257 Weatherby thoughts? - Page 2

Tronneroi · #31 12-12-2021, 10:07 AM

I considered picking one up, but I already rely heavily on my 25-06. Shooting within 350yds I couldn't justify picking up a similar cartridge.

That aside, do any of you 257 Weatherby shooters have issues sourcing brass?

Dean2 · #32 12-12-2021, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

I considered picking one up, but I already rely heavily on my 25-06. Shooting within 350yds I couldn't justify picking up a similar cartridge.

That aside, do any of you 257 Weatherby shooters have issues sourcing brass?

The brass is easy to come by, you just might not like the price. I bought Weatherby Select loaded ammo for $50 a box, it was cheaper than buying empty brass. Neat thing is, it will shoot under .5 for 3 shots, and is spitting the 100 grain bullet out at a Chronograph measured 3650 fps. For the amount I actually shoot the 257, I could easily just use the factory ammo.

257 Bee brass can also be made from lots of other commonly available brass, but I find the Norma made Weatherby brass to be very good and it is amazingly consistent. I have brass from 4 different batches, some marked Norma, some Weatherby. ALL cases weight within .2 of each other. I have no problem getting 7-10 loads out of the brass so 150 brass is more than enough to wear out a barrel.

Tronneroi · #33 12-12-2021, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean2

The brass is easy to come by, you just might not like the price. I bought Weatherby Select loaded ammo for $50 a box, it was cheaper than buying empty brass. Neat thing is, it will shoot under .5 for 3 shots, and is spitting the 100 grain bullet out at a Chronograph measured 3650 fps. For the amount I actually shoot the 257, I could easily just use the factory ammo.

257 Bee brass can also be made from lots of other commonly available brass, but I find the Norma made Weatherby brass to be very good and it is amazingly consistent. I have brass from 4 different batches, some marked Norma, some Weatherby. ALL cases weight within .2 of each other. I have no problem getting 7-10 loads out of the brass so 150 brass is more than enough to wear out a barrel.

Good to know. Maybe one day I'll trade in the 25-06...

Thanks Dean.

Smokinyotes · #34 12-12-2021, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

Good to know. Maybe one day I'll trade in the 25-06...

Thanks Dean.

The other option would be to run a 25 Gibbs reamer in your 25-06. My buddy has one and it is within 50 FPS of my 257wby and uses a bunch less powder.

rugerfan · #35 12-12-2021, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

The other option would be to run a 25 Gibbs reamer in your 25-06. My buddy has one and it is within 50 FPS of my 257wby and uses a bunch less powder.

Forming brass for a Gibbs is beyond many reloaders though, and factory ammo is non existent.

DirtShooter · #36 12-12-2021, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

I considered picking one up, but I already rely heavily on my 25-06. Shooting within 350yds I couldn't justify picking up a similar cartridge.

That aside, do any of you 257 Weatherby shooters have issues sourcing brass?

Prophet river has brass, bought two 50 count boxes before prices went stupid

I actually bought 5 boxes of horandy branded ammo loaded with GMX bullets so I have 100 brass after I shoot them out, $66/box from ellwood epps

jetboat175 · #37 12-12-2021, 06:03 PM

I really appreciate all the input. Have thought about one for years but I think it is time.

EZM · #38 12-15-2021, 10:20 PM

I have an Acumark and a Vanguard in he 257 Bee - both are deadly accurate, moderate to light recoil and the benefit of these being some of the flattest shooting cartridges instills some confidence for me as there less "ranging and overthinking" required when you have to make a decision relatively quickly.

I bought the vanguard a few years back (as my son decided to adopt my accumark) and, since then, bought a laminate stock, had a member here teach me how to bed it, and it went from very accurate to a tack driver and I haven't put it away since.

It's suitable for anything we hunt in Alberta.

32-40win · #39 12-15-2021, 10:37 PM

I looked pretty hard at a Wby that was 1000.00 off, over the BF sales week. Seemed like one of those sales a guy shud not turn down, but after evaluating what else I'd have to buy, talked myself out of it. Still have a hankering for a quarterbore though. one caliber I haven't played with, yet. And at the moment, don't need any more projects, I got enough to do.

Demonical · #40 12-15-2021, 11:08 PM

Be a decent coyote gun...

JD848 · #41 12-15-2021, 11:24 PM

Should have never read this thread, out of all the rifles i have owned i never had a 257 Weatherby . I can remember a guy i worked with from Alberta 30 years ago telling me how much he liked that cartridge .

Always wanted one ,but i just never zoned in until a few month's ago. Why that cartridge missed my radar was something i asked myself this fall.

Guess it's time to go looking for one for XMAS .

Thanks guys
Cheers
JD

EZM · #42 12-17-2021, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonical

Be a decent coyote gun...

As long as you aren't expecting to keep any fur. You hit one bone and you have a pretty big mess.

marky_mark · #43 12-17-2021, 05:16 PM

Skip the 257 wby and get a 6.5 that shoots bullets around 3000 fps

Dean2 · #44 12-17-2021, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky_mark

Skip the 257 wby and get a 6.5 that shoots bullets around 3000 fps

Do NOT skip the 257. Buy both. The fun factor is still pretty cheap.

cody j · #45 12-17-2021, 07:58 PM

I don’t have a .257 but I know quite a few people that do and they all really like them

ractifes · #46 12-18-2021, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetboat175

I am contemplating on buying a 257 weatherby. I have a 308 win, 300 win and a 444 marlin already so looking for a long range deer rifle and something to shoot the odd coyote. I would like some input from 257 owners what they think of this caliber?

