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Opinions regarding a .257 Robert's on Mule Deer.
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I have a 257 Roberts and have killed a number of deer and antelope with it. Eight or nine years ago I lent it to a friend of mind and his son killed 5 elk (two 6 point bulls and 3 cows) plus 3 deer and 2 antelope. I order to get it back I brought him a 7-08. Since I did not draw an antelope tag this year it will not be used. I would not hesitate to use it for deer or elk.
good luck. Maybe I will use it on elk this year.
 
Posts: 48 | Registered: 01 February 2006Reply With Quote
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When I was younger my father bought me my first centerfire rifle. A Remington model 700ADL in .243Win. The first deer season I shot my deer off our back porch. Decent bodied mulie. With my tag filled I tagged along with my buddy and his father. My friend used his grandfather's 257 Roberts to take a nice 4 point mule deer. It only required one shot and I don't think we were more than 125-150yds away at most.

I don't think you would need to use a Barnes 115 TSX. Honestly I don't know that the twist rate if it's a 1:10" will stabilize it with the Robert's velocity. I would think that a 100-117gr cup and core bullet is all that is needed. Put it behind the shoulder and it will be lights out in short order.
 
Posts: 743 | Location: Las Vegas | Registered: 23 June 2009Reply With Quote
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Lora's rifle likes the Barnes "X" Flat Base and the TSX and she has had really great success with them.

My main reason for asking the question was to basically confirm my own belief concerning the .257 and its effectiveness on Mule Deer.

I can see the reason for the outfitter's concerns, but from my experience as both a guide and client, a person that has a rifle/cartridge combination that they can shoot well is preferable to me at least then simply trying to step up in caliber and bullet weight.

Thanks for the input.


Even the rocks don't last forever.



 
Posts: 31014 | Location: Olney, Texas | Registered: 27 March 2006Reply With Quote
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I have killed elk with a .257 Roberts and a 250-3000 and 117 gr. Hornady BTSPs..without any problems..In fact I will probably shoot my Idaho mule deer, my Colorado elk and several Whitetail deer in Texas this year with a 250-3000 or my new Kimber 84 in .308, schools still out on that??? decisions, decisions, well maybe blood the new Kimber on the elk and shoot my deer with the 250, oh well I still have a month to make up my mind.

This is not to say the .257 is great for all conditions, its not the best choice in a lot of cases, nor is my all time favorite caliber the 30-06. For instance I sometimes hunt elk in a place in Idaho where all shots are going away at about 40 or 50 yards and I want a lot of gun for that as a rule. The .338 or 9.3 beats my 250 Savage and my 30-06 there and the 06 would be a better choice than the 250...In some sage brush hills where elk and Mule deer are shot at at 400 yard, some times more, a 300 Wby would be a better choice..ONe has to qualify these things...

For my Mule deer hunting I usually use a .250 Savage, a 25-35 or sometimes a 308 or whatever, Im not particular and I only shoot at the range my guns are capable of killing well, the 25-35 is a 200 yard gun, the others mentions are 300 yard guns. Im a 300 yard shooter. I can usually get that close on deer under most any circumstance.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42228 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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A 257 will do just fine....in a classic 722, even better..... I know where a shop has a very nice 722 257 bob if anyone is interested.



quote:
Originally posted by Savage_99:
An old hunting buddy from the 50's got a 257 Roberts in a 722 back then.

He was hunting with us out of my 'camp' in VT then.

A older looking hunter came by him as he was sitting in the woods.

The guy asked what was the cartridge and when he heard 257 he went on a rant on how it's marginal and so forth.

He goes down the hill and a buck comes walking by my buddy. He shoots the buck and starts gutting it out.

The old timer comes back up the hill and sees the buck and guts spilling out.

He walks away looking sick. Wink


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Posts: 2606 | Location: Western New York | Registered: 30 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Im quite sure she will, its a great deer caliber.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42228 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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She has been using one for 20 years and you now have to ask?
 
