Author Topic: I NEED GRAYBEARD ADVICE (Read 719 times)

razmuz · « **on:** September 30, 2003, 02:16:22 PM »

If you had to choose between these two rifles for white tails only, with no other options, which would you pick using 120gr bullets only?
(1)
Ruger lightweight 257 Roberts
(2)
Remington Mountain Rifle 260 caliber

crow_feather · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2003, 03:43:13 PM »

Neither, cause I wouldn't use 120 grain bullets. If you said 140 grain bullets - then it would have to be the 260 Rem.

The 120 grain bullet might do well on an East to West shot - but do you want to pass up a North to South shot because you don't have the bullet to do the job.

Of course, thats only one person's opinion

C F

GBO MGMT · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2003, 06:33:17 PM »

Like Crow-Feather I'd choose the .260 Rem. I think but like him I'd not pick 120s as my first choice. The 140-160 grain bullets are what made the 6.5s reputation as a killer of large game, not the light weights. I'd limit my deer hunting to bullets of 125-129 grains rather than using the 120s. I feel the 140s would really be best if you are gonna use conventional bullets. Nosler makes a PT of either 125 or 129 grains I think. Now that would be a winner and very possibily would be my first choice.

If you go with the .257 Roberts and it isn't a bad choice at all then I'd likely want to use the Nosler PTs or other premium bullets. I just really don't trust the smaller calibers and I do place the .257 Rob. in that category on deer with light weight conventional bullets.

BTW if you do chose the Roberts I have a set of Redding dies and some other stuff you might have an interest in I can let go of at a good price. Got them on a trade with a .257 Rob. rifle I never fired before trading off.

GB

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2003, 12:04:28 PM »

razmuz,

Of the two cartridges you picked using a 120 Gr. bullet I would have to go with the .257 Roberts. The 120 gr. 6.5 bullets is a little light for all around use on deer. After owning a few .257 Roberts I have found that many don't like the 120 gr. bullet. Most of the Roberts I owned preferred the 115 - 117 gr. bullet. If it was me I would go with a 115 gr. Partition in the .257 Roberts and a 140 gr. in the .260 Remington. As to which one would I choose, It all depends on what you may use it on other than deer. If varmints are in the picture then I would pick the .257Roberts over the .260 any day. Have fun making your choice. Lawdog

gunnut69 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2003, 12:43:33 PM »

In a 260 the 125 grain Nosler Part. is a great bullet. Nearly always exits and kills really well. The 140's are great but not really needed for whitetails, though they will work. I prefer the 257 of the two you listed.. With the nosler Part. bullets it will be pure poison and the 115-120 bullets are the long for caliber bullets for that caliber.. They will give penetration with very moderate recoil.. Although I must admit to not having used the Noslers in the Roberts. My favorite load in a pre-64 M70 in 257 Roberts is a 100 Hornaday.. It kills just fine but is not the rifle to choose if a raking shot on a whitetail is contemplated.. the 257 is a great caliber.... If I wanted a 6.5 I'd opt for the swede(6.5x55). A better performer than the 260 and brass is readily available...

taxmiser · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2003, 05:33:13 PM »

I would hate to run into one of your California deer! My 6.5X55 Improved using the 120 gr Remington has accounted for a half dozen elk, 20 to 30 deer (mule & whitetails) and 8 or 10 pronghorns plus 3 black bear and one sheep flawlessly. Does one really need more?
Tax

gunnut69 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2003, 11:02:14 AM »

The calibers we're discussing are great rifles but hey most assuredly have limits. They are usually not sufficient if less than perfect shots are contemplated. They are calibers for those willing to pass on any shot with less than perfect presentation. Shots at trophies are hard to come by, and if you can pass up that shot of a lifetime than perhaps these are the perfect calibers. I have used the 257 and the 6.5 Swede and both were adequate but even with perfect shot placement they need a reasonable presentation to be effective. For most hunting where 1 chance is all I may get I use calibers that are effective from any angle. I prefer the 7mmMag or the 300 Mag (any flavor). I know that if I put the bullet in the right place, it will exit and I will have a blood trail with a happy ending. There is however still no substitute for good shooting..