Author Topic: 257 Roberts on elk (Read 28724 times)

shag · « **on:** April 22, 2009, 06:37:00 PM »

Anyone use a 257 Roberts on elk??

Pathfinder101 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2009, 06:39:03 PM »

I don't think I would if I had a choice.

jdb · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2009, 06:52:10 PM »

probably not the best choice but with a quality bullet at reasonable ranges it would probably be ok.

Slider · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2009, 06:54:20 PM »

I wouldn't either.

Curly · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2009, 06:57:52 PM »

I think a 100 or 115 gr Barnes TSX would work fine out of a 257 roberts for elk as long as the shots were kept to a reasonable distance (under 200yards) and the shot was broadside.

Pathfinder101 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2009, 07:00:01 PM »

Maybe if I were hunting with a kid and I could back him up with my rifle if needed.

littlebuf · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2009, 07:26:45 PM »

you could kill a elk with a .22 if you shoot it behind the ear. it has more to do with the shot than the bullet. my father dropped a moose with a .308,most people would tell you you need a bigger gun than that for moose. that being said i hunt elk with a .300 win mag

gasman · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:12:29 PM »

Shot placement.....

I would, but i would not take a shot over 300 yards.

When i was looking in to getting one a few years ago, o read an article abut a guy wh whent to Canada and shot 2 Carabo, deer, bea,r and a Bison with a .257 Roberts.

It is a sweet shooting gun, my wife hunts with mine.

shag · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:13:57 PM »

Curly,

Really??? That sucks cuz I was gonna shoot one at 201yds. I guess I better not if it's only good out to 200yds..

With a 100gr TSX at over 3100fps I'm sure I could extend that to at least 301yds.. In my old age I've found I shoot better with less recoil.

bobcat · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:27:46 PM »

257 Roberts...it's for kids and women. Really good cartridge for squirrels and rabbits. But for elk, it may not have enough oomph to put a bullet through an elk's skin so that it may actually penetrate into the vitals. It is nice that it recoils minimally. For those who have a tendency to flinch that's a definite advantage.

Curly · « **Reply #10 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:33:51 PM »

Quote from: shag on April 22, 2009, 08:13:57 PM

Curly,

Really??? That sucks cuz I was gonna shoot one at 201yds. I guess I better not if it's only good out to 200yds..

With a 100gr TSX at over 3000fps I'm sure I could extend that to at least 301yds.. In my old age I've found I shoot better with less recoil.

Sorry if I offended you. Just my

gasman · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:40:44 PM »

Oh yeah, my wife shot her first deer at 150yards with the .257. The 115grain bullet entered and exited out the other side.

Exit wound shown in pic.

grizzlygibbs · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:49:37 PM »

Quote from: bobcat on April 22, 2009, 08:27:46 PM

257 Roberts...it's for kids and women. Really good cartridge for squirrels and rabbits. But for elk, it may not have enough oomph to put a bullet through an elk's skin so that it may actually penetrate into the vitals. It is nice that it recoils minimally. For those who have a tendency to flinch that's a definite advantage.

Ha ha, I would love to hear what you think about my win model 70 .243 Deer/elk killer.
My wife has a nice 257 and that thing is a tac driver! I sure dont need a large caliber
to put the animals down.

caseyv21 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:55:37 PM »

a .257 would definetly work for elk, i've killed 4 deer and 2 elk with my .243 with 100 grain bullets. The bullet went all through both elk. The bull i killed was 240 yards and he went right down.

Archery King · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2009, 09:56:52 PM »

Of course it could work but isnt that a pointless subject in this state? .270 is the smallest caliber you can use for elk in this state isnt it?

littlebuf · « **Reply #15 on:** April 22, 2009, 10:04:14 PM »

Quote from: Archery King on April 22, 2009, 09:56:52 PM

Of course it could work but isnt that a pointless subject in this state? .270 is the smallest caliber you can use for elk in this state isnt it?

ive never heard that before? im pretty sure the min bullet size for any big game besides cougar is .25 cal with .22 being legal for cougar

hogsniper · « **Reply #16 on:** April 22, 2009, 10:10:42 PM »

.24 cal or bigger for big game here in Wa.

littlebuf · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2009, 10:21:56 PM »

Quote from: hogsniper on April 22, 2009, 10:10:42 PM

.24 cal or bigger for big game here in Wa.