Posts: 3811 | Location: san angelo tx | Registered: 18 November 2009Reply With Quote
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I've taken a bunch of mulies with the .257 Roberts. It will do just fine.
 
Posts: 4214 | Location: Southern Colorado | Registered: 09 October 2011Reply With Quote
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quote:
She has been using one for 20 years and you now have to ask?


I wasn't the one that raised the questions about her using the Robert's, it was the Outfitter/Guide.

In talking with him, he said it would be my decision, but he prefers people to use something larger.

However after reading the brochures and further discussion concerning hunt parameters, shots are going to be 100 to 150 yards from a stand, and I am pretty confident that if Lora does her part, the Robert's is more than adequate under those conditions with the 115 grain Barnes.

It turns out I will be loading 115 grain "X" Flat Base instead of the TSX, which of the two, this rifle does better with the "X" Flat Base.

Along with that I found that I have a few rounds left loaded with the 117 grain Remington Core-Loct Round Nose bullet which performs extremely well out of this rifle on white tails out to 200 yards plus.

Over the years between guided hunts I have been on and various guides I have talked with, there seems to be three "schools" of thought on caliber choice, depending on the experience level of the particular guides.

The less experienced tend to fall into a larger caliber than actually necessary or a marginal caliber for species being hunted. The more experienced normally tell you to bring whatever you shoot the best/are most comfortable-familiar with.

I have not killed that many Muley's, but enough that I have not noticed them being any tougher than a white tail if the shot is properly placed.


Even the rocks don't last forever.



 
Posts: 31014 | Location: Olney, Texas | Registered: 27 March 2006Reply With Quote
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When in November is the hunt? Where are you going?



 
Posts: 1941 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 July 2009Reply With Quote
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November 19 thru 22, Scott.

It is one of the TP&W Draw hunts for this year.

3 Day Guided, Meals and Lodging included on a 27,000 acre ranch down in the Big Bend area.

It is a new hunt this year for management Mule Deer bucks on a Private Ranch.

So far we have been out the $20.00, $10.00 each application fee, and got drawn.

It is northwest of Sanderson.

Lora has never had the chance to hunt Mule deer, and I have never had the chance to hunt them in Texas.

All my Mule deer hunting has been in Colorado and Nebraska, and I have taken Mule deer with .300 Win. Mag./.300 Weatherby Mag./.340 Weatherby Mag./.338 Win. Mag. and .35 Whelen.

I will be taking both my .300 weatherby and .35 Whelen and flip a coin to see which one I start out with.

I am kicking around the idea of taking my .375 H&H, but don't know if I want to spend the time sighting it in at this point.

I don't even know if we will get any shot opportunities, but I enjoy hunting Mule deer, and Lora and I both love that part of Texas.


Even the rocks don't last forever.



 
Posts: 31014 | Location: Olney, Texas | Registered: 27 March 2006Reply With Quote
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That is cool. It's on my list to do a West Texas mule deer hunt along with a free range Aoudad in the Davis mountains and a Nilgai in South Texas. I had a blast on a free range Axis hunt in June in the Hill Country.

Good luck on your hunt!



 
Posts: 1941 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 July 2009Reply With Quote
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Many Thanks Scott and everyone that commented.


Even the rocks don't last forever.



 
Posts: 31014 | Location: Olney, Texas | Registered: 27 March 2006Reply With Quote
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Looking forward to a great hunt report-


"The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane." Mark Twain
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Posts: 3386 | Location: Central Texas | Registered: 05 September 2013Reply With Quote
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The .257 Roberts is a great deer rifle, that's what it was designed for and it's been taking big game for decades - same with the .243 and .244! Heck, how many folks here are bragging about taking deer with the diminutive .223?

I'd like a Kimber in .257 Roberts.


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Posts: 3316 | Location: USA | Registered: 15 November 2001Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Lou:
! Heck, how many folks here are bragging about taking deer with the diminutive .223?


