257 Weatherby

[savdp]

Hi All

I have decided to dip a toe into Weatherby ownership and have bought a 257 Weatherby.

The gun will arrive this week and I will get to start doing load development and then take it out into the field. I also have a 25-06 and have found it to be extremely effective on deer with the right bullet and placement.

I will be starting off with the 80gr TTSX Barnes and various powders, but it should be very flat shooting and recoil, while more than the 25-06, will be still be manageable.

I will share results in due course.

In the meantime, if anyone has any experience to share, it would be most welcome.

 

[Yorkie]

An 80 grain TTSX at about 3800fps. That will make you grin .
Please let us know how you get on.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Before the SD Experts in all things not to their liking come along and condemn your choice of fowlingpeice and cartridge, let me congratulate you on your purchase and adventurousness. We need more people willing and keen to tread the path less trodden.

All the best

K

 

[shakey jake]

one if the tutors on my dsc1 course had one, said it did things it shouldnt be able too, sounds like fun
shakey

 

[Klenchblaize]

Get shooting!

K

 

[westrawdanny]

I youse 100grain TTSX in my 257 weatherby shot very good 69.5gains R 22 seated at 82mm

 

[.25-06]

The 100grn sounds a better start point. It'll have some wow factor

 

[takbok]

Sounds perfect with the 80gr TTSX, just a pity such a capable combination isn't allowed for the bigger deer up here.

Lighter copper bullets at silly velocities also does it for me

 

[NigelM]

Perfect bullet construction for the velocity. Might be tempted to go 100g rather than 80g. Worth doing the numbers on 400m energy as I suspect the BC on the 100 will make it much more efficient as the range extends. Every one will be a bang flop at that velocity - just make sure there's a good back stop - you're going to need one!

I love something different - bloody well done.

 

[stevenedwards]

Hi savdp
Fascinating, please keep us unto date with your progress.

 

[savdp]

Thanks for the replies. The 100gr bullet option was and still is a consideration. I will be using it on Roe bucks once I have a good load. Given a Roe does not offer much in the way of resistance, I am looking to transfer energy without just punching through (something I tend to find with heavier bullets) particularly with Barnes. I will be taking the 257 to the Eastern Cape next year, so will probably load it up with 100gr for that trip, or when taking it out for Reds.

N560 according to quickload develops some really good velocity, and none is available locally. N165 and N160 significantly reduce velocity. Can get RL22 locally, so might give that a try.

I grew up in SA, and was always in the slow and heavy camp for bullets, but ideally large calibre. Since being in the UK, particularly up here in Scotland with minimum velocity levels, and the “fear” of large calibre, I have come to appreciate the benefits of light and fast - provided the bullet stays intact.

Still plan to buy a 300 Weatherby as well - just need to clear the space in the cabinet...

 

[NigelM]

I have used the TTSX and LRX quite a lot in 7mm. 120 TTSX at 3400 fps dropped everything in it's tracks from Muntjac to Red. They were all proper bang flops, as if someone just took their legs away. Carcass damage was high, quite often front ends being lost particularly on the smaller species. Bullet expansion was excellent, perfect mushrooms, 99% intact.



I switched to the 145 LRX in an attempt to slow it down a bit and create less carcass damage whilst still getting a fast kill. Bang flops were just as impressive and carcass damage was to very acceptable levels. Expansion was still very good and they remained intact. They were at 3150 fps which seemed to be a good speed for these bullets.

I suspect that running the 80 grain bullets at 3800 fps is likely to result in a lot of bruising and lost front ends. I also suspect that you might find it's so quick the petals on the front of the bullet will come off. They will still do a lot of damage inside the carcass and kill quickly but it's likely that the shaft of the bullet will exit calibre sized and go a very long way.

Hence the suggestion to go up to 100 grain. They will run at a similar velocity to the 120's in 7mm above. They are more likely to stay intact but will still do a lot of damage. They will be very flat !!!

 

[A Guy Out West]

I have used the 110 gr. TTSX in .270 Win. with excellent results, it's not too far behind the .257 Roy with a 100 gr. Never have recovered a bulled from game, always thru and thru.

 

[savdp]

I have used the TTSX and LRX quite a lot in 7mm. 120 TTSX at 3400 fps dropped everything in it's tracks from Muntjac to Red. They were all proper bang flops, as if someone just took their legs away. Carcass damage was high, quite often front ends being lost particularly on the smaller species. Bullet expansion was excellent, perfect mushrooms, 99% intact.

View attachment 128562

I switched to the 145 LRX in an attempt to slow it down a bit and create less carcass damage whilst still getting a fast kill. Bang flops were just as impressive and carcass damage was to very acceptable levels. Expansion was still very good and they remained intact. They were at 3150 fps which seemed to be a good speed for these bullets.

I suspect that running the 80 grain bullets at 3800 fps is likely to result in a lot of bruising and lost front ends. I also suspect that you might find it's so quick the petals on the front of the bullet will come off. They will still do a lot of damage inside the carcass and kill quickly but it's likely that the shaft of the bullet will exit calibre sized and go a very long way.

Hence the suggestion to go up to 100 grain. They will run at a similar velocity to the 120's in 7mm above. They are more likely to stay intact but will still do a lot of damage. They will be very flat !!!

Certainly some valid points and will look at heavier bullets. I have a pretty good selection from the 25-06 that I will try as well.

 

[savdp]

Dies arrived in the post today - tried numerous retailers and none had 257 dies in stock. Contact 1967Spud yesterday, delivered today in north Aberdeenshire. Very impressed. Now just waiting on the Rifle tomorrow or Friday.

 

[1967spud.com]

YOURE MOST ELCOEM , WE SOME TIMES GET IT RIGHT

 

[stubear]

A friend of mine has just bought one and is doing the same load development at the moment. He is excited to try it out.

Good luck with it, always nice to have something a bit different!

 

[paul newham]

I had a 257 a few years back. I cannot remember the actual load data but I do know I used reloader 22 , magnum primers and 87grain heads. Hope you have as much fun as I did.
Make sure you have a big enough powder dropper. You seem to be filling them for ages ....

 

[sauer]

i love my .25-06

this sounds fun

his comments about sierra gamekings and speer hotcore i echo thru my own experiences in .25-06

.257 Weatherby Magnum

 

[Yorkie]

Hi All

I have decided to dip a toe into Weatherby ownership and have bought a 257 Weatherby.

The gun will arrive this week and I will get to start doing load development and then take it out into the field. I also have a 25-06 and have found it to be extremely effective on deer with the right bullet and placement.

I will be starting off with the 80gr TTSX Barnes and various powders, but it should be very flat shooting and recoil, while more than the 25-06, will be still be manageable.

I will share results in due course.

In the meantime, if anyone has any experience to share, it would be most welcome.

Hi

What Rifle have you bought?