Just laying the groundwork to start a new project but I just confused myself.
The Sierra manual shows that a .257 Roberts overall is 2.775" that would be a short action, but a .257 that I already have ( the wifes Ruger M77 Ultra Light ) is a long action and I checked my handloads for that rifle and they measure 2.9". What gives?
I'd like to hear some suggestions on which way to go here and why?
I don't want a 25/06 and I don't want an Ackley Improved, just looking to put together a good old fashioned .257 Roberts.
Thanks

A long action because you are going to want to use longer bullets and seat them out farther.

If you go with a short action, you will confine yourself to only the 75 or 85 grain short bullets.

-Spencer

Thanks
That was the direction I was heading but had a vapor lock momentarily. Know of any sources for a good action, strong, smooth, lightweight?
Was looking at some Zastava's (M98's) but am open for suggestions.

Well, my 257 AI is on a M70 push feed, one of my most favorite rifles.

Any long action will work, but if you can find a used Remington or M70, it will save you big bucks and time when putting everything together.

-Spencer

Yes I would actually prefer a Win M70 action, pushfeed is fine with me, but I never find them. I scan the pawnshops and everywhere and evverybody thinks they've got a real jewel- no deals.

Nothing wrong with using a mauser. Either a commercial or a military. My smith in oregon has about 100 military mauser actions, and he sells thm for 250.00 ready to go. That means drilled and tapped and with a Buller type safty.
As I recal a timney trigger is there too but I could be wrong on that. But a Mk 10 iterarms is good also, and the used model 70 classics I see are not to expensive. Hell I know of 2 pre 64s that were reworked years ago that are under 500.00. Probably best of all would be an FN and with luck you might find one at a gun show or pawn shop that is marked sears they go for around
350.00 ...tj3006

An intermediate action in a 98 like a Yugoslav 24 is ideal for a 257. I have one in a model 70, one in a Kimber 98 BGR and one in a 1910 Mexican Mauser.

Thomas Jones, for $250, you had better be getting more than an action that is drilled and tapped with a Buehler safety.

The Mauser is ideal. I had one on a 1909 Argentine that was perfect. I had it long throated for the heavier bullets and It was an Ackley Improved. When using the 120 grainers you could seat them out as long as you wanted.

I have a 1936 Mexican 257AI. Lovely rifle. Very trim.

My first custom rifle was a 257 Roberts on a byf 98 action in 1951. I currently have one under construction on a Mdl 70 classic std action with custom bottom metal. Don't really see any real reason for a short action and I rather like the idea of 120gr bullets in the 257
for larger than varmints.

If you can find one, an original 1935 Chilean Mauser is another good choice, and it's an extremely well-made action. Since the 1935 Chilean rifle was originally chambered for the 7X57, its magazine system is ideal for a 257 Roberts........

AD

I have a Pre-64 M-70 that I originally made in 257 Robt. I used a 26" barrel. I removed the mag box block. With 257 cartridges the action box had a lot of wasted space. I realized that I was shooting 257s in an action that would handle 25-06. I was trying to get 25-06 performance out of a 257 by seating the bullets out and using a long magazine. By golly, I was trying to make my 257 into a 25-06. It seemed pointless to hot rod a 257 when I could simply go to the 25-06, so I did. Reamed that sucker out to 25-06. I can now get higher velocities at lower pressures. I could even shoot factory ammo if I had to.

I see the 257 at as at it's best in a shorter action. A small light rifle with a short bolt throw is nice. I also see no reason to exceed 2900fps with the 100 grain bullets and about 2700 with the 120s. Such speeds are attainable with with deep seated bullets. The bullets hold together better in game at those speeds anyway. You won't nottice any difference in trajectory either. An added bonus is greatly increased barrrel life.

So, if I were to make another I would be looking at an intermediate length Mauser or true short action. I would use a light 22" barrel with a short throat. I like classic stocks and Leupold 2-7 compact scopes too.

The Montana 1999 SA is actaully an intermediate sized action and they tell me would be perfect for 7x57 length cartridges. Only thing is it's a bit heavy, you'd probably want some work done to lighten it up.

