huntinfool87
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I'm having a hard time trying to choose a factory loaded bullet for my 257 weatherby vanguard series 2. I'm looking for something to hunt whitetail deer with and a good chance of shooting out to 600 yards.
257 weatherby ammo
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huntinfool87
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I have only seen the hornady load in a 90gr. I will look into the 117 gr. The 257 has changed a bunch including the barrel twist sense Roy was out killing with it. Right now I'm shooting the 100gr. Weatherby loads. Thank you
witchhunter
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Try a 115 or 120 Nosler Partition in front of IMR 7828. I am getting just over 3400 out of mine. I only use Partitions for big game and have for 40 years or so.
NCsmitty
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Something in a bonded bullet or a partition in a high velocity round like the 257 Weatherby Mag certainly makes sense. Not all bullets are created equal and some cannot take close shots without fragmenting at the higher velocities. Hornady and Nosler now make bonded bullets at reasonable prices so why settle for less?
NCsmitty
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I have seen it first hand with this cartridge. At 100 yds or less you can lose deer due to excessive bullet fragmentation. I totally agree to look at bonded or solids. If a deer takes a broadside shot at very close range, making a loud smack, then runs off treat it like a bow shot and give that deer some time to lay down bleed out before aproaching.
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huntinfool87
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That's what im afraid of I'm comfertable out to 600 yards but there is nothing saying that buck won't step out at 75 yards. I want to humanely harvest it at any range under 600 yards.
osprey176
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Partitions and bonded bullets work better than cup and core bullets at close range.The 600 yard part has a lot more to do with skill level and practice than bullet selection.Not to overstate the obvious, but someone had to say it.I have a .257 Weatherby also and like Sierra 120's and TTSX's. I bought the rifle after I moved out west to hunt the Sandhills area in Nebraska.Shot my first mulie with it too...at 35yards.So far the gun hasn't shown enough accuracy to hunt long range with, but I am still working on it.
Captcurt
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If you need cheap brass.
Weatherby makes a load with Norma's 100 gr bullet. I bought 4 boxes because the loaded ammo was cheaper than buying brass. I used them for sighting in and then reloaded the brass with 110 gr Accubonds. Shot a buck at 40 yards as it quartered to me. The bullet cut the shoulder blade completely in two, ripped a 1 1/2"X6" hole in the ribs, and penetrated to the pelvis. I recovered the bullet and it weighed 67 gr. If you can't find cheap factory ammo or brass PM me.
Weatherby makes a load with Norma's 100 gr bullet. I bought 4 boxes because the loaded ammo was cheaper than buying brass. I used them for sighting in and then reloaded the brass with 110 gr Accubonds. Shot a buck at 40 yards as it quartered to me. The bullet cut the shoulder blade completely in two, ripped a 1 1/2"X6" hole in the ribs, and penetrated to the pelvis. I recovered the bullet and it weighed 67 gr. If you can't find cheap factory ammo or brass PM me.
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huntinfool87
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I can shoot moa at 600 yards with my 257 but finding ammo is hard and expensive. I just want to make sure that the bullet I choose will kill at 600 yards and won't explode on impact at 75 yards.
witchhunter
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Captcurt got it with the factory 100 grainers cheaper than the brass at Midway, I bought 5 boxes and shot a few rounds for sighters, pulled the rest.
Elkins45
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257 Weatherby and factory ammo are two terms that don't really belong in the same sentence to me. 257 is one of those rounds that really rewards (both financially and ballistically) the folks who roll their own. The savings realized over just 100 rounds of hand loads vs factory would probably be enough to amortize the cost of a decent press, dies and powder scale.
I don't know if it's available from the factory, but the Hornady 90 grain GMX has really impressed me at both ends of the distance scale. I have taken two deer with it: one at 90 yards and another at 349. In both cases the bullet did the job admirably. The 90 yard (big doe) was DRT and the 349 (average doe) took about three steps. It's a solid gilding metal bullet, so the factory equivalent might be if somebody loads a Barnes bullet in 257.
I don't know if it's available from the factory, but the Hornady 90 grain GMX has really impressed me at both ends of the distance scale. I have taken two deer with it: one at 90 yards and another at 349. In both cases the bullet did the job admirably. The 90 yard (big doe) was DRT and the 349 (average doe) took about three steps. It's a solid gilding metal bullet, so the factory equivalent might be if somebody loads a Barnes bullet in 257.
lastofthebreed
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X2 on the 110 gr. Accubonds - devastation city on every whitetail I have ever shot.
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huntinfool87
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At what range was your whitetails?
SwampWolf
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I've got a .257 Weatherby Magnum and like it but it will never be a rifle I shoot often enough to justify investing in a set of reloading dies for. I do reload for a Roberts, though.
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