Mauser .257 Roberts - Is It Safe?

[Range Finder]

Rifleman:

I've inherited a .257 Roberts rifle that has a Mauser action and barrel.  It has a hand-made stock; beautiful bird's eye maple.  Made by a close friend's father that worked as an enginer at Remington Arms.  Not sure how old it is.

My question is do you think it would safely handle Federal and Hornady +P loads? I think it is a Mauser 98 action.  Any info greatly appreciated.

Thanks and good shooting! :grin:

Range Finder

[TNrifleman]

It sounds like you have a wonderful rifle. If the action is a Model 98, it will easily handle the +P loading. Many older Roberts were made up on 93 and 95 actions, so be sure about what you have. Get with a knowledgable gunsmith. Actually, the 257 is a fine cartridge without +P pressures. I love this round and think it is an accurate, easy to shoot cartridge too often overlooked by many rifleman who would benefit greatly from using this grand old cartridge. Enjoy that treasure! Can you post a picture for us?

[Range Finder]

TNrifleman:

I'll try and have a friend post a photo or two.  Anyway that I could distinguish between a 93,95 or 98 action myself?  Thanks.  If i have to I'll get it to a smith.  Thanks again for the reply and I agree with you on this caliber.  When I was a kid I went into everything from a .222 Rem to the 30-06 but I somehow missed the .257 Roberts.  I had a dear old friend many years ago that had a Roberts and he thought the sun rose and sat on it.  Took lots of deer as well.

By the way, as part of my receiving this rifle I was instructed to hunt it well and never sell it.  No problem on either request.  My son has been advised of a new rifle to be his someday and never to be sold.  He of course readily agreed.  He loves his rifles.

Good shooting!

Range Finder

[257 roberts]

Do Not shoot that gun!!!
Ship it to me at once and I will take care of it for you

[Siskiyou]

http://www.weaver-scope-repair.com/

A resource for repairing your scope if interested.  I have an old weaver scope with dual cross hairs.  I hang on to it but it has not been on a rifle for years because of fogging problems.

A new Weaver K4 can be had for around $120.00 from one of Graybeards advertisers.  I have no clue if these are true copies of the old Weaver K4.

[Coyote Hunter]

Range Finder -

The +P spec for the Roberts is 50,000 CUP, same as the 8mm Mauser.  Factory +P ammo should be safe.

The Roberts is a great round.  Got one a couple years ago and it has become my favorite shooter in a bolt action.

[lilabner]

You got great advice. If you are given or inherit a gun never sell it. You know, this may sound overly cautious but I would take the rifle to a gunsmith and have him check headspace - takes a minute. He should also check safety function - to be sure the rifle doesn't go off when bolt is slammed shut or buttstock is bounced on the floor. Parts can wear. Sear engagemen can become inadequate. The .257 is a great cartridge - one of my all time favorites.

[charlesr]

Range Finder,

A quick way to determine if the action is a 98 action is to see if it cocks when the bolt is opened.  If so, it is a 98 action.  Model 93, 95, and 96 actions cock on closing.

I had a M98 action rebarreled to 257 Roberts also.  Made a very nice rifle.  Gave it to my son for his first rifle.

Sounds like you have a very nice rifle.  Enjoy shooting it.

[Huffmanite]

I recently had a 1891 Argentine Mauser rebarreled to 257 Roberts.  Gunsmith cautioned me not to shoot +P ammo in it.  In my research of factory made 257 ammo, found Remington, Federal, Winchester and Hornady made 257 ammo.  However, only Remington made a standard load.  All the other manufacturers ammo seemed to be +P.   Emailed Winchester Tech, questioning if their 257 ammo safe to shoot in my 1891 Argentine.  Their answer was:  "All our ammo safe to shoot in modern firearms made in USA."  Made me wonder if they think 1891 is new and that Argentina is a part of USA.

[akpls]

.....   Emailed Winchester Tech, questioning if their 257 ammo safe to shoot in my 1891 Argentine.  Their answer was:  "All our ammo safe to shoot in modern firearms made in USA."  Made me wonder if they think 1891 is new and that Argentina is a part of USA.

Sounds like they avoided answering your question to me.

[Range Finder]

Rifleman:

Thanks for all your help and responses.  Yes, this old girl is in fact a Mauser 98.  After talking to the son-in-law of the customizer/builder it was told to me that the rifle had been built for his wife (father-in-law's) to hunt with and that the rifle had been hunted and shot little.  Also the father-in-law was a engineer at Remington arms and was very knowledgeable about firearms and was always concerned about safe shooting.  My gunsmith has moved his businees about 50 to 60 miles from here and I will take it to him for inspection, especially a quick check of the headspace.  I'm sure though that this rifle is not only safe but also a shooter.  Will try and get photos posted and I'll keep you up to date as this old girl and I make love together.  Can't wait.

You know, I'd just as soon shoot standard loads out of this rifle because for the hunting I'm planning on doing will be for our whitetails and the ranges I'd be talking about would really in all likelihood be 35 - 200 yards at the most and most shots would be under a hundred yards.  However, I'm a bear hunter and I'd like to take a bear with the Roberts.  That Federal +P Nosler Partion 120 gr. round should handle that nicely.  At this point I don't reload for the Roberts and may not therefore the Federals would be nice if the rifle likes them.  Anyways thanks for the help guys and good shooting to all.

Range Finder

[MGMorden]

Model 93, 95, and 96 actions cock on closing.

Not always.  Dayton Traister has had a cock-on-open conversion for the Mauser 96 for quite some time.  Depending on how customized it is, it could still be a small ring and cock-on-open.

[gunnut69]

The simplest way to check if it's a M98 is to open the action and see if there is a safety lug present on the bolt in front of the handle and on the bottom of the bolt when closed. It locks into the action and retains the bolt in the even of a catastrophic lug failure. I've never seen one used.. The link shows a 98 bolt(bent handle).

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=45661051