I have both the .257 Roberts and the .25-06. Can you tell I’m over 65? 🤣🤣

My Dad has hunted with nothing but the .257 Roy since I have been on this earth. I absolutely love it. It’s actually a cartridge that likes to be loaded hot. The problem with it is, it needs a tough bullet. I personally would run the 100gr TTSX or the Hammer bullets in it. Especially if your hunting.

My winner is the Roberts for a few reasons. 1- it gives the best velocity without being a barrel burner. 2- It is a natural fit for a Mauser action, which makes excellent hunting rifles. I reload so ammo is no problem. I don't think it is easy to get factory ammo for any of the 4 these days, and even if you do it is going to be costly.

RW, you nicely factored in the ballistics, ammo cost and rifle cost. But you forgot to factor in the "cost of cool". The 250 Savage and 257 Weatherby are just flat out COOL. Enjoy your new Weatherby.

Since I live in the southeast,the Roberts is my favorite.It is the best balanced load for the .25s.Personally I like the 120gr loads,but given the chance,I'd use a Savage.Our deer don't need a lot of killing,and I've found no problems with range,they both will cover 300 yards easy enough,and they don't destroy a lot of meat.

Ive got a .257 AI in an old Remington 700 Mountain Rifle, and honestly it's been my go-to whitetail rifle for going on 20 years. It's just something about the nostalgia and the history behind it, as well as the light weight lol

I love my 257 weatherby, you made an excellent choice my friend. Last does season I shot two does, one at 496 yards and one at 524 yards. Both dropped and never moved. I rely on this rifle for a lot of the meat my family and I eat each year. We live out where longer shots are the norm and it has never disappointed. I load the Barnes 100 grain ttsx to right at 3600 FPS and it is a slayer! Thanks for the videos and keep em coming.

Thanks for making the video. It’s interesting to see the conclusions some folks come to. I just don’t see the incremental benefit the 257 Weatherby delivers relative to its incremental cost. My own 25 caliber rifles are in 250 Savage, 250 Savage Ackley Improved, and 26-06. East of the Mississippi, in the wooded places we hunt in Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana & Texas, the 250 Savage loaded with a 100 or 115 grain Nosler Partition has always been plenty to get the job done on deer using a single round. Our self-imposed maximum range on game animals is 300 yards, and those longer opportunities are very rare. Our 250 Savage was built on a WW2 vintage Mauser 98 action. It shoots sub-MOA at the bench. The 25-06 is a Sako 75. My favorite rifle is the 250 Savage AI. It has a Hart stainless barrel on a Remington Model 7 action. It is supremely accurate, with minimal recoil and only modest muzzle blast, yet pushes a 100 grain partition at 3200 fps using 41 grains of powder. It is very pleasant to shoot. The Ackley Improved case geometry allows the brass to be reloaded multiple times, dropping the cost to feed it down to about $.65 per round, or $13.00 for a box of 20, which is night & day better than $5 per round for the Weatherby. It’s velocity is about what we get from our 25-06, which takes another 10 grains more powder per round, making the 250 Savage AI very efficient. It also uses less powder for the velocity delivered than the 257 Roberts. PO Ackley himself said that 250 AI cartridge showed a greater percentage of improvement in velocity than any of his other improved options. While the 250 AI does indeed give up about 300 feet per second to the 257 Weatherby Magnum, the magnum requires 32 more grains more powder to deliver that extra 300 fps. So it takes 78% more powder to get 9% more speed! That doesn’t seem like a very desirable trade-off to me. To put it in other terms that may be easier to understand, someone who opts to go with the Weatherby magnum will spend about $100 for 1 box of 20 cartridges. For that same $100 I can buy 153 Savage AI cartridges, equivalent to just over 7 and a half boxes. At my personal maximum range limit of 300 yards for a shot on deer, the 300 feet per second difference in muzzle velocity between the 250 AI and the 257 Weatherby makes absolutely zero difference in the field. And with the additional 133 cartridges available to me as compared to the 257 Weatherby Magnum, I will have far more opportunities to shoot at game for the same $ expenditure. The little 250 Savage AI simply gets the job done for substantially less cost than the other choices that use larger cartridge cases. At the end of the day, dead is dead. I started off hunting with a 30-06, then used a 270, and a 243. But after using the 250 Savage and seeing how effective it is, combined with how much more pleasant it is to shoot, there is simply no reason to go bigger for me. It took a little longer to find a nice supply of 250 Savage brass than it did to find 30-06 or a more commonly used caliber, but the effort to shop around a bit was certainly worth it. And for the folks who deem the 250 Savage and the 257 Roberts to be “obsolete”, I’d ask, on what basis? It does exactly what it was designed to do back in 1915. Charles Newton was a highly intelligent individual. He designed some very effective cartridges and built some very high quality rifles that are prized collector’s items today. Just because many hunters / shooters today are relatively uninformed about caliber choices that aren’t actively being pushed by today’s marketing machine doesn’t mean that some of the vintage calibers are any less capable of doing their jobs now than they were when designed. Perhaps the Weatherby Magnums make more sense out west where the county is open and the opportunity to take a longer shot might make the difference between filling a tag or going home empty handed. But I’ll stick with the 250 Savage AI. It just plain works, and for way less cost. In my book, that’s a winning combination. YMMV

