pwillie
Member
....any reason other than being nuts and spending money to change?...
257 Weatherby vs 6.5-300 Weatherby
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marksman13
Member
Not sure I understand the question. Are you thinking of purchasing one or the other or thinking of converting a 257 WM to 6.5-300?
Practicality wise, only in a few applications would you see a real advantage in the noticeable balistic increase in the 6.5-300wby.
BUT the difference is noticeable, and comes with a commiserate "cost to play" increase.
If you WANT a 6.5-300, no reason not to. If your looking for a major performance increase on simialr game at "normal" ranges, you probably wont see a huge jump.
BUT the difference is noticeable, and comes with a commiserate "cost to play" increase.
If you WANT a 6.5-300, no reason not to. If your looking for a major performance increase on simialr game at "normal" ranges, you probably wont see a huge jump.
Deer size and under no reason to change. Larger game? Probably.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
I think they are both great cartridges. The only reason why I would go 6.5-300 over 257 is long long range target. And elk or moose hunting to get a little more bullet weight/diameter.
The 257 is more time tested. The jury is still out on the 6.5-300 if you handload thats no big deal.
The 257 is more time tested. The jury is still out on the 6.5-300 if you handload thats no big deal.
CptnAwesome
Member
What will you be using it for @pwillie?
If you're going after game larger than let's say mule deer then yes. The 257 Wby Mag has proven effective on elk at longer ranges but is what I would consider on the small side for them.
That would be the only reason for me. Even then, I wouldn't want to lose a 257 Wby to gain a 6.5-300.
I WOULD HOWEVER.... Keep my 257 and buy a 6.5-300 Wby.... That's a win/win!
OP
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pwillie
Member
I plan on keeping my 257, because it is a Hart match grade barrel,and bedded on a McMillin stock and a model 70 action...super rifle, but like everyone else that likes guns I was trying to justify a new rifle.I think Weatherby is the only producer of the 6.5-300..???I see lots of variables like 6.5 PRC etc... but if I buy one I want the highest performance...so, which would be the higher performer?...
"Theres no replacement for displacement...."
6.5-300wby and 26 Nosler are the current factory displacement champs.
Personally id go with the 26 nosler in a H&H length action so bullets could be loaded long. Id also shoot the heaviest/longest slipperiest bullets that fit my application.
6.5-300wby and 26 Nosler are the current factory displacement champs.
Personally id go with the 26 nosler in a H&H length action so bullets could be loaded long. Id also shoot the heaviest/longest slipperiest bullets that fit my application.
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NAILED IT!
dranrab
Member
In practical terms, the answer is that it does not matter. You can always find reasons to lean one way over the other.
1948CJ2A
Member
Yes, Weatherby is the only mainstream producer of this rifle in factory form. The 6.5-300 Wby Mag is going to have more case capacity (98 gr H20) than the others mentioned here already. The 257 Wby Mag = 84 gr H20; 6.5 PRC = 66 gr H20; 26 Nosler = 93.5 gr H20.
I own both a 257 Wby Mag and a 6.5-300 Wby Mag. Both of these are Weatherby rifles and both shoot excellent, though I don't target shoot them other than checking zero every few years. I use both for deer-sized game or smaller at modest distances (<250 yards).
The 6.5-300 is substantially "over-bore" and therefore throat erosion and barrel life should be considered if you're thinking about using it for target practice on a regular basis. If you just want to shoot it every now and then, and hunt with it, I wouldn't worry much about the over-bore.
High Plains
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The 257 Wby is screaming fast and puts out a big enough bullet (90 - 120 grains) to take big game. The 6.5-300 moves a bigger bullet and plenty fast as well. It really comes down to what you want to buy. The game animal won’t know any better.
There is no argument about either being strong enough to do the job.
There is no argument about either being strong enough to do the job.
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pwillie
Member
....well I have decided not to decide on a new rifle at this time...
Thanks all for your input, which I value..Thanks!
Thanks all for your input, which I value..Thanks!
cdb1
Member
If I could only have one it would be a .257. LoonWulf pretty much said it all.
