257 "bob" question

C

cowpoke

New member
I have been kicking the idea around of getting a 257 "bob" for kicks and giggle mostly, but figure it would be a fun coyote shooter to add to the arsenal.

So the question is.... since they are rare, I let a dandy get away from me a couple years ago, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Would I be farther ahead to get Rem 700 short action rifle and have it re-barreled for "bob" or gamble on a 77 ruger, and hope like the dickens it turns out worth a hoot? May past experience with rugers has not been positive.

Rifles that fail to demonstrate the ability to be accurate don't stay at my house very long. There has been a trail of 22-250's, a 6 mm rem, 2 270's a 30-06, and a 243 that have all hit the road in the past 4 years due to inability to perform.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
From what eveyone writes, it's probably safe to say that a custom: ie built up, rifle will cost more than any off the rack rifle. However, if you have a habit of finding rifles that have an "inability to perform", I suspect building your own rifle will have a better chance of providing the satisfaction you desire.

The biggest trick will be to find a gunsmith that can do the job within the time and funds you have available.

Certainly I see no problem with the 257 Roberts but I shoot a 25-06 that I had rechambered from a BOB. Neither one will probably be "good" on hides but they won't run off either.

I say build one!
 
My son and I shoot .257 Roberts Ackley Improved. He shots a Cooper Phoenix with the new 26 inch barrel and I shoot a Cooper Varmint with the old 24. The performance is very close to .257 Weatherby Mag, with less recoil and powder. It is of course only of interest if you reload. An AI will shoot factory .257 Roberts ammo and fireform it at the same time. If you like premium brass, you can resize Norma 7x57 Mauser.
It's a great caliber if you want a little more power than a .243 and are recoil sensitive so don't like, say, .270. We get about 2700 fps with 115 or 117g bullets (Nosler, SGK) and very satisfactory accuracy. It's enough gun to take big deer and it knocks pigs down very satisfactorily, but we have shot coyotes with acceptable two hole fur damage as well.
 
Cowpoke, the 257 Roberts is a very expensive gun, period.

There is a novelity associated with having something different and in this case, it costs big bucks.

It is very prudent to get a 700 in a 25/06, SPS stainless and you will be money ahead...I like stainless guns, actions do not rust, and the first 1 inch of the muzzle is less likely to pit from humidity or dampness if/when it rains. It has also been my experience that stainless guns copper foul less, especially comparing the Remington Blued guns in Chrome moly and Stainless.

Just my 2 Cents!
 
Accuracy wise the Remington will probably end up with much higher marks. I've had the same experience with Rugers. They are either vary accurate or very so so, at least the one's I've had. The 257 is a dandy deer cartridge and with mild recoil works as a good coyote rifle also.

If it was my money I'd go for the custom. You also might consider picking up a Savage with the short action and just sticking a barrel from Midway on it. A go headspace gauge, a barrel nut wrench and a barrel vice and 15 minutes in your shop are all it takes to change barrels. This is a fun way to play with different calibers for low bucks.
 
The new Ruger Hawkeye in 257 BOB have been shooting very well from the several posts I have read. If they made a "left-hand" version I would own one.

Hoggy
 
I have been thinking about getting a 257 ROberts Ackley IMP. barrel for my encore. I like the idea of a small deer round thats also coyote capable. I am also tossing around a 30/30 Ackley Imp. barrel also so I have completely made up my mind yet.
 
hello..i picked up a used 'bob" in a m77 ruger recently..just started reloading for it..it's in the 1 1/2" area..it's also getting a bedding & trigger job as we speak..trigger pull was about 6 lb's..i'm sure it will shoot better..that being said this gun's a for sure keeper for me..it's already minute of deer/coyote..i don't require a 1/2" gun for neither of the above..the "hawkeye" may certainly be worth a look..who know's what or if is going to live up to your accuracy standard's..so maybe break out the wallet & go custom..aye..i think for those that like slightly off the wall caliber's..it could be argued as a "must" have...
 
A 257 Bob is not necessarily rare, its just not that popular since the advent of the 25/06.

Is it expensive to shoot, nope! Is it hard to find "loaded ammo"? Yep!, but that is one of the many reasons we reload. A quick look at Midway, and Bob brass is .50$ more per 50ct than 25/06. Dies are std by all manufacturers.

It is a great cartridge, just overshadowed by the 25/06.

I own 1 std "Bob" and 1- Ack Imp.. Love em.. Own a 25/06 too and love it too..

I am a Ruger fan, and have 5-77's in my safe. The MkII's are better imho than the orig 77. I have been able to get them all shoot acceptably with minimum of time & $. (Yes the triggers suck, but show me a factory trigger that dont.)

Are there "better" bolts out there? Thats your call, but Ruger is a great "bang" for your $.
Every Ruger I have handled shot capable of 1-MOA of Deer/Yote with ease...

Get one and a have fun...

Rod
 


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