Great video, I love the 25-06 first caliber i ever shot other than the .22lr

The simplest best 25 cal cartridge would be based on the 308 case. 25-243 or the 25-308 or the 25 Apollo. A wildcat that would not be that wild. If i was to build a custom rifle , that would be one to consider but there is so many cartridges that could do the same things. People are sold on ballistic performance. For me , low recoil, economics in reloading components and decent barrel life is also important.

I have a 25-06 in Ruger No 1V that I have shot for years. I don't mind the extra weight and I really enjoy the challenge of hunting with a single shot.

I've used my 257 Weatherby and my 25/06 for a long time and never had to chase nothing, ever!

I handliad and shoot 257 Roberts and have for many years. It's cheaper to handload than the others and is more inherently accurate.

I have both the old 1970's model Remington 700 BDL in 25-06 and a Weatherby Vanguard in .257 Wby Magnum. As for as most kills that would be the 25-06 because I was younger then and hunted more. In my later years I bought the Wby and never regretted it. I love both guns as both are great long-range flat shooting rifles. The big advantage is speed kills. Either will do the job its just that the Wby does it better. I know you gonna burn the barrel out. I've heard that plenty. But if I shoot my 257 Wby 20 rounds a year for the next 30 years it will have earned a rest. By the way I would then be 100 years old. So maybe we both could rest a little. Lol

Okay, my two cents . . . I have a 257 Roberts in a Winchester model 70. It's been used to kill more game than anthrax. I had a 25/06 in a Ruger M77. I did take it to Africa and I was happy with its performance. I sold it because I have a 257 Weatherby. I have the Weatherby in a Blaser rifle. I do travel when I hunt, and I find the 257 Bee to be awesome. I took a leopard in Namibia and there was no tracking. My brother took his to Africa and took Greater Kudo and a monster Sable with his rifle. The only thing I would add is that you should shoot premium bullets. ** It's not an AR ! I hunt with the 257 Weatherby. It will last my lifetime.

I have a 250 Savage Ackley, getting 3420 fps 85 gr. In a custom Winchester, also a 250-3000 in a Savage modle 99, but my favorite is my 257 Weatherby in a Mark 5. , getting 3650 fps with 100 gr. TTSX

Can't go wrong with the Weatherby. I'm sitting here looking at my Mark V Deluxe in 257. Congratulations, you will love it.