.24 thats right, i didnt think that .25 looked right

Dakota Dogman · « **Reply #18 on:** April 22, 2009, 10:30:33 PM »

For me there is more to being able to take an animal while hunting than the ability to kill it. I want as clean and humane of a quick kill as possible.

I have & love my .257 bob but I wouldn't use it for elk unless I had to and I sure wouldn't recommend it.

I shot a real nice prairie fat whitetail buck 4x4 with my bob. Running away, the bullet went into the passenger side ribs & blew up on the shoulder. Watched it run another 300 yards or so till it fell over. All well and good on flat prairie but on this west side jungle 300 yards with no blood trail could very easily be a lost animal.

I'll stick to something bigger. Most kids could handle a 7-08 or 7x57 loaded right. Or something like an old .300 savage could do a real nice job. But that's just me...

God Bless,

JoshT · « **Reply #19 on:** April 23, 2009, 06:48:07 AM »

I've killed two cow elk with a .25-06... and that was with 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips... both exited... and both elk went about 4 ft... straight down. Shots were in the 150 yard range. Anyone who can't kill an elk with a .25 cal bullet... shouldn't be shooting elk. Only people who haven't shot much stuff with the .243's and .25's will downgrade their killing power. I've shot 15-20 head of big game with my .25's... I have never recovered a bullet (all exited)... the furthest a critter has gone (after playing catch with a 100 grainer) is about 20 yards... and I only had to shoot one of them twice (I anchored it on the first shot... but the hit was just a little high and back). A bullet through both lungs is a dead critter... .25 or .338. Hell, if you can kill it with a bow... you can kill it with a 100 TSX.

Is it the optimum... no.
Will it compensate for shooter error... no, but neither will a .300 RUM.

The "only under ideal conditions" argument hold no water with me. If you're shooting at schitt under "less than ideal conditions"... or taking shots that require a larger caliber to reach the vitals (ie... the Texas Heart Shot, or hard angling shots)... then you're playing with fire. I encourage everyone to use a "bow hunting" type mentality when hunting elk... look for a shot that gives you a clear look at both lungs... you do that with any legal caliber and a good bullet... and you'll be needing a good knife (and pack frame).

Dakota Dogman · « **Reply #20 on:** April 23, 2009, 09:20:10 AM »

"Anyone who can't kill an elk with a .25 cal bullet... shouldn't be shooting elk."

Mileage will vary... could say, "anyone who can't poach an elk with a .22 mag shouldn't be allowed out of the car!" I have heard it said that the .220 swift was perfect for Alaskan Griz, which was proven by an old indian who did it regularly. Some suggest that those who would be foolish enough to use a .257 on game larger are not serious enough to hunt elk ... I happily own both a .243 & a .257... and because of my experience with animals not "falling to a lung shot" like they are suppose to, I don't recommend them for true big game. Becaue Mileage will vary. Doesn't make either of us brilliant or stupid, but keeps Cabela's in business.

God bless,

JoshT · « **Reply #21 on:** April 23, 2009, 09:28:59 AM »

It is amazing how mileage varies... everything I've ever shot with a .25 cal bullet was dead as yesterday's lunch within seconds... and most dropped at the shot. Deer, elk, pronghorn, pigs, and a couple of ferel sheep/goats... all of them very dead, poste haste.

My point is...don't expect a bigger caliber to compensate for your inadequecies regarding shot placement. Put a good bullet through both lungs... and what caliber it is matters very little.

madmack76 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 23, 2009, 12:04:15 PM »

yea it should be fine it all about shot placement when i was little i remember my dad killed several deer elk and bears with his lever action .243 no problems at all

C-Money · « **Reply #23 on:** April 23, 2009, 03:03:29 PM »

My wifes aunts and uncles have killed many Elk with a 243. .257 should be fine with the right shot! I would use a .270 or bigger.