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pwillie
Member
I built the model 70 257 Weatherby because I am not a Weatherby Rifle fan...I do love the ballistics of the Weatherby cartridge! So, I came up with the concoction of a Model 70 (control round) with a Hart Match Grade barrel,with the Model 70 Classic action and "Boss"..loud yes, but wholy mackeral accurate and hardly any recoil(which makes me a better shooter)...I have taken deer out to 450 yds etc..and I also had an excellent "Smith" put this combination together for me...Roy Weatherby created a monster cartridge!....Just trying to get input on something new, and read some stuff on the 6.5-300...as you folks put it, very little difference....thanks again...I can see why the 257 was Roys favorite....I did take a stock 25-06 Ruger No.1Stainless with a 26 inch barrel and had it punched out(reamer) to a 257 Weatherby....accuracy was much better when I had a "Hicks" accurizer installed ....and naturally a muzzle brake...I sold that rifle because of the weight...it was very heavy for a single shot rifle,a nd I replaced it with a Merkel K3....which has proved to be the best I own. Oh so accurate, and very easy stalking rifle....well worth the cost!...
eastbank
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well the 6.5x300 is not new, its has just been put in a factory rifle. alex hoyer built many of them in the 60,s-70,s and it was called the wright-weatherby-hoyer and was shot at long range in williamsport pa. bullets and powders today are leaps and bounds over what was available then. i shot a lot of the rifles he built on pre 64 wincheater actions and large 98 style actions.
Jerry M
Member
I am not seeing a large degree of 'displacement ' choosing a .264 caliber over a .257, a difference of 0.007 inch. Speed yes, but not a great deal of 'killing' difference between the two. If you want the fastest of the fastest get the 6.5-300 WM but since the .257 WM has been used on game as big and though as Cape Buffalo, I don't see the point.
120gr bullets compared to 160s at the top end. Penetration increase if not a huge difference in diameter.
15gr+/- more powder capacity.
Thats noticeable.....
But I agree untill the extra penetration of the heavier 264 bullet is needed (or you shoot soft bullets like I do and want more weight to shed), then i doubt youll see a difference. You might see a noticeable difference in down range balistics comparing a 140-150vld type 264 to any 120 for the .257. Id expect to anyway, i havent run the numbers.
I know my 6.5-284s trounced my .250AI even tho the AI was marginally faster.
Anchorite
Member
The .257 is more American than the 6.5/.264, but has it suffered for lack of match-grade bulletmaking!!! I agree with comments above ... the difference in bore diameter just doesn’t really seal the deal in the final analysis for me. And for the record, I have a .257 Bee in a Weatherby, and when I think I need more “oompff” I just reach for the 270. The 264/6.5 just doesn’t do anything better than the 270, IMO. I’d skip the 6.5 and go 6.8 Western. Ain’t no replacement for displace,ent, and the .277’s got the .257 and .264 beat hands down.
Weflyfast
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I had the same conundrum a few years back decided on and built a 26 Nosler on a Rem 700 action with a heavy shaw barrel - It shoots 3" groups at 600 yrds- and whistles 140 gr bullets with hyper speed-
Cost? Bushel baskets of powder!
....but really fun....
Cost? Bushel baskets of powder!
....but really fun....
WisBorn
Contributing Member
Your argument for displacement can easily be one upped with the .284/7mm. With more available options in cartridges and bullets than offered in .277.
Anchorite
Member
True, but even arguing minuscule differences in bullet diameter and brass bottle capabilities, were literally arguing about how many Angels can dance on the head of a pin at the end of the day, are we not?
Unless the quarry has teeth and bites back, literally anything under .308 will suffice for 90% of the game pursued, assuming skill and shot placement.
George P
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What about Lazzeroni's 6.53 Scramjet?
WisBorn
Contributing Member
So your argument of 277 vs 264 holds no water!
I'm just stirring the pot! We live in a great time with a great selection of bullets and cartridges to throw them. The 6.8 western is an interesting new cartridge as is the 6.5 - 300 Weatherby.
I would buy them both for different reasons. With all the new bullets available I think a fast twist 7mm rm would be awesome for target and hunting.
Anchorite
Member
Perhaps as to some, but we’re arguing, literally, in increments of diameter. Do you honestly believe at the end of the day that makes a difference one way or another in the effectiveness of the platform?
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