Just been looking at an interesting rifle but it is only chambered in 257r.
Anyone use this cal and if so what performance are you getting and what ammunition is on the market in the uk for it?
If this baby is what you're considering you've got to be able to reload.
http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/results.php?fetch=Results&Filter[NewType][]=Rifle&Filter[NewMechanism][]=Bolt%20Action&Filter[NewMechanism][]=Falling%20Block&Filter[Calibre][]=.257%20Roberts&perPage=30&sortField=Price&sortOrder=asc
I've never seen factory ammunition on sale for it in the UK. If you can reload (you can convert 7x57 cases to .257 Roberts BTW at a pinch) then it will do.
The problem is that it normally comes chambered in a standard-length action (long) where the .25-06 is available. This killed the .257 off as it will outdo it in every way.
Also, the factory ammunition .... if you can get hold of any ... is no barnstormer.
The only factory ammo offered by Winchester (XP257P3C) 117gr RN (even in +P form) ... when clocked in 22" barrels only delivers about 2610 FPS @ 1770 FPE.
You can push it faster yourself, but both the Hornady and Speer manuals max out with the 117 - 120gr at 2800 FPS in standard barrel lengths. That's what the books say. The .257AI is a better performer, but that's not what you're looking at.
From 2 reference sources I've got, the .257 in a Winchester M70, and a Ruger No. 1-B was also disappointingly accurate with both factory & handloaded ammunition. That's not a complaint you hear often about the .243 or the .25-06.
It's not difficult to make up ammo for it if you've some experience. It would be interesting as a project, but even with all the reloading gear in this ad. on offer I'd really have to think about it....... like 'why bother at all?'
The .257 has a few fans as you can see from above, but it's languishing in the calibre stakes even in the USA for good reasons. In the UK it's in nowhere land, or you wouldn't be asking for advice despite the bargain price this rifle's going for.