You will be thrilled

honda610 · #47 12-18-2021, 07:14 AM

I was like you on the fence with buying a .257 Roy for a long time then a mint vanguard fell into my lap for cheap. Hands down the most accurate rifle with factory ammo I have ever purchased. My buddy was so impressed he bought one last week from Phrophet River. They come up for sale used and for reasonable prices. Good luck

marky_mark · #48 12-18-2021, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean2

Do NOT skip the 257. Buy both. The fun factor is still pretty cheap.

I had one personally before
Works ok but I’ve had inconsistent terminal performance
I’ve had deer fold like a cheap suit, and I’ve had animals a lot further than they should have.
More, than with any other caliber I have owned

Dean2 · #49 12-18-2021, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky_mark

I had one personally before
Works ok but I’ve had inconsistent terminal performance
I’ve had deer fold like a cheap suit, and I’ve had animals a lot further than they should have.
More, than with any other caliber I have owned

At the velocity the 257 Bee launches bullets the bullet selection is critical. This is one cartridge where mono metal is a big advantage, or bullets heavily enough constructed to survive impact velocities of 3400 fps or more.

marky_mark · #50 12-19-2021, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean2

At the velocity the 257 Bee launches bullets the bullet selection is critical. This is one cartridge where mono metal is a big advantage, or bullets heavily enough constructed to survive impact velocities of 3400 fps or more.

Barnes bullets are probably one of the main reasons for inconsistent terminal performance

catnthehat · #51 12-19-2021, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky_mark

Barnes bullets are probably one of the main reasons for inconsistent terminal performance

Interesting, this is the opposite of people I know that have shot Barnes bullets , especially high velocity cartridges myself included.
I have killed animals from 35 yards all the way out to 1K using lighter Barnes bullets and none went anywhere, same as when I used well constructed cup and core bullets.
Cat

rugerfan · #52 12-19-2021, 08:23 PM

I shot the 115gr. barnes tsx in my 257 for quite a while. Knocked deer over like you’d hit them with a truck, took a couple moose as well.

Dean2 · #53 12-19-2021, 08:32 PM

Have to say I agree with Cat and Ruger. I have heard of people getting failure to expand on Barnes cause they are moving too slow. Mark's experience of variable results using a high speed cartridge is entirely new. I completely believe him, just not what I have seen. I have shot Barnes in a variety of high speed guns like the 257, 7 Rum, 7 Rem, even 130s out of the 308 at 3150 fps etc.,. Anything I ever shot with them pretty much died where they stood.

whitetail Junkie · #54 12-19-2021, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean2

Have to say I agree with Cat and Ruger. I have heard of people getting failure to expand on Barnes cause they are moving too slow. Mark's experience of variable results using a high speed cartridge is entirely new. I completely believe him, just not what I have seen. I have shot Barnes in a variety of high speed guns like the 257, 7 Rum, 7 Rem, even 130s out of the 308 at 3150 fps etc.,. Anything I ever shot with them pretty much died where they stood.

Make it a couple more as dad and I experienced poor results with Barnes out of our 257 Wby’s whitetail hunting where the bullet acted like a FMJ going in and out of the deer with no expansion...switched back to the nosler ballistic tip and grapefruit size exit wounds.

Dean2 · #55 12-20-2021, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

Make it a couple more as dad and I experienced poor results with Barnes out of our 257 Wby’s whitetail hunting where the bullet acted like a FMJ going in and out of the deer with no expansion...switched back to the nosler ballistic tip and grapefruit size exit wounds.

That is very interesting. What grain and type of Barnes? do you have a theory as to why they would pencil through. Now a Barnes doesn't leave a big exit wound hole like a Ballistic tip, usually about the size of a tonney unless you take out some bone on the way out. What were the innards like when you opened it up.

DirtShooter · #56 12-20-2021, 01:35 PM

Does anyone have a barnes ttsx recipe they'd like to share for the 257wby?

Dean2 · #57 12-20-2021, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtShooter

Does anyone have a barnes ttsx recipe they'd like to share for the 257wby?

100 Grain TTSX Boat Tail, Weatherby brass, CCI 215 and 7828SSC powder, CAOL 3.225. Found a .4 group for 3 shots, very close to max, work your way up.

Krokitt · #58 12-20-2021, 06:02 PM

I have .257 and it is by far the easiest gun to get along with. have shot 2 moose and 2 elk with it and it does an impressive job. shoots 110 gr Accubonds incredibly well.

Dean2 · #59 12-20-2021, 06:09 PM

I meant federal 215 for the primer. Works much better than CCI 250 in that size of case.

whitetail Junkie · #60 12-20-2021, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean2

That is very interesting. What grain and type of Barnes? do you have a theory as to why they would pencil through. Now a Barnes doesn't leave a big exit wound hole like a Ballistic tip, usually about the size of a tonney unless you take out some bone on the way out. What were the innards like when you opened it up.

Pretty sure they were 100 grain TSX going out of a custom gun that had a 28” barrel...Dad’s theory was both bucks were fairly close therefor the bullets penciled through them at lightning speed and never had a chance to open up...

guns been gone for a while now however we each got a couple other 257 wbys that are real lookers with exhibition walnut I’ll have to get a few pictures of over the holidays and post em up.