This is my first time posting to this forum so hello to all. I am mainly a bowhunter but my wife is beginning to show interest in gun hunting. I have a 7 mag that I used in the past but I am afraid of the recoil being she is only about 120lbs. A friend of mine has a 257 Roberts that he purchased for his son who is no longer interested in hunting and he now wants to sell it. Is this a good caliber for deer? Ive looked at the ballistics and it seems to be a fair caliber. Any input would be appreciated.
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SWITCHBACK
29" DRAW
GOLD TIP XT HUNTER
SPITFIRE 100 GR.
COPPER JOHN DEAD NUTS 3 PIN
Seeing the situation you are in with your wife "begining to show interest" and your friend wanting to sell his, it would be a good combination and if the price is right you would be a fool not to buy it. You can always sell it later. She will be able to handle the recoil with no problem and the .257 will handle most deer. As a former .257 owner, I do think there are better choises out there in that size rangenamely the 25.06 and .260 rem. The main problem with the .257 is and always has been that factory loads are not loaded very hot, and bullet choise is limited. If shots are expected to be under 200 yards, it should be a great gun/caliber for her.
Of the5 deer I shot at with my .257 3 dropped in their tracks (less than 80 yard shots) one ran about 200 yards and was recovered. The lastbuck Ishotat about 250 yards andI knew I hit. My dad then dumped it with his .270. Later we found my bullet embeded in the shoulder blade. It broke through, but not all the way and caused no vital damage. I was using Winchester +P silvertips 117 grain. That was 10 years ago and hopefully loads/bullets have improved since then.
I believe the gun is at a fair price. Its a Ruger M77 Standard with a nikon 3.5-10-50mm Monarch and he wants $600.00. The gun is about2yrs old I think but has absolutely no scratches on it. The scope has a few pop marks but nothing serious. As far as long shots go, where I hunt you can only shoot out to 100 yds. in most places. Weonly have one stand that you can shoot about 300 yards. I found that you can get 120 grain Noslers in that caliber. I used to shoot 140 gr. Noslers in my 7 mag so I think its what I'll go with. Thank you for your input.
__________________
SWITCHBACK
29" DRAW
GOLD TIP XT HUNTER
SPITFIRE 100 GR.
COPPER JOHN DEAD NUTS 3 PIN
The 257 is an excellent round for a small framed person. There are now a number of good factory loads available from Federal, Hornady, Nosler, Remington, & Winchester. The Remington and Winchester are loaded with a 117 gr. roundnose and are good for shots in close or out to 200 yards. The Federal and Hornady loads are loaded with better bullets. Hornady also has a 117 gr. load in its Light Magnum ammo that is loaded to higher velocity than all other factory loads. If you can handle the price Nosler is loading a 110 gr. Accubond in their factory ammo but it runs $33.75 plus shipping for a box of ammo. I've handloaded for my 257 for several years and it has become my choice for Whitetail deer. I've never lost an animal with this round and most never move after taking a shot. Remember as with any round bullet placement is the key to taking game animals.
257 Roberts?
