Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles How much difference between 6.5 creedmoor & 257 wby mag

I have a 6.5 now. My dad had a 257 I hunted with when I was young. I have a couple hundred rounds that were his so I am looking into getting a 257. Is there much difference between these two calibers?

nah, they about the same.

Yep

Not much difference at all when you get to 1000 yards with both of them.

.257 Wby whips up on the 6.5 CM pretty bad when it comes to maximum point blank range, but the CM beats the Wby just as handily in windage. Since range is easy and wind is voodoo, give me a round that will cheat the wind if I am going to shoot very far, say past 500 or so.

John

The .257 Weatherby is a very fine long range rifle, however In gusty conditions, as with any rifle I would be very cautious making a shot over 200yds unless you are dead down wind. At that point the animal has already smelled you. Haha.

Both are great cartridges, I own both, can't imagine not having either one.

Wouldn't the animal need to be downwind to smell you? I try to be downwind of what I hunt.

Looking to use the 257 for shorter range hunting.

For hunting, I still think 400-500 yards is a long shot. I have a .257 WBY and think it is great for deer sized game to 500 yards.

My 257 Bee will do 3500 fps with a 110 Accubond. BC .418

The creed will do 3020 with a 120 BT. .458 BC

You do the math

Unless the nostalgia of your dad's ammo is a big factor, I can't imagine why you'd choose a .257 Bee for "shorter range hunting".

maybe a 250 savage for short range but not a bee

I don't know what your Dads loads are, but you can do some things at short range with 120 Partitions.

This...

Speed kills.
And few compare to the .257 wby, off the line.

In the area I hunt now, most shots would be under 300yds

YEP - to both posts.

Pass the 22" over da' counter SAAMI 243Win and a .547BC at 3000fps.

It'll slap poor poor STUPID [bleep] Fotis's 257Wby silly. Cheer up...there ain't anyone here,who's shot more 257Wby than I and by a magnitude of a whoooolllllllllle [bleep] bunch. Hint.

Boolits matter more than headstamps,if only obviously.

The 243Win has the wind drift advantage inside the 100yd line and retains it forever. The 500fps initial launch speed advantage of the L/A H&H based .257, is a "whopping" 135fps advantage at 500yds.

Just sayin' and I can't wait for a Clueless [bleep] Window Licker to "tell" me "all" about the 257Wby. Laffin'!

Go a 23" 243AI at 3200fps with the same boolit and there's a "whopping" 16fps difference at the 400yd line,in impact velocity.

Funny how it actually works and I mean [bleep] FUNNY.

You gals are a [bleep] hoot!

Slip a 140 Hybrid in the itty-bitty Creed' and you've got some moves.

It's ALL about boolits,boolits,boolits...roughly in that order.

Hint,hint,hint.

Thank me later.

Laffin'!









(Addendum: for yet another Whining [bleep])

'w,(fittingly for WHINE)

Do not sell yourself sooooooooooooo slight.

You've easily set on your couchbound kchunt farrrrrrrrrrrrrr more than I ever will,so do NOT slight "all" that you "do".

Your Imagination and Pretend are [bleep] spectacular,so do NOT slight "all" that they've allowed you to "see".

Your Whine is simply [bleep] FANTASTIC,due undoubtedly to allllll them years of practice...so do NOT slight all that you "know".

Now in fairness...I ain't much fun to try and keep pace with and wouldn't it be funnier than [bleep],if your Imagination and it's Pretend allowed you,to find me "mistaken". Be sure to cite them figments and I'll happily take the time to rub your nose even further in your incredible [bleep] Stupidity.

You "hard chargers" REALLY get after it!

Laffin'!

It's your Imagination,so be sure to Pretend with it as you please(must) and keep telling yourself them things you most desperately need to hear and I sincerely hope you start believing it. Mainly because THAT would be funnier than [bleep] too.

Don't forget to update them "findings",as they transpire.

I'm crying I'm laughing soooooooooo [bleep] hard.