ArtistNhunter2 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 23, 2009, 04:39:16 PM »

Not very many elk will provide you with a broadside "double lung" shot. Then what do you do with that little .243 or .257? I think that's why most elk hunters use a larger caliber rifle; for those quartering away shots. Just my opinion. I tried using a big stick, but they just wouldn't hold still!

JoshT · « **Reply #25 on:** April 23, 2009, 05:10:07 PM »

Quote from: ArtistNhunter2 on April 23, 2009, 04:39:16 PM

Not very many elk will provide you with a broadside "double lung" shot. Then what do you do with that little .243 or .257? I think that's why most elk hunters use a larger caliber rifle; for those quartering away shots. Just my opinion. I tried using a big stick, but they just wouldn't hold still!

There's a lot of bowhunters who kill the schitt out of elk... they take nothing but broadside double lung shots... or slightly quartering away. If you need to smash a ball joint... maybe you should look for another shot. If you're just into slinging lead at elk... then you better bring the big guns... but that's rolling the dice every time.

I'd have no qualms hunting elk... or any other critter that can't stomp me into a puddle or eat me... with my 25-06 and a 100 TSX. On any sensible shot I'd bet a box of bullets you wouldn't recover that bullet... and the elk would be down within 40 yards. Don't know that I'd say the same about a .300 Winny running a 165 standard cup & core... and a lot of guys think that's good elk medicine.

bow-n-head · « **Reply #26 on:** April 23, 2009, 05:42:04 PM »

I tipped a cow elk over at 250 yards with a .243. First shot blew up her lungs, second broke her neck, she only went about 20 feet between shots.

The bulls I have shot with .300 h&h and 300 ultramag didn't go down any faster.

huntnphool · « **Reply #27 on:** April 23, 2009, 05:49:09 PM »

Right on Bow-n-head. A well placed shot with that 257bob will be far better than a poor shot with a 300 winmag. My backup to my archery gear on my moose hunt was a 140gr. 7mm if I had needed a longer shot than my archery gear could give me. My grandma filled several elk and a couple moose with her .243 when she lived in Montana. Get comfortable with your gun, put the shot where you want and that .257 will be just fine

Cascade_Sherpa · « **Reply #28 on:** April 23, 2009, 06:38:49 PM »

The best advice I've heard is to use the biggest rifle you can shoot accurately. As ethical hunters we owe it to the game animals we hunt to try to end it as quick and efficiently as possible. I know guys who hunt everything with .338's, they manage the recoil and kill animals every year, and more importantly don't lose any. Others like me begin to flinch shooting a rifle any bigger than a .300 win mag, so thats what I use for deer, elk, bear, cougar, etc.

I also beleive that shot placement counts more than anything. thats why if you can't manage the recoil of a magnum rifle, then you're going to be shooting lousy with a cannon. It makes more sense to shoot a .243, .257, .270 accuratelly than a 30-378 like crap!

Ghost1941 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 23, 2009, 06:57:19 PM »

"or any other critter that can't stomp me into a puddle or eat me... with my 25-06 and a 100 TSX. On any sensible shot I'd bet a box of bullets you wouldn't recover that bullet..."

Care to go to South Africa with me?

The bullet is big enough for an elk though, don't worry.

shag · « **Reply #30 on:** April 23, 2009, 08:54:29 PM »

Yep, 100% of the time I can place the bullet where it's supposed to go with smaller calibers than an -06 or a 300wsm. Find someome that shoots a TSX that will tell you a 100gr TSX won't break bone and keep going on big game.. Good luck. Actually know folk that push the 100TSX at 3200fps outa the Bob! A very under estimated and great big game slayer!!!! I'm selling a NIB Hawkeye in a Bob to fund a Montucky in a Bob!! Planing on taking a big mulie and an elk with it in 2010!

huntnphool · « **Reply #31 on:** April 23, 2009, 08:55:42 PM »

cascademountainhunter · « **Reply #32 on:** April 23, 2009, 09:13:48 PM »

i would use it if i had one. i want one....

shag · « **Reply #33 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:02:35 PM »

This ain't your Grandpappys Roberts!!!

