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Author Topic: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do  (Read 1952 times)

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Offline Mac11700

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Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« on: February 23, 2010, 10:50:44 PM »
In a Handi

If you could have a 24" bull barreled or Fluted bull barrel in the following calibers:  257 Roberts.. 308 Winchester..or a 338 Federal...The only caveat here...is you can only have 1 custom barrel done..It doesn't matter how many barrels you can fit on it or any of the other things most often said...you can only have one of these...Which one would you do..This will be a cut rifled bore,cerakoted,and chambered with a no turn neck close to match chamber but not too tight to need small base dies and what ever twist you choose...I've wanted one of these for a long time and I am totally at an impass on which one to have done...

Mac
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2010, 11:43:14 PM »
Mac,
 Based solely on the three calibers and assuming I didn't have anything else. I would have to choose the 308, hands down. It does almost everything the others do and has done so since its inception in the 1952!

If I was speaking from the heart, I would pick the 257 Roberts. Its a beauty of a caliber.

All I know of the 338 is what I have read. People seem to like it well enough.

CHOICE:  7.62x51 (308 Winchester)

CW
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Offline LaOtto222

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2010, 11:52:38 PM »
I think the 308 would be the logical choice, it is just so versatile and known for accuracy. But are you after logical? Nostalgia - 257 Roberts - one heck of a deer rifle and could double as a coyote - light (no too many shots) varmint round. If you want it for big game the 338 is a good one there too. Tough choice, it always is. Good Luck to You Mac 
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Offline mechanic

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2010, 12:57:53 AM »
308 hands down...
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Offline LAB55

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2010, 01:33:38 AM »
Elmer Keith would recommend the 338.
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Offline Mac11700

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2010, 03:29:37 AM »


I am picking between the three because I really like what all 3 offer..for all of the reasons you guys have said..and all can be done with either a 24" 223 barrel or a 243 barrel..Right now I have my trusty 270 as my main gun right now,but am weighing my options of changing it to something else as well.. depending on what I opt to do with these 3 choices..

The Roberts intrigues me because of being able to do double duty,even though I don't do much varmint hunting/calling any more..but would be nice to help reduce the coyote population some,and it would make a fine whitetail cartridge,with out a lot of fuss..

The 308..well..I've owned several and a couple were Handis before..but getting one that I can do some eventful target work with has always eluded me in a Handi..especially with a longer barrel.Yes..I've had some accurate ones,but to me to get one to shoot with real consistency for some local matches it will have to be done up right..and the stock version won't do it for me. It could be able to do triple duty as well (varmints deer elk ) and in all reality should be the logical choice for me to get,but I'm not always so logical when it comes to these things.. :D :D

The 338 Federal..well..I know how well it's bigger brother the 338-06 A-Square does in a Handi..I've already had one and it was in a league of it's own for accuracy and power..while the double duty aspect would be for whitetail and larger,and that is my line of thinking on it..I've talked to a few friends who have it and love how they shoot,and there is a lot to say
about the quality of 338 cal bullets these days...so having one made to order is a something I've wanted as well...

Hmmm I don't know..maybe I'll just get the factory 243 barrel and have a 26" 30-06 made up for me,and stop fussing over everything... See...I've imposed a limit on how many calibers I am going to load for. That number is 2...All of my gear is extremely portable now and fits in a tool box now..Long gone are the days of having thousands of bullets and primers and cases along with 40-50 lbs of powder in a dedicated re-loading room,with all of those extra gadgets I acquired over 45 years of reloading.. I just don't have the time or money these days to do that..So...simple/portable/accurate..are the name of the game to me now..and I am loving the simplicity again..I do miss my reloading room,but having multiple safe Queens doesn't wow me as it once used to and I feel my money is better spent on the day to day things as a parent of 2 young men 1 in collage..with the other in 3 years..but enough of that stuff...let's get back to what you guys think...

