Gentlemen,

I have an Axis deer hunt in TX this Sept. I have never hunted them and the agent says my rifle will be fine. Will it be enough?
Any opinions would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Brittman

Hi Brittman,
Should be more than enough. Any good bullet would be ok.

quote:

Originally posted by impala#03:
Hi Brittman,
Should be more than enough. Any good bullet would be ok.

I have used it on many Axis ,Fallow and Whitetails. I always used 100 grain Rem Core-locs in my handloads and it never failed to drop them in their tracks. You have plenty of gun !

Just make sure you use a bullet designed for deer and not for varmints.

I've shot several big bodied mature Mule Deer Bucks with a .257 Roberts and 117 grain Sierra's one at 200 yards, one just over that and one at 325 yards. All dropped in their tracks and bullets exited the animal after traveling at an angle through the body (20" to 28" of penetration)
An Axis in no way could be tougher than that.
We've killed Antelope and a dozen Whitetails with .257's also.
Deer sized game is perfect fodder for the .257 Roberts.

Over the years I have killed three Axis at various ranges with my wife's .257 Robert's using 117 grain Remington Round Nose Core-Locts. In 2015 she used that same bullet to make a one shot kill on a Desert Muley out in the Texas Trans-Pecos that field dressed 168 pounds.

Place your shot correctly and it will get the job done.

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your great comments - I really appreciate it! I now feel confident that the .257 Roberts will do a fine job. I will make sure to make my first shot in the correct spot.

Once again, thank you all for taking the time to give me your opinions. I value your experience! I am really looking forward to being in Texas in September...!

Brittman

Enjoy your hunt. And by all means, share your success and experience with us when it's over...pics, too!

BS - You need an excuse for a new gun. Even though the 257 would be spectacular, better buy a new boomenshutzer and start working up loads for it.

You're going to have a blast. They are interesting animals in person...large bodies with kind of stubby legs. Quite a bit heavier weight than a whitetail...at least out this way.

quote:

Originally posted by Pancho:
BS - You need an excuse for a new gun.

It is easy to get talked into new calibers on this forum

If a 120 gr 7mm-08 @ 2650 fps will drop a mature aoudad in its tracks, 257 Rob wilk definity drop an axis

Hello again, Gentlemen,

It's great reading these comments - please keep them coming!

olarmy / I will send a report & hopefully pics of the hunt as soon as I return.

Pancho / Thanks for the advise on a NEW boomer, but I think I'll stay w/ my Nosler in .257 Bob! Good excuse for a new rifle, however - I agree!

Bugleintoday / Large bodies w/ stubby legs, eh? Thanks. I learned a lot thru Googling the species recently.

Austin Hunter / Thanks! I like your 3rd line down! We'll be out west of Austin hunting. I have to p/u my partner, in fact, at the Austin airport.

Thanks guys! This forum has such a wealth of info on it and you guys are willing to share your knowledge, which is great...!

All the best,
Brittman

Which Nosler will you be using ?

quote:

Originally posted by Brittman:
Hello again, Gentlemen,

It's great reading these comments - please keep them coming!

olarmy / I will send a report & hopefully pics of the hunt as soon as I return.

Pancho / Thanks for the advise on a NEW boomer, but I think I'll stay w/ my Nosler in .257 Bob! Good excuse for a new rifle, however - I agree!

Bugleintoday / Large bodies w/ stubby legs, eh? Thanks. I learned a lot thru Googling the species recently.

Austin Hunter / Thanks! I like your 3rd line down! We'll be out west of Austin hunting. I have to p/u my partner, in fact, at the Austin airport.

Thanks guys! This forum has such a wealth of info on it and you guys are willing to share your knowledge, which is great...!

All the best,
Brittman

What ranch are you hunting on?

olarmy,

I have the Nosler 48 Heritage (walnut stocked model). This was SLOW in getting several years ago. It shoots well and I enjoy it!


Thanks for asking! Have a good fall season in the field. All the best to you...

Brittman

Austin Hunter,

Sorry, I don't know the name of the ranch? When I booked it, I was told "Roy" was the manager - guide? It's two hrs. west of Austin, I was told.

You may know more about the location than I do? I will find out the exact location by asking the booking agent shortly.

