257 Weatherby; Opinion ?

I finnished building a load for my 257 on the weekend. I stopped at 71gr of 7828ssc (no signs of over preasure yet) and a 90gr gmx.my average velocity was 3610fps for 5 shots and just a shade over 1" at 150 yards. What was interesting to me was I started at 65grs of powder and wasnt getting a very good burn of all my powder. As I increased my charge it would get better and my velocitys where much closer together. Im fairly new to reloading lots of learning to do yet

In my experience most weatherby magnum cartridges like to be loaded close too or at max to achieve the best accuracy
 
I finnished building a load for my 257 on the weekend. I stopped at 71gr of 7828ssc (no signs of over preasure yet) and a 90gr gmx.my average velocity was 3610fps for 5 shots and just a shade over 1" at 150 yards. What was interesting to me was I started at 65grs of powder and wasnt getting a very good burn of all my powder. As I increased my charge it would get better and my velocitys where much closer together. Im fairly new to reloading lots of learning to do yet

Finally got the pressures up to where they belong.
 
Say it owt loud...........tewfiftyseven...........
Again,........................twentyfive-awwwwwwhtsix.
See the diffrints?
257 goes mucho presto............. :wave:
 
Ok, I am going to ask what is probably a stupid question ... but

.. In what way(s) is the .257 WM better than my .25-06 (Kimber Montana 84L) ?

I am shooting a 115 partition at 3400 printing 1/2" groups and keeping primer pockets tight using reformed 7mm brass. I like the .25-06 but I never got results like that. Is the animal going to notice, not likely but I will. I would not sell a .25-06 to get the bee but I don't regret buying it. I also like being the only person I know of to own one. Can't say the same for the 06.
 
I purchased a 257 WM LazerGauard (Vanguard 2) a few years back. Absolutely amazing... 7828 is the powder of choice. 70 grains with Barnes 100grain TSX and 69 grains with the Nosler Ballistic tip 115gr. The ballistics with the 115 grain Ballistic tips are pretty amazing and they shoot about 3/4 inch groups in my rifle. My buck last year was at 225 yards and it never moved an inch after being hit through the lungs. Very little meat damage because the shot was placed well but these bullets will make a mess if you hit the wrong spot on the animal. Good luck with it.
 
Then don't read more....

<Pssst I've done it I think 12 times, to a one shot drop each time, but don't tell Dad... I mean Hoyt... >

I hope nobody tries to replicate your results... too much can go wrong with a highly frangible bullet on larger game... those bullets, regardless of your results, were never designed for use on deer.
 
I purchased a 257 WM LazerGauard (Vanguard 2) a few years back. Absolutely amazing... 7828 is the powder of choice. 70 grains with Barnes 100grain TSX and 69 grains with the Nosler Ballistic tip 115gr. The ballistics with the 115 grain Ballistic tips are pretty amazing and they shoot about 3/4 inch groups in my rifle. My buck last year was at 225 yards and it never moved an inch after being hit through the lungs. Very little meat damage because the shot was placed well but these bullets will make a mess if you hit the wrong spot on the animal. Good luck with it.
Have you ran your loads over a chronograph?
 
I hope nobody tries to replicate your results... too much can go wrong with a highly frangible bullet on larger game... those bullets, regardless of your results, were never designed for use on deer.

When I got my Bee, I started out with 100 gr Sierra Gamekings. Accuracy was excellent, but they turned out to be unsuitable for the velocity at shorter ranges. I shot a buck at 50-60 yards, it dropped almost instantly but the wound cavity was massive, entire chest cavity destroyed and an absolute ton of fragments throughout. Had to scrap a lot of meat and thereafter switched to Partitions and Barnes Triple X. I think this may be what he's experiencing with the varmint bullets. I recommend a sturdy projectile for this caliber as well, after that experience.
 
I show a deer a few years ago who came out far closer than expected. Even with ttsx's doing their best to hold together, 60 yards put them to a huge test. Hit the deer right in the boiler room, no bones hit and about half of the deer on the entry side was bloodshot. Exit side was worse.

I love the gun, but be sure to use premium bullets!
 
I use 110 ABs and RL 25, it is absolute magic in this cartridge..........4 shot 1/2" groups and north of 3600 fps through my Oehler 35P with a 26" tube of course. I used it to shoot a long range competition in Whitehorse a few years back, and when I showed up at the range there were 9 other guys there.........all shooting 12 lb+ bench rifles...........I and my little sporter weight fluted barreled 257 Bee managed to come in second by only one target. AND I never touched my scope setting until the final 635 yd clanger, went up 4 min from my 300 mtr setting that I used from 200-500 !!!
 
Last edited:
I use 110 ABs and RL 25, it is absolute magic in this cartridge..........4 shot 1/2" groups and north of 3600 fps through my Oehler 35P with a 26" tube of course. I used it to shoot a long range competition in Whitehorse a few years back, and when I showed up at the range there were 9 other guys there.........all shooting 12 lb+ bench rifles...........I and my little sporter weight fluted barreled 257 Bee managed to come in second by only one target. AND I never touched my scope setting until the final 635 yd clanger, went up 4 min from my 300 mtr setting that I used from 200-500 !!!

Speed doesn't matter... remember.

Just work up an accurate load and hit the coyote... ;)
 
Back
Top Bottom