Rob

Find a 1909 Peruvian action. Intermediate, with a large ring and small barrel shank--the perfect size for a 257.

I have a 257AI on a 1910 Mauser (3.0" magazine box). When I seat bullets to the base of the neck, the only bullets I need the extra length in the magazine are the 120grs. The 100gr bullets when seated to the base of the neck will fit into a short action rifle (2.8" magazine box) without any problems. If you want to use the 120's, get something longer than 2.8". If 100's will work, get a short action rifle.

Aaron

My Roberts is a blocked magazine M-70 long action. Yes, it's a push feed and I wouldn't have it any other way. IMO it's the way to go.

You can also have a great rifle starting with the Mausers previously mentioned....but it'll cost more than finding the M-70 action.

The Remington 700 is also a fine action for the old "Bob".

"When I seat bullets to the base of the neck, the only bullets I need the extra length in the magazine are the 120grs. If you want to use the 120's, get something longer than 2.8".
Aaron[/QUOTE]"

That is the train of thought that I was getting at. Who cares if the bullet it taking up 3-grains of powder space? The 264 does it as a matter of design. I see no reason not to seat bullets below the neck. It is a theoretical problem at best. You are not limited by the bullet extending into the case by 3/16 of an inch and reducing powder space.

It it a compressed load, standard stuff. The only way it could be a problem is if the case were bulging or the bullet pushed back out. I can not see how you can get that much powder in a Bob case anyway. If pressures are getting too high use slower powder.

I used to fill the case with drop tubed surplus 4831 and seat a 117 grain bullet way deep. The powder crunched. No big deal, the loads shot very fast. Pressure seemed resonable and accuracy was sufficient. The amount of powder in the case had nothing to do with how far the bullet extended beyond the neck. At any rate a 25-06 is a better choice for such high speed fun.

SS,
Another option, not yet mentioned, would be a short-action M70 Classic (22-250, 243 etc.), which has a longer magazine than most. If memory serves, these can accomodate a OAL of 3.0" or even a hair over, but may require removing or flattening out the block at the rear of the magazine.
I tend to think that a .257R is a much nicer rifle in a short-action. I have a Rem 700 Mountain Rifle, short-action, 22" bbl., in .257R, and it's a dandy little rifle! Good luck!

Another consideration is to simply buy another Ruger 77 in 257 Roberts. Good action, current barrels are good, comes with rings. Probably cheaper than other options in the final analysis. If you can find Ruger Mark I, with the tang safety, so much the better, IMHO.

Very nice option, not a easy to find option is a G33/40. Perfect for a 257 Rob. A small ring is another option. Mexican mausers are nice but I don't recommend these as a beginners mausers though. Parts are a bitch, and most that are easy to find are missing bolts. Unless your knowledgable on these or have a good smith who does look elsewhere.

A 257 Rob doesn't need to be a full length action but you do want to seat your bullets long.

schromf,
About 7 or 8 years ago there was somewhat of a glut of Mexican 1910's on the market for a short while. An action could be bought for $39.95 and barreled actions for about $4 less. I bought 7 of them and should have purchased 20. The supply dried up fairly quickly and as you said, it was replaced with recievers only and the bolts were difficult to find. Now I see one on the classifieds here for $310.

Regarding the early Ruger 77's, I heard they had the best $7 barrels you could buy.

Customstox,


I just sold one for a tad under that. I just lost interest in the end, I like them when they are finished up though.

Have your ever heard the tale of how they all got here without bolts? There are more around with guys looking for bolt parts than there are good ones nowdays.

Pity really, nice small rings are hard to find, and make really nice rifles in 7x57 and 257 Roberts.

Go with the long action. You will be able to use the full potential of the case with 120gr bullets

I'd think that any Mauser action originally chambered for the 7x57 Mauser would be perfectly useable. The .257 Roberts is, after all, just a necked down 7x57. Since most of the 7x57 Mausers were made with mag boxes for the 170+ grain bullets loaded by their military buyers, both the action openings and the mag box should be plenty long enough for any normal .257 bullets.