The Late .257 Roberts ~ The Greatest All-Round American Rifle!

Published on March 22, 2016
Duration: 27:17

The .257 Roberts is presented as a highly efficient and accurate American rifle cartridge, often overlooked but favored by enthusiasts. Originally developed by Ned H. Roberts and commercially released by Remington, its potential was initially limited by low pressures and engineering flaws like short magazines. The Winchester Model 70 in long action eventually allowed handloaders to unlock its true performance, rivaling larger cartridges with less recoil and wear.

Quick Summary

The .257 Roberts cartridge, based on the 7mm Mauser case necked down, is highly efficient due to its ideal bore-to-chamber ratio. Developed by Ned H. Roberts, its potential was initially hampered by low industry pressures and early rifle design flaws like short magazines and freebore.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the .257 Roberts
  2. 01:26Jack O'Connor's Influence
  3. 04:23Ned H. Roberts: The Creator
  4. 05:23Technical Design and Efficiency
  5. 07:36Commercial Release and Industry 'Hobbling'
  6. 11:19Engineering Flaws: Magazine Length and Freebore
  7. 14:53Winchester Model 70 and the Long Action
  8. 18:06Modern Performance and Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the .257 Roberts cartridge efficient?

The .257 Roberts is efficient because it uses the 7mm Mauser case necked down to .25 caliber, creating an ideal bore-to-chamber ratio. This design allows it to achieve high velocities with less powder compared to less efficient, 'overbore' cartridges.

Who was Ned H. Roberts and what is his connection to the .257 Roberts?

Ned H. Roberts, from New Hampshire, originated the .257 Roberts cartridge. He was an experimenter who spanned the black powder to smokeless powder eras, aiming to create a highly accurate and efficient long-range cartridge.

Why was the commercial release of the .257 Roberts initially limited?

Remington released the .257 Roberts in 1934 but kept pressures low due to concerns about older, weaker rifle actions. Additionally, early rifles often had short magazines and excessive freebore, hindering its true accuracy and velocity potential.

How did the Winchester Model 70 improve the .257 Roberts?

The Winchester Model 70, chambered in .257 Roberts and utilizing a long action, allowed handloaders to properly seat bullets. This corrected the magazine length and freebore issues, finally enabling the cartridge to achieve its full potential for accuracy and velocity.

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