I have an extra M98 action laying around, as well as a Douglas 25 caliber #3 contour 1-12" barrel. Tired of looking at both of them, so I've decided it's time to do something with them. I was talking to my gunsmith buddy the other day. He has a Roberts reamer & wants to go that way. I was thinking 250 Savage (he's got that reamer as well) with the slower twist to shoot lighter bullets. He's pretty well made up his mind that he's going to chamber it in 257 Roberts while I'm not looking.

What do you guys think? How heavy can I go in the 12" twist?

[This message has been edited by Gary Rihn (edited 06-28-2001).]

Gary,
Either of these cartridges will be terrific. Both are classic in every sense. First measure your barrel. If it is 24" or longer you can go with the Roberts or the Savage. If it is shorter you can use the .250 Savage. The heaviest bullets for the 12 twist is the 85-87 grain range and don't think that this is too light for the smaller deer. I hunt with both here in Arizona. Heck, some people use .243's for deer.

The Mauser action will digest the .257 Roberts easily. If you want to use the Savage, you should have a spacer made to shorten up the magazine and get a shorter follower and spring. I have one of these that was made in the sixties for Herters. It came modified as I described with a 26" heavy barrel with a 12 twist in a semi-varmint stock and it shoots just fine for varmints.

I don't think that you can go wrong with either one but I think that the Savage is more efficient. Just an opinion.
Bill

I think Bill may be underestimating the stabilizing ability of a 1-12 twist in a .257 Roberts. Some .244 Remingtons will shoot a 100 grain spitzer well with their 1 in 12 twist (mine won't, however).

Therefore, I would think it likely that nearly any 100 grain .257 will stabilize using the identical case and, presumably, similar or greater velocity. Who knows, a 120 might even come out looking straight ahead. I do agree with Bill that an 87 grainer is enough for deer, however.

At any rate, the .257 Roberts, which is the original Mauser 57mm case for which your action was designed, makes an excellent match for your Mauser, requiring no magazine or bolt alterations.

Thanks guys.

Bill, the barrel is still a blank, so it will finish at 26" or a bit more if needed.

My buddy said the same thing, about feeding problems, with the 250 Savage.

Looks like a 257 Roberts is in my future...

Just offhand I'd think the 100s ought to work in the 12 inch twist. My .244 shot 90s like a house afire, and the bullet length is about the same.