.257 Roberts for Moose.
- Thread starter RT
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- Saskatchewan
I carried mine with 120 Nosler Partions, unfortunately did not see a moose while so armed. That bullet always completely penetrated big whitetails.
There is no doubt that the .257 will kill a moose with a shot through the lungs,however I would be very careful of bullet placement,and shot angle.I know I like a heavier calibre that can punch through the shoulder or other tough bone if I had no other option.Not every shot offered is the perfect broadside,and I have seen several moose lost with light bullets and poor shot placement.That's why I use at least a .30cal,and prefer my 8mmMag.Having a calibre that can reach the vitals from a tough angle can make the difference in dropping your animal,and allow you to shoot when the lighter calibres might not do the job! Just my $.02! Mur
Everyone knows anything less than a 50BMG bounces off moose like hail on a tin roof..............................Moose are not hard to kill with anything provided you use good bullets and can shoot.Knowledge of game anatomy a plus.................................Harold
comparing a little calf to an adult moose is like comparing an Austin Mini to a Ford F350.
I've shot moose, elk, deer, bears, coyotes and rabbits with a 257 Rob as well as a 25-06.
One year in particular was great for comparison by the way. I shot a moose with the 257Rob and an elk with the 25-06. There wasn't any difference noticed in killing effectiveness between the two.
Both were loaded with 115 grain bullets for all game taken. Up to 300 meters there was little if any difference in hold and all bullets performed very well.
The bullets fired from the Rob and the 25-06 were very seldom recovered, they usually passed all the way through. The moose mentioned above was hit in the lung area, went through a rib on entry and exited a rib on th opposite side, comeing to rest in the hide. The shot was straight on and on level ground.
In the case of elk above, the bullet wasn't recovered, but there was an exit wound about 3cm in diameter where the bullet passed through the shoulder blade. The shot was taken on an uphill angle and at a 30 degree angle from about 200m.
I've never recovered a bullet from bears, deer or anything else.
A friend, now deceased, loved the 257 Rob and used it for all of his serious hunting, which was incredibly extensive and far reaching.
He used a Shilen barrel on a model 700 short action and a model 7 with a Shilen barrel as well. Now here is the real hitch, he was tall and long necked and as many fellows with his body shape, was recoil shy. Both of his 257 Robs had 1/14 twist rates and wouldn't stabilise anything heavier than 100gr flat based bullets. Didn't slow him down one bit though and he would often regale people with a "Pink Mountain" story, where all of the rifles on the hunt were out of service for several reasons (mostly the cold weather) and how his 257 Rob took all 6 moose shot on the trip.
If your bullets are good and you do your part with a suitably accurate 257 Rob, there won't be any problems on your hunt.
I've seen deer and bears shot through the front shoulder with the 257 Rob and will admit, there was a lot of bruiseing and blood shot meat. That is where larger diameter, heavy bullets shine. Especially the 338 and larger. They just don't seem to damage as much meat. Mind you, if you hit any animal in the shoulder, with any bullet, there is going to be meat damage.
bearhunter
One year in particular was great for comparison by the way. I shot a moose with the 257Rob and an elk with the 25-06. There wasn't any difference noticed in killing effectiveness between the two.
Both were loaded with 115 grain bullets for all game taken. Up to 300 meters there was little if any difference in hold and all bullets performed very well.
The bullets fired from the Rob and the 25-06 were very seldom recovered, they usually passed all the way through. The moose mentioned above was hit in the lung area, went through a rib on entry and exited a rib on th opposite side, comeing to rest in the hide. The shot was straight on and on level ground.
In the case of elk above, the bullet wasn't recovered, but there was an exit wound about 3cm in diameter where the bullet passed through the shoulder blade. The shot was taken on an uphill angle and at a 30 degree angle from about 200m.
I've never recovered a bullet from bears, deer or anything else.
A friend, now deceased, loved the 257 Rob and used it for all of his serious hunting, which was incredibly extensive and far reaching.
He used a Shilen barrel on a model 700 short action and a model 7 with a Shilen barrel as well. Now here is the real hitch, he was tall and long necked and as many fellows with his body shape, was recoil shy. Both of his 257 Robs had 1/14 twist rates and wouldn't stabilise anything heavier than 100gr flat based bullets. Didn't slow him down one bit though and he would often regale people with a "Pink Mountain" story, where all of the rifles on the hunt were out of service for several reasons (mostly the cold weather) and how his 257 Rob took all 6 moose shot on the trip.
If your bullets are good and you do your part with a suitably accurate 257 Rob, there won't be any problems on your hunt.
I've seen deer and bears shot through the front shoulder with the 257 Rob and will admit, there was a lot of bruiseing and blood shot meat. That is where larger diameter, heavy bullets shine. Especially the 338 and larger. They just don't seem to damage as much meat. Mind you, if you hit any animal in the shoulder, with any bullet, there is going to be meat damage.
bearhunter
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I handload for a guy who has shot a moose with 25-06, 100 gr TSX. It was a small bull but nonetheless it was dead. Also he shot a bull elk with 120 gr Speer Grand Slam, it took a couple quick shots but it didnt go far. Both loads werent too much above what a good 257 will do for velocity.
Like martinbns said, it is capable, but not ideal
Like martinbns said, it is capable, but not ideal
I use a 25-06 for everything here in Ont,and it works fine,but you just gotta be even more picky of the shots you take on the big stuff.
A well placed shot from a 257R on a moose will put you moose down pronto.
Jethro making bad shots with a 300mag is no better than Jethro making a bad shot with a 257R.
A well placed shot from a 257R on a moose will put you moose down pronto.
Jethro making bad shots with a 300mag is no better than Jethro making a bad shot with a 257R.
IMHO he is golden if he does'nt take a stem to stern shot.
I've killed 4 moose and 1 bull elk with my 25'06 and 100gr. bullets.
The last moose fell to a TSX, while all the others and the elk were hit with a Partition.
I only recovered 1 bullet and that was from a quartering away moose at 300yds. the bullet entered the moose at the diaphram on the near side, took the bottom off the near side lung, blew out the far side lung, broke the off side shouder, and was found in a blood blister on the off side. It weighed 66grs. that moose just tipped over like a ram on the 500m line at a shillouette range.
I'd say if a bullet of similar quality was loaded in the 257 Bob, and shots were kept to sub 300yds, everything will die just like it should.
Holy Toledo. That is some heavy bullet.
And this fall I shot a small bull broadside [perfect lung shot] with a 375/338 and 260gr ABs ..... twice!
Both bullets did not pass through and were recovered. Go figure.