Just WOW.

Done more.
Seen more..
Knows more...

Than anybody and everybody everywhere. Still hasn't got a life.
Truly hope something good happens for you...

So you have ammo, but not the rifle to match?

The ammo might be a good fit, or not, with a rifle that you buy. It will be a gamble.

Keep the 6.5, spend the money saved on going hunting, and take some other kid out for their memories.

At the end of the day, raise a glass to your dad, and keep the memories, those are what matter.

Jeffbird,
Like the post!!

You're welcome.

Hmmm. Ok�


Using those numbers and assuming MPBR zeros for a 6� diameter target (295 yards for the .257 Weatherby, 258 yards for the 6.5 Creedmoor) and 10mph crosswinds:

100 yards
6.5CM = 2855fps, 2173fpe, +2.55�, 0.46� drift
.257W = 3299fps, 2658fpe. +2.25�, 0.45� drift

500 yards
6.5CM = 2253fps, 1353fpe, -29.5�, 13.8� drift
.257W = 2579fps, 1624fpe, -19.1�, 12.6� drift

700 yards
6.5CM = 1982fps, 1047fpe, -84.0�, 28,9�� drift
.257W = 2259fps, 1246fpe, -59.0�, 26.2� drift
26� barrel

1000 yards
6.5M = 1617fps, 696fpe, -236.5�, 65.2� drift
.257W = 1822fps, 811fpe, -173.8�, 58.9� drift

Note that these numbers are for a 26� barrel for the .257W (Nosler @ 3480fps) and a 28� barrel for the 6.5 CM (Wikipedia, referencing Hornady data).

Also note that the Creedmoor burns far less powder (44.5g H414 @ 2960fps in a 24� barrel per Hodgdon) compared to the Weatherby (71.0g IMR7828 @ 3480fps in a 26� barrel per Nosler).

My personal choice for long range is a 6.5-06AI with 130g Swift Scirocco II�s, BC .571 @ 3161fps and a 24� barrel. Powder consumption is about 58g. It beats the 6.5CM in every category (fps, fpe, drop, drift, MPBR) and both in the wind drift category. At 600 yards it is a hair behind the Weatherby in fps (2410fps vs. 2416fps) but surpasses it shortly thereafter. In terms of fpe it starts out slightly behind the Weatherby (2644fpe vs. 2658fpe @ 100 yards) but quickly pulls ahead. At 700 yards the 6.5-06AI retains 1523fpe vs. 1246fpe for the Weatherby. The Weatherby shoots flatter (-19.1� vs -23.6� @ 500 yards, -59.0� vs. -67.4� @ 700 yards) but loses the drift race by about the same margins (12.6� vs 9.9� @ 500 yards, 26.2� vs. 20.3� @ 700 yards).

That�s a lot of ballistic gack as some would call it, but the facts are these:

1. For most jobs 6.5CM will do what needs to be done with less powder and a shorter, lighter and handier rifle than the .257 Weatherby.
2. The Weatherby is arguably a better choice than the 6.5CM for long range killing (ignoring any factors of personal preference regarding rifle characteristics and going only by velocity, energy, drop and drift).
3. Neither is ideal for all situations.

As long as we're doing gack, consider that in the above comparison, one of the higher BC .25 bullets is being compared to one of the medium BC 6.5 bullets. Throw a 140gr VLD in the mix, one of the bullets that is making the 6.5 so popular, for long range, things change. By 500, the 6.5 CM is beats the .257 Wby on the wind, and the gap widens after that. If you use a range compensating reticle or turrets, elevation is easy. Wind is voodoo. Any bullet that helps cheat the wind is where its at regardless of headstamp. Better comparison would be .257 Wby with it's best bullet compared to a .264 Win with it's best. Don't get me wrong, I love the .257 Wby. For a max PBR rifle there's hardly any better. But really start stretching things out and the higher BCs win� Every time� As Stick always says, bullets matter more than headstamps.

