Hi Frank, We had a chance to meet back in 2000. Bob Hart and I were on our way to Texas and you were kind enough to give us a lift to the airport in Harrisburg. Any way! The 257 Ackley Improved is one of the best of the A.I. cartridges. Just check out the numbers for the proof. For the amount of powder and the bullet weight it is very eff. I've never shot an elk, but for pronghorns it is more than enough with the right bullet out to 600 yards. As you know the construction of the bullet makes a big differance in proformance. It's a great little cartridge and I would give it a try.

I almost forgot. It shoots extremely flat. Perfect for Wyoming country. I wont quote any yardages but I have made a couple of very long range kills with it.

My dilemma.......I have a spare M70 that I want to rebarrel to something I don't already have and can use for deer/antelope. NOT going to be an elk rifle, nor any sort of dedicated long range rifle either. Just looking for a light recoiling rifle, capable of taking deer and elk(I meant ANTELOPE, NOT elk) out to 250 yds. NOT interested in either the .243 or 6.5 mm Family so save your breath.



I have a mess of 7mm's, BUT have never tried a 7x57. My other thought was to do a .257 Roberts, but the AI version. I have nothing in .25 right now.



Anyone have any input on the .257 AI?? I'd do a same taper barrel as my old M70 06, probably a 24 incher.



FN in MT

I can get the data for you, don't know it offhand, but my stepfather and his brother both have 257ai's and they are great performers, I love it. I was going to get one done eventually myself (now my gunsmith has me thinking about a wildcat called the 25 winters) You cannot go wrong with the roberts. I would go to a 25 or 26 inch barrel myself, get the most out of it.

Red

Which is it, first you say it's not going to be an elk rifle, then you say you want it to be capable of deer and elk out to 250 yds? If all you want is a 250 yd deer rifle, then a 250 Savage will do that just fine. If you want to include elk, then go to the 7x57, IMO.