What to do with my .257 Roberts

[D.Blake]

This .257 has been in my family since it was given to my grandma as a gift in the late 50s. It has spent its whole life being shuffled from gun safe to gun safe, and has finally made its way to me. I appreciate and respect the value of this old gun, but I want to hunt with it instead of just stuffing it in the back of my safe. Ive heard great things about this caliber and think it would make a fine antelope gun.

I have hundreds of rounds for the gun as well but it is all old. after checking ammo prices in this caliber I hope what I have is still shootable!

I want to mount a modern scope on this rifle. What scope would you recommend?

I am also curious to hear if there is any reason I shouldn't mount a modern scope on it and just leave it as it is.

For those curious, the gun is a Winchester model 70 .257 Roberts Serial #178633 pre-64 model with a Balvar 2-4x scope.


Thank you for the insight!

 

[Savage99]

I’d vote for a 3-9 trij. Wouldn’t look too out of place. That sure is a nice one btw!


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[ChrisAU]

I'd lean to a S&B Klassik in some 42mm Obj flavor, to keep it "classy" lol

 

[sodaksooner]

I bought mine in 1982 and still have it. Have killed a bunch of deer and antelope with it, all with lower power scopes. My son uses it for deer now. He actually replaced the old Redfield I had on it with a 3 x 9 Leupold. Still shoots great. A lot of my ammo was reloaded in the 80's and has been stored well and still shoots fine. I did run a 4.5 x 15 on it for a while just for fun and it was a great shooter on steel all the way out to 500 yards, although I wouldn't shoot at game that far out. Nice versatile caliber for sure.

 

[SDHNTR]

Don’t change a thing! Hunt it and show it love!

 

[Pilsner]

Properly stored ammo (AKA kept clean and dry) will last well over 100 years. As long as the ammo isn't corroded, I'd shoot it. Beautiful rifle.

 

[43.6N]

That’s just plain cool.
What does the scope reticle and glass look like?

I think it needs a monthly coyote calling session and some reloading dies

 

[StupidLightweight]

I think a Burris Eliminator would match the lines nicely. Just kidding. I like the look of the original scope

 

[NE Herd Bull]

Eye candy !
Love those guns

 

[MTlan66]

Sweet gun! My thought would be to put an older fixed 6X Leupold on it. Excellent glass, and still maintain a more classic look.

 

[vonb]

Drive it like you stole it.

 

[MeatMissile]

I’d vote for a 3-9 trij. Wouldn’t look too out of place. That sure is a nice one btw!


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Be aware that some sort of extended scope mount or rail will be necessary. I tried to mount one with dual dovetail mounts and there isn’t enough tube. I had to switch to Talley extended bases. I wasn’t going to put a rail on a rifle like that.

 

[Unclecroc]

I know it’s not a popular opinion here but a 3.5-10 leupold would look perfect on there. Mount a new scope on her and go enjoy that rifle for what it is. The bob with a 100gr ballistic tip is a whitetail slaying machine!

 

[bwood1]

She's a beaut Clark!

 

[RockAndSage]

Man, cool gun, and great family story. That would have been a tremendous gift.

Something to keep in mind is there's a growing market for antique and classic scopes, so what's on it now definitely shouldn't just be considered junk or the like. Even if it's not what you want to shoot on it.

 

[The_Yetti]

I'd keep it how it is and hunt with it! Maybe not on hunt of a lifetime, but would be nice to hunt with a piece of family history like that.

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[Mangata]

Keep it as it is !!!
Post a pic of a 10 round group please!

 

[Castle Rock]

That rifle and scope is absolutely priceless
Don’t change a thing.
If it was mine I would hunt it sometimes and buy a plastikka for regular jobs.