Does a 257 Roberts shooting 120 gr Swift A-frames into less than 1" have a fit for African PG?

My young son, who at the time was quite recoil shy, took an impala and a warthog with a 243, one shot each. He used 100 gr Nosler Partitions. I wouldn't recommend it, however. Better to put them down decisively. After ten safaris, my Africa battery is:
-458 Lott
-375 H & H
-30-06
All using Barnes TSX's.

My first safari I ended up using my 25-06 with 100gr ballistic tips and took kudu, gemsbok, zebra, and blue wildebeest all with one shot. On the wildebeest I did shot him in the head. That was not by choice, my 338 win mag rounds were gone and there were none to be foundin the Eastern Cape.

The .257 Roberts with 120 gr Nosler Partitions is a classic loading. That is why Federal keeps it in its premium line-up.

Short of Eland (and if I was shooting...would use for Eland)...it will handily take any plains game you choose to line up and would be great for leopard as well.

Since the A-Frame just a beefier Partition...should do the same albeit I have little experience with that bullet.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
The .257 Roberts with 120 gr Nosler Partitions is a classic loading. That is why Federal keeps it in its premium line-up.

Short of Eland (and if I was shooting...would use for Eland)...it will handily take any plains game you choose to line up and would be great for leopard as well.

Since the A-Frame just a beefier Partition...should do the same albeit I have little experience with that bullet.

Lane,

Agreed it will kill these animals but only due to careful bullet placement. You have to be a first class shot and know the anatomy of your animals.

For your larger antelope I would not risk this calibre. For example I have seen more wounding from the veritable .270 than any other cartridge and purely because it does not have enough clout.

Waterbuck, Hartebeest and Zebra are extremely hardy animals and our reluctant to die even when well shot with larger calibers.

I carried a .25-06 to the Eastern Cape a few years ago when I took my son and he shot all the bok-boks and a nice wartie with the gun shooting Hornady 117 grain SST's. I don't believe he had to shoot anything more than once. I would think the Bob would do the same.

Graybird,

I like the Roberts for smaller big game. It should work nicely for animals like impala, reedbuck, bushbuck, blesbok, oribi, klipspringer etc but I would not use it for larger game such as kudu, waterbuck and eland. Unless you are offered that perfect broadside shot I think the Roberts would be inadequate. Bring the Roberts on your safari but something larger also. Even the 30-06 is quite a step up from the Roberts.

Mark

Unless it is for a kid who can't handle a larger caliber, I wouldn't even consider it. Why put yourself at a disadvantage? If you have a 300+ yard shot with a fairly strong cross wind and that light weight bullet, you are screwed. A-Frames are the best, in my opinion, but you should pick a larger caliber.

My buddy and i were talking about the rifle he'll be taking with him in June yesterday afternoon, which prompted the question.

The largest of the critters on the menu would be zebra, wildebeest and kudu.

Trying to find a load for the 30-06 is a bit frustrating, and hasn't produced a consistent reliable load. Another option would be a 6.5 Sweede, which is deadly accurate, like shooting golf balls in the yard kind of accurate.

Try some 165 Gr. Nosler Partitions over a load of H-4350 in your 06. This load is known to work well in many rifles.

A well placed shot from a 257 Roberts with a premium bullet into the boiler room is much more effective than a gut shot from a 460 Weatherby Magnum.

Load that 6.5 with some 160 Matrix bullets and have at it. The sectional density is great. The bullet should work rather well for this application. Certainly better than the .257. Good luck. Bruce

I would rather have my 460 than a 257 for Zebra, Eland, Blue Wildebeest, etc. If you are going to spend the money for such a hunt, use a proper caliber. I use a 300 RUM for open areas and a 378 Wby for thick bush. You're not punching through any bush with the 257. If you want to make yourself, your PH, the Trackers, and your taxidermist happy, don't take the 257. Spend more time hunting and less time tracking.

graybird,

Zebra and wildebeest are notorious for being tough. Get a box of the Federal 30-06 loading with the 180 TSX. They shoot great in several '06's I'm familiar with.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
graybird,

Zebra and wildebeest are notorious for being tough. Get a box of the Federal 30-06 loading with the 180 TSX. They shoot great in several '06's I'm familiar with.

