have a 36 mexican action wondering when I start down sizing which would be easier to sell. I love the swede, already have one in 7x57, never shot a roberts but own a model 70 and probably won't use it. What are your thoughts?

Me, I'd ditch the Roberts. I just like the 6.5x55 better.

The .257 Bob is a cartridge that appeals to many folks and thus may also be easier to sell.

You see fewer custom 6.5x55 on the market so if I were to sell it this may be a decent selling point to differentiate the rifle. If I were going to build it to use it I would definitely go with the 6.5!

I'm no gunsmith. But, what about the 6.5X57? Same case length, base diameter and shoulder diameter as the 7X57 therefore less tweaking needed?

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:
I'm no gunsmith. But, what about the 6.5X57? Same case length, base diameter and shoulder diameter as the 7X57 therefore less tweaking needed?

I had the same thought, but a gun chambered for a non-standard cartridge might be harder to sell.

257 will be easier to sell. And once you shoot a Roberts, you won't want to sell it. Great round. Load bullets long and hot; ignore loads for short mags.

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Originally posted by dpcd:
257 will be easier to sell. And once you shoot a Roberts, you won't want to sell it. Great round. Load bullets long and hot; ignore loads for short mags.

The 6.5x55 will do anything the Bob will do, only better. You can load it down, like I do for my boys (100's at 2700 fps) or like Duane said, load it up to where it runs with the .270.

The .257 is a great round and I have three but since I built my first 6.5x55, none of the Bobs have been out of the safe.

As to 6.5x57 vs 6.5x55: I've built several of both, never noticed the 6.5x55 being any more difficult to get to feed properly. They are ballistic twins, so pick whichever floats your boat. If it is an issue, the 55 definitely has more factory loads available here in the US.

Build the rifle in the caliber YOU want.
Selling it will be your heirs’ problem.

Mark

Since the 36 Mexican was originally a 7x57, I'd go with the 257R, rather than the 6.5x55. Certainly wouldn't have any feed problems with the 257 since it is just a necked down 7x57. 6.5x55 is a very good round....have several rifles in this cartridge and do enjoy shooting them. But then, enjoy shooting my 257R rifles just as much.

thanks guys I have 3 other 6.5 swedes, a 6.5 x 57, and a 6.5-06, but I don't have a 6.5 mex, guess i'm going to work on that.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Ray:
never shot a roberts but own a model 70 and probably won't use it.

Assuming the Model 70 is a 257, why not either shoot it and see if you like it or skip the 257? If you have one and don't shoot it, why would you build one? Sorry, as I get old, I start using common sense on gun decisions. By my reasoning, you have it backwards, I'd make the Swede a 6.5x55 and the Mexican a 7x57.

Disregarding the above, I'd go with the 257 on a Mexican. 6.5x55 is a great caliber and would like to have one, but would think a Swede in 6.5x55 would appeal to the masses more than the premium that a '36 Mexican would bring if you are thinking resale.

In the end, build what you want, if it's a full custom caliber will be the least of the concerns on resale.

I stayed with the 7X57 on mine. IMO, a great cartridge as are all the others listed so far. It would be really hard to make a bad choice here.

Terry

Glen71. Most fans of the '36 Mex might not be scared away by a 6.5X57 caliber. Back on track, I don't have enough experience selling rifles to know which of the two would give the best return on the investment. I'd probably listen to Duane or Mike MC. Ray

quote:

As to 6.5x57 vs 6.5x55: I've built several of both, never noticed the 6.5x55 being any more difficult to get to feed properly. They are ballistic twins, so pick whichever floats your boat. If it is an issue, the 55 definitely has more factory loads available here in the US.

Mike, I see your feed logic if you going to tweak the action anyway. I was concerned that the slightly thicker rim (+.008)of the Swede might add to the initial cost of the project assuming the 57 based cartridges would need no feed work. Thanks.

If you want a standard 6.5, go with the 260 Rem. Easy to get or make brass and it is standard bolt face. I still like the 257 best; if I am going bigger than 257, , I am going to go a LOT bigger than 6.5.

I have a sporterized Mexican Mauser I bought based on the assertion that it was in caliber 6.5X57. Guess what, it turned out to be 6.5X257 Roberts, slightly different from the 6.5X57. No matter, the performance is the same, and it feeds better than my 6.5-08 (.250 Remington) on an Oberndorf action.

One problem with .257 Roberts factory loads is that Remington paired the cartridge with the 722 action, resulting in an over all length which results in heavy bullets seated too deep. Not a problem with the Mexican Mauser.

Yes, that is why I recommended to ignore loads made for a short action and seat your bullets out to almost meet the rifling (ignore any crimp groove too). That way you can use all the powder space. I have a Ruger 77 with a really long throat and I get 25-06 velocities easily and safely. Actually higher but I don't want to scare the timid. Bullets are barely seated into the case. I also have a M70 with a shorter throat but I can still use the long mag to good effect.

I like the 6.5x57 BUT, I suspect factory ammo would be very difficult to obtain in the US. Same goes for factory cases for reloading. What's more, the ballistics for the 6.5x57 are for all practical purposes identical to the 6.5x55. So, you're back to the original question, 6.5x55 or .257 Roberts

6.5x55 or the 6.5 creedmor really liking that round.

Ed

quote:

Originally posted by lonewoof:
I like the 6.5x57 BUT, I suspect factory ammo would be very difficult to obtain in the US. Same goes for factory cases for reloading. What's more, the ballistics for the 6.5x57 are for all practical purposes identical to the 6.5x55. So, you're back to the original question, 6.5x55 or .257 Roberts

I have a BRNO 22F in 6.5X57 for which I have loaded ammunition for years. One pass through a full length sizing die is all it takes to turn 7X57 cases into 6.5X57. 6.5X55 brass, on the other hand, is mainly available from Norma and Lapua, a much more expensive proposition.

quote:

Originally posted by xausa:

quote:

Originally posted by lonewoof:
I like the 6.5x57 BUT, I suspect factory ammo would be very difficult to obtain in the US. Same goes for factory cases for reloading. What's more, the ballistics for the 6.5x57 are for all practical purposes identical to the 6.5x55. So, you're back to the original question, 6.5x55 or .257 Roberts

I have a BRNO 22F in 6.5X57 for which I have loaded ammunition for years. One pass through a full length sizing die is all it takes to turn 7X57 cases into 6.5X57. 6.5X55 brass, on the other hand, is mainly available from Norma and Lapua, a much more expensive proposition.

Yes, that's a valid point. You can form the cases easily enough from other brass.