Wanted to give an update to the posts I made about hunting with the .257 Roberts, using a slip-on pad over a mounted pad, 100gr loads, getting more penetration when sticking it in the butt, and how to protect a muzzle brake to keep out snow/water/mud/other garbage I don't want in there.

For those who did not see my other threads over the past month, I have a broken back and needed to cobble together a rifle from parts I had on hand to make an uber-light recoil rifle for deer hunting in northern MN, AR, and LA. I am still in a full body brace, have a 15# lifting restriction, and am not supposed to shoot anything other than a .22 for 5 more months. On top of this I am still recovering from broken ankle surgery, had my 25th surgery during the middle of deer season, plus I have been disabled since July 5, 06.

The main thing I was after here was low recoil, with no cash outlay as a very close second. An additional benefit of this quick and dirty project was that it got me back in my shop making chips. As an added benefit I made both wood and metal chips, as opposed to only making metal chips, as is the case 85-95% of the time. I tell people that if my normal work is the equivalent of Michelangelo making a marble statue, then this was me pouring a concrete sidewalk.

The rifle wound up being very accurate and the recoil was manageable with 100gr Partitions that clocked 2901fps. I am writing a post on what exactly the rifle is, what I had to do to make it work, and how it performed. As for the protection to keep snow out of the muzzle brake and barrel, I first used rubber gloves and later switched to taping a finger from a rubber glove stretched over the brake. I am headed to AR and LA for more hunting and will just put electrical tape over the brake for the rest of the season. To those who suggested using a condom to cover the muzzle, well, that is just wrong! Just thinking about a condom rupturing gives me the heebee geebees and there was no way in hell I was going to intentionally cause one to come apart!!!

I shot a 3 pt the evening of the 7th day of season and a 10 pt (130 ½ B&C gross, 191# empty weight) the morning of the 8th day. I only saw more little junior bucks after that let them walk. My time in the field was far less than a typical year and I was not able to hunt how I had been planning since the end of last season. Had you told me on July 9 that my hunting would be what it was, I would have considered it a failure. But after I came within thousands of an inch from never walking again on July 10, well, I am pretty satisfied with the outcome! I can't thank my neighbor enough for his help with the hunting and doing all of the grunt work part of it.

Here are a few pics of the rifle, the 10pt, my neighbor and I with the season's bounty, and some bullet wounds that impressed the hell out of me! The little Roberts works.

Thank you so much for everyone who helped me in posts, PM's, and emails!!!

Marc
Good deal man glad you got to get out and go hunting man. nothing better!!!!

What a guy roger

Marc, you are an inspiration..Most of us that have nothing wrong, dont have half the "get up and go" that you do!!

Inspiring Story and a sweet build! It's nice to be reminded every once in a while that it's determination and skill that brings game to hand, the rifle is just the noisemaker celebrating all that came before.

Jim

Way to go Marc!

BTW it's damn hard to smile for the camera when you're that cold huh?

Congratulations! Glad you made it out there. What's all that white stuff? Oh never mind, it is coming back to me now. I grew up there.

That's just another state of water I don't care to deal with.....

Marc, How the heck did you break you back and leg? Damn !
Maybe none of my business, just wondered. Sounds like a bad accident. Hope you heal OK, Though I know my old dirt bike broken bones have come back to haunt me 25 years later



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Congratulations on an amazing recovery! Nice little rifle, too.

What kind of stick on comb are you using and how satisfactory is it? I have a lace on outfit on my BRNO 22H 7X64, and it doesn't look nearly as nice.

I have a Remington 30 Express in .257 Roberts I plan to give a workout later this year.

It seems like a lot of work to bury all those deer up to their necks in snow just to keep them from spoiling!

That is a very nice looking stock Marc.

You did an outstanding job of insulating yourself from the recoil. Nice choice of caliber, and a great looking rifle over all.

Well done, sir! I love the Roberts and use the 100 gr partition to every satisfaction.

May your recovery be expedited!

Marc, Glad to see good things going your way! I pray that you heal well and that we get that 404 project under way someday. Gary

great to see, thanks for sharing Marc.

Woo-Hoo!!!

I talked to Mrs Marc, and my copy will go out in the morning. Cool thing, these are being put together in notebook style. They can be laid flat on your work bench as a reference.

Rich
Yessssssssssss...

IS-

think you got me mixed up with Mark Stratton. Wish I could do everything he shows in that book!

xusa-

it was made by "D&E", whoever they are. I got it from Brownells. It has a stick-on back and it really does stick!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Marc_Stokeld:
IS-

think you got me mixed up with Mark Stratton. Wish I could do everything he shows in that book!

xusa-
it was made by "D&E", whoever they are. I got it from Brownells. It has a stick-on back and it really does stick!!!

That same set up (slip on pad over over fixed pad) got me back shooting(6mm rem) after 2 shoulder repairs & c5,6,&7 fusion
Glad that it worked for you.