December $487 prefit group buy, several barrels are a go

[cal30_sniper]

I would like to but I already started the 25CM and 22 GT barrel buys. Now I'm barrel broke!

Jay

I'll buy and flip your 25CM barrel if you'll grab a 257 Bob AI barrel, haha.

 

[The Guide]

I'll buy and flip your 25CM barrel if you'll grab a 257 Bob AI barrel, haha.

I had to buy two of the 22 GT barrels to make the deal work or I'd get one of the 257 Roberts Improved barrels. I already have brass, dies, ammo, and bullets for the 257 Roberts Improved for my other rifle. $1500 in barrels that I won't see until spring is enough for now. If you buy 2 of them, I'll buy one from you when they get delivered.

Jay

 

[cal30_sniper]

I had to buy two of the 22 GT barrels to make the deal work or I'd get one of the 257 Roberts Improved barrels. I already have brass, dies, ammo, and bullets for the 257 Roberts Improved for my other rifle. $1500 in barrels that I won't see until spring is enough for now. If you buy 2 of them, I'll buy one from you when they get delivered.

Jay

Jay, I’m good for doing two 257 Barrels if it’s needed to get over the line.

 

[TimberHunter]

Jay, I’m good for doing two 257 Barrels if it’s needed to get over the line.

I’m intrigued by older cartridges… why would you want the 257 Robert’s over any other more main stream 25 cal or 6mm options?


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[cal30_sniper]

I’m intrigued by older cartridges… why would you want the 257 Robert’s over any other more main stream 25 cal or 6mm options?


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I'm going to approach an answer to this cautiously, as my main attraction is an affinity for x57 Mauser cases as I think they are historically significant, exceptionally efficient, and only unsuccessful due to Remington's poor choices on short action magazine length for the 700 series. I have been shooting 7x57AI for about 15 years now, and I really just like the cartridge. For all the love that 7-08 and 280AI get, the 7x57AI splits the difference between these two excellent cartridges in their own right. The 257 bob does the same thing between 25 Creedmoor and 25-06, and the 257AI provides everything a standard 25-06 will (which is a great cartridge in its own right) in a shorter package that works better with high BC bullets in standard length mags. In an effort to avoid emotional pleas for a headstamp, I think the following technical details are what drive me towards the 257 Bob:

• It's an ideal length for a Tikka length magazine. 700 SA length Creedmoor and -08 based cartridges waste a lot of space in a Tikka action. -06 length cartridges are really too long for seating high-BC bullets at an optimal length in a Tikka mag. The x57 case is a near perfect compromise from a length perspective in a Tikka mag.
• It provides real ballistic advantage over a Creedmoor or -08 based case without having to go up to a short fat magnum that reduces magazine capacity and impacts feeding. To be clear, I know Tikkas feed 6.5 PRC cases just fine, but my experience with 6.5PRC and WSM-based cases is they're not as smooth as a 6.5x55 or 7x57 in a Tikka. And you get a +1 with the standard body case.
• Personally: I'm chasing the optimal setup for iron sight hunting. I was very pleased with my results in 6.5x55 with 130gr bullets this year, but the diopter setup I'm running benefits from getting closer to the shooter's eyeball, which makes recoil a real consideration from field shooting positions. I can achieve lighter recoil and higher velocity from a 100-115gr bullet in a 257 Bob AI without having to change bullet construction relative to the 130gr 6.5 offerings. The same rifle will shoot a 130gr class .257 bullet with MUCH higher BCs than the 130gr 6.5 offerings with a scope mounted on it to take advantage of the range.
• I have .257 AI dies, bullets, and a bunch of 7x57, 8x57, and 7x57 AI brass. I'm not equally equipped for cartridges like 25 Creedmoor or 25-06. I have a 25 Pronghorn which is overkill for iron sight use, and see the Bob as a stablemate for that unique hunting restriction (which appears to be spreading).
• I reload almost exclusively for my hunting rifles. It's part of the enjoyment of the hobby for me as a tinkerer. As such, factory ammo availability is of little concern to me.