Mark

Remington Safari Grade with 180 A-Frames would work nicely as well.

I agree with an 06 class of caliber. The critters there aren't bullet proof but some are TOUGH to kill. I would hate to see a Trophy of a lifetime and be under gunned!!!

Well, the good news is he pulled out a brand new Super Grade in 300 WM today, which was showing some promise with 180 PP bullets. I'm sure he'll get something figured out with the 300.

cant go wrong with a strong 30 cal but I would still take the 257 bob myself.I know a couple old guys that use em on elk. you gotta keep the range close and pick your shot carefully but it will do the job

I have shot a lot of stuff with .257 Roberts and 120 gr Nosler Patition with a healthy dose of IMR 4350. So far...nothing has walked away. That's pretty good medicine for anything smaller than a elk...does pretty good on elk too. Would be a great leopard on bait from blind gun.

Wouldn't be my first choice for zebra and wildebeest...but I would not hesitate to pull the trigger if it was what I had.

We are told that you need 1500 ft/lb to properly kill an Elk, [which 257r/120gn has at nearly 200yd]
and we are told elk are no less 'tough' than most any African plains game.
and we are told by many seasoned guides/PHs and experienced gun writers, over numerous decades - that shot placement trumps calibre.

People have pole-axed elk and AfricanPG with their .257 Weatherby,.. with 257r you just have to get closer.

I had a very successful hunt in the Eastern Cape using a 257Wbyd loaded with Barnes 90XBTs

It killed two zebra (one required a finisher)3 Cape Kudu, black and white springbok, common reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, vaal rhebok, klipspringer, cape bushbuck and some impalas.

As the hunt required long shots (the klippie I shot at 460 yards)......it was perfect for the game and the terrain. It worked beautifully on the Cape Kudu too.
I wouldn't hesitate to return for that sort of hunt with a 6.5X65 or 264WM or even better a 26 Nosler.

For a general PG hunt with eland on the agenda you need at least a 6.5X55 with 140 A-Frames, but you would be better off with a 30 calibre, if it's a magnum use 200grainers.

"Unless it is for a kid who can't handle a larger caliber, I wouldn't even consider it. Why put yourself at a disadvantage? If you have a 300+ yard shot with a fairly strong cross wind and that light weight bullet, you are screwed. A-Frames are the best, in my opinion, but you should pick a larger caliber."

+ 1 and all the other similar sentiments posted. A great little combination, but this is not where it belongs.

If people believe 257r will disadvantage an adult,[some lack of killing power I presume]
why would one then approve of 'disadvantaging' a novice hunter child?

257r is either effectively suitable or it aint,
..its potential killing capability does not change merely according to the -age- of the hunter using it.

IF one trusts/is approving that a child can use a 257r with good-satisfactory effect,
why would a proficient shot adult not be cable of at least the same?

Trax, graybird, and others,

Sounds like fun. Hunting and walking through the forest with an accurate rifle.

The 257 Roberts just asks for some finesse with the shot making and shot choices.

The only question to ask is whether another accurate rifle is available in a heavier calibre?

If your spending +$30 K on a hunt (Logistics, safari fee, animal tags, tips, taxidermy, etc. etc .) and all the planning why not bring a firearm suitable for the job. If you were not confident in the Roberts, you likely would not be asking the question on this forum.
Another $1,500.00 will buy you a nice Mod 70 with a nice Leupold 2.5 X 8 and you pick the caliber. folks mentioned a 06 which is fine. You could buy a 300 or a 338 with little or no extra change.
I thinking planning and preparing for these trips is as big as the trip itself.
If you are seconding guessing your choices, there is probably a reason...
Another $1,500.00 is small potatos in the cost of the trip.
Take a good camera as well.
Have fun on your trip!

