Started a post last month on this winters project. converting Ruger M77VT .25-06 to .257 Weatherby Magnum. The project is now complete and will have a field test in the morning. The rifle was re-chambered by Tom Wills of "The Rifle Shop" in Bend, Oregon. Bolt face was opened up and the magazine follower was replaced with one designed for .416 Rigby. Tom's work is top notch. Total gunsmithing was $215 dollars. Follower was $18.38 from Brownell's.
I modified the stock and removed approximately 3/8" of wood from both sides of the forearm. Greatly reduced the woood in the pistol grip area. Increased the freefloat of the barrel and drilled three 1/2" holes in the underside of the forearm. Holes have aluminum shrouds epoxied in flush with the barrel channel. This an effort to enhance barrel cooling.
Good quality breakin with Weatherby 120 grain Partitions. Several 3-shot 1/2"groups. Slow and expensive process. Factory ammo is $48 dollars per box.
Reloading was with Federal 215 Magnum primers, new Norma brass ( $98 dollars for 100 count), 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips and the following powders: IMR 7828, AA8700, H1000, H4831SC and RETUMBO.
The desired outcome was 3600-3700 FPS. Best load is 76.5 grains Retumbo, OAL 3.25" gave 3625 FPS and 5/8" group (twice)
77 grains gave 3675 with 1 1/4" group and 77.5 gave 3700+ and group size of 1 1/2". The 76.5 load has been consistent with velocity and accuracy. OAL is maximum for the magazine box and the chamber does have .375" freebore.
Pictures will follow in a couple of days along with coyote field test. An after thought, the scope is 6X18X40 Leupold. Weight with scope and sling 10 ponds on the nose.
Temp. ranged between 10 and 30 degrees and elevation was 3300 feet.
Jerry
Bend, Oregon
I modified the stock and removed approximately 3/8" of wood from both sides of the forearm. Greatly reduced the woood in the pistol grip area. Increased the freefloat of the barrel and drilled three 1/2" holes in the underside of the forearm. Holes have aluminum shrouds epoxied in flush with the barrel channel. This an effort to enhance barrel cooling.
Good quality breakin with Weatherby 120 grain Partitions. Several 3-shot 1/2"groups. Slow and expensive process. Factory ammo is $48 dollars per box.
Reloading was with Federal 215 Magnum primers, new Norma brass ( $98 dollars for 100 count), 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips and the following powders: IMR 7828, AA8700, H1000, H4831SC and RETUMBO.
The desired outcome was 3600-3700 FPS. Best load is 76.5 grains Retumbo, OAL 3.25" gave 3625 FPS and 5/8" group (twice)
77 grains gave 3675 with 1 1/4" group and 77.5 gave 3700+ and group size of 1 1/2". The 76.5 load has been consistent with velocity and accuracy. OAL is maximum for the magazine box and the chamber does have .375" freebore.
Pictures will follow in a couple of days along with coyote field test. An after thought, the scope is 6X18X40 Leupold. Weight with scope and sling 10 ponds on the nose.
Temp. ranged between 10 and 30 degrees and elevation was 3300 feet.
Jerry
Bend, Oregon