I got a weatherby vanguard in 257 and it's pretty sweet. Last year a mint 700 heavy varmit barrel bdl in 2506 crossed my path which i haven't shot yet. Then low and behold a 250 3000 savage 99 somehow ended up leaving the gun store with me and i was like damn gotta buy a 257 roberts now and the store owner laughed and pulled out a m77 ruger which i should have bought then and there but..... the misses would probably still be looking crossed eyed at me lol. Next time I'm there if that ruger is still there I'm bringing it home.

I have owned a 25/35 Akley Improved in a Savage 99 for the last 35 years, with 100 Nosler ballistic tips moving at 2975fps it flattens big mule deer, I wouldn't hesitate useing it on an elk with a 100gr partion. I use LVR powder and stopped at 2975fps with no signs of pressure or extraction issue, not sure how much more I could go, but with the old steel they used back in 1913 , I don't want to push it, I have to make casesing from 30/30 cases through a process of annealing and necking down, is a labour of love, but when I can shoot a 110 year old rifle that groups at 1.25 in groups I am fine with the effort. No question from the list you provided, I would pick the 257 weatherby!

Valid as long as barrels are affordable for you. The 25.06 and 257 Weatherby will burn out barrels if you shoot them a lot. The Roberts and Roberts AI are the most efficient for amount of powder that can be effectively burned in a 257 bore.

I have to go with the 25-06

Congratulations on your new rifle!

I've hunted with a .250 Savage for 30 years, taking many animals. This year I just put together a T/C Encore in .257 Roberts. Looking forward to putting it to work in the next few weeks.

Great review. Especially since i just received my custom Weatherby Mark V in 257 mag. I’ve sighted it in with 100 gr. Weatherby ballistic tip. All i need now is to find a freaking deer in this miss managed state of CA.

Yup! you are definitley correct that the 250 (otherwise known as 250-3000) was born of a 30-06 parent. Congrats to you for getting a superb rifle. I would done the same if I wanted a 25 bore. IMHO, the thing that hurts the quarter-bore is that so many people want a 260 bore right now. And I wish it weren't so because the 6.5 Creedmoor far overrated far beyond reality. And so the 243 guys will stick to theirs and the 6.5mm guys will stick to theirs. But I am sitting here right now, contemplating an order for a new Vanguard in 250Wby and thinking that handloads would cut that ammo cost in half😁

I took an elk above causey in 2007 with a 25-06. The Speer Hot-Cor bullets I used were garbage. Every shot was a kill shot, 4 shots in the boiler at 200 yards, but he wouldn’t drop. They zipped right through him. The deer I’ve taken with a partition, one and done. What can I say? I was 23 and poor, it was the only rifle I had, but I had a spike in the freezer.

I think I would pick one that you did talk about and that would be the 25-06AI.

The 25/45 Sharps is commercial caliber on a 223 case.

I absolutely LOVE the 25-06, but I went with the 257 Weatherby because I am a reloader and the 257 Weatherby at minimum pressures is equal to a 25-06 at max pressures. So with the 257 I can find great accuracy loads at 25-06 velocities and also find good accuracy loads at the higher velocities too. Best of both worlds.

Congrats on the new rifle!

Great review once again. I had a custom Weatherby made for me in 257. I am interested in everyone’s thoughts on what grain bullet i should match to my 257 Weatherby. I am currently shooting a ballistic tip 100 gr. I purchased this gun especially for California deer, pig and antelope hunting. Should i increase my grains to 115 or 120 grains? I am a seasoned hunter and realize its mainly “ shot placement “ on these animals. Your thoughts please?? Al

I love my 257 Remington and I almost got a WBY, but the cost of ammo and potential barrel life helped me make my choice.

I've got an 25-06 from my youth but I've no use for the 25cal since I acquired an 270win. I'm not some 270win fan boy but it's economical in my area and there's good logistics in finding factory ammo and loading components. It also handle similar bullet weights on the bottom end and can use up to 150gr hunting bullets. My 25cal has an more narrow range of all thing considered.

