The 257 Roberts was the pet cartridge of P.O. Ackley which he made an improved version of. He wrote that this cartridge was of ideal case volume to bore capaicty for wonderful efficiency. His Ackly Improved version changed the shoulder angle from the 21 degrees to 40 degrees which increased the case capacity and thereby increased the cartridges potential velocity up to the level of the 25-06. However, the 257 Roberts was initially factory loaded to accomodate the popular military actions of that era, and as such were not nearly up to the potential level of performance that this cartridge was capable of producing. That was one of the main reasons this cartridge lost the popularity contest with the 25-06. However, given today's strong actions and wonderful bullets and poweders, this round is capable of producing wonderful results in a light recoiling and extremely efficient cartridge. I think it would make an ideal whitetail rifle. And if you ever decide you want to squeeze a little more out it, you can always have it Ackley Improved! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Hope this info is helpful.
Kyle