I know I am really looking forward to the time spent in your great State of Texas...! It won't be the first, nor will it be the last!

Brittman

When I lived in northwestern Colorado, the only rifle that my hunting partner owned was a .257 Roberts. Back then all deer and elk licenses were over the counter, and he did all of his deer and elk hunting every year with his .257, without giving it a second thought.

His success with his .257 Roberts prompted me to build a .257 Roberts Ackley Improved, which may add 100 fps over a standard Roberts. That rifle shooting 117 grain Sierra GameKing bullets has been my standard mule and whitetail deer and pronghorn antelope rifle for almost 40 years. I also used that rifle/bullet combination to take several bighorn rams, a Dall ram, a mountain caribou, and one of my largest 6x6 bull elk, all with one shot kills.

If I were to book an Axis deer hunt, or any other hunt for deer size animals, my .257 Ackley would be my first choice rifle/cartridge to use.

The 257 is a good enough gun to use on elk up to 200 or so yards IMO, Ive shot a few deer, and a couple of elk with it some years back..and Ive used the 250-3000 a lot more and shot about everything with it in the USA with the eception of big bears and Moose. Its no quite as good balistically as the Roberts, so Id say your good to go an Axis..I like the 110 gr. Accubond in the Roberts real well on Mule deer and would not hesitate to shoot elk with it.

We shoot a lot of axis at our place in the hill country of Texas as we prefer the meat to that of whitetail. I've used a 115gr partition out of a .257 Roberts with good results. One thing I've noticed is that the vital area seems to be a bit further forward than a whitetail. Best results has been right on the point of the shoulder.

hidalgo,

Thanks for your comments! I have some Nosler 115 Partitions I can load in my .257 Bob, but it does like the Nosler 110 gr. AccuBond a bit better, so..?

I did not know about the Axis deer having their organs a bit further forward, similar to African animals, so I will remember to hold on the shoulder, as you suggested. Thank you! All the best to you...and good luck this fall!

Brittman

The Accubonds, IMO, perform just as well overall, as the partitions. Lots of friends have used them in various calibers on thin skinned game in Africa with great success. You have the right gun, you have the right bullet, the rest is up to you!

Axis are very similar to whitetails in size. ANY GOOD DEER BULLET WILL BE GOOD. no need for super premium bullets, actually they are a mistake for Axis. Remington coreLoct WW Powerpoint, or any other mid-weight for caliber cup and core bullet will be fine.
They are excellent eating. Much better than whitetails IMHO.

quote:

I have some Nosler 115 Partitions I can load in my .257 Bob, but it does like the Nosler 110 gr. AccuBond a bit better, so..?

Then shoot the Accubonds, don't over think this just kill some Axis.
They aren't big, they aren't tough, just shoot them!

I have used 22-250, 220 Swift, 243, 270WSM, 300wsm on axis deer.
257 Roberts should be fine!

Like swampshooter I like the Rem corelokt and Win. PP point in particular as well as any premium bullet..I have not seen either of them fail in maybe 60 or 70 years in any caliber, but Im sure someone has in that length of time, but that applies to any bullets..

the last few years Ive been using Accubonds and they perform about like a partition bullet so far on elk or deer, mostly in my 30-06, 7x57 and 250-3000s....

My son used his bolt action 250 Savage to take a nice Axis 2 years ago.

As the others have said your Roberts will get the job done.

My son used a hand loaded Hornady Interbond loaded to an age velocity of 2750 fps. the axis only traveled about 30 yards after the shot.

I went 2 years ago in Mountain Home Texas and it was one of my favorite hunts. They are beautiful deer.

Great photo, Scott! Congrats on it to you. I hope I can do as well next month there in Texas. Thanks!
Brittman

Good afternoon, Gentlemen!
I just wanted to let all you know I just came back from my first hunt for Axis deer in Texas. It was a wonderful experience for a guy from the Midwest!
I managed to take a fine male at about 80 yds. with my .257 Roberts and Nosler 110 gr. AccuBond bullet. It did a good job, entering the right side, on the shoulder, and exiting on the left side, breaking the shoulder. He was down in 15 yds.
My partner shot a doe for meat and he was happy, taking her with his .308 Win., Blaser rifle.
I have the meat at the locker and my head & hide at my taxidermist shop here locally.
All is well from an exciting new hunt!
Thanks to you all here for your previous help. It was appreciated very much!
All the best,
Brittman

(I'm still working on the pics!)