Frowner Too many! beer roger


Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
 
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Lou:

I'd like a Kimber in .257 Roberts.




Love mine.



 
Posts: 1941 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 July 2009Reply With Quote
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Really great looking rifle.


Even the rocks don't last forever.



 
Posts: 31014 | Location: Olney, Texas | Registered: 27 March 2006Reply With Quote
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Well, the results were, Lora and the Robert's prevailed. Pictures will follow as soon as we get them down loaded.


Even the rocks don't last forever.



 
Posts: 31014 | Location: Olney, Texas | Registered: 27 March 2006Reply With Quote
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I figured they would if she got a shot opportunity. Looking forward to the pics.



 
Posts: 1941 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 July 2009Reply With Quote
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Here is the first one of the group.



Even the rocks don't last forever.



 
Posts: 31014 | Location: Olney, Texas | Registered: 27 March 2006Reply With Quote
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Congratulations.

Guess the guide forgot to tell him a 257 Roberts would not kill him.

I question the guide when he makes such a statement, I'm betting he depends on smackamagnum to make up for his clients inability to shoot.



Don't limit your challenges . . .
Challenge your limits


 
Posts: 4267 | Location: TN USA | Registered: 17 March 2002Reply With Quote
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Nice! Congrats. Too bad you couldn't get a picture without that weird looking dude next to Lora. Must be the guide. Wink



 
Posts: 1941 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 July 2009Reply With Quote
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quote:
I question the guide when he makes such a statement,


It wasn't the guide that questioned the choice of caliber.

It was the man that runs the management service, and I can understand his concerns, because I have seen folks show up in a hunting camp, that really were not capable of using the rifle/caliber they had chosen.

Sometimes, from a guides standpoint, you have to go with the lowest common denominator.

A hunter that is used to the limitations of the caliber of their choice is preferable to one choosing either to small or too large a caliber to fit in with their experience/ability level.


Even the rocks don't last forever.



 
Posts: 31014 | Location: Olney, Texas | Registered: 27 March 2006Reply With Quote
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Show this to the manager of the unit. Same rifle, same 115 BT load; 100 (1-shot), 200 (1- shot) and 220 yds (3-shots).





 
Posts: 1719 | Location: Utah | Registered: 01 June 2004Reply With Quote
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Thinking back, I shot the majority of my Mule Deer with the 100 gr. Silvertip, and no problems..Also the 120 gr. bullets in a 257 come very close to matching the 130 gr. bullet in most 270 factory loadings, and that's high praise..I know a lot of Wyoming ranchers and their kids and wives that kill deer, antelope, elk, and Moose if they draw, every year with the 257 Robts and factory ammo for the most part. Its all about bullet placement and bullet construction, not caliber so much. Heck I killed more than a few elk with the 25-35 SRC and a truck load of deer. and its peanuts compared to a 257 Robts. Never lost an animal with either.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42228 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
quote:
She has been using one for 20 years and you now have to ask?


I wasn't the one that raised the questions about her using the Robert's, it was the Outfitter/Guide.

In talking with him, he said it would be my decision, but he prefers people to use something larger.



Then let him shoot something larger. Its your hunt! Smiler I wish I had a dollar for every Deer that excellent old caliber has killed. Ive killed several Muleys with mine. Far better that she shoots a small rifle she is comfortable with than a bigger one that she isnt. Personally I prefer plain vanilla lead cores 117-120 gns placed in the boiler room.



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Posts: 10189 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001Reply With Quote
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GSSP. I have used the 115 gn BT in my AI 257 on several hunts. How was the performance on your Elk? Penetration? Velocity? Recover any bullets? Nice rifle by the way..



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Posts: 10189 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001Reply With Quote
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Apparantly your were hunting on the Black Gap Game Reserve..I practically grew up on the bordering Adams ranch.

