257 Weatherby Magnum

[gun crazy newfie]

Hi everyone. My wife gave me s sweet Xmas gift, a Weatherby Vanguard chambered in 257 Wby Mag. The rifle has a high gloss Grey/Black laminate stock and stainless barrel.

She gave me three boxes of ammo with the gun, Weatherby 100 grain Barnes TSX Triple-Shock X-Bullets. I am wondering if these would be acceptable for Moose or should I go with the 120 grain? Most of my shots will be less than 200 yards.

Also, if any of you own a 257 Wby I would love to hear your feedback on the caliber. I have yet to shoot mine as I am waiting to get optics for it.

I look forward to hearing from you!!

 

[lost river rat]

I do not have a 257 WM, but I would recommend the heaviest Triple Shock made. 120s if they make them. I would definately stick wth the X bullets. They penetrate the very best any expanding bullet available. The GMX maybe a little better because it is guilding metal instead of pure copper, but they do not come in 25 cal.

 

[sig220mw]

I'd go with the heavier bullets. That's just me though. That's a big cartridge case and even the 120 should really be humming along.

 

[matrem]

With that brand / type.. Just hit where you're aiming, 100gr .257s WILL work.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

3 boxes of ammo? did she have to finance them, I (and most people) cant afford to shoot that caliber when a more reasonable caliber will do the job.

 

[matrem]

I was referring to the "brand / type" of bullet.
With most .257 bullets (including most of the "premium" ones), I'd recommend 120s.
Barnes are an exception.
Added bonus.... That Weatherby drives em really fast!

 

[257WM_CDL-SF]

I love my 257 WM.Myself id opt for the 120 grain partition or load some 120 grain A frames

 

[Geno]

I wrote a letter to Ed. Weatherby, Jr. and asked about the cartridge's capability on large game such as bear. Ed, Jr. responded that his father (Roy Weatherby, Sr.) used the .257 Wea. Mag for cape buffalo in Africa with 120 grain projectiles. His opinion was that the 100s will work, but the 120s will be more reliable for full-penetration if you encounter bone, or a quartering shot.

I can tell you for fact, that the .257 Wea. Mag. with a 100 grain projectile will kill a deer with one shot at 525 yards. My own Mark V .257 Wea Mag fired the 100s the most accurately. Nice gift! Congrats!

Geno

 

[rangerruck]

Lemme get this; your wifie bought you a 257 Weatherby mag rifle, and ammo to go with it...AWESOME!!!! That is like saying, lemme buy you a 1 week paid vacation to vegas, and here is some spending money as well, and I won't go along with you either. You really owe her.

If you look at ballistic/trajectory charts, the 257 is the longest, straightest factory round made, for about the first 600 yds, maybe more. IIRW, a 200 yd zero, only drops about 20 to 25 inches all the way to 500 yds, depending on your rig; That is totally awesome. So with that kind of speed, it actually carries a pretty good bit of energy with it , downrange. If you have 120's, in a well made bullet, I would not hesitate on a moose within 300 yds.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I am quite familiar with the 100 gr TSX in the .257 Roy. They have unbelievable penetration for a 100 gr bullet. One of my very best hunting buddies is a .257 Roy guy extraordinaire. We seldom recover a 100 Gr TSX on game up and including elk they generally exit. The 100 gr TSX in the .257 is seriously deadly round.

And that says a lot coming form me because I am not a small bore fan.

 

[Olympus]

3 boxes of ammo? did she have to finance them, I (and most people) cant afford to shoot that caliber when a more reasonable caliber will do the job.

I hear that! I really wanted to get a .240 Weatherby Mag. After I saw the prices for the ammo, I decided I wouldn't be able to afford to site the thing in!

 

[Geno]

You can always make your own brass from .375 H&H cartridges for the .300 Wea Mag, .340 Wea. Mag and the .375 Wea Mag. For the .257 Wea. Mag, 270 Wea. Mag. and 7mm Wea. Mag., use the .300 H&H brass for form-firing your own brass. That's what Roy had to do for quite a while. Regardless, reload.

Weatherby's brass is (was) made by Norma. It's too soft...or I push pressure way too high (don't ask). Remington's brass is quite a bit harder than Weatherby's, and so you get more reloads.

Geno

 

[Arkel23]

3 boxes of a Weatherby caliber ammo? Lucky man.

 

[Fremmer]

I've personally seen the .257 Weatherby absolutely devastate a deer. Multiple broken ribs, turned the insides into mushy soup. I'm quite sure the deer was dead before it hit the ground. I can't remember the specific load that was used, but I don't think it would have mattered much. It is a fierce round on game!

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

the Weatherby .257 mag like most magnums is overkill for a whitetail (pardon the pun) a
.308 or so is more than enough and reasonable money wise to shoot, especially if you want to eat the deer or dont want to gut or clean a deer with its insides blown out maybe contaminating the meat.