Here's the windage figures for a 6.5 CM shooting a 140gr VLD at 2800, using nearly 30gr less powder than a .257 Wby�

100: .5"
200: 1.9"
300: 4.3"
400: 7.9"
500: 12.2"
600: 18.6"
700: 26.0"
800: 34.9"
900: 45.5"
1000: 57.8"

John

OP - I would sell the ammo or trade, for your 6.5 components/ammo.

NOTHING a good 6.5 will not handle in NA, though big bears might want more convincing or time to consider, so a larger round can be prudent.

It's all dope, mental masturbation. Dial drop/drift as needed, or use Kentucky Windage Bullets destroying vitals kills. Everytime.

6.5's are a great place to be. Better BC's and SD's than anything smaller, and for the most part they handle the same big game animals as the larger calibers while being mild on the shoulder. 6.5's aren't mainstream in this country, but they should be.

Amen! He is the ebola virus of this forum!

Not trying to be a smart azz here Boxer, cause I honestly don't know, but will a factory 1-9.125, or like most factory tubes at 1-10, stabilize a .547 target bullet? (Assuming your talking about the Berger 105 Hybrid Match) If so, that's impressive.

Bergers twist calculator says 6mm, 105 hybrid,.547B.c., at sea level, 62deg. and 3000fps with a 9.25 and 9.125 twist marginal stability, possibly affecting B.C. by 10%, of course Boxer knows better than Berger as he has done it all and knows all.





Stability Analysis
Your bullet is MARGINALLY STABLE.
Your bullet stability is marginal. You may shoot good groups under these conditions, but the BC of the bullet will not be optimized.
SG = 1.03
Bullet BC (G7):
0.278
Adjusted BC for 1 in 9.125" Twist:
0.239
Your BC is being compromised by:
14%
Minimum Twist Recommended:
1 in 7.50"
Alternate Bullets Recommended For Greater Stability In Your 1 In 9.125" Barrel
Part # Bullet Description SG G1 BC G7 BC
24313 6mm 69 Grain Match Grade High BC FB Varmint 1.80 0.291 NA
24321 6mm 80 Grain Match Grade FB Varmint 2.07 0.306 NA
24323 6mm 88 Grain Match Grade High BC FB Varmint 1.52 0.391 NA
24404 6mm 62 Grain Match Euwin BR Target 2.08 0.253 NA
24407 6mm Match BR COLUMN Target 2.49 0.277 NA
24408 6mm 65 Grain Match BT Target 2.14 0.270 0.138
24409 6mm 65 Grain Match WEB BR Target 2.18 0.265 NA
24411 6mm 68 Grain Match FB Target 2.28 0.280 NA
24425 6mm 90 Grain Match BT Target 1.64 0.411 0.210
24524 6mm 87 Grain Match Grade VLD Hunting 1.55 0.412 0.211
24570 6mm 95 Grain Match Grade Classic Hunter 1.61 0.427 0.219



SG = 1.01
Bullet BC (G7):
0.278
Adjusted BC for 1 in 9.25" Twist:
0.237
Your BC is being compromised by:
15%
Minimum Twist Recommended:
1 in 7.50"
Alternate Bullets Recommended For Greater Stability In Your 1 In 9.25" Barrel
Part # Bullet Description SG G1 BC G7 BC
24313 6mm 69 Grain Match Grade High BC FB Varmint 1.75 0.291 NA
24321 6mm 80 Grain Match Grade FB Varmint 2.01 0.306 NA
24404 6mm 62 Grain Match Euwin BR Target 2.02 0.253 NA
24407 6mm Match BR COLUMN Target 2.42 0.277 NA
24408 6mm 65 Grain Match BT Target 2.08 0.270 0.138
24409 6mm 65 Grain Match WEB BR Target 2.12 0.265 NA
24411 6mm 68 Grain Match FB Target 2.22 0.280 NA
24425 6mm 90 Grain Match BT Target 1.59 0.411 0.210

Sounds to me like screw them both and get a 264 Win Mag...

