257 Roberts on Elk

OldSavage

OldSavage

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My buddy just got engaged and he and his wife to be will be going on an Elk hunting trip for their honeymoon or huntingmoon as we now call it.

He wants to get her a Ruger Hawkeye in 257 Roberts but is not sure if this will be enough for Elk in the hands of a beginner. Obviously it would make more sense to get something larger but she is a small frame girl and doesn't want a ton of recoil, and after the trip the rifle will be used mainly for whitetails which this cartridge is more than capable.

Thanks,
 
In the hands of a beginner, my opinion is that the "Bob" is not a suitable cartridge for elk. And yes, I am aware that they don't wear Kevlar.
 
You could also consider a 6.5x55. My wife shoots one and loves it. And it has a track record on larger animals.

RG

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A .257 Roberts is a good cartridge, and loaded with an appropriate bullet it is fully capable of taking elk. The Barnes manual shows a 115 gr X within a hair of 3000 fps. This combination of bullet and velocity will humanely take elk out beyond 300 yards. When choosing a high velocity cartridge for a large game animal, I would pick a premium bullet. The 115 gr TSX is good, but so is the Nosler 120 gr Partition, the Speer 120 gr Grand Slam or TBBC, or the Swift 120 gr A Frame. Your buddies wife will not be under gunned with any of these combinations. Hope they have a good time.
 
Most people agree that the .257 +P is good for anything up to deer sized game. If your shooting small elk or if his wife is a US Marine sniper, then that round is sufficient. If you happened to run into a huge once in a life time elk, it may not be enough gun!

How about 25-06, 270, .280, 6.5x55
 
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As much as I think the 257 Roberts is more than enough for deer sized game, I feel that it should only be used by experienced hunters when persuing larger game and only with proper handloads.
Boomers choice of bullets is right on the money and properly handloaded will do the job if pointed correctly.
257 Roberts
 
I don't think anyone disagrees that the 257 will kill an elk, though I think it is best in experienced hands.
 
I wouldn't use my 257 Roberts on elk or moose.

A 7x57 (7/08) or 6.5x55 (260Rem) would be my minimum starters.

How would she feel if she lost an elk and it could have been prevented?

.
 
Another vote for the 7-08, not sure if ruger chambers it or not, but that would be my first choice. I would also say as above that the .260 would be my minimum, I just think the 7-08 has more going for it. A boring old .308 wouldnt be a terrible choice either and ammo is everywhere.
 
I'd recommend ear shots from under 100 yds. Seriously though its too small. As much as I respect Boomers opinion I have to totally disagree. Nothing would sour a Huntingmoon like a big bull running away with a hole in it never to be seen again. Strictly my opinion, everyones welcome to their own.
 
I agree that a 257 Roberts is not a good choice for an inexperienced shooter/hunter when going after Elk or larger.

Other than the suggestions already provided, here's something from left field. Why not get something a bit bigger and have a good recoil pad installed and perhaps a muzzle break.

I know, I know, brakes only belong on the big boomers. But when you consider a small frame person, a 30-06, 308, or 270 might be a bit much.
 
the Ruger Bob is rediculously built on a long action....get a short action in 260 or 7-08....

but if a Bob were all that was available I'd take a beginner after elk with it any day...
 
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257 with good ammo and good shooting will kill elk. Is it ideal? no, but it is sufficient at moderate ranges

it's taken down tougher and meaner things before :)

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personally I would rather have a 6.5x55 or 260 with a quality 130-140 grain bullet as a low recoil elk rig. They kick barely more, and have more bullet weight and diameter, although only slightly.
 
Well this all started with me suggesting the 6.5 x 55 and the 260 Rem. We looked at a rifle in 260 Rem but it wasn't exactly what he was looking for and he has tried and failed to buy my swede off me. The search for new rifles chambered in either 260 or 6.5 x 55 has proved rather difficult for him and he is rather picky when it comes to firearms. He looked at a new Hawkeye in 257 and it was the unique round and amazing wood of that specific rifle that has him thinking about the Bob.

I have him thinking about a 7mm-08 but would rather see his fiance shooting the 260 or the swede.

Anyone know of any 260 Ruger's lying around?
 
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