A Short Action Roberts topping the scales at 5-1/4 pds!!! A backcountry dream for me!

http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/84m/84m_montana/

groundhog · « **Reply #34 on:** April 24, 2009, 07:49:56 AM »

My ten year old daughter shoots a Win mod 70 Bob and she can drive tacks with it. She will shoot it 20 times on the range and be begging to shoot it more. I agree with Josh it is all about shot selection and placement. If I can get a spike bull in front of her this year it is in trouble.

superdown · « **Reply #35 on:** April 24, 2009, 08:19:21 AM »

In this state you can legaly hunt elk with a 4in 25acp handgun.

Quote

Modern Firearm Regulations
Rifles:
Big game, except cougar, must be hunted with
a minimum of 24 caliber (6mm) centerfire rifle.
Cougar may be hunted with 22 caliber centerfire
rifle. Rimfire rifles are not legal for big game.
Handguns:
Big game, except cougar, may be hunted with
handguns with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches
per manufacturers specification, and fire a minimum
24 caliber centerfire cartridge. Cougar may be
hunted with 22 caliber centerfire handgun. Rimfire
handguns are not legal for big game.

JoshT · « **Reply #36 on:** April 24, 2009, 08:44:29 AM »

Quote from: Ghost1941 on April 23, 2009, 06:57:19 PM

"or any other critter that can't stomp me into a puddle or eat me... with my 25-06 and a 100 TSX. On any sensible shot I'd bet a box of bullets you wouldn't recover that bullet..."

Care to go to South Africa with me?

The bullet is big enough for an elk though, don't worry.

Love to... you pay for everything I hammer with one pill out of the .25-06 and a 100 or 115 grain TSX... I'll pay for double anything that requires more than one shot... Deal? I'm thinking you might want to pack a lunch... though you might recover a couple bullets from the bigger african critters... them things are a lot tougher skinned than an elk.

Like I said... I fear nothing but the most dangerous of game when I pack the .25... there's about 7-8 animals on this entire planet that I'd be worried about. Even then... I might still pick a fight.

robb92 · « **Reply #37 on:** April 26, 2009, 01:43:07 AM »

I've hunted bear and elk with my uncle's 257 Weatherby. Great flat shooting gun and will knock down what your aiming at. He has never lost any animal with the 257. I've seen him drop a lot of deer and 5 elk and 3 bears with it, all the animals dropped in their tracks.

Cascade_Sherpa · « **Reply #38 on:** April 26, 2009, 09:33:19 AM »

The .257 weatherby has the advantage on the .257 roberts, and I agree, its a hell of a round. Its definitely a deer and elk killer.

Ghost1941 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 26, 2009, 11:23:41 AM »

Quote from: JoshT on April 24, 2009, 08:44:29 AM

Quote from: Ghost1941 on April 23, 2009, 06:57:19 PM
"or any other critter that can't stomp me into a puddle or eat me... with my 25-06 and a 100 TSX. On any sensible shot I'd bet a box of bullets you wouldn't recover that bullet..."

Care to go to South Africa with me?

The bullet is big enough for an elk though, don't worry.

Love to... you pay for everything I hammer with one pill out of the .25-06 and a 100 or 115 grain TSX... I'll pay for double anything that requires more than one shot... Deal? I'm thinking you might want to pack a lunch... though you might recover a couple bullets from the bigger african critters... them things are a lot tougher skinned than an elk.

Like I said... I fear nothing but the most dangerous of game when I pack the .25... there's about 7-8 animals on this entire planet that I'd be worried about. Even then... I might still pick a fight.

You don't GO to Africa to hunt Blesbok, eland, gemsbok, Kudu's and Wildebeest(Those are an added perk). I'm talking about cape's and elephants. Hunting a cape with a .257 anything is like a Junior High quarterback trying to play in the NFL. You're going to get hurt.

However, I will agree with you on it's capabilities to take any of the others.

Curly · « **Reply #40 on:** April 26, 2009, 11:41:48 AM »

Quote from: Cascade_Sherpa on April 26, 2009, 09:33:19 AM

The .257 weatherby has the advantage on the .257 roberts, and I agree, its a hell of a round. Its definitely a deer and elk killer.

