That's why I asked the question because what stick brought up is what I was thinking he just explained it a lot better... The 100gr bullets have horrible BC the 115's are no better and the few120's out their are not much better. All I read is how this round is the killing machine but it makes me wonder how far folks are actually shooting... When I get back to Ak I'm going to get real serious again about getting a sheep and let's be honest the 257 is not what it is... I'm better off getting a 243 shooting 105 a amax bullets or jump up to a 260.. I know stick is no fan of the 7 mag but I would be better of using my 7 mag on sheep than a 257 weatherby.. Way better bullets out their especially the Barnes lrx bullet or the new hornady bullet.. Anyhow good info.. Will I keep it probably but I will not be using it in Alaska on a sheep hunt or goat hunt...
79,
Do yourself a favor and run some numbers before poo pooing the 257 Wby for your hunt. Out to 500 yds, a saami 243 shooting a 105 AMAX or HPBT ain't gonna hang with a 257 Wby when using a proper 115 gr bullet. Additionally, you better hope your .243 factory 1-10 or 1-9.25 will even stabilize a 105. Not saying it won't, but the possibility is certainly there.
For discussion purposes, here's what the numbers look like....257 Weatherby shooting a 115 Berger VLD at 3400 fps vs a 243 using a 105 AMAX(assuming your 243 will)at 2950 looks like this:
500 yds 257 has a +297 fps velocity advantage; +434 ft/lb energy advantage and 1.77" less drift. 10.02" flatter with 200 yd zero.
At a more realistic hunting range of
300 yds, the 257 has a +351 fps velocity advantage; +591 ft/lb energy advantage and .59" less drift.
Pretty substantial advantage to the 257 Weatherby. Although minimal, even betters the 105 in the wind.
I'm sure some folks here will shiat on the VLD or BST for use in the Weatherby due to their construction, but lets face it, the avg Dall or Mountain Goat at less than 300 lbs isn't going to be terribly tough to kill. Either bullet will work just fine.
