new .257 Weatherby

[BK]

I picked up one of the Remington SPS-SS .257 and am looking for a bit of direction which way to proceed. Which do you advise:

Nosler, Weatherby, or Norma brass?
Magnum or standard primers?
Powders?

I'll mainly be looking for loads with a 110 AB, 100 TTSX, or (if I can ever find them) 100 E-Tips. Any other suggestions for bullets? I'm mainly concerned with antelope, mule deer, and the occasional cow or spike elk, though I have bigger guns for wapati.

Thanks, all.
Kurt

 

[DrMike]

I should think you would be happy with any of the brass you name. Likely, Norma makes it all in any case. Since you throw cow or spike elk into the mix, I would argue for a somewhat tougher bullet such as the 110 grain AB or the 115 PT. Magnum primers will work across the spectrum as you are just at the juncture where a hotter primer will be beneficial. Powders that I would survey first would be VN165, IMR 4350, RL22 and Hunter.

 

[BK]

Thanks, Doc.

I would have thought that 4350 would be a little fast for a Weatherby. I was thinking more along the lines of IMR 7828, Ramshot Big Boy or Magnum, or the like.

I'm still early on in the process, so I still have some pouring over reloading manuals yet to come.

 

[DrMike]

The slower powders will work, but the slower end of the medium burn powders work quite well. The case is not particularly cavernous. With heavier bullets, slower powders (and especially double base) will likely give you better performance than in the lighter bullet offerings. I should think that the 110 AB would be a great all-around bullet for what you intend to hunt.

 

[Guy Miner]

Norma makes both Norma and Weatherby head-stamped brass. It's very good quality. Just got 100 pieces of new Norma brass for my son's .257 Wby.

IMR 4350 has long been a favorite for the .257 Wby. As I've got at least six pounds of H 4350 sitting here, I'm going to try it instead. There are some very good loads listed for H4350 on the Hodgdon web site.

I've also got some Retumbo and RL-22, on hand if I want to try a slower burning powder. It's been a long time since I loaded for the .257 Bee, probably a good 20 years or more...

Guy

 

[Divernhunter]

In my 257weatherby IMR7828 and RL25 out-preformed the other powders I tried IMR4831/IMR4350/RL22 and some others. I was shooting 115gr PAR and 100gr BT/PAR bullets. I got a box of 110AB to try. I plan to use it for pronghorns in Wy this year. Probably with 115gr PAR or 110grAB bullets.

 

[nitis]

one thing I think you will find will matter more than anything is how you seat the bullet!

I know what the nosler book says but they are the only ones that load it that long that I have seen @3.250 I instantly shrank my groups no matter what bullet by using a col of I believe 3.170

My gun is a model 700 also all be it highly modified

It did not care for RL25 but retumbo and RL22 were good

the Etip was ok but either my chrony was malfunctioning ( good possibility) or the just did not even come close to producing the velocity that they should have or that the TTSX did. shooters pro shop has some 2nds right now for CHEAP

I also had no luck with the 120 gr Partition but that could have been operator error I wont rule out trying them again down the line.

I am going to run with the 110 AccuBond as I think it gives me the best of all worlds. I know it doesnt put out mind boggling velocities like a 90 or 100 gr pill will but it keeps that mythical 1000 ft lds of energy out to 600 yards and shoots flat enough out to 500 to not need any fancy scope reticle or turret. Plus they are reasaonably priced and reasonably available. I had to fight off a strong urge to buy some swift scirocco iis I really wanted them but not needed.

As for brass norma makes all brass stamped 257 wby and I dont think nosler makes any but I could be wrong. Shooters pro shop has the best price on bags of 20. And Cabelas is the only place I have found where you can get a bag of 50 other wise its 20 or 100!

Oh and you can go down the 7mm mag brass route but it will screw with your head ( believe me I know first hand) so I suggest you not try it at least starting out. The weatherby case has enough variables as it is!

Good luck!

When and what is the first hunt and how are you scoping it!

