I was looking for a Remington 760 in .257 roberts and there aren't a lot out there and I was wondering what calibers you could rechamber (think that's the right word,having a brain fart) it in. I know that a short caliber probably wouldn't work and I read in this forum that a 25-06 would work but Remington didn't make the 760 or 7600 in 25-06 any advice besides contacting the custom shop? (I asked about it 3 months ago and no reply)
.257 Roberts
- Thread starter Deerhunt
- Start date
The 257R hasn't been a factory option in the 760 for 1/2 century (+/-) so finding one in decent condition will cost big $$. A custom re-barrel of a 30/06 to 25/06 would also be big $$. I seriously doubt Remington Custom would make this conversion so you need to be looking for a gunsmith who specializes in the 760 barrel work.
I don't want to rain on your parade but such an odd request is going to be expensive regardless of where it is done.
FWIW My first deer rifle was a 760 (30/06) and I've mounted and zeroed scopes on several 243-30/06 while I was in the gunshop business. I don't feel the 760 platform is designed to provide the accuracy to actually utilize the range capabilities of the 25/06 cartridge vs the 243 Win. I've used both cartridges extensively over the last 50 years so I do know what each is capable of in the field.
I don't want to rain on your parade but such an odd request is going to be expensive regardless of where it is done.
FWIW My first deer rifle was a 760 (30/06) and I've mounted and zeroed scopes on several 243-30/06 while I was in the gunshop business. I don't feel the 760 platform is designed to provide the accuracy to actually utilize the range capabilities of the 25/06 cartridge vs the 243 Win. I've used both cartridges extensively over the last 50 years so I do know what each is capable of in the field.
You need to do some research on if the 760 / 7600 is one action size and multiple magazines or multiple action sizes.
If same, you would just buy your 760, buy mags for the caliber you want and send it off to be rebarreled.
Remember, with a bolt rifle, part of rebarreling is accuracy improvement. With a 760, accuracy improvement might be minimal because it will be limited by how the gun locks up and by attachments to the barrel stressing it.
If same, you would just buy your 760, buy mags for the caliber you want and send it off to be rebarreled.
Remember, with a bolt rifle, part of rebarreling is accuracy improvement. With a 760, accuracy improvement might be minimal because it will be limited by how the gun locks up and by attachments to the barrel stressing it.
First off you'd have to find a gunsmith who works on Remington pump rifles. A lot of gunsmith have more business than they can keep up with, so they don't have to take work they don't want to do. The second thing you'll have to realize it costs money to rebarrel, figure an average of $600-700 depending on barrel used. So if you pick up a used 760/7600 for a reasonable price, figure it's going to cost you over $1000 to rebarrel. As the price i quoted you doesn't include any of the finish work like bling or coatings to the metal, or any other work you might want done.
Hillbilly custom rifles works on the Remington pumps, you might contact him.
Hillbilly custom rifles works on the Remington pumps, you might contact him.
I found this on the barrel extensions for a 7600
Note: I don't have a 7600, so it was a search result..
https://www.shootersforum.com/gunsmithing/85285-swapping-barrels-headspace-remington-7600-a.html
Note: I don't have a 7600, so it was a search result..
https://www.shootersforum.com/gunsmithing/85285-swapping-barrels-headspace-remington-7600-a.html
"How would c getting a 760 or 7600 30-06 and putting a 257 roberts barrel on it work?"
It could work OK especially if you could find some factory magazines for a 6mm Remington. The 6mmR is basically the same case(same length and close to same overall dimensions-6mm R, 257 Rob, 7x57) as the 257 Roberts. The 257 might feed fine through standard 270/30-06 mags. I don't know this for sure as my only reference is based on Mauser 98 actions.
It could work OK especially if you could find some factory magazines for a 6mm Remington. The 6mmR is basically the same case(same length and close to same overall dimensions-6mm R, 257 Rob, 7x57) as the 257 Roberts. The 257 might feed fine through standard 270/30-06 mags. I don't know this for sure as my only reference is based on Mauser 98 actions.
The 257 Roberts is based on the 7x57 mauser case which means it falls between what is normally a short action caliber (223 or 308 based) and long action (stuff based off 30-06; 270, 25-06, etc). Remington put the 257 Roberts into their short action rifles.
