Gentlemen: since I would like to purchase a .257 Roberts in the near future, I wonder if there are any new "stories" in circulation regarding the quality of either the Ruger or the Kimber? Thank, Arthur

They are both good rifles but the $400 price differance might be a big factor. Not realy apple to apple in that respect.

The Kimbers are beautiful little rifles and handle like wands. The 257 Bob Kimber I've started loading for won't allow me to seat the bullets out as close to the lands as I would like. I got MOA accuracy with the bullets a std distance off the lands but they wouldn't fit in the mag box.

Still working to find a combo that will feed and eject from the SA 84M action and still shoot MOA or better. I've just shot through the first round of loads so it will probably shoot well though it's not were I want it yet.

The Ruger 257 Bob I looked at was a much larger heavier rifle that didn't handle like the Kimber. Maybe longer bullets would fit in it though?.....................DJ

I have a 257 R M77 tang safety I got in about 1980. It shoots well enough, 1 moa or so. But, the best thing about it is that the throat is very long, and so is the mag, so I can get 25-06 velocities out of it with no pressure problems. Kimbers are great rifles, but as stated, not in the same $ class. I don't know if current Rugers are throated like that or not.

quote:

Originally posted by ArthurOlds:
Gentlemen: since I would like to purchase a .257 Roberts in the near future, I wonder if there are any new "stories" in circulation regarding the quality of either the Ruger or the Kimber? Thank, Arthur

The fit & finish of the Kimber is better. The Ruger will require breaking sharp edges with a stone / dremmel / emery etc to keep from scratching cases & for the 400-500 difference in price I will gladly clean it up!!. The Throat in my Ruger is LONG!

I own many ruger rifles with just a little bit of work. They shoot and work well. the 400 dollar differants would mean owning another rifle.

I would go with the ruger.

quote:

Originally posted by ArthurOlds:
I wonder if there are any new "stories" in circulation regarding the quality of either the Ruger or the Kimber? Thank, Arthur

Kimber get a lot of forum postings on quality control being an issue. 24HourCampFire tends to have a lot of it.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike McGuire:

quote:

Originally posted by ArthurOlds:
I wonder if there are any new "stories" in circulation regarding the quality of either the Ruger or the Kimber? Thank, Arthur

Kimber get a lot of forum postings on quality control being an issue. 24HourCampFire tends to have a lot of it.

The same forum also has as many or more glowing reports about how great Kimber are for them. People only remember the negative ones.................DJ

Kimbers are great rifles but i agree with the others the price should be a strong selling point. Use the extra money for a scope/handloading supplies. The new M77 are very strong and well built rifles.