Any thoughts on the 257 Weatherby?

tcb.photo

Hi
does anyone have any thoughts on the 257 weatherby?
Thanks
rob

sig232

Fantastic choice! Has become very popular for deer. High speed, long range!

I believe that this months issue of Guns mag has a great article about that very round.

sandwarrior

tcb.photo,

It is a good round. Much flatter shooting than most. However, the cost of the rifle and cartridge are going to be much more than a standard rifle. Even when reloading for it is a bit more expensive. I had to buy extra brass and that ran $2.00 each. The cost of powder at 64-65 gr. per case is a lot more than if you went with a .257 or a 25WSSM that uses the same powder at 40 gr. and only loses a couple hundred fps. The 25-06 generally uses about 10 gr. less powder. So, if you decide to get one be prepared for that side of Weatherby cartridges. But they are stellar performers.

Edit:

I have to second what mobuck and wtroper say about barrel length. You really don't realize the velocity potential with this round until you have at least 26" of barrel. I found that while reloading for my friend with his 24" barrel I was having muzzle blasts using VV N165 and IMR4831. I went down to VV N160 and still got some blast so went to VVN150. I also found increased velocity by seating the bullets deep and letting them get a run at the lands. I tried seating them out at first but things weren't working out. It totally didn't make sense to me but seating them deeper and getting more velocity improved the groups. It was strange to me as it goes against everything I think should make that round more accurate.
EditIII: 1Kydster makes a very good point if you reload or have rounds reloaded for you. Make sure you know if you have the freebore or not.

Edit II:

tcb.photo,

Do not worry that this round can take down an elk! I have taken down an elk with a .257 Roberts and 120 gr. Nosler partitions. Any good grade of bullet will take an elk with this. When I lived in Montana one of the things I got frustrated seeing was coming up on a wounded animal with it's shoulder blown half off or suffering with a gut shot. Too much emphasis is put on what power the rifle will put out vs. what you really need and that is GOOD SHOT PLACEMENT. A .300 Win Mag is no good without a hit. It's worse if the shooter flinches, pulling the shot and wounding the animal. A Nosler Partition will still only wound an animal if you miss the vitals. Same with Barnes. Great bullets but don't be fooled by power. If it's too powerful for you then it is too powerful. I think the .257 Weatherby is a powerful rifle that has really reasonable kick for it's size. It will take what you need. Just practice shooting in all positions. And, when the moment comes DO NOT exceed your abilities. This rifle/round will do everything you ask it to at that point. -good luck

1KYDSTR

I agree with Sandwarrior. I reload several of the Weatherby rounds for friends and if you are looking for that extra 2 or 3 hundred fps they are really stellar performers. You are restricted with most of them to a long action, and be careful when reloading to note whether a Weatherby or other brand rifle. The Weatherbys are desogned with extra free bore in the throat to allow for the long seat. Using normal factory ammo in a non-Weatherby gun can be bad as the restricted throat will cause pressures to soar.

Having said that, the 257 Weatherby is a real cooker! Goes like a Bat out of Heck and really hits hard...plenty for any deer in N.A. Those I have reloaded for seem to be quite accurate for a gun producing those types of velocities. A neat round that will far surpass the 257 Roberts+P ( a trully GREAT round) and the 25-06 as well. without doubt the most expensive 25 caliber to shoot AND reload for. I suppose it depends on your range of uses, but I feel it is a good choice for the guy who wants the extra speed and performance on target.

Mobuck

The Wby Vanguard is an economical choice for the 257 wby but it comes with a 24" light contour barrel. I feel that a 26" will get more out of the cartridge and a little heavier barrel will cut recoil and improve the stability of the rifle. I had one with a 26" that was a real performer.

skyhigh_seller

I had for a short time and sold a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight in .257 WM. Superb shooter, just an awesome gun. I was suprised how little recoil there was.

I personally would use a 25-06 and if I needed more power use a 7 Rem mag. Ammo is just going out of sight. These Weatherby's are just too much $$$ to shoot.

skyhigh_seller,

I have edited your post. See your e-mail.

Best.

Ray B

I havea 257Wby that is something of a wildcat. the chamber is cut to minimum specs and the freebore has been eliminated. As a result, if I shoot factory loads, it blows the primers. But not to worry, I prefer to neck down 264 Win Mag brass and fireform. It has a 28" barrel, and I'm not sure which aspect plays the largest part, but with loads below starting levels in the manuals I get velocities higher than listed for the maximum loads.

It's pretty much a state of the art long range rifle for game in the 50-200 pound class.

wtroper

Huge case, lots of powder, long barrel and a little more velocity than 25-06, IMHO. If you do not have the bbl length (26), then you will not realize this cartridge's potential. Think about your uses. Do you need it or not? Alternatively, do you want it? If the answer to either is yes, buy it.

tcb.photo

Hi guys,
Thanks for the superb input. I'm actualy looking at purchasing a Vanguard sub-moa. But now, after reading some of you posts, I'm a little concerned about the barrel length of the vanguard - only 24 inches.

I wanted a rifle to take down deer, and slighly larger game. Some of the writeups on this cartridege make some really large boasts. Even claiming it can take down Elk and even harder to believe, moose.

SO I thought I would ask you guys your opinion, and really appreciate your input[8D]
Many Thanks
Rob

wtroper

The 257 Wthdy can "take down" elk and moose. It would not be my first choice, but it can do the job with careful shot placement. A 25 cal projectile is small in diameter & light. Regardless of the speed, IMHO it is not as desireable for larger game as one that throws a bigger piece of lead.

rovernut

MY WeAtherby Vanguard .257 Wby is a delight to shoot, very good accrocy, and holds well. Ammo is high as hell, but if you reload, it 's no higher than any other rifle. If you read Roy Weatherby's book you will se he liked this round the best of all his inventions, and used it in Africa for every thing including Water Buff!!! Here in Wyoming, it is regarded as a good Elk rifle. I use the new Barnes xxx Bullets for hunting, I think you need a tough bullet to stand up to this gun's velocity. Use a good bullet, put it in the vitals, and you can take down any animal you hunt!!!

buddyb

I have a buddy that uses one.Like everyone else said good rifle but $64.00 for 20 rounds is not for me.