the AI should give tou 25-06 performance so I would think it would work for fairly "long range" also.
Heck with the long tube you will get ultimate performance.
Be sure to share results with us when you get it shooting!
LouisB

Frank

I have owned a .257 Roberts Improved for quite a few years now. It is built on a commercial 98 Mauser action with a 24 inch barrel.

I have taken 14 head of game, whitetails and hogs, each one has been a one shot kill, usually they drop where they are standing. The first 11 I shot with out a miss, shot over the back of number 12.

I am shooting 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and 100 grain Nosler Partitions at approximately 3400 fps, both shoot under minute of angle and same point of impact.

I have a bore scope and so far practically no barrel erosion. Not all that loud and low recoil. It kills like they were struck by lightning. Try one you will love it.

Here's a list of the 25 highest to lowest % increase in velocity in AI conversions. The 257bob AI is a excellent choice. The 250 Savage AI is another one to look at if you want to play with quarter bores. I love the 25/06 and am considering doing one in AI myself.

The first velocity listed is the standard and the second is the increased when converted to AI.

1. .25-35WCF 117gr. 2230fps 2800fps 25.6%
2. .30-40Krag 180gr. 2430fps 2900fps 19.3%
3. .250Savage 100gr. 2820fps 3300fps 17.0%
4. 6.5x55Swede 140gr. 2550fps 2900fps 13.7%
5. .30-30WCF 150gr. 2390fps 2700fps 12.9%
6. 7x57Mauser 145gr. 2660fps 3000fps 12.8%
7. .300H&H 180gr. 2880fps 3200fps 11.1%
8. .257Rbts 117gr. 2650fps 2900fps 9.4%
9. .270Win 150gr. 2850fps 3100fps 8.8%
10. .25-06Rem 100gr. 3230fps 3500fps 8.4%
11. .375H&H 300gr. 2530fps 2740fps 8.3%
12. .243Win 100gr. 2960fps 3200fps 8.1%
13. .270Win 130gr. 3060fps 3300fps 7.8%
14. .280Rem 140gr. 3000fps 3230fps 7.7%
15. .30-06Sprfld 180gr. 2700fps 2900fps 7.4%
16. .30-06Sprfld 150gr. 2910fps 3100fps 6.5%
17. .219Zipper 55gr. 3300fps 3500fps 6.0%
18.(T) 6mmRem 75gr. 3400fps 3600fps 5.9%
19.(T) .220Swft 50gr. 3870fps 4100fps 5.9%
20.(T) 7mm-08Rem 140gr. 2860fps 3030fps 5.9%
21. .375H&H 270gr. 2690fps 2830fps 5.2%
22. .22-250Rem 55gr. 3680fps 3850fps 4.6%
23.(T) .257Rbts+p 117gr. 2780fps 2900fps 4.3%
24.(T) .260Rem 140gr. 2760fps 2880fps 4.3%
25. 6mmRem 100gr. 3100fps 3200fps 3.2%

I must have typed "deer and ELK" SO MANY times that even when trying to type "DEER and ANTELOPE" I still throw ELK in there. NOT an elk rifle.

I have all sorts of sevens, the .338-06, a pair of .300 H&H's , my 9.3x64 ,and the old standby my .375 H&H when ELK are on the menu.



The other thought was to just chamber for regular old .25-06 ??

Between the .257 AI or the .25-06 what are your thoughts?? I already have .25-06 dies but buying new Redding AI dies isn't a huge deal.



Any feeding concerns between the .257AI vs the .25-06?? HART is doing the rebarrel so that will probably not be a concern as they are quite competant. What TWIST?? I like the medium to heavier weights, so think 87/90 to 100 grain bullets. Though I DO have several boxes of old 115 gr partitions.



FN in MT

Frank, I shot the .257 Roberts for years, and couldn't complain as it just plain 'ol works. The biggest problem I had was choosing between the various 100's and 117's.

I developed a profound respect for the Roberts in the mid '90's when I took a 200# 4X4 mulie with the 100 grain Nosler B/T. Had my doubts about that bullet on something tougher than an Antelope, but it worked well passing completely through. Didn't leave a humongous hole either. In short, that's the story of the Roberts, a cartridge that performs well beyond its "paper" ballistics. Few others can make that claim, and they depend on heavy for calibre bullets to do so.

The way I see it, the 257 will do everything the 130 grain .270 will, only better and with more sectional density. Anybody can buy a .25-06, or .270, but not everyone has a .257 AI in a model 70. COOL, WAY COOL.

Frank:
I've got a Ruger Mod. 77 that I had completely re-worked & re-barreled into a .257 Ackley. It's got a 24" Kreiger barrel and a Canjar set trigger. The only bullets I've tried are 75 gr. Horn. v-maxes and the 87 gr. Sierra. With the Sierra, I got an average vel. for 10 shots of 3312 fps using 44.5 grs. of Rldr-15. Don't remember for sure what I got for the v-maxes regarding velocity but if memory serves, it seems to be in the 3350 fps range. I've got more experimenting to do but if I do my part, I've put 3 out of 4 shots into 0.35" at 100 yds (seems I always screw up on the last one). Sometimes slightly less. For fireforming, I just follow the instructions in the Nosler, fifth edition reloading manual. No problems. I shoulda done this a long time ago. I don't think you'll regret it at all as long as you can accept the fireforming requirement. Bear in Fairbanks

Frank,
I have two .257AI's, a rechambered 722, and a 700LA that was originally a 25/06 and they both feed well without any rail work.
Both rifles have 1-10 twists. 100gr. Sierra Spitzer is the only bullet I shoot in these two(accurate and very deadly). Norma MRP is the best powder that I have found for this combination. Trust me, you're going to enjoy your new toy.
Stepchild

OK! .257 Roberts AI it is!!

Thanks for all the input Gentleman.

FN in MT