I have a hankering to build a lightweight sporter in .257 Roberts AI. My smith has a real nice old fajan stock for a short action remington.
I really am more of a CRF action fan but I found a 722 in 300 savage I can get into for about 300, and a 700 ADL in .243 with a leupold scope I think I can get for 400.00. I think I micould lern to live with a remington.
I would go with the Williams bottom with either action ,
I have a couple roberts on long actions but I want a short action, but I might go ruger # 1 If I can find one for a reasonable price.
Is there another short action I am over looking would a model 77M2 be good, how about a Sako L461 ? thanks ...tj3006

I'd be happy with either Remington or Ruger if you're after a short-action. Pros and cons to either one, but both would work well. Sako's can be a lot harder to find, at least around here--cost more too.

Well to each his own. While a 257 will work in the short action I've always felt it was better suited in a long action. Allows for filling the case with powder not bullet. The purpose of the AI is to add capacity the short action takes it away.

That said for something like a 257 Roberts there is nothing at all wrong with a Rem action. The #1 in 257 are hard to come by and making it into an AI would be an issue. Hard to set that barrel back. Ruger is making the new Hawkeye in 257 and as you said the MII Ultra Light would be a nice compact rifle. However the 20" barrel might work against the AI.

The advantages of the CRF actions are far overrated and the Remington push feeds work extremely well as do the M-70 push feeds.
Action lengths vary considerably and the Winchester shot action makes for a poor action in the Roberts but the Remington may be longer and that's important for the old .257 as pointed out by Ramrod.
Go for it!

I have a Howa ultralight Short Action Rifle for sale in the classifieds. I bought it with the intent of customizing it. Scalloped Reciever and lightened bolt and the magazine box is 2.900

My latest custom rifle is a standard 257 Roberts on a Rem 700 Short Action. It shoots very well with no complaints about the short mag box.
YMMV

Don

Thans for the replies,
I think what iwill do for now is try to get the 722 remington I found.
Problem is it is at a hawk shop that is closed weekends.
I can't have a rifle in my work truck so since I have a dr appt on the 20 th ill just wait. if its there I will but it, if its gone thats ok too ! I'll get somthing else...tj3006