Author Topic: Best long range deer factory load for .257 Weatherby Magnum? (Read 3018 times)

Ole Miss Rebel · « **on:** June 09, 2004, 05:47:14 PM »

Hello everyone! This is my first post here, and I am hoping that I can get some input on the best factory load to use in a .257 Weatherby Magnum for long range shots at whitetail deer.
Here in Mississippi, normal size bucks usually weigh about 150 pounds live weight, but an occasional big buck may weigh around 200 to 230 pounds.
I have ordered a Weatherby Vanguard in .257 Weatherby and am waiting for it to arrive. I intend to use this rifle as a stand rifle for hunting in large cutovers and bottom land fields where shots can range up to about 400 yards, so I don't anticipate a lot of shots inside 100 yards, but there is always the possibility that I might be offered a close shot on a buck.
I have never had a .257 Weatherby before, but I have killed a couple of deer with a .25-06 with the Winchester 120 grain positive expanding point and was very impressed with it. I believe the .257 Weatherby will be "more and better" of the .25-06. I have 30 years hunting experience, so I'm not a beginner at hunting, just no prior experience with the .257 Weatherby.
I probably will just shoot factory loads for a year or two until I get a supply of brass built up and will begin reloading at that time.
Any comments and advice on the best factory loads will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ole Miss Rebel

257 weatherby · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2004, 05:25:57 PM »

I've used this caliber a lot on whitetail and it is great. If you can find the Gresham's (Tom and Grits) book on the late Mr. Weatherby he tells that this was his favorite caliber and that he used the 100 gr. load almost exclusively. All the deer that I have taken with this round have fallen to 100 gr. factory or my handloads with 100 gr. nosler b. tips. I know a lot of people don't belive it but a properly placed shot on a whitetail with this round really does hit em like lightning. I have also seen deer hit with the 120 gr. partition factory load and it seems to knock em right down too.

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2004, 03:23:53 PM »

Ole Miss Rebel,

Great cartridge. It will handle most anything you will likely ever run into. One point, this is not a cartridge to use anything less than premium bullets in. Stay away from Ballistic Tips and other low cost bullets as they have a great tendency to break apart upon hitting bone. I got my first Weatherby(.300) in 1963 and my second Weatherby (.257) in 1966. I have tried many different bullets and the only ones that perform consistently are Nosler Partitions and Barnes bullets. Even in factory loads. Oh, check out the auctions on Ebay under reloading equipment and supplies(sporting goods section). They have some great prices at times on once fired brass. Small groups and tight lines to you. Lawdog

oso45-70 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2004, 08:57:15 AM »

257 weatherby magnum, A subject Near and dear to my heart. Bought my first weatherby in 1952, A FN Action 300 wby 26" bbl. It was the most beautiful thing i had seen not encluding Marlyn Manroe of course, The next in line was a 257 wby in 1954 Basically the same gun. I've been told that the 257 was to lite to shoot Elk sizes game with it. Mine killed many animals All with one shot. On larger game i used 120 gr barnes with 65gr.s
4831 with mag. primer. I have a new wby now 257 but it is not as nice as the first one. They are a great gun and the 257 is pleasant to shoot.
Stay safe...................Joe.......................

Old Cane · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2004, 07:48:22 AM »

OMR, is that the new Vanguard wiht the MC stock? I'm wating to see one of those.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2004, 07:04:07 PM »

Ole Miss Rebel:

Looks like where both looking for the same thing...I picked up a like new Accumark a couple weeks ago and I'm finnally going to be able to try it out this morning...trying the factory 100 SP load to start... got two boxes to burn up...then going to try to work up a load with some 120 grain Nosler Partitions and some Hornady's 117grain interlocks...then if those don't work I'll pick up some of the Swifts 100 and 120 grain A-frames to try...from everything I've read on these 1/4 bore rockets you need a good bullet to stand up to the velocities you'll get from them...and also I've been told and read that you shouldn't use less than 100 grain bullets to get the job done on whitetails...I'll let you know how the factory 100 grainers shoot...

Mac