Wby 257 mag

[jro45]

I took my 257 Wby to the range today to shoot off some Serria H.P. 120gr bullets. I thought they shot pretty accurately at 200 yds. Not as good as nosler partitions but not bad. Has anybody else shot these?

[Lawdog]

I have used Sierra bullets in many calibers and at many different velocities.  Usually get excellent accuracy but their performance on game always leaves me wanting.  Either they don't open or open so little as you might as well be shooting solids or the break apart.  There is more to killing game cleanly than just an accurate bullet.  Partitions were and are very good(used them for over 40 years) but the new Barnes TSX's are better.  Lawdog
 

[jro45]

I didn't mean for hunting, I would never use an H.P. for hunting. What I meant is for taking your gun out just to fire a few rounds at a target to see how the bullets preform. For No reason. Don't you ever do that Lawdog?

[Lawdog]

I didn't mean for hunting, I would never use an H.P. for hunting. What I meant is for taking your gun out just to fire a few rounds at a target to see how the bullets preform. For No reason. Don't you ever do that Lawdog?

I do my share of informal target shooting, usually while doing load work(never stop looking for that perfect hunting load, no matter what the caliber or cartridge).  But most(90+%) of my load work is to obtain the most accurate hunting load I can come up with.  To accomplish this I am always trying new/different bullets, powders or loading methods(makes for a cabinet full of partially used tins of powder and half full boxes of bullets).  For me doing load work, looking for the perfect hunting load keeps shooting from getting boring.  Lawdog
 

[Lone Star]

The most accurate bullet in my two .257s is the 100-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip.  Not cheap - but highly accurate.  It would "work" on game at extreme range, but is really too soft for the cartridge.  For targets, it is great.  On game I prefer the Barnes X bullets.  They shoot well in my barrels and can't blow up.  The 100-grains bullets are what made this long range cartridge's reputation.

The 85-grain BTip is a great varmint bullet and about as accurate as the 100s, but like 'most any bullet over 60 grains it can richochet over flat ground.  I always shoot them in areas where I can see as far as a bullet may go, like tundra, plains, and rocky canyons.  This is not a prairie dog cartridge afterall....

[jro45]

I want to take mine deer hunting next time I leave the state on a deer hunting trip. Until then I shoot mine at the range every now and then. Right now I might be going Bear hunting next week, again.

[The Sodbuster]

The best thing about Weatherby offering its .257 Wby in the less expensive Vanguard is that maybe the cartridge will become popular enough that other manufacturers will offer ammo or brass for it.  If Federal, for example, offered .257 ammo for around $20-25, that'd be about what I pay for Weatherby brass now.