Im going on record to inform everyone that graybirds buddy is more than capable with any firearm 257 or whatever

quote:

Originally posted by Trax:
If people believe 257r will disadvantage an adult,[some lack of killing power I presume]
why would one then approve of 'disadvantaging' a novice hunter child?

257r is either effectively suitable or it aint,
..its potential killing capability does not change merely according to the -age- of the hunter using it.

IF one trusts/is approving that a child can use a 257r with good-satisfactory effect,
why would a proficient shot adult not be cable of at least the same?

I don't "approve" of the caliber for PG. However, if you are a 9 year old kid and that is all you can physically handle, I would find it acceptable for certain game. They will be at a disadvantage because much of the larger game (Eland, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, etc) would be out of the question. Therefore, my point remains -- why would an adult who can shoot a larger caliber put themselves at an immediate disadvantage?

quote:

Trying to find a load for the 30-06 is a bit frustrating, and hasn't produced a consistent reliable load.

How bad is the 30-06 shooting? The importance bug-hole accuracy in a hunting rifle is greatly over stated.

Why spending a lot of money on a safari and then using a minor caliber? Yes, sure, it can work and if you fancy it with the best bullets go for it. But it is a question without an answer. A lot of sophistication instead of common sense what to use in Africa and to allow for bad angle shots. In the interest of killing game our purpose should be a good kill not fiddling around with minor calibers. Take a a 30-06/300 with good bullets ( lots of them) and you are well on your way.

I am just curious,
are those oppposed to the .257r for Africa also opposed to the method of hunting Africa with modern Bow & broad head?
People spend a lot of money to hunt Africa with a bow.
Bows and the .257r do have their respective limits in regard to sensible shot options/angles and range, no doubt there.
IF you are proficient with and aware of the limitations -of your equipment, and have discipline to sensibly work within those parameters,
what then stands in the way of likely success?

I would not encourage someone to use a bow, .257r or BigBore..... if they were not proficient with them.
Cause in all reality the poor use of any of those can equally result in a crappily shot-wounded animal.

The hunter in question is a seasoned hunter and has killed everything from prairie dogs to elk with his rifle

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:

quote:

Trying to find a load for the 30-06 is a bit frustrating, and hasn't produced a consistent reliable load.

How bad is the 30-06 shooting? The importance bug-hole accuracy in a hunting rifle is greatly over stated.

Consistency is the issue. It seems to be doing some funny things. So much so, the '06 was sent back to the gun safe.

In the past few days, a Super Grade M70 in 300 WM has seen it's first action at the range. A load has been found that shows some promise with 168 gr TTSX at roughly 3100 fps.

The question was never about the shooter. I have no doubt any critter within 400-450 yards would be in serious trouble. The question was about the cartridge and bullet.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
The hunter in question is a seasoned hunter and has killed everything from prairie dogs to elk with is rifle

And if he takes it to Africa...he'll be adding a whole bunch of other things to his list.

Between the 257 Bob and the 300 WM . . .

do we really need to finish the sentence?

-

The Bob is cute
the 300 pretty good
(my wife just bought a 375 Ruger
but your friend doesn't need to).

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:
Between the 257 Bob and the 300 WM . . .

do we really need to finish the sentence?

Understood. But at the time, the 300 WM wasn't even on the discussion table. We were discussing the rifles that were already known shooters and their + and -. So, that is how the 257 Bob came to the surface. He trusts this rifle and actually uses it every year as his main elk rifle. I told him any rifle you're comfortable shooting elk with, will be perfectly fine with PG only, excluding eland, on the table.

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:
Between the 257 Bob and the 300 WM . . .

do we really need to finish the sentence?

Understood. But at the time, the 300 WM wasn't even on the discussion table. We were discussing the rifles that were already known shooters and their + and -. So, that is how the 257 Bob came to the surface. He trusts this rifle and actually uses it every year as his main elk rifle. I told him any rifle you're comfortable shooting elk with, will be perfectly fine with PG only, excluding eland, on the table.

+1