.257 Roberts for Black Bear
I am planning on black bear hunting for the first time this December in West Virginia. Is the .257 Roberts enough gun or should I buy something hotter? Thanks
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A lot depends on the type of hunting you are expecting. If you can pick your shot and place a good 120 gr bullet right, the 257 is good enough. If you want to take any shot offered, you better move up to a 308 or 30/06.
Mobuck0 -
BUY SOMETHING BIGGER. What better than a hunt to buy a gun. But on the serious side. I think a 257 is marginal. 0 -
According to Cartridges of the World, the 257Roberts is good for just about anything under the sun. They say its the most useful cartridge ever invented. Its a decent long range varmint cartridge, and is good as any other cartridge available on deer, antelope, black bear, sheep, or goat. Though it is not as powerful as the 270win or the .30-06, it has ample power for the game mentioned at all practical ranges. Originally the 257 was underloaded by ammunition companies, but in the late 1980's higher pressure +P loads were introduced, which enabled factory-loaded 257 to reach is full potential. With modern powders the handloader can improve performance safely in all bullet weights. With 117 or 120gr boatail bullets at velocities of around 2800fps, the 257 can be used successfully on elk and caribou. The Ackley Improved version of the .257roberts practiacally duplicates the ballistics of the .25-06.
120gr SP 42.5grs of IMR4831 2800fps @ 2091e
110gr SP 45.5grs of IMR4831 3100fps @ 2134e
87gr SP 46.0grs of H-380 3200fps @ 1979e
75gr HP 44.0grs of H4895 3561fps @ 2110e
60gr SP 46.0grs of H-335 3885fps @ 2010e
If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.
The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !0 -
Where at in WV? Do you plan to hunt over dogs? if so I would think that the .257 should suffice. Most of the people that hunt bears here over dogs use standard cal. guns, and the people that run the dogs usually carry handguns just in case.
If guns cause crime, all mine are defective.0 -
I would not hunt Bear with anything smaller than a 30/06.Black Bear even though small compared to other Bears is still very dangerous.The minimal you should cosider is the .270 or .308 Winchester.Remember when dealing with Bear bigger is better.
Eric S. Williams0 -
NO .308 min better safe then sorry just my opinion 0 -
Lee, You are giving advice that could get someone killed. There are a lot of .257 Roberts out there in actions that can only stand 3000psi. The +p, And the loads you are printing are for actions that have been tested at 60000psi. I have seen several .257s made on 93 Mauser, And 95 Mauser actions. They would be a bomb with the loads you are listing.
I have been shooting a .257 for over tirty years. You better you know what you have and what your are putting in it.
The most important things, Are not things.
Edited by - varmit hunter on 08/19/2002 23:27:42
Edited by - varmit hunter on 08/19/2002 23:36:250 -
I would feel way undergunned on Black Bear with my 257 Roberts.Its a great Deer gun,but I wouldnt attempt to Hunt Bear with it.
Best!!
Rugster
Toujours Pret0 -
I ditto varmint hunter on the load data. IMHO there wasn't a rifle made to handle the higher +P loads until the Winchester Model 70 and Remington 722 came on the market. A lot of those old springfields chambered for this round will not take the +P pressures. As far as it being a good cartridge for Black Bear, sure it would with a good controlled expanding bullet like the Nosler Partition or the Barnes X bullet. But as for being good for just about anything under the sun, no way. Sure it would be a good deer, antelope or caribou cartridge but that is where I would draw the line as far as big game went for this cartridge.
AlleninAlaska
He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
-- Thomas Paine0 -
It is fine, just dont use any hollowpoints, you need
deep penetration. Perhaps a bronze point. Ask your
gun shop to help you locate the correct round.
IN AFRICA, THE AFRICANS WERE SHOOTING ELEPHANTS, WITH
303 BRITISH. THEY DIDNT KNOW THAT 303 IS NOT AN ELEPHANT
ROUND, BUT KNOW ONE TOLD THEM SO THEY KEPT USING IT.
WITH, MUCH SUCCESS....0 -
Yes and Bell used the 7X57 for Elephant also. You have to remember that they were using heavy for caliber FMJ bullets that would penetrate very well at close range. And they were taking brain shots.
AlleninAlaska
He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
-- Thomas Paine0 -
Thanks for all of your input. My Roberts is a Winchester 54 and I have shot +P loads in the past. 0
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