Luke 1:37

I have been looking for a gun for my wife to hunt with. I have been leaning towards a .243 or a 7mm-08. Today I ran across a .257 roberts. I don't know a whole lot about this caliber. Does it pack a pretty good punch? I know she handles a .243 well. What do you think about the .257? Thanks for any suggestions.

bandgod

I would recommend the .243 unless she's done quite a bit of shooting or unless you're thinking of going after anything bigger than deer. Take her shooting often with the .243 and she'll down her deer every time. If she's smaller in stature I would even consider trying to find a youth model so it fits her better.

burniegoeasily

Depends on your wife. I would suggest a 243. 243s are great lady gun. My sister hunts with a 300 win and a 30-06, it all depends on the women. I have a niece who shoots a 44mag carb. and a 243.

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity" Martin Luther King Jr.

MN_Deerman

My wife shoots a .243 as well, she likes the fact that it doesn't kick as much.

Luke 1:37

I guess what I should have asked was how does the .257 roberts kick compared to the .243?

propmahn

the .257 roberts will have more recoil due to its heavier bullets, at the same velocity (or maybe they go a little faster, i cant remember). its not going to me a bone crusher in recoil, have her shoot something else you have thats bigger to have her see what recoil is like on those.
of course the 7mm-08 is never a bad option either.

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

Luke 1:37

Thanks for the replies. I didn't know if the recoil was similar to a .243 or if it is closer to a .270. Propmahn, she has shot a 30-06 automatic with a good recoil pad on it. I can hardly tell there is any recoil and it nearly knocked her over.

The reason I ask about the .257, I really like the Winchester Model 70 featherweight but I have looked for a couple years for one in a .243. I saw this one in .257 this morning. It is in mint condition with a Redfield scope and the dies for reloading and the guy only wants $400.

skeeter 7MM

Luke, buy it and let her try it out. Worst case you sell it and get your money back or have a great little rifle for you. My wife can handle a 270, but complains a bit after a few shoots (she is small 5 foot)...my buddy has a 257 roberts and having shot it I noticed quite a bit less recoil compared to 270. Has a bit more than the 243 but I am sure it is managable and much better round to boot. (Sorry 243 lovers, not my cup of tea for a deer rifle!)

tiggeer

I have a 243 thats recoil is more than my dads 06 just because of weight if the 06 almost knocked her @$$ over id recommend a heavier 243 and see if she is shooting it right i shot my dads 06 when i was 7 and didnt do nothin to me barely lil more recoil then nowadays but she has to be holding it wrong man or your shooting a hot load.

royak

Tho a lot of deer are taken each year with a 243 I personally would go with the 257 with all the acc's that he has with it that is a good deal. I have never shot one but have heard good things from them. I got my wife a 25-06 and she loves it and my grandson has a 243 but would rather have her 25 .