.243 win vs .257 weatherby

The 243 is more than adequate, but how much is cool worth?

As for the 257 Wby, I love it, but I can't understand why the "It's overbore, inefficient and a barrel-burner!" types (you know, the guys who only own a 22 and a 308) step aside as its popularity increases. They howl over the 264 Win Mag, and yet this is essentially just that - necked down. I wonder too, why this is deemed so much better than the 264 Win Mag. Maybe I'm jealous and should buy one (but it's a barrel burner.....:p)
 
I gotta chime back in on this one.

Having owned both...they are both fine rifles.

My goal was to use both for varmints. The 257 was a bonus as it was a potent rifle for larger game too. Again, for my needs as a varmint hunter the 243 was a 0 to 400 yard rifle and the 257 was meant from 400 yards to whatever.

My sites never stretched beyond the 400 range. I never used the 257 once in the field.

Your case may be different.

If you are also looking for using it as an all round rifle, then the 257 will fit the bill more-so than the 243. The downside is that the ammo is almost three times the cost of the 243 or 30-06. That also affected my decision to use or not to use and then ultimately....to sell.
 
According to my Barnes reloading book, it was Roy weatherby's favorite cartridge. WSS has 'em on sale for 329.99 I do believe for the vanguard synthetic. Ammo can be pricy, but if you reload (don't buy nickel cases,get brass;)) you'll be set. Great yote/whitetail cartridge,out performs the 25-06.
 
257

I had a 257 that I hunted with a few years ago, love the caliber, lots of fun and as everyone said, cool factor. If you are going to do deer or big game, to be honest, the 270wsm, does everything the 257 will do, with cheaper ammo 1/2 the price, better selection and larger selection of heavy bullets. I handload, so its not a big deal. 257 costs the same to handload as a 270wsm.

I would keep the 243 for Varmints and use a 270wsm for everything larger. It will shoot a 120-130 grain just as flat and fast as a weatherby will shoot a 120grain. Its actually a more versatile cartridge, just maybe not as cool.
 
I have both and my .243 plays backup to my .257 so never gets used. As far as the .257 goes, one word comes to mind... BOOOF! <followed by significant ringing and giggles>
 
I was going back and forth between these two a few months ago and well... I went with the 6mm Remington lol only just to be even a little more different. I would say it is right in between the 2.
 
Broughton said:
According to my Barnes reloading book, it was Roy weatherby's favorite cartridge. WSS has 'em on sale for 329.99 I do believe for the vanguard synthetic. Ammo can be pricy, but if you reload (don't buy nickel cases,get brass;)) you'll be set. Great yote/whitetail cartridge,out performs the 25-06.
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IMHO
The only way one rifle out performs another is not on paper or data, it is how well the owner can shoot. FS
 
waterhauler said:
I was going back and forth between these two a few months ago and well... I went with the 6mm Remington lol only just to be even a little more different. I would say it is right in between the 2.
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I couldn't agree more. I loved my 257bee, but this 6mm has 33% less recoil and 55gr NBT pills love making yotes sleepy. And a 95gr took my WT buck at 350 DRT.

Both guns shoot exceptionally well sub MOA.

Not to get off topic but my 6mm has become a safe queen this winter since I got my 204 for yotes.
 
bearkilr said:
Quite a bit closer to the 243 than the 257 actually. ;)
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I guess i shouldn't have said "right" in the middle lol but it is a little more punch than the .243. Enough to make it worth it and is odd ball enough to draw my attn away from the .257. Not to say that i wouldn't snatch one up if the right deal ever came along lol
 
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