25-06 goes in a long action. And the 760 barrel has that big lug on it. So you can't make the shorter 257 roberts that way without a lot of expense. And there aren't really any other 257 calibers out there besides the super long 257 weatherby mag. A bolt gun would be a lot easier to come by. The Remington 722 can be found on gunbroker. And it's really the same as today's 700 short action--fits in the same stock. I got a nice one last month on gunbroker in 257 Roberts for a little over $500
Savage bolt guns are easy/cheap to rebarrel. It'd run about $225.
25-06 goes in a long action. And the 760 barrel has that big lug on it. So you can't make the shorter 257 roberts that way without a lot of expense. And there aren't really any other 257 calibers out there besides the super long 257 weatherby mag. A bolt gun would be a lot easier to come by. The Remington 722 can be found on gunbroker. And it's really the same as today's 700 short action--fits in the same stock. I got a nice one last month on gunbroker in 257 Roberts for a little over $500
Savage bolt guns are easy/cheap to rebarrel. It'd run about $225.
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Pathfinder45
New member
Wisdom from 30Cal! 257 Roberts, really? OK, let's try and support that thought for a while and try to be positive about it without ignoring valid negatives.
First of all, not to ignore the Elephant in the room: Take up reloading or go home and choose another caliber. But it's a great caliber that was deservedly popular until it was swept aside by the advent of the 243 Winchester. It didn't abruptly go away, but has faded away and a cult following remains and there are still new rifles being made for it, probably all bolt actions, although, I did find this: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/630769566
Myself I would prefer it in an older classic bolt-action, ideally a pre-'64 model 70 Winchester, but I ain't got pockets that deep unless astounding luck fell upon me. But there is this newer push-feed that could work out nicely: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/630250837
And then there are Kimbers and Rugers and a few Remington 700's out there.
But probably the best deal might be an older Remington model 722 like this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/630589997
And remember always that older classic rifles have an enduring charm that none of the modern plastics can ever have.
First of all, not to ignore the Elephant in the room: Take up reloading or go home and choose another caliber. But it's a great caliber that was deservedly popular until it was swept aside by the advent of the 243 Winchester. It didn't abruptly go away, but has faded away and a cult following remains and there are still new rifles being made for it, probably all bolt actions, although, I did find this: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/630769566
Myself I would prefer it in an older classic bolt-action, ideally a pre-'64 model 70 Winchester, but I ain't got pockets that deep unless astounding luck fell upon me. But there is this newer push-feed that could work out nicely: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/630250837
And then there are Kimbers and Rugers and a few Remington 700's out there.
But probably the best deal might be an older Remington model 722 like this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/630589997
And remember always that older classic rifles have an enduring charm that none of the modern plastics can ever have.
I had a really nice custom Mauser rifle built a few years ago. I knew I wanted a Shilen barrel and it was a full length 98 action. I wanted something classic and the .257 Roberts seemed like a great choice. Then the gunsmith suggested going with .257 Roberts AI. Can fire all the factory ammo plus the AI version adds on 150 fps or so. Great rifle and I would sure rather have it than a .270 or something.
Gregg
Gregg
Pathfinder45
New member
Don't be bad-rappin' my 270, now....
In my experience the 257is a wonderful cartridge. Mine is an AI,but that's a minor preference.For most purposes,its unnecessary.
What you are somewhat up against,it is a "square peg" cartridge in a time of "round hole" rifles.
In the days of the 257,the receivers of choice were milsurp bolt actions,or the Winchester/Remington equivalent.The magazines,rails,etc were set up for the Mauser cartridge case derived rounds or 30-06 derived rounds.
As the 257 is a necked down 7x57,it fed and functioned fine.The Mauser length box gives plenty of room to long seat bullets.
If you find any bolt receiver ideal for these cartridges,you can easily build a very nice hunting rifle.
You are free to have your preferences,but the 257 works via precise shot placement.In that way,a bolt offers plenty of follow up.Generally,you will have a lighter,more accurate,and more dependable hunting rifle with a bolt gun.