Mac


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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2010, 03:54:25 AM »
In days gone by I tended to make 'concessions' to practicallity and got some nice stuff, but most of the time it was 'short' of what I really wanted. Then the caveat,"what people think they want, and what they really want", raises its ugly head.
Your inquiry at first made me want to question what your primary intentions were, and now youve pretty well answered that.
Go with a .308, 1:12 twist (it will work with jacketed or cast bullets in a wide range of weights), in a barrel length and dia that suits your fancy. A quality cut rifled barrel in that will do it all.
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Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2010, 05:07:13 AM »
I vote for the 257 as that one has been nagging at me for quite some time. Kurt
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Offline mitchell

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2010, 05:26:59 AM »
in a word..........................BOB!!!!!!
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Offline gstewart44

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2010, 05:38:00 AM »
If it were for me and my collection it would be the 308 for pure versatility.   But after reading your situation I may be inclined to go with the 338 Federal.   My reasoning would be :  Your current main rifle, the 270 Win can double as your varmint/big game caliber depending on how you load it.     The 338 Fed would then become your big game/bigger game caliber depending on what you want to hunt.   JMHO. 
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Offline Old Fart

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2010, 06:02:55 AM »
For me the 257 Roberts. It'll do everything I ask of it and then some.
In days gone by I always wanted bigger, not so much anymore.
I like my shoulder remaining attached to the rest of my body.
The 308 might be a nice compromise. But really the 257 is plenty good.
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Offline 041gun

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #11 on: February 24, 2010, 07:18:39 AM »
For me it would be the 308 and if you go a 1 in 11 twist you can use 210 projectiles and this will take care of the larger end of the game scale and you can still use light projectiles for varmint hunting. The only catch is you wont find load data for 210 bullets but you can develop a load that is accurate. I use the 210 Bergers in mine and let me tell you when you hit something with them they stay down.
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Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #12 on: February 24, 2010, 07:35:11 AM »
My questions are what are you going to hunt?
what are your conditions?  Open fields, open woods, heavy woods.

With out that.  308 win.
from 125 grain sp to 180 grain round nose and everything inbetween as loaded ammo from standard to premium bullets available and add to that all the cast and up to 220 grain jacked projectiles you can make your own with and it is the most versilte of the three.
Heck add to that the 55 grain Sabot rounds (does Reminton still load the accelators in 308?) and you can cover from varmints to moose easily.
From reduced recoil loads to the light Mag loads you would be hard pressed to beat a 308 Win.
This little piggy was shot with a 308 win.  Federal 150 grain Barnes (no lead laws) tripple shock.
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Offline blacksan

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2010, 07:51:05 AM »
.257

I have enough .308 experience to say that it is a great caliber, but the .257/.25 Cal is really versatile. If I could add to that list I would include the .25-06 which would be my first choice. Why? If your a hand-loader it's flat shooting, hard-hitting and super versatile from varmint thru whitetail and beyond with proper bullet selection.
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #14 on: February 24, 2010, 08:07:59 AM »
And the 25-06 can be loaded 'down' to Bob spec.s if thats all you want/need for performance.
Arent you glad you asked........this is really helping to sort this out.
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Offline spikehorn

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #15 on: February 24, 2010, 08:37:37 AM »
308 for all the above mentioned reasons, and that i already own 3 of them
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Offline bobg

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #16 on: February 24, 2010, 08:55:02 AM »
  308. Wasn't really impressed with my 257 Roberts.
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Offline jather

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #17 on: February 24, 2010, 09:12:11 AM »
what"s the intended game? mule deer & smaller handled fine with 257. typically less pressure, and if economics matter, less charge weights on powder. appears to me, 308 depends on operating right at max pressure levels. if elk or larger the ticket, my thinking the 338federal a little short. step up to 280rem or 30-06, better speeds/ flatter trajectory. my 2cents, have fun.
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Offline Spanky

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2010, 09:25:53 AM »
257 Roberts.



Spanky
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Offline necchi

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #19 on: February 24, 2010, 11:19:26 AM »
The 257.
 If you want to go for bigger game,,it's really just a choice of bullet nowadays.
A premium bullet in 6.5 at a good velocity?? Well that's just about anything you want short of Griz,,
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Offline PawPaw

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #20 on: February 24, 2010, 11:26:06 AM »
For me, the choice would be easy.  The Bob.  .308's are easy to find and there are plenty of them on the racks,

But a .257 Roberts doesn't come along every day.
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #21 on: February 24, 2010, 02:07:09 PM »
In a custom barrel, I would go for the 257 or 338.  308's are everywhere and the other 2 would be "special" and go well with the custom barrel.  I own two of the 257 Roberts and they are very nice for most light game.  DP
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Offline Bigeasy

