Ballistic gelatin test results - .257 Weatherby Magnum

[Brass Fetcher]

Well, I bit the bullet (pun intended) and tested a medium-diameter high-velocity rifle in gelatin. Here is what happened:

Firearm - Bolt-action .257 Weatherby Magnum rifle with 24" barrel length

Ammunition - Handloaded 110gr Nosler AccuBond

Block calibration - 9.9cm at 590 ft/sec

Single shot fired at 10 feet distance into a gelatin block measuring 10.0"x10.0" on the face and 16.0" deep. Single shot impacted the block at 3133 ft/sec, penetrated 16.0" of gelatin and ~ 2" into the polyester bullet arresting box. Bullet was recovered at 0.462" average diameter and 62.4gr weight.

Please note from the photo of the block that the maximum magnitude of the cracking in the block approximated 8.8" diameter. While not a maximum load, moderate flattening of the primer was evident. Shot pushed the gelatin up ~ 3" and the springing action of the block pushed the (60 pound) block forward 1.8" from its starting position.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Yikes!
I hear the new Glock 48 is chambered in .257 Weatherby Magnum...

 

[rangerruck]

weatheby was righ,' speed kills'...
there is a link on another site, showing a bunny getting hitwith 204, 32 grainer. his head and chest are perfectly still, the back half of him turns into a gooey splash.

 

[Brass Fetcher]

For those who haven't seen a .257 Weatherby cartridge (this was my first time ever shooting one - the rifle wasn't mine) - it is a fierce looking belted magnum.

The ballistics that I got from this particular round would make the cartridge ideal for anything deer-sized, if you weren't concerned about eating it. I imagine that the meat would be a mess for the first few inches. Recoil is not bad either - like a 30-06.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Too much gun. Anything hit solidly with this round is going to one heck of a mess.

 

[joneb]

I am intrigued by the less than .270 but more than .223 calibers, thanks JE223 for sharing the results of that test, your work is of great interest for many of us here
For awhile I thought that a .223 or .204 bolt action would be my next rifle, now with resent political developments I think a AR is in order, and after that a high cap pistol, and then back to a bolt action. Now I will need to decide on a caliber the .257 Roberts or 6.5x55 Swede OR 6.5x.284 are in my thoughts.

 

[rangerruck]

don't forget the 260 remington, a great cal, it mimics the 6.5 swede, but in a short action. Also the 6mm remmy is a real screamer, for a small round, 100 grainer.