Congratulations. Glad you had a great time. Sounds like "Bob" did well too.

nope.. you should just pay for the hunt, send it to me, and i'll take at least 4 photos with a 470 Accurate Reloading and a dead axis ... which i might shoot with a 257 roberts..

it's a great choice for Deer

quote:

Good afternoon, Gentlemen!
I just wanted to let all you know I just came back from my first hunt for Axis deer in Texas. It was a wonderful experience for a guy from the Midwest!
I managed to take a fine male at about 80 yds. with my .257 Roberts and Nosler 110 gr. AccuBond bullet. It did a good job, entering the right side, on the shoulder, and exiting on the left side, breaking the shoulder. He was down in 15 yds.
My partner shot a doe for meat and he was happy, taking her with his .308 Win., Blaser rifle.
I have the meat at the locker and my head & hide at my taxidermist shop here locally.
All is well from an exciting new hunt!
Thanks to you all here for your previous help. It was appreciated very much!
All the best,
Brittman

Congratulations on your hunt, and to me they are better eating than Whitetails.

quote:

Originally posted by Brittman:
Good afternoon, Gentlemen!
I just wanted to let all you know I just came back from my first hunt for Axis deer in Texas. It was a wonderful experience for a guy from the Midwest!
I managed to take a fine male at about 80 yds. with my .257 Roberts and Nosler 110 gr. AccuBond bullet. It did a good job, entering the right side, on the shoulder, and exiting on the left side, breaking the shoulder. He was down in 15 yds.
My partner shot a doe for meat and he was happy, taking her with his .308 Win., Blaser rifle.
I have the meat at the locker and my head & hide at my taxidermist shop here locally.
All is well from an exciting new hunt!
Thanks to you all here for your previous help. It was appreciated very much!
All the best,
Brittman

(I'm still working on the pics!)

Congrats!! Thanks for the report. Looking forward to the pics!

quote:

Originally posted by Congratulations on your hunt, and to me they are better eating than Whitetails.

Randall,
I've never agreed with you more

I culled quite of few Axis in So. Africa some years ago..I used my 338 as that's what I had, it did work quite well at all ranges..IMO, any whitetail rifle should work on Axis...mostly depends on where you hunt them, and the average range they are shot at..So. Africa was a really long range situation where I hunted them, deep canyons and high mountain range..

I love Axis deer, my favorite game meat, just a "tad" better than cow elk! ha I have shot axis deer/fallow with the .260, 220 Swift, 6.5/284,and a 6x47 ( 222 mag necked up) I think they are soooo beautiful too! You got back from your hunt before I could tell you your 257 Bob as "about perfect", ha. Years back I had a Model 700 classic in the 257 rechambered tot he Ackley Improved...and it really scratched my .25 cal itch. I have used them, the 25-06 and the 257 Weatherby. I could be just as happy with the Bob ( but I would have to go with the Ackley as it is just so "cute", ha.)

Ive seen a lot of posts trying to justify the 257 robts on deer, elk, Moose and black bear and for what reason I have no clue..

the Roberts will send a 120 gr. bullet down the road at the same velocity the 270 sends a 130, does 10 grs of lead make any difference? surely not..I, personally have done the same with the little 250-3000 and never lost one animal ( not a moose as yet)

Ive seen a lot of big game killed efficiently and cleanly with the 257 Robts over the years, its a very impressive little gun, much like the 7x57 in that respect.

quote:

Ive seen a lot of posts trying to justify the 257 robts on deer, elk, Moose and black bear and for what reason I have no clue..

the Roberts will send a 120 gr. bullet down the road at the same velocity the 270 sends a 130, does 10 grs of lead make any difference? surely not..I, personally have done the same with the little 250-3000 and never lost one animal ( not a moose as yet)

Ive seen a lot of big game killed efficiently and cleanly with the 257 Robts over the years, its a very impressive little gun, much like the 7x57 in that respect.

Possibly it is because so many folks have bought into bigger is better and don't think that accurate shot placement, regardless of the caliber is what is most important.