Author Topic: 257 Wby handloads vs. factory speed (Read 858 times)

Husker98 · « **on:** August 16, 2005, 11:02:01 AM »

I worked up to Nosler's "most accurate load" for their 115 grn ballistic bullet for my 257 Weatherby. The crono only averaged 3232 fps which is not terrible (for a 25 caliber bullet), until I compared it to the factory loads. The factory load (for the same bullet) was supposed to have a MV of 3400. It was actually right around 3500 fps on average. I really don't feel like spending $42-$45 per box and I've already invested in all the reloading equipment. I really wish I knew what powder Weatherby used....good luck with that:) I really don't want to exceed what the reloading manual says, but I should be able to get at least a little closer to their speed. Any suggestions?

MT4XFore · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2005, 12:07:06 PM »

Husker98, I really need to know a few more things, your barrel length, make of gun, and the powder you are currently using. Powder DOES make a difference. I've been loading for the 257 for over 40 years now and mine can shoot that weight bullet very very close to 3400, maybe just a touch over, but 3500 in that weight is a little harder to come by. It's really not necessary either. If you have a chronograph you have a better chance to make an educated guess at what your pressure is. Loading manual loads are recommendations and starting points. I would never advise someone to exceed them, but most of them are usually on the "conservative" side. RL22, IMR7828, Ramshot Magnum are good choices as are either of the 4831's. RL25 works well with the heavier weights also. Weatherby's figures are perhaps a bit overinflated as well. So, the jist of all this is to take all those published figures with a grain of salt and develop what works best for you. Does that 3200 load shoot well, if so, maybe that is what you should shoot.
I hope this helps a little, but myself and others will certainly be more than willing to help. Oh, and by the way, welcome to GBO.

Husker98 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2005, 05:33:36 AM »

Thanks for helping with my problem. This forum seems to have a lot of great people willing to help out. I really appreciate that. The barrel is 26", it's a Weatherby Mark V Stainless Steel Synthetic, and I'm using 64.0 grains of IMR 4831. I thought the factory claims would be a little "overestimated" as well, so I shot a couple through my crono. The two shots were 3485 and 3514 respectively. I was completely shocked. I agree with your assessment that I should shoot the accurate load, but the factory loads actually are more accurate (.5" for 3 shots is roughly what I've seen) and faster than my first try. I'm more concerned about accuracy and probably put a little too much faith in Nosler's "most accurate load tested" designation. After seeing the speed from the factory load, I decided I want to be closer to it. 3400 fps and less then MOA from my handload will make me extremely happy and save me a lot of money. I looked up some of the powders you talked about. IMR 7828 says it should get me over 3400. I'll try that and see what the accuracy is like. I'll let you know. And thanks again.

MT4XFore · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2005, 09:31:22 AM »

Husker, glad to be of any help I can. If you haven't bought any 7828 yet, see if you can get the 7828SSC. That stands for "super short cut" and it meters better out of a powder measure and I suspect you can "stuff" a bit more before compressing a load. Still use 7828 data for it though. I have a couple of reloading sites that you might find useful:
http://stevespages.com/page8c.htm
http://www.reloadersnest.com/
Along with the proprietary powder sites, these two can certainly steer you in the right direction. Good luck and let me know how it works out. I'm currently working up a load in my 257 for 110 Nosler Accubonds. I think that should be a real great bullet. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Husker98 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2005, 11:21:22 AM »

MT4XFore, Thanks for the sites. I checked them out and they're full of info. I'll definitely try the 7828ssc next. When "working up" a load. I've heard of people working up 0.2 grains, 0.5 grains, etc. at a time. Obviously slower is safer, but what is the "rule of thumb" on this? I look forward to hearing how your 110 Accubonds work out. Is that supposed to be a lot better bullet than the ballistic tip? I'll let you know how I fair with the 7828ssc.

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2005, 05:03:09 PM »

I can't say for certain what powder Weatherby uses in their factory ammo for .257, but the brass is made by Norma, and I think Norma makes Weatherby's ammo too. I would assume Norma uses one of their own powders in the ammo. A while back I looked up some load data on the Norma web site. Can't remember exactly which powder they recommended (MRP, I think). It was a moot point for me since nobody around here carries Norma powders and I don't care to pay the hazmat fees on shipping (for that matter, I don't know of any mail order suppliers, either).

MT4XFore · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2005, 05:00:20 AM »

Husker, Yeah slower is better, but for me personally, when working up a load in a large overbore case like the belted magnums and using slow burning powders, I go in 1 grain increments until I find the upper limit of pressure for me, and then I start going backwards in .5 grain increments until I find the load that shoots the best. I dont recommend that except for the big cases. As for which bullet is better, one can generate a lot of controversy over that. I will limit my comments here to the .257 WBY. Because of the velocities it shoots, you really need a bullet tough enough to get to the vitals of an animal. The ballistic tips are meant to explode and fragment upon impact, and in the .257 that means they may NOT get to the boiler room on a shot that is not perfectly placed in the lung area. The partitions and Accubonds are meant to hold together more and allow the penetration needed. The Partitions are the "gold standard" by which bullet penetration is judged. Unless you are going to be shooting big heavy critters, they will work ,but may not be necessary. The Accubond is meant to expand, expend a lot of energy, but still stay together well enough to get the penetration needed in any situation, although they may or may not exit the animal. Kinda the best of both worlds, so to speak. So, the choice of bullet really depends upon the application you want it for. Too confusing? Hope this helps, I'll let you know more about the 110's when I get it all worked out. Oh yeah, Sodbuster is absolutely right about Norma being WBY's ammo supplier. I suspect he is right too about the MRP or MRP2 powder, but I am in the same boat as he with availability. But with all the choices of powder we are blessed with, it really doesn't matter. Have a good day, and God Bless.

Jim

MT4XFore · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2005, 06:42:10 AM »

Husker, You wanted to know how I faired with my search for a 110 Accubond load. I setteled on a load of 68 grains of RL22. That produces a velocity of 3468 fps with a standard deviation of less than 3 fps, a really consistent load. It shoots into 3/4" for me at 100 yds. In my search, I had loads that produced velocities well over 3600, approaching 3700, but some were a little too hot and groups didn't do well. As for the groups, I started playing with my OAL (overal length) when that 68 grain load didn't group well at first. As consistent as it was it wouldn't shoot well. To make a long story shorter, I had been loading my bullets til they would JUST fit in the magazine, which you can do on a Weatherby because of the freebore. I started seating my bullets farther into the case and now I am just a tad longer than SAAMI specs. Interestingly, I performed the same thing with my 300 and my 7mm and got their groups to shrink also. Just another example of how rifles are individuals and you have to find what THEY want! Usually loading long, only 20 to 50 thousandths off the lands produces the best groups. Not in my case anyway. You just have to keep an open mind and experiment, there are no absolutes, I guess.
Hope you are having success with your 257 and the 115's. Catch ya later,
Jim

Husker98 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2005, 08:44:03 AM »

MT4XFore, Thanks for the update. I started looking into the Accubonds and I think that might be a better bullet for me to use. I'll probably shoot up all my 115's before I switch over. I just won't buy any more ballistic tips until I try working on an Accubond load. I wasn't able to work on the 115's this weekend. I had a wedding to go to and all the stuff that accompanied that. I will let you know what I settle on.
Thanks again.