Let’s talk about my friend Bob. We don’t see Bob around here much. Not in the UK, anyway. Even stateside now, Bob - a.k.a. the .257 Roberts - cuts a fading figure.
The original design by NH Roberts (a well known writer and calibre-smith of his day) was chambered in custom rifles as far back as 1928. Seeing the potentially impressive scope of the calibre, Remington released a commercial version in 1934, altering the shoulder angle from 15 to 20 degrees but maintaining the Roberts name in honour of the original inventor. Affectionately known as Bob by its followers, it is limited in factory rifle options today, with Kimber one of few manufacturers to offer this great round.
It has been described as the “one of the most useful cartridges ever invented”, and I have to say that this bold statement may very well be true, especially as a one-rifle calibre here in the UK. It has enjoyed a strong following in the US, where it’s been found to hold its own against more traditional varmint cartridges, along with being a formidable round for sheep, goat, antelope and deer. The widespread use of old military 7x57 actions held the calibre back ballistically in the early years. Their ageing constructions required that pressures were kept down to ensure safe operation, and as a result factory ammo was generally under-loaded. However, this issue was addressed in the 1980s with the introduction of the .257 Roberts + P, allowing factory loads to reach their full potential with a number of ammo manufacturers using the thicker walled, higher-pressure cases. Sourcing ammo today, especially in the UK, can be problematic, leaving reloading as the only viable option.