257 weatherby magnum

We shot truckloads of game with the .257s, most of it with 100 grain Ballistic-tips and 68 grains of IMR 4831. Kills like lightning. I'm doing a herd management hunt soon and am
Planning on using the 'Bee for a utility gun, and either one of the .300s or my new .28 Nosler as the long range piece. We were out blasting away today with a couple .257s and the load from
above. 2 inches high at 100, dead on at 300 and second B&C hold over on the 500 yard plate. You can watch the bullets splatter before the whack makes it back.
 
I have the Vanguard II 70th Anniversary edition (which means it's just a deluxe finish on the wood stock with a logo) :)

Anyhow, topped with a Burris Veracity 2-10X42 and loaded she tips the scales at 9 1/2 pounds - so as many have noted, heavy by just about any standard for a hunting rifle. It doesn't seem to matter whether wood or synthetic stock (I also have a sporter (walnut) a Fleur-de-lis (laminated) and synthetic) all come in over 9 pounds loaded with the various scopes mounted (including a Redfield and a couple Burris E1's).

It does have a bit of kick to it even with that weight - similar to most 30.06's I have shot but it is absolutely the "loudest" thing I have ever pulled the trigger on. A longer barrel may help a little (mine also has the standard 24" barrel used on Vanguards) but good ear protection is in order.

I get sub-moa (as guaranteed) shooting Weatherby branded (Norma) loaded with 100 grain Norma spitzers - bought three boxes for the brass and to iron out the rifle/get sighted in. From there I have been reloading 100 grain Swift Scirocco's over 66 to 67 grains of IMR 4831. Yes, it's a powder hog and I haven't settled on a final load (been laddering between 66 and 67 grains) - accuracy is sub-moa so far, just tweaking now.

Haven't worked with anything other than those two 100 grain bullets - don't see the need - this was a "I want one" guns, didn't really have a need or an intention for it.
 
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I have a Vanguard S2 in 257 Wby, and have only used the cheap factory ammunition. In a nutshell, a very accurate rifle, great performance on deer, and loud. I think it kicks like a watered down 30-06, but faster recoil.
 
Purple shoulder said:
Douglas, whats your take on bbl life? I know it depends on the barrel and how its used/abused, but is this 1000 rounds talk really in the ball park? I am also quite interested in this chambering but don't want to deal with re-barreling every 2 years.
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I can't honestly say as I have never approached 1000 rounds out of any of my 257s to date..........I have too many guns to shoot out the throats on any, any more. However I don't believe in the 600-1000 round BS as I have put more than 10,000 down a 243 before it was utter toast and more than 8,000 through another 243 before it was shot..........so even if you cut the 257 to half of the 243 it is still good for 4-5000 rounds before needing a new barrel. I had to change loads in my 243 and seat out a bit longer but it always came back for another few thousand.
 
Accubonds, Barnes, Partition, it's too fast for cheap cup n core bullets unless you want to use them on dirthogs or yotes.
 
A few years back I was quite interested in this 257WBY as well, but finally realized that unless I lived in a spot where long rang shooting was the norm, all this velocity wasn't going to do me any good and I'd be better off with a 270Win or similar. A 25/06 & 257Roberts became the short list with the latter being chosen.

Expensive ammo/brass, extra powder and specialized bullets needed for the added velocity were avoided.
 
SuperCub said:
A few years back I was quite interested in this 257WBY as well, but finally realized that unless I lived in a spot where long rang shooting was the norm, all this velocity wasn't going to do me any good and I'd be better off with a 270Win or similar. A 25/06 & 257Roberts became the short list with the latter being chosen.

Expensive ammo/brass, extra powder and specialized bullets needed for the added velocity were avoided.
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Hornady brass is a bit over $1 a pop which isn't too bad. Bonded/solids are a bit under $1 a pop, and you get about 100 rounds per lb of powder which is reasonable.
It isn't one you would shoot a lot..... Special situations for sure, but you can't beat the low recoil high velocity of the 257Wby.
 
Hitzy said:
Hornady brass is a bit over $1 a pop which isn't too bad. Bonded/solids are a bit under $1 a pop, and you get about 100 rounds per lb of powder which is reasonable.
It isn't one you would shoot a lot..... Special situations for sure, but you can't beat the low recoil high velocity of the 257Wby.
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The 257WBY will rarely be recommended for a short to medium range chambering, but I guess it would work.
 
SuperCub said:
A few years back I was quite interested in this 257WBY as well, but finally realized that unless I lived in a spot where long rang shooting was the norm, all this velocity wasn't going to do me any good and I'd be better off with a 270Win or similar. A 25/06 & 257Roberts became the short list with the latter being chosen.

Expensive ammo/brass, extra powder and specialized bullets needed for the added velocity were avoided.
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The 270win with 110 gr ttsx will do up to 3500fps anyway. Should be flat enough.
 
SuperCub said:
The 257WBY will rarely be recommended for a short to medium range chambering, but I guess it would work.
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I suppose it depends what you consider short and midrange. I use the target shooting definition of short range being 300 and under, midrange as 300 to 600 and over 600 as long range. Viewed that way it is only a short to mid range cartridge. It stinks as a long range caliber.
 
Dogleg said:
I suppose it depends what you consider short and midrange. I use the target shooting definition of short range being 300 and under, midrange as 300 to 600 and over 600 as long range. Viewed that way it is only a short to mid range cartridge. It stinks as a long range caliber.
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That is why you need to get more than one gun...
 
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