Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Loading for .257 Weatherby

Although not nearly as common as other cartridges, some guys here must shoot this. I soon will be starting to load for it and, like many, am looking for early optimum - but have only book info here.

If you have developed a load that shoots tight and takes optimum advantage of this design, please send me loading info. Am more interested in 117/120 grain or higher than in the lighter bullets, but surely welcome all.

Thanks.

I have been shooting mostly custom built 257WBY's since the early 1980's although I have also had two Weatherby Lazermarks and would love to have another someday. All you need to know about loading for the 257Roy is this:

Federal 215 Primers

71-74grs of Reloader 22 depending upon YOUR rifle and barrel, how much it can take safely topped with a.....

Barnes 100gr TTSX

Thats all, there is not a 117 to 120 gr bullet that will perform as well as the 100gr TTSX in this caliber. Not even really a close second. 3600-3700fps is the norm with this combo, and it is mega deadly.

Norma case, Fed 215GMM, 75g R25, and 100TTSX is a pretty darn good combo. 115s perk pretty well at 73g of R25 as well. 7828 would be my second choice.

Guys - thanks for this data. Very helpful. Any others out there with a good load - even for the 117s/120s

In addition to the powders mentioned, Ramshot Magnum is excellent in the .257 Weatherby. Around 75-77 grains with 100-grain bullets works, and 72-73 with 117-120 grainers. In most rifles these combos produce top velocites and very fine accuracy.

Thanks Mule Deer. With help from those posting here, am getting zeroed in on intial loads to try. Anyone else?

I know you are interested in heavier bullets, but I really like the 110 gr Accubond in my .257.

Sakoluvr - what game do you shoot with the 110 gr. Accubond?

I just started to use it this past season. I have taken 3 whitetails at 300 yards and a Black Bear. Great preformance on all. Looking forward to another season with it.

Never killed any game with this load: 71.0 grains RL-25 120 grain Nosler Partition and CCI 250 Magnum primer averaged 3245 from a 26" barrel.

72g RL-22 and 100gr TSX was a good load when I had my two.

That's the same heavy-bullet load I use in my 24" NULA, except for a Federal 215 primer. It works great on deer and pronghorn, and I wouldn't hesitate to take it elk hunting.

Oddly enough, it gets just about the same velocity as in your 26" barrel, perhaps because of a little tighter bore and chamber.

Here is the .257 Wby I own,Remington M700 SPS SS with a Zeiss 3x-9x.



And the MONSTER Texas Whitetail deer I killed with it. Used a Sierra 117 grain Flat Base. Do not have load data,threw it away.

Thanks guys. In the 25:06 I always have used the 117/120 gr. for Mule Deer and would rather go with the the same in the .257 Weatherby.

But, maybe someday I will get drawn for Coues deer again and try your lighter bullet loads.

Don't know about .25 cal/120 gr. for these elk - unless forced to use muzzleloader, I usually go .30 or .338 mags.

Thanks again.

Found the load used on the Texas Whitetail: 69.0 grains of IMR 7828 CCI 250 Mag primer and 117 grain Sierra Flat base.

Killed a doe this year with the RL-22/100ttsx combo at about 225yds. She didn't take a step. Haven't used the 110NAB in the Wby yet but got a doe with one at 300yds out of my 25-06. She didn't take a step either.

I shoot 71.4gr of H1000 and a coated 115NBT out of my 25" tube for 3327fps.

If thin to moderate skinned game is on the menu, I'd look real hard at the 115 Nosler BST. I've had great success on Whitetail's and hogs with it. It's been the most accurate bullet in both of my 257 Wby's when stoked with 70.5-72.0 grains of RL-25.The TTSX is a great bullet in the 257, but it's expensive and has the BC of a bowling ball.

Keep your case length short about 3.16. It has free bore don't try and touch the rifling. Some people have luck at 3.25 but there is a reason why weatherby loads theirs shorter.

Heads up- Nosler has .257 110gr Accubond seconds in at the Shooters Pro Shop. Limit of 5 bags @ 15.25/50

http://shootersproshop.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=71_101&product_id=902