.257 Weatherby

[Snowshoe Hunter]

What's the consensus on this round for elk?

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Not the best round for big bulls, but it will kill cows and spikes relatively easily.

Use a good 110-120g bullet properly constructed for elk, put it in the vitals out to 400 yards, and you'll have your elk...

 

[SJB358]

Seems like a 257 with a solid bullet like the PT, AB or ET would be pretty decent for elk. It has the energy on target and would certainly be okay for me if that was what I had in the safe. If you shoot it well, I would imagine you will be in meat everytime! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

I prefer more frontal area/mass. The round will work, but I do believe there are better options.

 

[SJB358]

What's the consensus on this round for elk?

Are you looking for a new rifle for elk or is this one you already own and want to hunt elk with it? I should have asked that is the first place. Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

A 120 Partition at 3250 fps will do it every time.

 

[6mm Remington]

6mm Remington- 90 gr. Nosler E-tip- 3160 fps- 350 yards broadside- ONE shot behind the right shoulder and exited the left shoulder- she went 25-30 yards and tipped over.

I would feel fine shooting a 257 Bee with 110 gr. AccuBond, 120 gr. Partition, or the E-tip. Good placement and there you have it. My son used his 6mm on this cow and I shot a spike bull with my 6mm and 100 gr. Nosler Parition (30 yards). I have also taken one spike elk with my wifes 25-06 and 120 gr Partition at a little over 300 yards. Perfect performance and dead elk. A good bullet and a good shot and I think you are fine. Bigger can be better but that Weatherby sure sends those bullets down range like a missle!
David

 

[SJB358]

Man, I love that picture David. That boy of yours is a rockstar in my book! Great shooting! Scotty

 

[6mm Remington]

Thanks Scotty! He's a good kid.

 

[Snowshoe Hunter]

It would be a new Cooper Rifle.

 

[SJB358]

Are you looking for an elk rifle for the purchase? Are you sensitive to recoil? I would think if you are buying a new rifle, there are better choices than the 257WBY, not that it is bad, but there are some others Cooper chambers that would make a stronger elk rifle. Again, nothing really wrong with the 257 at all, just would prefer a big bullet for the beasts, especially if you are hunting bulls. Scotty

 

[Guest]

I'm with Scotty - if you're looking to buy a 257Wby, and wondering if it will work for elk, the answer is a conditional yes. If you're looking to buy an elk rifle in a Cooper, you might find a better choice in something a bit larger. I don't know if Cooper chambers it, but I'd feel confident going after elk with my 270Wby and the recoil is not significantly higher with 150gr bullets than a 257Wby with 120gr bullets, in the same rifle. Or, a 7mmRemMag would be a good choice, with plenty of flexibility in bullet selection for whatever you want to do in North America.

 

[6mm Remington]

I know a cow isn't a bull that might weigh half again as much as her, but I have never seen a wimpy elk no matter what their size! :shock: They are flat out one tough animal. Bigger can be better, but if you have confidence in your rifle and how you shoot it and you use really good bullets. There are so many good ones out there a person should never have a problem finding one that will shoot wonderfully in his or her rifle. Now this cow was taken by a kid on his first every big-game hunt. She was standing quartering slightly and he hit her perfectly although if you look at the entrance on her left side it appears to far back, but it was perfect. The bullet penetrated and exited out just behind her right shoulder. She ran about 40 yards, stopped, and fell over. It was a 250 yard shot with the boy laying prone for about 10 minutes getting calmed down and all ready. The rifle was a 25-06 shooting 120 gr. Nosler Partitions and he was using a Harris bi-pod so he was like shooting off a bench. There was no wind to contend with and everything was just right. I figured Scoty would like this one too! As you know the 25-06 is a little behind the 257 Bee in the pepper department so the Bee would be even better suited to task at hand, but confidence sure means a lot and what you like! The other guys are giving you some really sound advise, but it can be done with what you are looking at as well. It just depends on what you want and if you would be willing to pass up those really tough questionable shots at the south end of a north bound elk, etc. Good luck with your choice. Now after I said all that I will through at you that the .280 Remington is one fine elk rifle and that would be a dandy too and I know Cooper chambers for it!
David

 

[SJB358]

Awesome picture David! Those are some happy young folks. I have some 115gr PT's and 120gr PT's I wanted to shoot out of my 25-06. They will be on stand by till I get the next one! Scotty

 

[Snowshoe Hunter]

I'm not sensitive to recoil and have 2 model 700 Classics from 1989 in .300 Weatherby. I guess I'll stick to them. Thanks for the info.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I would. You have a great elk caliber there in the 300, use it!

Its just a bit more forgiving when you are presented with not so perfect shots in the real world of elk hunting. Dont always work that way...If you bust one up out of the timber or draw, your gonna really wish you were packing the 300 instead of the 257, that would be my main concern. Second would be hard angle shots, but if you were using a Partition or something a bit stouter that shouldn't be to much of a problem.

 

[SJB358]

You would have a hard time doing too much better than the 300WBY. I love the 338WM, but the 300 does carry more energy further out. Pretty deadly combo. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

There's more than enough "oomph" in the 300 WBY to give an edge to the marginal shot.

 

[Powerstroke]

If you're comfortable with the .257 Bee, I'd say go for it. This caliber is a laser and with a good bullet it can be very effective. My Wife put this cow on the ground @ about 425yrds last Dec with a 115gr BT through the top of the shoulders. ( Can't say it's my first choice bullet, but my hat is off to Nosler for a premium bullet no matter the circumstances )
Pic is with the M7 .260 however - it's lighter to pack through a couple feet of snow :grin:View attachment DSCN0720.JPG

 

[6mm Remington]

Nice picture powerstroke! Excellent shooting too.

Have to say the 300 Weatherby is probably one of THE best ones out there for elk and most game, even if I do like my 6mm, and 30-06! :shock: