would you recomend it? I guess I could learn-
to be used on deer, elk, occasional hog or yote--mostly deer

I think the problem would be that your choices are pretty limited. If you rifle were to "like" the Federal 120gr Partition you'd be in great shape. And I believe that Hornady makes a couple of loads with the 117gr BT which would be good. Winchester's and Remington's loads are pretty anemic and loaded with RN bullets so they would be a short range deal.

I've never shot an elk, but as much as I love the "Bob", I think I'd want something a little bigger for an animal that large.

Lubblockdave,

There are hundreds of cartridges and only a select few have really become popular. The reasons for this is that most of those cartridges overlap each other but some are of a design and size that just does not fit in all that well. Then there are the particular circumstances of history.

The 257 Roberts came out during the depression when most did not have a nickel for an apple let alone money for a new rifle. If they needed a rifle they could get a Krag for $2 or and Springfield for a little more. At that time the 270 Winchester had already come out and it's a far superior game cartridge to the 257RR. Within a year of the 257RR's introduction the Swift came out and that cartridge is a far superior varmint cartridge.

So what niche was left for the 257RR you ask? Well none really. Well maybe some rich kid got one to start deer hunting but most kids were handed down some 30-30.

Get a 270 Win, 308 Win or 30-06 Springfield for starters.

how about compared to a 243 and 25 06?? As I said I'd use it mostly for deer-proly not elk with a 243...

I am leaning towards a 25 06 just 'cause the factory ammo is greater, but found a 257 I think is a good deal, and I like the calibers that don't kick much, particularly since it will be my daughters hunting rifle.

Dave

Dave,

Guns come and go. Factory 257 RR ammo is in most big stores. So availability is not a major concern and there is +P ammo for the 257 as well.

If the rifle is a good deal then get it. If you don't pay much it's easier to move on as well.

Down the road you may handload anyway. Why not?

The win +P 117gr rn shoot shoot real good in my Roberts.

Dave,

I think the Roberts is a aesthetic cartridge, full of lore, nostalgia, history and important relations. It's a handloader's special, though, IMO. Perhaps it would be best compared to the classic British African calibers in that there isn't anything it can do that something more mundane can't do just as well. It's when you consider the panache, the style or the classicism involved that the .257 comes out on top. Ballistically, the 6.5x57 is better because of the better choice of bullets, especially the 160 gr. RN. (Nothing has better sectional density for lethal penetration.) However, though the 6.5 is actually even older, for an American the blessing of time goes to the Roberts but, . . . if we're talking putting meat in the freezer rather than shooting as an end in itself, there are easier choices. For deer and pronghorn at ranges most kids can hit, a 25/06 doesn't kick enough to hurt and if she grows up to elk, it will still do the job if used with care. Wa-hey!

The Roberts is pretty much a handloading proposition, especially on elk..You could have ammo handloaded for it, but a better solution would be a 25-06 and its a better elk rifle...

federal loads 120 partations at about 2750 fps, which is slightly slower than handloads..if you are looking at a ruger i'd pass they are very long throated and factory loads are set for short action rifles so you get poor accuracy from factory loads

If you can put the 257Roberts in the kill zone,you will dump it.The 120grs bullet,going 2,866fps,keep it close say 100 to 150yds.

I've no experience with the 257 as an elk rifle but can attest to its effectivness on whitetails. It's not a 25-06 but in my experience it's a real step up from a 243. I've never killed any hogs with this caliber but have killed a few with both larger and smaller calibers - I wouldn't hesitate to use it with good bullets and emphasize good shot placement.

As, I presume, a first-big-game-rifle a 257 will be easier to learn to shoot for your daughter than a 25-06 (not as loud and less recoil). I've introduced several women to deer hunting with both the 243 and 257. Neither had enough recoil or muzzle blast to be distracting, especially after starting out with a 22 Hornet from the bench and then moving up to the deer calibers.

Suitable factory ammo used to be a problem but I don't think it is any more. There are enough factory offerings to be pretty confident that you'll find a sufficinetly accurate load for hunting. You may not find it at Wal-Mart but any decent gun store or sporting goods chain will have it. And all the mailorder houses

And besides, a 257 Roberts is cool and not everyone on the block has one. -WSJ