'm a bit of a Mauser 98 fan boy so thought I'd start with a donor action from there.

I seem to have 2 common options here;

1) 7x57 Chilean (Preferred)
2) 8x57 VZ-24

What do folks reckon? Ideally I'd like the action strong enough to handle "+P" loadings

Any recommendations on barrel length also gratefully received.

ATB,

Scrummy

My 257Bob in a v24 action is great. I would go with the v24 for sure.

Thanks, certainly one to think about!

Is the Chilian Mauser actually a Mod. 98??? roger

Actually, Bartsche, you're right. Should have looked closer. (Is in with a bunch of other 98 milsurps so made an assumption, d'oh!)

If looking for a surplus action to build this on, don't forget the 1908 Brazilian. It was originally a 7x57 rifle and they are readily found in excellent condition.

Thanks Grenadier, good point!

Built this one using a VZ 24 action. 7x57 AI.

Very nice Craigster!

I love the 257 and have built many things on vz24s; they are the best. 35 Chileans are too. The pre ww1 ones, 08 Braz and 09 ARgs can be soft, but I use them without a second thought. For mags, I always go with a VZ or a Polish WZ29, which are impossible to get now. So if you make yours on the Chech (or the late Chlean too) one you can load it to the gills. Forget load data in books on this one and work up. I seat bullets way out and get some speeds that would make you say impossible. Tty it.

Thanks for the input Dpcd.

Will start hunting round for what I can find.

Who's barrels do you use?

ATB,

Scrummy

Douglas on all hunting level rifles. Used two Shilens once; don't care to again unless they are the select match grade. I have used most makes but always go back to Douglas for hunting barrels.

Thanks again dpcd

vz-24, a good barrel .. and go

I'd lean toward one of the recently imported 7x57 VZ24's or a Brazilian '08. The .257 Roberts was based on the 7x57 necked down with minor changes. The feed lip geometry and box taper is identical for both rounds. It will assure flawless feeding.

Bob
www.rustblue.com

I have found that any 98 made for 8mm will feed 7mms perfectly.

Thanks folks, increasingly looking like the VZ24 is the preferred option.

ATB,

Scrummy

Not that I would reccomend it, but lots of 93's have been reworked to 308 winchester
which runs at higher psi than a +P 257. My Dad used to have a 300 Savage built on a Mauser small ring action that had the big dove tail cut in the top of the reciever ring. That ran @ 45,000 CUP and it came that way as a factory Sporter! Case in point, the small ring actions are stronger then they are given credit for and frankly I dont think +P factory ammo is all that it is proported to be.

My 257 is built on a 98K. But a lightweight 257 on a small ring action running @ a very safe 45,000 CUP would be a pretty novel little popper IMO, and you could save the vz24 for something a little larger... YMMV.

Mine is on a 1909 Argentine, has a 22" Douglas featherweight barrel and a stock from a blank supplied by Pachmayr in 1977 or so. Metal shotgun buttplate, ebony forearm tip, K4 Weaver. I wouldn't change a thing.

Clarence

Well folks, as an update I might well have located that FN Commercial 98... possibly getting excited!

Everyone has their own personal thoughts on rifle design. I have used Mauser actions for over 60 years to build from. In all that time I have had only 2 rifles actually built FOR me. I usually have built my own or bought something built for someone else. Several years ago while attending a gunsmiths reunion I decided to have one built. I specified an 09 Argentine action as that was what the book store at TSJC was selling. It turned out to be a 7x57. Took it to Africa and harvested several nice Kudu with it along with some lesser game. A couple of years later I decided to have a second (and probably last) custom built and decided to step up to a really GOOD action. This one I had built on a blueprinted Model 70 Classic. It is in 257 Roberts. When I went off to Gunsmith school in 1952 I carried with me a 98 byf action that had had been rebarreled by a friend to 257Roberts and the bolt handle modified. The barrel was a Pfieffer which most will not remember. As most of my personal rifles it was 22". Here are a couple of pictures of my current 257. Barrel is a 22' Lilja 3 groove. Only shoots about 3/8" but I haven't spent any time on the loads or bullets.

Zim,

Slobber-slobber...blub, blub, blub... drool....

That's a nice looking rifle, but I'm curious why the rear sight base is offset forward like that?