Hands down the .257wby mag. I bought one based on what I heard about it and it turns out to be my favorite firearm to date. I have the Weatherby Vanguard lazermark. Yes the ammo is expensive but man is it a tack driver with the eld-x bullets. Well worth it in my opinion.

I am waiting for the 257 RPM., standard bolt face makes for cheaper custom build. Ream out the chamber of my 257 Roberts long action in my old Mauser. More research is needed on my part as pressures may cause problems in the old action. Anyone’s input is welcome!

I own a 257 Weatherby and it is one of the most accurate rifles I own.

I saw your video on the 135 grain bergers with a 1:10 twist and a 257 weatherby. I have a remington 700 stainless fluted and live in a mountain valley in utah. Loaded with h1000 will it work

I agree 257 Weatherby. Is there a release date for the 25 Creedmoor?

I would pick the 257 Weatherby. You will not be disappointed. I really like mine. The 100gr Barnes TTSX is my go to.

Another cool thing about the 250 savage is with 100gr bullets you’ve got less recoil than a 243 shooting same weight bullets. It’s very minimal but it is less

Re the lack of new 25s, they did come out with a 25 WSSM not long ago. It does a poor job trying to mimic the 25-06 in a short action. I have a Ruger 25-06, they actually put enough barrel on it at 24", most manufacturers use 22" barrels for them like their other offerings.

My Grandma hunted elk with her .257 Robert's. She had no issue's.

I prefer the 25wssm, even though it is impossible to get

Nice comparison and thanks for bringing quarter calibers into the light, may be I´ve missed it but I think one big contender is missing there, .25-06 Ackley Improved, would love to see how much behind is from the .257 Roy given could be possibly cheaper to load at near .257 Roy speeds.

Which rifle in .257WM did you choose?

Definitely the .257 Wea for me. Fine video👍🏻

Thought about 25 06 but never got one. Where I hunt wouldn’t have any advantage. But great caliber what ever cartridge

I own two 25-06 rifles and have killed elk with the cartridges as well as deer it gets the job done without a lot of recoil and I’ve got where I like the 110 grain eld-x I would try the Nosler accubond 110 if you could find them

What about the 25-06 AI or the 25-270? Good video and congrats on the new rifle. Would like to see Ruger come out with a 257 Robert's in the American line sine they offer it in their single shots

Love the quarter bores

Have you ever though of doing some 8x57 videos?

Ii own both a 25-06 AI & 257 WBY Mag. I love them both, but I would choose the Weatherby every day and twice on Sunday!

Good video bro.

257 wby with Bergers.....Awesome combo

I have both. I have a 25-06 in a 22” barrel and a 25-06 with a 24” barrel. I have 3 257 Weatherby Magnums. 1 Mark V & 2 Vanguards. I know, lot of kids and grandkids in this equation. I tend to favor the 25-06 with the 110 and lighter bullets. I favor the 257 Weatherby Magnum with the 115 and 120’s. 115 Partition at 3,495 is incredible. Recoil is more. Norma makes more economical ammo for the 257 Weatherby and their Norma Soft Points are tough. Reloading their little difference in cost of ammo once you have the brass. I don’t think you can wrong with either one of them. I tend to shoot the Mark V 257 because of fit and feel. Mine has 24” barrel. No problem taking game at 450 yards. 115 Ballastic Tip holds up well at this distance. However, I have taken many deer out of ladder stands in heavy timber with my Tikka T3 25-06 with a 22” barrel. It will push either a 100 grain partition or Swift Scirocco II at just over 3,400 fps with RL 22 and CCI 250. Both need tougher bullets to hold up to their velocity on bigger game. Both can be spectacular varmint rifles.

I love a 257cal bullet. I have 250 savage and 257wby. Out of the 2 I like the 250 savage better. But the 257wby is a mark v deluxe that I will never get rid of

It’s the 257 Mark V Weatherby Mag. Deluxe.

