New .257 coyote rifle

KDX

KDX

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
97   0   1
I was going to wait until I had developed a good load for this rifle before posting pics, but that probably won't happen till Spring and I'm bored. Last winter I was out coyote hunting and had a couple hang up at about 500 yards and just sit there and stare at me. I had my 17 Rem Fire Ball with me and if it would have been 300 yards, one for sure wouldn't have made it. I sat there watching them and vowed I would get something suitable for this type of situation if it ever occured again. I went home and started doing a little research into different calibers (I always thought the 25-06 was an interesting caliber) and found the .257 Roberts which intrigued me. I started leaning towards this caliber and then read a bit about the AI version and thought I would give it a go. From what I've gleaned this round should duplicate the 25-06 with less powder and barrel wear and give excellent brass life.

Donor rifle and parts
IMG_3425Medium.jpg

I bought a Savage Model 111 (.270) on the EE for the donor, a Shillen Select Match barrel from Juan Valdez (finished @ 24" in a light varmint contour), a Timney trigger from Mystic, Savage Accustock and recoil lug from Savage and a bolt handle from Tactical Solutions.
IMG_3429Medium.jpg


IMG_3430Medium.jpg


I PM'd Jerry about installing the new barrel and trigger, bedding the stock and timing the bolt. All I can say is that the turn around time was very quick, the quality second to none and the price was very reasonable. Thanks Jerry!

Two Savages
223and257.jpg

The top rifle is a Savage Predator Hunter Max 1 in .223 and the new build is on the bottom. I'm scope poor right now so the .223 donated the Sightron Big Sky II 6-20 to it's bigger brother.

Fire formed brass
Fireformedcase.jpg

I'm using Winchester .257 Roberts +P brass with Winchester magnum primers and 46.0gr H335 for an estimated 3600fps. My chrony is kaput for some reason so I don't have any firm numbers. Hodgdon lists this load @ 3548fps without the magnum primer.

Long action
Maglength.jpg

I'm not sure where the final bullet seating will end up but it looks like I have plenty of room and then some. It also gives me different caliber options down the road if I choose to go that route.

How it looks
257onbench.jpg

I was going to ship it off somewhere in the Spring to get Cerakoted in a matte black finish, but I actually kind of like the way it looks right now. Plenty of time to make that decision I guess. No comments on my messy bench please.:redface:

On paper
10shotgroup.jpg

Crappy cell phone pic of a 10 shot group @ 110 yards with my fire forming loads. I just cleaned the barrel initially and have 50 rounds through it so far. I fed these rounds one at a time with no waiting between shots and the barrel didn't get very warm at all. So far, so good. I have H4350 and XBR sitting here to try when I go to do some load development. I'm not sure what to use for powder with the 75gr bullets and am welcome to suggestions and/or any recipes anyone may have. Thanks for looking.:)
 
Last edited:
I have been doing a lot of research on the 25cal, including shooting one Whitetail Doe last year with my 257 Roberts. I have shot deer with 308 win, 30-06, 280 Rem. and my 338 Win Mag, until I shot the doe with my Roberts I have never had a deer hit the ground literally where it was standing. Their is something magical about the 25 cal, I'm sure you'll love it.
 
Good job! I did not have as much time on my hands, so I researched the 25-06, 257 Roberts and 257 Weatherby.

My local gunshop made me a deal I could not refuse on a brand new Sub MOA Weatherby in 257. That little stinker is amazingly accurate to 600 yards.

It's not a plinker, as the brass is expensive and it is a barrel burner.

I use it with a bipod for 'yotes in the open fields. Other than that, it stays in the truck in favour of my 243 or 223.
 
I just acquired a Marlin XL7 in .25-06 for my winter coyote rig; and am busy working up loads for it. I think you're on the right track with .25 Calibers. :)
 
Ardent said:
Good job, an excellent chambering. .257 'Bob AI is a more sensible and efficient choice than the .25-06, take a peak at the .250 AI someday too, one of PO Ackley's favourites and he considered it possibly his best.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I just checked it out a bit (.250 AI) and it sure looks like an efficient round. 42gr of IMR-4350 and 3200fps with a 100gr bullet is pretty sweet.
 
I picked up a stainless/walnut No. 1 in 250 savage that I am going to try out this winter on 'yotes. I will be using the 87 grain bullet at arount 3100--should do the trick for my conditions. I also use the 85gt hp in a .260 remington.
 
Sweet rifle man and not a bad group either;). Bet things will only get better with load development and and the BBL breaking in some. If you need to blast some coyotes I counted 20 in a drive out to my tree stand north of Moose Jaw.

Cheers!!
 
Thanks for the offer but I'm about 4 hours North. I saw a nice black wolf the other day that's going to get it if I see him again and am carrying this rifle.
 
Nice rifle! I had a 22" 257AI a while back. Although it definitely won't touch a 25-06, it will stay within 100 fps or so of one.

You should be able to get 3250 with H4350 or anything a wee bit slower, 51 grains come to mind. With the 75 V-Max I could get 3500 fps plus with RL15 and Ramshot Big Game. I can't find my notes for that rifle so can't be more specific.

Enjoy, it's a good one!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom