Based upon ballistics I would have thought that the 257 weatherby would have been great for long range target shooting, I don't see anyone using it. Any idea as to why, especially when it's a proven longer range glass shooting cartridge?
Anyone used a 257 weatherby for target shooting
- Thread starter Mudduck
- Start date
Sask_Hunter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Lots, probably more than you will shoot it. There are better mouse traps or I should say better bullets for long range work but if that's what you got use it.
I just picked up a .257 and have had it to the range to sight in.
A few things that come to mind to answer your question are:
- Recoil. It's not bad, but more than my .308
- Expensive. I'm reloading and it's still pricey. A LOT of powder for each shot.
- Limited bullet selection. Oriented towards hunting rounds, and not long distance performance.
On the other hand, it's a really fun gun to shoot.
I've wondered how it would perform shooting long distance as well!
A few things that come to mind to answer your question are:
- Recoil. It's not bad, but more than my .308
- Expensive. I'm reloading and it's still pricey. A LOT of powder for each shot.
- Limited bullet selection. Oriented towards hunting rounds, and not long distance performance.
On the other hand, it's a really fun gun to shoot.
I've wondered how it would perform shooting long distance as well!
Flat shooting doesn't make it accurate. Gravity is constant and easily accounted for as long as you know some basic info about your load. Like others have posted the expense involved with shooting it would be a major con.
pei precision
CGN Regular
- Location
- sault saint marie ON
who cares about flat shooting i have a turret and data book to worry about dope at distance. its expensive recoil is heavey barrels are burned and limited stock for bullets. there's better tools for the job basicly
It's flat shooting and my wood stocked Vanguard is pretty accurate for a hunting rifle, I'm sure a precision rig could be a real tack driver. No significant recoil either. The biggest issues are the amount of powder you need to stuff in that huge case and the amount of copper fouling that goes on in that tube. It needs frequent copper removal treatment, not what you want on a rifle you're going to want to put a lot of rounds down range with. And it heats up like a bugger when you take multiple shots. For a few practise sessions over the summer, checking zero at the start of season and a couple of shots fired at game each year it's fine. Not the best choice for lots of target shooting though. And bullet selection and availability for the 25 isn't always the greatest either.
"...don't see anyone using it..." Too expensive. As is anything that has the word 'Weatherby' on it.
"...Limited bullet selection..." Yep. No match bullets from Hornady and only one from Sierra. The .27's just aren't target cartridges.
"...Limited bullet selection..." Yep. No match bullets from Hornady and only one from Sierra. The .27's just aren't target cartridges.
The discussion was about the .257 Weatherby which is a .25 caliber round. I'm not sure how "the .27s" you are talking about, have anything to do with this thread.
That's a pretty smart ass response don't ya think? You think just maybe he missed the "5" between the 2 and 7? Overreacting over a typo, you must be bored.
You are absolutely right. I should have let that one slide and waited for one of his more outlandish responses to pounce.
Thank you for showing me the error of my ways.
I have a .25-06 Rem and have had a 25 bore of some sort or another for at least 15 years (BUT not a weatherby) anyhow, I have to backup some of the previous posters info that there just isn't a hell of a lot of good target bullets in .25 cal . (at least from my experience, but most of the bullets are either for hunting or varmints) and for pure "long range accuracy", I really think there are just better calibers for it. .204, .224, 260/6.5mm, 7mm, .308, .338 just to name a few calibers that have great target bullets to pick from. I find that having a good barrel and bullet trump the "cartridge" and action typewhen it comes to long range accuracy.
Thanks guys. I was just curious because of so many who talk of the 25 cal being such a nice long range hunting round; if there were any who used it for target shooting. I had not heard of anyone using it for that purpose but thought it would be interesting to hear if someone did. Personally, I like my 223 Mouse gun for target shooting- Low cost for powder and 90 gr Bergers make life interesting!
love those mouse guns as well, Mudduck
If you like a calibre that isn't one of the regular bench gun calibres, I like you already!
I like the odd also, nice to see what others are experimenting with these days. My good friend has been playing with his 416 Weatherby with excellent results, I am personally going with a new calibre for me the 378 Weatherby! Should be an interesting new season 2014! Better than just shooting my boring 308 Palma/6PPC USA's.
I am also shooting long range with my 358 Norma Magnum, very accurate, but bullet selection is limited if you stick with the big players, but there is a surge in small guys making custom bullets of late.
Good luck friend, and just have fun and don't worry about others idea of what's good/accurate, just have Fun,fun,fun
I like the odd also, nice to see what others are experimenting with these days. My good friend has been playing with his 416 Weatherby with excellent results, I am personally going with a new calibre for me the 378 Weatherby! Should be an interesting new season 2014! Better than just shooting my boring 308 Palma/6PPC USA's.
I am also shooting long range with my 358 Norma Magnum, very accurate, but bullet selection is limited if you stick with the big players, but there is a surge in small guys making custom bullets of late.
Good luck friend, and just have fun and don't worry about others idea of what's good/accurate, just have Fun,fun,fun
My good friend has been playing with his 416 Weatherby with excellent results, I am personally going with a new calibre for me the 378 Weatherby! Should be an interesting new season 2014! Better than just shooting my boring 308 Palma/6PPC USA's.
I am also shooting long range with my 358 Norma Magnum, very accurate, but bullet selection is limited
just have Fun,fun,fun
Well one thing for certain - If either of those rifles has a brake on it ... When you on the range and squeeze off a shot - they guy beside you is going to know "that aint a 308!" LOL
I completely agree with your last statement - just have fun! I got back into shooting for the fun .. not to add more aggravation/frustration to my life. I will never become one of Canada's top marksmen, because I dont choose to use my time or financial resources for that purpose, (even if I doubt I reach that level anyways - there is a lot of great marksmen/women out there!) but I do admire those who do commit their life - time, talent and finances to reaching those goals, AND I enjoy learning from them
and now that I know that Sierra makes a 25 cal target bullet ... I may just have to look into this a bit more ... just for the fun of it!