If one wants a relatively low cost 257 Rob AI, one could probably buy a Barrel Nut barrel ($400) and get it screwed onto your existing Savage or Remington.

Why no.2506 Ackley if you where doing other Ackley. Just wondering.

257 Wby Magnum is the pick of the .25 caliber litter as far as I'm concerned. Even though I still awake in night sweats, after not closing the deal on a nice Wyoming mulie with it last year. 😵‍💫

257 wby!! A true warrior of a cal

personally I would go with the .257 Weatherby Magnum.

257 creedmor in a short action/ AR10? sounds cool but I think 308 will stay. 243Win might be better anyway.

I have the Roberts and the weatherby.

the right pick ROY allthe WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

250 savage is a shortened 30-06 case. That’s how Charles Newton came up with the case. Shortened and necked down 30-06

The .250 Savage is long obsolete, although it lives on as the parent case for the Creedmoor line. The .257 Roberts is also mostly obsolete. Ned Roberts spent quite a lot of time fussing over the wildcat before it was legitimized, and I don't think he was ever totally satisfied with it. The .257 AI would be my choice if I was building a lightweight custom deerslayer, as I consider it the best-balanced of the .25 caliber rounds. You get excellent performance, long case life and long barrel life as well. The .25-06 is as you say the clear commercial winner, but sales continue to slide in favor the the 6.5's. The .257 Weatherby is what you want for those longer shots on deer sized critters. An 80 TTSX launched at 3800 fps is an amazingly flat-shooting deer bomb. Barrels don't live all that long and ammo is expensive...mostly a so-what for me. I like the .25s, own a .25-06 that needs a new barrel, but the future is not so bright for them, I think.

My 257wby is one of my all time favorites, just a cheap vanguard w/ a classic fixed6 Leopold and its lights out to 300 and with a little Kentucky windage 400 is doable all day. But you left another good one of the list, the 25wssm, is probably the pentacle of the short action movement a few years back

Why not the 25 wssm

Why Skip the 25-35? In it's day it killed lots of deer

Been shooting a 257 Wby MK5 RC for years! Loves the TTSX or TSX either or in 100 grain! Taken everything in North America except moose and bear…

all great cartridge's, killed a lot animals with a 257 roberts

Probably an 87 gr Speer

I believe it’s copper

I LOVE ME WEATHERBY MARK V EUROMARK .257MBY MAG.

How about the .25 Creed 😂 it's starting to creep out of the shadows... All I hope that it would do is to get more bullets for .25 cal. Personally, one of my dream rifles is a Ruger No. 1 in .250 Savage. Beautiful rifles and a cool cartridge with interesting history. Would make a great Springbok (or Pronghorn) rifle!

You forgot the 25wssm

Well I think you have this completely backwards! Let's start with some facts. 1st. The 250 Savage out-sold all other modern 25 caliber rifles combined by a margin of about 100X! No 257 caliber has ever come close, and likely none ever will! Second. The Roberts was an expensive niche product for bougie hunting cabins. The Bob used 50% more powder to get 3% more velocity. III. The 25-06 I'd drastically over bore so the felt recoil is really felt muzzle blast, and it waists 100% more powder to make 10% more velocity. The Wheatherby is impressive, but seems too expensive to shoot. I'd love to chronograph IT with Barnes 80 gr TTSX and maybe a 30" barrel. Everything else in the middle is irrelevant.

I built a 6.5x06 covers a better range of critters

I guess it's your preference,but why on earth wouldn't you take 25-06 or 257 wtby elk hunting. They are dynamite on any thin skinned game way up to moose and the wtby is capable of killing many of the African game too. I don't think of the vanguard as a proper weatherby to be honest,it's a howa isn't it. My two 25s are a blaser R93 pro in 25-06 and a Weatherby MK V accumark in 257 wtby. Both left handers. I have shot a great many Himalayan Tahr (notoriously tough animals to put down) out to 600m with both of my 25 cal rifles. Great vid by the way,thanks.