- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
How say you????
Who has, what do they like?
Who has, what do they like?
.257 Roberts vs 25-06 Rem.
- Thread starter Kelly Timoffee
- Start date
They're both fantastic cartridges.
When the 257Rob is used in a modern rifle or even one of the K98 custom jobs, it can be loaded up to the same pressures as the 25-06 operates at. This makes them kissing cousins in reality.
Most manuals, list their loads at reduced pressures. Some manuals, specifically give higher pressure +P loads along with caveats to the hand loader to make sure the rifles they are going to be used in can handle a diet of the high pressure.
One other issue with the 257 Rob, is that many of the earlier commerdial models, although being strong enough were barreled with 1-14 twist barrels. They won't usually stabilize bullets over 100 grains. Some, will only stabilize bullets 95 grains and lighter. Even with a 1-10 twist, some barrels won't stabilize anything over 100 grains.
If you're planning on buying a late model commercial or building a custom 257 Rob, opt for a 1-8 1/2 twist. That will stabilize even the longest bullets available.
The 25-06, doesn't suffer from most of the above restraints. Other than many earlier rifles, have 1-14 twist rates again. The only later rifles that I have seen with such a slow twist, are now on custom rifles.
The difference between the 257R and the 25-06, in a late model rifle, isn't really enough to worry about, in practical hunting applications. That being said, if you're going to limit yourself to one 25cal rifle, go for the 25-06. It will do everything the 257R will do but just a little better on lighter bullets and really takes the lead with heavier/longer bullets.
Ammunition is also much more readily available for the 25-06 vs the 257R.
It's kind of like the difference between the 308Win and the 30-06. When you're using 150 grain bullets, ballistics are almost identical. When you start using the heavier/longer bullets, the 30-06 starts to shine.
When the 257Rob is used in a modern rifle or even one of the K98 custom jobs, it can be loaded up to the same pressures as the 25-06 operates at. This makes them kissing cousins in reality.
Most manuals, list their loads at reduced pressures. Some manuals, specifically give higher pressure +P loads along with caveats to the hand loader to make sure the rifles they are going to be used in can handle a diet of the high pressure.
One other issue with the 257 Rob, is that many of the earlier commerdial models, although being strong enough were barreled with 1-14 twist barrels. They won't usually stabilize bullets over 100 grains. Some, will only stabilize bullets 95 grains and lighter. Even with a 1-10 twist, some barrels won't stabilize anything over 100 grains.
If you're planning on buying a late model commercial or building a custom 257 Rob, opt for a 1-8 1/2 twist. That will stabilize even the longest bullets available.
The 25-06, doesn't suffer from most of the above restraints. Other than many earlier rifles, have 1-14 twist rates again. The only later rifles that I have seen with such a slow twist, are now on custom rifles.
The difference between the 257R and the 25-06, in a late model rifle, isn't really enough to worry about, in practical hunting applications. That being said, if you're going to limit yourself to one 25cal rifle, go for the 25-06. It will do everything the 257R will do but just a little better on lighter bullets and really takes the lead with heavier/longer bullets.
Ammunition is also much more readily available for the 25-06 vs the 257R.
It's kind of like the difference between the 308Win and the 30-06. When you're using 150 grain bullets, ballistics are almost identical. When you start using the heavier/longer bullets, the 30-06 starts to shine.
I can not comment on the .257 Roberts as I have never used one. I do have a 25-06 in a Tikka 695 that impresses me more every time I take it out.
This a "stainless & plastic" rifle that gets the call anytime the weather is bad so I don't get my pretty blue & walnut rifles wet.
This is also one of my guns that has never fired a factory cartridge. Right now I have two loads that work very well,my whitetail load (Hor.117 gr.SST that chronos at 3120 fps.)and a varmint load(Sierra 100gr.st @ 3210 fps)
Both loads are extremely accurate and strangely will shoot to the same point of aim at 100 yds. All I can really tell you is that the 25-06 is a very efficient whitetail cartridge,that is easy to shoot and easy to load.
TGR
This a "stainless & plastic" rifle that gets the call anytime the weather is bad so I don't get my pretty blue & walnut rifles wet.