 

[BK]

nitis:

First hunt will be mule deer in Oregon's Malheur unit. It was bought with the expectation of an antelope hunt in Wyoming, probably next year. Scope will be either a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44 or a Leupy VX 3 (or VX III or VX IIV or Vari X 3 or whatever the heck Leupold is calling their new scopes) 4.5-14x40, maybe LR. I ordered a McMillan Remington Classic stock from 24HCF in a 50% olive / 30% light tan / 20% black McSwirly and a 13-3/4 LOP.

I'm about 95% sure that Nosler makes .257 Wby loads, so I just assumed that they also made the brass, also. Could be wrong.

 

[BK]

Found it... not brass, but ammo.

http://www.nosler.com/Ammunition/Custom-Ammunition.aspx

 

[SJB358]

Congrats on the 257WM. That is surely one of the .257 cals I am looking to get within the year. I am having trouble deciding between the 25-06 and 257WM. Both of them are firestarters! Plus, with the availability of Nosler 2nds almost always in .257, it would be a nice caliber to load and shoot and not spend a ton on bullets! Scotty

 

[nitis]

beretzs

owning both I kinda kick myself for getting the wby just because I wonder how much more I gain over my 25.06 plus I have so much tied up in mine

but if you only want to have one 257 it is a good one cant go wrong either way.

 

[BK]

I have both, but the Weatherby is going to be more of an all weather rifle, whereas the .25-06 is blued/wood (but also destined for a McMillan) so I like to keep it dry. I knew there was going to be some overlap, but I have always wanted a .257 but don't really like Weatherby rifles. In the past, I thought the easiest way to get one was to re-chamber a Ruger No. 1. What the heck, one more Weatherby-chambered rifle and I should have all that I've dreamed about (a .340, already had a .300 700 Classic). Well, for now.

Ahh, nuts, I forgot about a .375.

 

[SJB358]

I am kinda looking more at the 25-06, as I know it will be less expensive and do everything I would need a .257 to do for me, which is likely just deer and maybe some odd wolf hunting if I ever score a tag. Still debating on what rifle I want. I like both the M700CDL and the Ruger #1. I wished Winchester would chamber their M70 in it though, that would be my preferred rifle. Never did much with a .257, so I am looking forward to getting one. Plus, I think with lighter loads, it would be good for a kid to learn on some. Scotty

 

[BK]

I don't know the current situation, but it used to be the easiest way to get a 26" barrel on a .25-06 was a #1, and I think the longer tube really makes them sing, with the added benefit of not having a ridiculously long overall package.

 

[bullet]

257Wby use IMR7828, H1000, RL-22 and H4350 with IMR7828 and H1000 giving you better accuracy and velocity return and H1000 not heating up the barrel as quick a IMR7828

 

[Greg Nolan]

The Wby Vanguard in 257 has been a tackdriver since new. It's more accurate than the MK V I had in the late 80s. With the Nosler 110 A/B it does 3430 fps using IMR 7828. I load to 3.25" OAL. I tried longer and shorter and that's what it likes. I just verified sighting out to 500 yds last week and it still puts them into 5" and it was a breezy day. What trajectory compensation and magnification I use seems to help a lot. I have a 6-24x40 Bushnell 4200 (the short version) with mil dot reticle. and at 24 power and a 300 yard zero it shoots dead on at 400 first dot and dead on 500 second dot. If you can get something that close to your trajectory you'll be shooting clay pigeons at 300 yards with boring regularity from a bench.
Enjoy :wink:

 

[bullet]

257Wby rocks, it is a flat shooting AT&T "Reach Out And Touchem" cartridge.

 

[BK]

257Wby use IMR7828, H1000, RL-22 and H4350 with IMR7828 and H1000 giving you better accuracy and velocity return and H1000 not heating up the barrel as quick a IMR7828

Good info, bullet! Somehow, I don't see the new .257 as being a real high volume shooter!

 

[Powerstroke]

BK,

I've had great luck with My .257 SPS and IMR7828, Viht N-165 - and soon to work more with N560.
110A-bonds and 115 VLD's is what I've been using.

I purchased a Rem laminated stock and sent it off to be pillar bedded - still awaiting for it's return.

 

[BK]

That should be a pretty good lookin' rig, Powerstroke. I always liked the look of the Remmie LSS rifles.

Thanks for the tip. I think I'll pick up a pound of 7828 when I fly home next. If I can find some N-165, I may give that a whirl, too.