[tjones96761]

So, I'm gonna bite the bullet, swallow my apprehensions, and order an ER Shaw MK VII. I'm a lefty, so it exponentially complicates finding a factory rifle I want. Got most of it figured out already, but barrel lengths are tripping me up. All these will be hunting rifles in a sporter contour. I'm pretty sure I want a 26" in the 264win, but I'm completely lost on the others. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not a hand loader, factory ammo only. Hence the reason I'm not getting crazy exotic with the chamberings.

 

[broom_jm]

So, I'm gonna bite the bullet, swallow my apprehensions, and order an ER Shaw MK VII. I'm a lefty, so it exponentially complicates finding a factory rifle I want. Got most of it figured out already, but barrel lengths are tripping me up. All these will be hunting rifles in a sporter contour. I'm pretty sure I want a 26" in the 264win, but I'm completely lost on the others. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not a hand loader, factory ammo only. Hence the reason I'm not getting crazy exotic with the chamberings.

TJones,

Are you going to order all three of those cartridges? The 26" barrel on the 264WM is definitely a good idea, but for the other two cartridges 22" would be sufficient and even 20" would be fine, depending on how you plan to use them.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how remarkably similar the 260Rem and 257Bob are, in terms of performance. In bullets of similar weight, the 260Rem is only 100fps faster and only .007" larger in diameter, which basically means they are the same cartridge. Were it me, I would surely choose a different 3rd cartridge, if I was ordering them all at once.

Also, you mention you won't be handloading, but those two smaller cartridges are not always easy to get factory ammo for, and greatly benefit from handloads. Again, this is your train, so you rob it any way you want, but if you're sticking to factory ammo, you'd be far better served by replacing those two with a 22-250 and a 7mm-08. Just my $.02 worth.

 

[tpv]

Since both the 257 Roberts and 260 Remington that I have, were built on Rem 700 short actions, they both have 24" barrels. They are very good hunting rifles at this overall length, and pack all of the wallop that I need where I hunt. Also extremely accurate. I would go with the 26" on the 264 mag.
Good Luck

 

[MikeG]

My Roberts and my son's .250 Savage both have 22" barrels. That is a handy length for getting in and out of fixed blinds, and the window of the "truck blind" also when cruising for varmits

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the common lengths for the smaller cases.

 

[Tnhunter]

My custom .257 Roberts has a 22" barrel and I'd see no reason to want for longer. It's a moderate capacity/velocity round and 22" is far handier, at least in my hands. My 25/06 wears a 24" barrel and I think it is justified there, however. I have found an excellent site for reasonably priced quality .257 Roberts fodder and feel free to PM me for the info, if you'd like. No more costly than factory ammo for some much more common rounds @ $20/box. I've used a lot of chamberings loaded by them and have found all to give excellent performance. I seriously considered the E.R. Shaw MKVII for a .450 marlin bolt rifle I was wanting to build. I have one of their barrels on a Savage 110 in .338/06 and I am more than pleased with it's finish and performance. For a semi custom rifle at that price break, I think it's an excellent value/$$. Best of luck with your new rifles!

 

[dmsbandit]

Personally, I prefer a 18-20" barrel on the 260 for hunting. The 'bob should have at least 20-22" and the 264 should wear a 24-26". I base my opinions on the powder charges used for each and the length of the cases.

I think any 308 length case is best suited in short 18-20" barrels, but that's just me.

 

[tjones96761]

TJones,

Are you going to order all three of those cartridges?

Also, you mention you won't be handloading, but those two smaller cartridges are not always easy to get factory ammo for, and greatly benefit from handloads. Again, this is your train, so you rob it any way you want, but if you're sticking to factory ammo, you'd be far better served by replacing those two with a 22-250 and a 7mm-08. Just my $.02 worth.

If I had the money for all 3, I'd probably just wait a bit and get a Blaser. I'll probably do the 264 and one of the others, but not both. I won't order both at the same time, and I don't know which one I will order first yet. I already have nearly every other manufacturer and caliber that I'm interested in for the most part.
I'm 30 years old, with a wife and a 10 month old son, and I hunt on about 3k acres with food plots, feeders, game cams, quail restoration projects, and bird dogs that consume the remainder of my free time when I'm not at work. I also try to hunt some too. I just don't have time for reloading. Maybe when I get crazy rich and retire I'll start.
I sent in for a quote for the 264 with polished stainless LH action, spiral fluted 26" SS barrel, and grey/black laminate stock. I only really wanted a barreled action so I could fit it to an HS or BC stock, here was the response:

Thanks for asking about the ER Shaw Mark VII rifle. Based on the spec.'s you have listed in your request for the quote the cost of this rifle is $890.00 plus $30.00 for ups to your FFL dealer upon completion, this is for a left hand model. Terms are 50% deposit up front and the balance upon completion, which will be 12-14 months.
All Mark VII rifles are sold as a complete rifle, there is no option for a barreled/action only.

Kinda pissed me off. It's not like I asked them to find or mount the alternate stock for me. There is no way I will ever be able to sell a take-off stock for a LH Savage for what I paid for it. So in the long run I might as well tack on another $150 to the total cost. I'd be happy with $100 off the total from Shaw.