Most (not all) 6mm Rem rifles would work well to convert.Some 6mm Rem rifles were built on true short actions,like the Rem 600. You CAN do that.But if you do,you will be deep seating lighter bullets to a short cartridge length. That decision by Rem may have contributed to the success of the 243.
Rem twisted the 6mm barrels for light,short varmint weight bullets,and stuck the 257 with anemic 117 gr round nose (shorter) bullets.
You might have to build it,as the 257 lacked the sales volume to sustain factory chambering. I'd avoid the 257's built on 308 length actions myself.You don't have mag length for long seated 115 and 120 gr bullets.
If you choose a 308 length action,bolt,pump.or semi,we are back to the square peg and round hole.While I am a .257 fan,I also know the 243,260 Rem,7-08,and 308 are also fine cartridges.
Any of them will serve as well as a .257 . Its easy to have those in a short action repeater.
A 260 Rem and a .257 R just are not that different. Seven thousandths of an inch!! Velocities are equivalent. More bullet types are available for the 260.
My point,with the available choices,and not creating unnecessary trouble for yourself,Think about that square peg/round hole thing ,get her done,and go shoot!
What you are somewhat up against,it is a "square peg" cartridge in a time of "round hole" rifles.
In the days of the 257,the receivers of choice were milsurp bolt actions,or the Winchester/Remington equivalent.The magazines,rails,etc were set up for the Mauser cartridge case derived rounds or 30-06 derived rounds.
As the 257 is a necked down 7x57,it fed and functioned fine.The Mauser length box gives plenty of room to long seat bullets.
If you find any bolt receiver ideal for these cartridges,you can easily build a very nice hunting rifle.
You are free to have your preferences,but the 257 works via precise shot placement.In that way,a bolt offers plenty of follow up.Generally,you will have a lighter,more accurate,and more dependable hunting rifle with a bolt gun.
Most (not all) 6mm Rem rifles would work well to convert.Some 6mm Rem rifles were built on true short actions,like the Rem 600. You CAN do that.But if you do,you will be deep seating lighter bullets to a short cartridge length. That decision by Rem may have contributed to the success of the 243.
Rem twisted the 6mm barrels for light,short varmint weight bullets,and stuck the 257 with anemic 117 gr round nose (shorter) bullets.
You might have to build it,as the 257 lacked the sales volume to sustain factory chambering. I'd avoid the 257's built on 308 length actions myself.You don't have mag length for long seated 115 and 120 gr bullets.
If you choose a 308 length action,bolt,pump.or semi,we are back to the square peg and round hole.While I am a .257 fan,I also know the 243,260 Rem,7-08,and 308 are also fine cartridges.
Any of them will serve as well as a .257 . Its easy to have those in a short action repeater.
A 260 Rem and a .257 R just are not that different. Seven thousandths of an inch!! Velocities are equivalent. More bullet types are available for the 260.
My point,with the available choices,and not creating unnecessary trouble for yourself,Think about that square peg/round hole thing ,get her done,and go shoot!
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Look up REMAGE barrels.
They do a Savage like thread cut and a nut.
Once you et the barrel off (Gunsmith) then its easy to put the new on.
Have him do it or a home made barrel clamp
If its a once deal gunsmith, if you want to do more then buy the tools from Northern Shooters Supply (action vice)
Abut $150 total in tools.
They do a Savage like thread cut and a nut.
Once you et the barrel off (Gunsmith) then its easy to put the new on.
Have him do it or a home made barrel clamp
If its a once deal gunsmith, if you want to do more then buy the tools from Northern Shooters Supply (action vice)
Abut $150 total in tools.
All my reloading manuals list the the max oal for 257 Roberts as 2.78", a bit shorter than the 308 Win at 2.81". That's short action.
I know some gunsmiths, rebarrelling mauser actions, took advantage of the 3"+ magazines by cutting the leade slightly longer so deer hunters could load 120 gr. spitzer bullets in their 257 Roberts. Maybe this is the source of the confusion about "intermediate" cartridges.
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Jim Watson
New member
As the guys point out, .257 Roberts is pretty much a 6.35x57.
Just that Remington hamstrung it with blunt bullets and, in later models, with short actions.
Just that Remington hamstrung it with blunt bullets and, in later models, with short actions.