257 Weatherby Loads

SJB358

Ballistician
Dec 24, 2006
32,381
2,998
My Dad got my little brother a 257 Weatherby for Christmas this year. I have some Norma cases and a set of dies on order. So, once the stuff get's here, I will load up some test loads and get it zeroed and such for him. Hoping to have a chance to shoot it after Christmas if we can.

What are your guys first rate loads for the 257 Wby. I have 115 BT's, 115 PT's, 120 PT's on hand. I also have RL22, RL25, IMR7828, some H1000 and probably some others. It's a 24" Vanguard and I am not looking for absolute screaming loads either. Anything you all know as an accurate load, with a COAL would be very useful to me. Thank you all for the help.
 
Scotty

Keep in mind that you can run 7mm Rem Mag brass through a 257 Wby sizer die to form brass.
Good luck on the load development.

JD338
 
Code:
257 WBY	110 NAB	68/RL22	3360	1.5"
257 WBY	110 NAB	69/RL22	3411	1.75
257 WBY	110 NAB	70/RL22	3490	1.5"
257 WBY	110 NAB	71/RL25	3350	*
257 WBY	110 NAB	72/RL25	3495	*
257 WBY	110 NAB	FACTORY	3530	.65"
257 WBY	115 NBST	68/RL22	3395	*
257 WBY	115 NBST	69/RL22	3425	*
257 WBY	117 HORNADY BT	69.5/RL22	3360	*
257 WBY	117 HORNADY BT	70.5/RL22	3430	*
257 WBY	117 HORNADY BT	70/IMR7828	3450	*
 
Scotty,
Dad has good taste in calibers. :lol:
Realize you didn't ask for 100 gr but....I load the 100 Etip w 71 RL22, CCI Mag Primer, resized 7 RM brass. Fast and accurate. Kind of like the idea of a monometal in a screamer like that.
Mine shot the AccuBond ok but not spectacular.
Wonder if that factory load on Fotis' list is loaded with MRP? Heard Norma does their stuff, MRP might be pretty cool for the 257. JMO.
Hornady 117BTSP shoots into nice little groups with 70 gr H1000, CCI mag primers, in 7RM resized brass.
No on game reports (other than coyotes) with either unfortunately.
Dewey
 
Buddy uses IMR 7828 in his for all bullet weights, and it shines. I use it in the 270 mag as well.
 
Scotty,
71gr 7828 with 120gr PTs loaded to a COAL of 3.360(Max mag length in my custom Mauser with a 31" tube.) got me .75" groups at 3520fps. :) It's over max per the book but the longer length probably keeps the pressure down.
Scott
 
Thank you fella's. Some great loads here. I use a bunch of RL22 and 25, so either of those might be first up. I have a smattering of H1000 as well. That could get used as I just haven't ever done too much with it.. 7828 is always a good answer for the WBY's it seems.
 
70.5-72.0 of RL-25 with 115 Ballistic Tips.

This combo has been superior in both of my 257's. Best velocity and accuracy.
 
wbyfan1":q3exfopy said:
70.5-72.0 of RL-25 with 115 Ballistic Tips.

This combo has been superior in both of my 257's. Best velocity and accuracy.

I was waiting for you to pipe in. :grin: What primers, cases and OAL's do you use?
 
Have had great luck loading for mine, 70.5 grn h-1000@ 3.16 " long with bee brass and fed mag primers, with a full lee factory crimp, 1/2" groups at if I remember 3450 to 3500 fps. 71 grns of r-22 with a 100 grn ttsx with crimp at top canular for 3550- 3600 fps if memery serves me correct. Will share more when I get to my notes, I only have had one bullet give me a hard time and that the speer deep curls, I hope to make a reduced elk load for oldest daughter for first ever hunt 8)
 
Scotty, the accuracy on my Rem 700 improves as it approaches max loads. That 257 likes to be pushed hard! I think you will find the same with that Vanguard. My hunting load is 69 gr 7828, CCI 250s, and 120 PTs.
 
wayno945":8r9jyix0 said:
Scotty, the accuracy on my Rem 700 improves as it approaches max loads. That 257 likes to be pushed hard! I think you will find the same with that Vanguard. My hunting load is 69 gr 7828, CCI 250s, and 120 PTs.

Rgr that, I have some 7828 as well, so that'll get a test. Don't use my 120 PT's for much anyhow, so maybe I will give them a try right outta the gate..

Never worked with a 257 Weatherby, but I think it'll be fun!
 
Scotty,
No input from me, but looking forward to some upcoming reports on that bad boy. That .257WBY is no damn joke and what a score for your brother! Got my fingers crossed we'll be seeing a .25 caliber ABLR soon...
Joe
 
I'm really starting to hate Scotty's adventures in new rifles! Somehow I feel a 257 Bee will show up in my safe :mrgreen:
 
Hello Scotty -
I have to agree on the 7828 powder. I think the last time the trigger was pulled on my Bee, my wife shot her cow elk @ about 425 yards with it a few years ago. 115gr b-tip held together better than I expected.

Good luck !
 
Nice present for your little brother - a 257 WBee ! :grin: I just purchased one too as a XMAS present to myself ! LOL :shock:
I got a Weatherby S2 Vanguard StainlessSteel chambered in 257 WBee ! I am going to mount my new Vortex Viper HS 4-16 x44 up on it in Talley LW rings-bases ! So thanks for the loads too !

Cheers :) RJ
 
Sweet, sounds a little contagious. I am fairly excited to shoot it. It is a hot little cartridge for sure, and I haven't heard of many being super picky either. Should have the components pretty soon and I ordered a box of Norma Facotry Loads for it. Figured loaded rounds will work fine for initial zeroing and give me 20 cases to go along with the other 25 I ordered.. They are actually just a tick more than the empty brass.

I am with Brian though, wouldn't take much to add one to the safe either.
 
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