That's just where the base positioned itself. It only had one screw hole in it that you can see and it is placed in the rear hole of the Mdl 70. Probably could have selected a different base but it doesn't bother me as it is and till you said something about it I had not even noticed it had a slight overhang. Does not interfere with loading. I suppose it could be reversed but the builder obviously thought it looked better this way.

quote:

Originally posted by zimbabwe:
That's just where the base positioned itself.

I've never heard of a base doing that on its own before.

7x57 chile may be a 95 small ring, which makes a dandy 257 Roberts. Own a 257R on a 95 Chile myself. Also have a 257R built on a FN 98 action. I stick with standard 257R loads when reloading for my 95 Chile 257R. Only use what may be called the 257R plus loads when I shoot my FN 98 action 257R.

So, I'd recommend the VZ24 98 action for your build, if you like or want to load to higher pressures.

Well folks, the rifle has been commissioned. Will be on an FN Commerical 98 with a horizontal 3 position safety, 24" barrel.

Will keep you all updated.

Now, next question:

Recommend me an optic for this lovely flat shoot chambering...

I see you've already started your build, but I thought I'd drop a line in case some lurker might like to do something similar, and want a few more suggestions.
Years ago, I built a "calling rifle" on an M98 action. It was a .257 Bob AI with a thumbhole stock, and 20" barrel. I really enjoyed this rifle and ran about 5k through the bore. I used it to collect hides, in calling competition, and steel-shooting contests. It's been my favorite for a looong time.
When I decided to rebarrel it, I reheatreated it, and installed a 20" 7x57 Shilon 10" twist tube. I also used a "butter-knife" bolt handle, and got a fiberglass, thumbhole, Mannlicher-style stock for it.
I put a 2-7 Redfield "Widefield" scope on it when it was a .257, but now I've got a Weaver K2.5 atop it to stay with the light svelt theme.
So it won't go to waste, I got an FN M98 for the wooden stock, and installed a Douglas 22" sporter barrel in .257 AI, and a Bushnell 4x.
Usually, I install Timney triggers, adjusted to about 24-28oz, and that's the case with these two rifles.
I like the two-position safety, but I keep saying that I'm going to try the three-position M70-style one day.
You can see I'm an old man, so use a lot of the older, classical pieces. They are fun, and I have them around, lol.
Maybe I'll bump into the OP somewhere, and we'll have a time of it, as I enjoy shooting with other "Quarter Fans."
Have fun,
Gene

Well folks, it only took 2 years but it is built!

and.......

Pictures or it didn't happen.....

Let's see that rifle! I vote Leupold M8 or FX-II 4x or 6x on the scope. I'm a fixed power fan for big game rifles. Light, tough, and super reliable.

Well folks, here it is. Not a sporterised military rifle but an FN Supreme underneath.
Lothar Walther Barrel
Swarovski Z4i 3-12x50
3 Position Win M70 type safety







Best wishes,

Scrummy

Looks like a keeper!!!

Cheers Blacktailer!

Very nice! I have a .243 built on the FN Supreme action. Good choice!

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
Not that I would reccomend it, but lots of 93's have been reworked to 308 winchester
which runs at higher psi than a +P 257. .

Although what you say is true, the conversion was somewhat of a mistake. They were identified as 1916 Mausers and when I used US military ammo in mine It developed set back. It still can be fired but any time you use near max. loads it's hell to open. It's also true when using a lot of commercial hunting loads. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
Not that I would reccomend it, but lots of 93's have been reworked to 308 winchester
which runs at higher psi than a +P 257. .

Although what you say is true, the conversion was somewhat of a mistake. They were identified as 1916 Mausers and when I used US military ammo in mine It developed set back. It still can be fired but any time you use near max. loads it's hell to open. It's also true when using a lot of commercial hunting loads. roger

I agree, whoever gave the OK to convert those to 7.62 NATO should have been slapped. That stuff can run pretty hot sometimes. When I made the above statement I was thinking that the 257 +p runs at lesser pressures, but apparently they can be loaded to 50,000 CUP. Probably best to keep them small ring Mausers to original 257 pressures.

That's damn nice Scrummy. Did you do the stock yourself?

quote:

Originally posted by Scrumbag:
Well folks, here it is. Not a sporterised military rifle but an FN Supreme underneath.
Lothar Walther Barrel
Swarovski Z4i 3-12x50
3 Position Win M70 type safety







Best wishes,

Scrummy

Thanks, stock was done by the 'smith.