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #22 on: February 24, 2010, 02:11:45 PM »
None of the above.  If I were limited to just one barrel, period, then why would I want a Handi?  I'd get a nice bolt in 7mm-08..:)

Larry
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Offline myarmor

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #23 on: February 24, 2010, 02:46:22 PM »
Well Mac, you of all people know how well a good factory 25-06 barrel can shoot... I have seen your excellent groups in the past with your 25-06's!
So with that said and no disrespect, if you have a good factory 25-06 barrel why go for a 257R ???
If you can get such a tight chambered 308 with a 24" BB in a Handi then that would be my pic by far.
What happened to your 338-06 ? That thing was the best of all worlds ???  :-\


-Aaron
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Offline Mac11700

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #24 on: February 24, 2010, 03:34:35 PM »


Wow..

No wonder we can never agree for a 1 caliber choice for a special run of Handi's.. :D :D :D

Mcwoodduck/blacksan..it depends..Like I said..I already have a 26" 270 handi..and that one could become a 26" 30-06..then just get a factory barrel...or I could leave it as is and do one of the other 3.I think I've covered what I would use the other 3 for pretty good.

gcrank1..I know about the 25-06 Handi's...I've had 4 of them at one time.They all shot excellent but the little "BoB" as some call the Roberts is just very appealing to me,and I only know of one other person who has a Handi so chambered..there might be more..but..that's also part of the appeal to me..I love having something a little different...I could easily pick up one of these when they become available in late spring from the H&R..if I choose to go that route..

myarmor..I am currently down to 1 Handi again..since LONGTOM  acquired my 45 LC barrel and stock set..All the rest have been sold or traded..You know me I couldn't hold to these guys long enough at one time..but everything changes..I am only going to have 2..That's all I want to load for..If I was only going to have 1 which has been the way for the last year..it would either be the 270 or 30-06..between those 2 just about everything on the planet could and has fallen to them..There are other calibers that fit that bill as well I know..but I feel I would/am well served by both.. I could have a 338-06 again...believe me I have mulled this over and still am..but..since the 338 Federal ammunition is 1/2 the cost for some..I put it ahead of it because of that..


dpe.ahoy

How many custom chambered 24" fluted 308 Handi's are there.. ;) :D :D If I did get one of these..I think it would be more for target work than actual hunting...Yes..I know the 308 is an excellent hunting round..very capable of doing everything I could want from varmints/deer/elk/and targets...so this is the reason this one weighs heavily on me..One other thing..barrel life..A very good case can be made for having a custom 308 Handi made up

Bigeasy..Wow..what can I say..There are just so many words...you prefer a bolt gun..Thanks man..


Having factory ammo available is a big plus for me..Call me lazy if you like..but I can't help it..I honestly don't have the time anymore to load for multiple cartridges..I have time to load for 2 rifles..All 3 of these have a good choice of ammo..but the 308 leads by far..so this factors in greatly too

Some may think  I am crazy for trying to limit myself..but it's a process for me for the next few years till my Sons are out of collage..

Mac
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Offline kite

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #25 on: February 24, 2010, 04:04:54 PM »
270 and a 257
or
270 and a 308
or
270 and a 338

hmmm... 338
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Offline myarmor

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #26 on: February 24, 2010, 04:18:58 PM »
 Fair enough my friend make up a kick A$$ 308.... and then... when you are tired of it ;)... sale it to me 8)
Your welcome :D


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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #27 on: February 24, 2010, 04:43:01 PM »
If mostly for target, then would I agree, 308.  Enjoy it what ever you pick.  DP
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Offline mitchell

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #28 on: February 25, 2010, 02:40:25 AM »
ok mac we all know you . so something normal wont work , so there goes the 308 and you already had one that shot in the .2's . you already had a 338-06  down grading to the little brother wont happen. and the 257 roberts is differant and we all know how you like to be differant. you can fight it as much as you want i got money on you biulding a "bob"
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Which caliber 257-308 or 338 would you choose to do
« Reply #29 on: February 25, 2010, 02:46:19 AM »
Short cartridges don't make a lot of sense in the Handi to me.  Do you have a .30-06?
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