.257 Weatherby

Does anyone have one of these rifles? Mine is a Remington Model 700. I'm wondering what your opinions are on ammunition. I've decided to go with the Hornady 90 grain GMX for right now, mainly because of availability. Looking forward to seeing what it will do.

Ironic you posted this.  I was just talking Davis Shorthorns yesterday about looking for me a .257 Weatherby Mark V.  They're expensive to shoot - a quality round will run you >$75/box.

"Weatherby currently list five loadings for the .257 featuring Hornady, Nosler and Barnes projectiles. The light 87grain Hornady SP at 3825fps is intended strictly for varmints while the 100 grain Interlock at 3602fps and 117 grain RNSP Interlock at 3305 are both intended for use on lighter medium game.  Generally speaking, the Hornady offerings are somewhat too soft for the .257 Weatherby and prone to suffer bullet blow up at close ranges but not in a spectacular killing fashion.

Weatherby’s Nosler loadings feature the 110 grain Accubond at 3460fps, the 115 grain Ballistic Tip at 3400fps and the 120 grain Partition at 3305fps. All three are loads are very useful, the BT is dynamite on lighter game weighing less than 60kg (130lb) out to moderate ranges. The Accubond is an excellent all rounder for all medium game up to 180kg out to and beyond 350 yards while the Partition is absolutely brilliant at longer ranges, regardless of its lead tip and flat base which seem antiquated in comparison to the newer Accubond.

The stoutest .257 load is the 100 grain Barnes TSX at 3570fps. This is a good muzzle velocity for the Barnes because at lower impact velocities of 3100fps and below, this projectile tends to be slow killer. The TSX is best reserved for larger deer species and especially Boar, all of which offer a great deal of resistance to the TSX."

Redwine, understand that XBAR is giving you data for a Weatherby rifle not a Remington 700. More than likely the Remington does not have any free bore (Weatherby does) and your load needs to be adjusted appropriately to get good results from the rifle. Most Weatherby's were manufactured with a 26" barrel where the Remington's came with a 24" barrel, In general loading data will be affected somewhat because of these differences. If you are loading your own ammo you should reduce the maximum load in any published book by 5% for safety precautions.

It is a great round and very effective for most deer sized and smaller game. Obviously the heavier bullets will be best for bigger game. I use 100 Grain Swift Sirrocco on Antelope and deer and have been very happy with the results. I have had very good luck on coyotes with the rifle as well but the 22-250 is cheaper to shoot. Have fun!!!!

There are folks that swear by the 257 Weatherby Mag is about the ultimate mule deer/antelope rifle.  I've never had one, but had a neighbor that did.  Supposedly they will burn up a barrel if you shoot them a whole bunch. 

If I had one, I'd take up handloading.  It would be much cheaper.  A friend of mine gave me a wildcat 25-223 for my oldest son to shoot when he got old enough for a deer rifle.  No such thing as a free dog - no such thing as a free rifle.  It required me to learn how to handload.  One of the most fun gun related things I've ever undertaken.

I've shot quite a few Muleys with a 257 over the years , mine loved the 115 gr Nosler bullet. Smoking fast long range rifle , but then I met the 264 Win Mag and haven't looked back. I believe a 26 inch barrel is min on both calibers to ring out the velocity that made them famous ! Both picture perfect long range deer / antelope guns in my opinion.