.257 AI or not

Royzo

Royzo

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Been tossing around the idea of doing up a .257 AI. But I am wondering what or if there would be any advantages going with an AI considering the +P ammo available for the .257 roberts. I have had mixed reveiws on this topic. Any info from people who have experience with the .257 AI would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any info.
 
I've used a 257 Ackley for longer than I would care to admit and I quite like it.
Its certainly no 25-06 although mine would really chase my 25-06 Mountain rifle for velocity perhaps an unfair comparison because the 25-06 had a 2" shorter barrel.
My prime use for it is for coyote hunting and it does that very well.
Easy to reload and rarely needs case trimming, simple to fireform as I also have a 257 Roberts with a plentiful supply of brass.
Not everyones " cup of tea ", I have a lot of fun with mine...
 
At most you'd see is an additional 100 fps. No game animal is ever going to feel that difference. You'd be better off with a 25-06 or 257 Weatherby.
 
retoxtony said:
If you don't mind me asking, what scope do you have on that rifle? I Like the looks of it on there.
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That is an OLD Weaver 3-9, one of the first scopes I ever bought when I was 17. I just had it kicking around when I bought the Bob so I just threw it on for some load testing..............It still works just fine after more than 40 years.
 
ive asked similar questions before and found that when it comes to AI the common theme is why for such a small gain, yet threads go for 34 pages when asking if 308 or 30-06 for deer.. (small gain)

What I would say is if you want to shoot the heavier end of the projectile line up for your cartridge then AI would make sense.. especially if you love your rifle .

WL
 
BigUglyMan said:
This is CGN, not 24HourCampfire. No good reason to AI the 257.
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There is a double barrelled truth in that statement.

I had one years ago, my wife used to shoot a few deer with it at modest range. It's usefull enough but does offer anything to justify the pain the butt factor. For those that aren't paying attention that's what's know as "damning with faint praise".

Maybe back when the earth was still cooling someone with a Roberts and underloaded factory ammo realized a worthwhile improvement by blowing out the case and simulatainiously loading it until the bolt got sticky and backing off 1/2 grain on a rifle that he already had. Short of nostalgia I can't think of any reason to wildcat a cartridge that can't be done better simply by utilizing existing cases that have themselves been around since forever.
 
c-fbmi said:
Given the ballistics of my 700 Classic, I can see no reason to go with an AI. If one wants more than this there is always the 257 Bee.........
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This is true ..... I get 3100fps with 100s with mine w/o pushing it. I could get more, but don't bother. I had Bevan King do up a 700 LA 257Roberts for me years ago with the thought in mind of going AI with it later. Never did/never will.

If one wants something different in a wildcat, a 250AI in a short action would deliver about the same as a 257Roberts.
 
Like Douglas, I have always been pleased with the ballistics of the unaltered Roberts.

Using RL-22, I can drive the 120 Partition to 3140 in a 24" Shilen. The 100 makes 3300, using several powders, with W760 doing the best job accuracy wise, in my 700 "Classic"

Brass lasts forever, and groups of ¾ moa or less are common.

What's not to like? :) Dave.
 
Maybe I will stick with the 257 roberts as it is. Love that caliber. Long winter evenings create to much time to dream up new toys. But still looking for other ideas.
 
The AI has it's good points 'Looky, if one has one then there is nothing wrong with the cartridge. I'm just saying I wouldn't spend the money to AI an existing Bob with the powders and ballistics obtainable today.
 
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