The only other TP&W hunt I know of in that country is the Sierra Diable, North of Van Horn, and Ive hunted the McAdo ranch that borders that,

Next time try for a desert sheep, both units have some B&C record book class sheep.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42228 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Did not notice your response until now. We were drawn for a new hunt that took place on a 27,000 acre ranch about 11 miles west/northwest of Sanderson.

The ranch is listed as being in Pecos county. It is part of the old LongFellow Ranch.

There were 4 permits available, Lora and I got 2 of them and a man and his son from Maypearl Texas drew the other two.

If I remember correctly from this year's info there were almost 400 applicants for those 4 permits.

There are hunts being offered on that property again this year, again just 4 permits, but also hunts at Sierra Diablo, Elephant Mountain, Black Gap, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Matador WMA, Caprock Canyons S.P. and Yoakum Dunes WMA, a new WMA out by Lubbock.


Even the rocks don't last forever.



 
Posts: 31014 | Location: Olney, Texas | Registered: 27 March 2006Reply With Quote
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Ive hunted the Longfellow and the Pinky Currothers ranch next to it as a very young man, if fact Pinky and I would slip over there and shoot a big one now and then, the sins of young cowboys..I had a shirttail relative that was the foreman on the Longfellow back then. It was literally crawling with deer back then and for years it was never hunted..As I recall at one time the famous Silver Dollar Jim owned it, but not 100% sure it was the Longfellow, but if not it was next to it..I spent most of my high school days with the Adams family next to Black Gap..Also hunted the McAdoo ranch bording the Sierra Diablo out of Van HOrn..All great Mule Deer country..Texas has some good Mule Deer and overlooked by many.

This year I shot my deer with a 250-3000 Ruger 77 fwt that I bought recently and I opted for the Nosler 110 gr. Accubond as opposed to my usual 100 gr. bullets...I was impressed with the killing power, but unimpressed with the amount of blood shot meat I ended up with, same on elk..the one recovered bullet I got is picture perfect expansion...I shot the .257 a lot in my early years on both elk and deer and I liked it...I prefer the 250-3000 for no particular reason other than its so damned accurate in most any gun, and it recoils like a 22-250 and its just sweet.. tu2


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42228 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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It will be fine. My daughter used hers in Africa for game smaller and larger than mule deer and everything was a 1 shot, no tracking, kills.
She used handloaded 120gr Swift A-Frames.
I would suggest 100gr TTSX(not use TSX) Barnes bullets if you plan to use barnes. Barnes give better terminal performance the faster they are pushed.
 
Posts: 161 | Location: Denair Ca USA | Registered: 21 March 2012Reply With Quote
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Congratulations on a fine deer. The 257 Roberts has long served me very well on deer.
 
Posts: 78 | Location: Perkinston, MS | Registered: 13 February 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by PaulBarnard:
Congratulations on a fine deer. The 257 Roberts has long served me very well on deer.


+ 2, me and my son have killed a pile of Mule Deer and him Whitetails with .257 Roberts.
tu2
 
Posts: 5604 | Location: Eastern plains of Colorado | Registered: 31 October 2005Reply With Quote
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257 Roberts with a 120gr Nosler Partition works on English fallow and I'd have no qualms about using it on the largest red stags we'd got.

 
Posts: 129 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 11 December 2013Reply With Quote
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My .257 Roberts did the job this year on a couple Texas whitetails.

It is just one of those cartridges that works far beyond expectations.


Regards,

Robert

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Posts: 2321 | Location: Greater Nashville, TN | Registered: 23 June 2006Reply With Quote
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As to your guide, There are no guides persay in Texas, they have no control of private land and no Guide organization exists..What you get is cowboys that live and work on the ranch or friends from Town, or a ranchers son, so opinnions vary a bunch!! I know I was one for years on my dads and uncles ranches..Not to say they are not good hunters but damn few know much about rifles and ballistics.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42228 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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