+1

JoshT · « **Reply #41 on:** April 26, 2009, 02:04:05 PM »

Quote from: Ghost1941 on April 26, 2009, 11:23:41 AM

You don't GO to Africa to hunt Blesbok, eland, gemsbok, Kudu's and Wildebeest(Those are an added perk). I'm talking about cape's and elephants. Hunting a cape with a .257 anything is like a Junior High quarterback trying to play in the NFL. You're going to get hurt.

However, I will agree with you on it's capabilities to take any of the others.

That's why I said:

Quote from: JoshT on April 24, 2009, 08:44:29 AM

"or any other critter that can't stomp me into a puddle or eat me...

I'm pretty sure a buff or jumbo could stomp me into a fine paste... thereby disqualifying it from .25-06 consideration. I'd love to GO to Africa simply to hunt plains game... I've no interest in hunting buffs or elephants or lions... I'm pretty sure I could have an absolute ball hunting Jackals and Warthogs and other such 'second tier' game... I'm not a snob when it comes to what constitutes a 'trophy'.

As for elk... I still maintain a .257 Roberts plus a 100 TSX... will hammer on elk all the live long day.

Ghost1941 · « **Reply #42 on:** April 26, 2009, 07:37:22 PM »

Quote from: JoshT on April 26, 2009, 02:04:05 PM

Quote from: Ghost1941 on April 26, 2009, 11:23:41 AM
You don't GO to Africa to hunt Blesbok, eland, gemsbok, Kudu's and Wildebeest(Those are an added perk). I'm talking about cape's and elephants. Hunting a cape with a .257 anything is like a Junior High quarterback trying to play in the NFL. You're going to get hurt.

However, I will agree with you on it's capabilities to take any of the others.

That's why I said:
Quote from: JoshT on April 24, 2009, 08:44:29 AM
"or any other critter that can't stomp me into a puddle or eat me...

I'm pretty sure a buff or jumbo could stomp me into a fine paste... thereby disqualifying it from .25-06 consideration. I'd love to GO to Africa simply to hunt plains game... I've no interest in hunting buffs or elephants or lions... I'm pretty sure I could have an absolute ball hunting Jackals and Warthogs and other such 'second tier' game... I'm not a snob when it comes to what constitutes a 'trophy'.

As for elk... I still maintain a .257 Roberts plus a 100 TSX... will hammer on elk all the live long day.

Hehe, alright. Keep in mind I'm not criticizing you or the round. Just the way you worded that when you had originally stated it reminded me of a guy my great Uncle Dave had been an outfitter for. The guy was dead convinced his side by side 12 would take a Cape Buffalo, even after many attempts to convince this guy he was nuts he decided to try anyways. Needless to say, he got 2 shots, a pissed off Cape, and a guide who had to finish his game for him with a 375 HH.

JoshT · « **Reply #43 on:** April 26, 2009, 07:56:24 PM »

Hell... Roy Weatherby anchored a rhino with his pet .257 Weatherby... don't know that I'd be trying that kind of feat though.

Ghost1941 · « **Reply #44 on:** April 26, 2009, 09:35:36 PM »

Rhino's go down a bit easier than cape's or elephants, not sure what it is, I think they're dumber or can't see you as well to get all that rage built up to charge. Hell I'd probably shoot a male cat with one, the female... no.

Slider · « **Reply #45 on:** April 27, 2009, 04:06:35 PM »

There have been over 1100 Ele's taken with a 6.5mm!!!

Bob33 · « **Reply #46 on:** May 03, 2009, 09:36:41 PM »

Quote from: Archery King on April 22, 2009, 09:56:52 PM

Of course it could work but isnt that a pointless subject in this state? .270 is the smallest caliber you can use for elk in this state isnt it?

.24 caliber is the smallest legal caliber for elk in Washington.

Bob33 · « **Reply #47 on:** May 03, 2009, 09:42:22 PM »

At 200 yards the 120 grain Nosler Partition load from Federal has 1470 ft/lbs of energy. Personally, I think that might kind of hurt.

huntnphool · « **Reply #48 on:** May 03, 2009, 09:46:39 PM »

Quote from: Bob33 on May 03, 2009, 09:42:22 PM

At 200 yards the 120 grain Nosler Partition load from Federal has 1470 ft/lbs of energy. Personally, I think that might kind of hurt.

Excellent round

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