.257 Weatherby Opinions

[deadidunn]

I've been reading up on the .257 Weatherby and found several rifles I like. Does anyone have one? What is your opinion on it? Does the rifle overkill on whitetail at close ranges?

From all the things I've read, I've gotten mixed opinion on close shots, however it has rave reviews on its flat trajectory and is used for taking large game such as elk. Looking over the info I've seen, I think it will be a great caliber to have in the arsenal, but I wanted to get your opinions.

Thanks!

 

[hunter5567]

Probably won't get the factory claimed ballistics but then again most all calibers won't either. You can shoot a heavier bullet to slow it down some for closer range game. A 25-06 probably gets close to the same actual velocity using a 24" barrel. A 257 needs a 26" barrel to get close to factory claimed velocity. It is a cool caliber and not found too often like a 264 Winchester Magnum or 6.5 Remington Magnum.

 

[bayouboy81]

My dad has the weatherby .257 and he shoots whitetail with it. I think he shoots the heavier grain bullets. (125gr I believe). Shoots awesome groups. My uncle gave him this gun and has killed many deer with it using 90gr bullets.

 

[Win1917]

From people I know that have hunted with one they say the effect on deer is very impressive. I think I heard somewhere it was Roy Weatherby's favorite. If you have a magnum itch that needs to be scratched it would be a good choice.

 

[dtrice]

Weatherby ammo is usually pretty expensive, although you do get norma brass if you want to reload. Have you considered 25-06 or 257 roberts?

 

[deadidunn]

Yeah dtrice, my original bug for .257 was the Roberts. I will still probably purchase a Roberts within the next year or two. Reading about the flat trajectory and ballistics of the Weatherby impressed me to the point of wanting one. I will reload for it, if I purchase factory ammo, it will be only because I can't find the reloading components I need. Currently I can't find available brass, except on gunbroker and I prefer not to buy stuff on there. I've run down everything else. After some research and price checking, I'm going to get the Remington CDL SF in 257 weatherby mag.

 

[scooterj]

Another vote for .257 Roberts. Don't see a need for a .25 cal belted magnum.

 

[syrupmaker]

I've had a .257 weatherby for about 35 years and have killed many deer with it. Most of the time they will go straight down. I don't hunt with it any more as it's my son's favorite. The only problem I ever had was using a 100 gr. ballistic tip (I reload everything) and shooting a deer at approx. 75 yards. The bullet blew up just inside the chest cavity and looked like he had been shot with bird shot, but it was a clean kill. Since then I started using Nosler partition 100 gr. bullets with good results. I think it is a very good caliber.

 

[syrupmaker]

One thing I should add is that barrel life will probably be shorter than on most rifles. I've already had to rebarrel mine.

 

[LSUSMC]

I hunt with a custom built .257 Roberts Ackley and have a friend who hunts with a .257 Weatherby. They are both awesome calibers and are perfect for anything from varmint to elk with the right load. The Roberts/Ackley are both clean killers on whitetail, the Weatherby seems to do more a little damage but it is no worse than a .227 or .30 cal. I recommend neck shots so that damage and finding a wounded animal is never a problem.

 

[crazy white boy]

I have a Weatherby Vanguard in the 257 Weatherby Magnum and love it. I buy my ammo at Cabelas and shoot the 100 grain PSP Weatherby ammo and get them for 39.00 per box. No worse then Federal Premiums for my 7 mag or 300. It is a great caliber with minimal recoil.