This is also one of my guns that has never fired a factory cartridge. Right now I have two loads that work very well,my whitetail load (Hor.117 gr.SST that chronos at 3120 fps.)and a varmint load(Sierra 100gr.st @ 3210 fps)
Both loads are extremely accurate and strangely will shoot to the same point of aim at 100 yds. All I can really tell you is that the 25-06 is a very efficient whitetail cartridge,that is easy to shoot and easy to load.
TGR
I have both (and the Ackley versions), prefer the Bob AI, but for no real reason. If I were to pick just one as a hunting tool, it would be the 25-06, because of the way it handles heavier bullets. The AI version of the 25-06 doesn't gain much over the std version. - dan
- Location
- Haliburton County, Central Ontario
I don't like either chambering since they heralded the demise of the 250-3000. 
Savage 250 are still available from Savage. I have one in a ruger 77 and it is a very nice round to shoot.
From a recoil stand point the 25-06 is going to be a little sharper seeing as you are using 10 or so more gr of powder. Bullets selection in 25cal has made some improvements with the new Hornady GMX and the new 85gr TTSX from Barnes. With the 250 Sav, the 257 bob and the 257 AI, I sold off my beauty Tikka SS laminate a few years ago. FS
From a recoil stand point the 25-06 is going to be a little sharper seeing as you are using 10 or so more gr of powder. Bullets selection in 25cal has made some improvements with the new Hornady GMX and the new 85gr TTSX from Barnes. With the 250 Sav, the 257 bob and the 257 AI, I sold off my beauty Tikka SS laminate a few years ago. FS
- Location
- Chilliwack
I have the 257 Roberts and had a few 25-06's. The Roberts seams to hang around while the 26-06's seam to wonder away, only to be replaced by another.
There is something magical when it comes to the performance of the 25 cal.
There is something magical when it comes to the performance of the 25 cal.
Kelly, the 257 Roberts is a true classic cartridge that offers a hunter with great accuracy and light recoil. The 25-06 is a very nice cartridge and towers over the 257 Roberts for volocity and flater trajectory. My choice..............the 257 Weatherby.
The .257 Robts was built on the 7x57 Mauser case while the .25-06 was built on the longer .30-06 case. The .25-06 will hold up better over distance and is a better choice when using 117/120gr bullets. That said, the Robts is an effective deer killer at sensible ranges. I'd take it over a .243 or .244/6mm Rem.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I don't have any experience with any other than the 25-06 so a comparison by me isn't a possibility. For many of the 25-06 plus reasons already given, is why I chose the 25-06 when I decided to get a 25 calibre. I've posted this info previously but I decided on a Savage and with the bang for the buck accuracy, no complaints here.
.
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
I have a Roberts (my second) and have only range-fired two .25-06's.
On paper, and I believe in real life, the .25-06 is significantly more powerful than the Roberts. That is to say, if I needed a 500-yard deer rifle (I don't) I'd likely opt for the '06, given the choice.
I have noticed a very marked difference in perceived recoil between the two. I find the .25-06 with 120-grain Nosler Partitions to recoil far more sharply than the Roberts, using the same bullet about 250 fps slower, one reason I prefer the Roberts. That's not to say .25-06 recoil is stiff, but it's a bit more so than the Roberts +P.
The Roberts does have huge cool factor, one reason you'll not likely see .25-06 fans dissing it in this thread.
On paper, and I believe in real life, the .25-06 is significantly more powerful than the Roberts. That is to say, if I needed a 500-yard deer rifle (I don't) I'd likely opt for the '06, given the choice.
I have noticed a very marked difference in perceived recoil between the two. I find the .25-06 with 120-grain Nosler Partitions to recoil far more sharply than the Roberts, using the same bullet about 250 fps slower, one reason I prefer the Roberts. That's not to say .25-06 recoil is stiff, but it's a bit more so than the Roberts +P.
The Roberts does have huge cool factor, one reason you'll not likely see .25-06 fans dissing it in this thread.
On Hodgdon's website using H380 (75gr V-Max) in the .257R it says a max load of 48.0gr for a velocity of 3563fps and 45,600 CUP. The same bullet and powder for the 25-06 says 51.0gr for 3494fps and 49,900 CUP. Is this indicative of one cartridge being more efficient than the other with this particular powder?
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Several years ago, Bevan King did a 257Roberts for me. I had planned on shooting it as is for a while and then later getting the "AI'" treatment so it would approximate a 25/06. Well later never came and never will. The regular old 257 is perfect as is. No 257AI or 25/06 will ever replace it for me.
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