257 Roberts too light for elk?

MEANTTOBBUCK · May 28, 2009

My dad is 85 and needs a light recoil gun for a cow elk hunt. Is there a bullet made in this caliber that would work fo him? I already have the rifle.
Thanks, MTBB

Bullelk1 · May 28, 2009

I would find a factory load such as Federal with a Nosler Partition or Barnes x bullet. If he puts one in the boiler room at a reasonable range he should fill his tag. Good luck!!

maxxbob1 · May 28, 2009

257 Roberts works fine with good shot placement and with a good bullet, like a Nosler Partition. The .25 cal Nosler Partitions come in 100, 115 & 120 grains. Here is a cow taken at 435 yards last year with a 100 grain NP from my 25-06. My 257 Roberts AI shoots almost the same load as the 25-06.

elknut · May 30, 2009

Don't shoot at elk over 400 yards with a 100gr Roberts. I'm sure max pulled off a clean shot and got his cow, but the Roberts is not intended to be an elk load. It will do the job on a cow, but load it at 120gr NOS and keep your shots under 250 yards to be on the safe side.

sworhntr · May 30, 2009

It will work just fine 120gr premium bullet, then shot placement no problem.

sageadvice · May 30, 2009

Will it kill a Elk with a decent bullet in a correctly placed shot?

Yes!

Would i ever hunt Elk With a .257 Bob with such bullet?

No, Never. I have too much respect for the animal and enough experience to know that in even perfect shot situations, things can go wrong. I stick with many others here in saying that a .270 Win or 7MM-08 are about minimal Elk rounds. That's my opinion!

Joey

JLTD · May 30, 2009

I shoot cow elk with a "pointed stick" i think you should be fine!

Just Living The Dream

Gator · May 30, 2009

A 243 will kill elk all day and half the night if it hits them in the lungs. So Have him shoot whatever he can handle. ME I like the 30-378 for up close shots.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

Packout · May 30, 2009

I wouldn't hesitate to let him shoot a Bob with 115-120 gr premium bullets. If that is what will get him out and hunt then by all means go for it. The cartridge will do the job and will not define what kind of hunter he is. Best of luck both of you and take the camera!

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www.sagebasin.com
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Rem308 · May 31, 2009

I got a friend that lives in Craig Colorado and he shoots a cow elk every year with his 243 Winchester and 100 grain Hornady bullets.Your 257 will do fine.

MEANTTOBBUCK · May 31, 2009

LAST EDITED ON May-31-09 AT 03:28PM (MST)[p]Thanks guys. I appreciate your info. Now to practice and to get him into position during the hunt.

Crazy4Elk · Jun 2, 2009

I killed my first cow with a .257 Roberts....I was using your run of the mill nothing special Speer boat tail bullett. She wenty about 30 yards and was dead....all about were you put the bullet. Today I still shoot the gun for antelope, but I have switched to the Nosler line and if I was going to elk hunt with it today I would use the Accubond or the Partion.