Now yer talkin'!

Or a .26 Nosler.

Having a couple hundred rounds of a cartridges is not a great reason for getting a rifle chambered for that cartridge. Once the cartridges are gone you will still have the rifle, whether you like it or not.

Ammunition for the .257 Weatherby tends to be on the expen$ive side and a �couple hundred rounds� really won�t last long if you do much shooting. BobinNH suggested a .264WM, which I would prefer over the .257 Weatherby, but .264WM ammo is also pretty expensive. Moreover, factory options are very limited for both cartridges when compared to more mainstream cartridges. Most hunters never need the reach either of these cartridges can provide and for lesser ranges (600 and under) there are plenty of other options.

My recommendation would be to get a rifle chambered for one of those more mainstream cartridges. A 7mm RM is a very good place to start looking � lots of factory ammo choices that are relatively inexpensive, moderate recoil and lots of reach. For 20+ years mine got used for low-volume varminting (prairie dogs and coyotes), plus antelope, deer and elk. I don�t use it for varminting anymore but it is still a great choice for big game and has never disappointed in performance. It doesn�t get used every year now because I have so many other options but it is still a favorite.

It has often been said a man with a .30-06 doesn�t need anything else. For decades I jokingly used that as an excuse not to get one. Now I have four and will be using one or two come big game season in a couple months. Like the 7mm RM, there isn�t anything I�ve done where a .30-06 wouldn�t have worked as well and a .30-06 is hard to beat when it comes to factory ammo choices. Ammo costs vary but you can still find ammo for a fraction of what .257 Weatherby or .264 WM ammo costs. For a non-handloader, this is probably THE place to start.

For PA and most of the rest of the country a .270 Win is also an excellent choice. Lots of factory ammo choices including relatively low-cost options (although not quite as low cost as for the .30-06). This is arguably the best choice for a dedicated deer rifle, with less recoil than the 7mm RM or .30-06 and more reach than most hunters will ever use. The fact that I have four .30-06s and zero rifles in .270 Win is more by accident than design � when I found a .270 Win I wanted (used Ruger stainless boat paddle) I waited 24 hours to buy it and was then 10 minutes too late.

In the end, however, nostalgia is a perfectly good reason for choosing a firearm. If a .257 Weatherby lights your fire, go for it. Just be aware that your 6.5 Creedmoor will probably do everything you need.

I don't know. I've heard the 30-06 is the worst cartridge based on the '06 case.

'fan,

Ruger and Remmie will do you proud,with all the 105's. The 700 will smooch the Hornies and the Ruger will smooch 'em all(very similar throat geometry,but greater COAL latitude).

Hardly a "daunting" "feat" to to tote a OEM SAAMI 243Win and rule the roost.

Hint.










URFUBAR,

Ain't it one of Life's fascinatin' constants,that while you were setting on your Couchbound Kchunt reading...I was actually shooting. Congratulations?!? Copious extry humor points awarded for a chart,citing things you've never seen,let alone done. Laffin'!

Lemme fuel your Imagination,if only to bolster your Pretend,so you can make a new chart. Laffin'!

Was busy openin' Mail yesterday evening and never got through it all,as I got sidetracked with company,when a Trampin' Pard swung by outta da blue. Did throw some 105's in the fray.



A better look for your crossed-eyes.

L-R of frame: Hybrid,Hornie HPBT,'Max.



PLEASE do not let the cat get your tongue,nor the couch your kchunt,as it's never not entertainin' 'er than [bleep],when you get to "thinking" and charting all the things you've never seen or done. It ain't like anyone needs a list of all them thangs,as it's well beyond obvious. Hint. Laffin'!

Appreciate your taking the time to "tell" me stuff.

Laffin'!

Holy [bleep] dog schit WOW.

Good talk.











Bob',

There was a time when I yerked barrels offa both of my 264Win's,to go 257Wby and due the change in boolits...I'd be reversing that trend Today.

Due the advent of the LRF and SINISTER boolits,I gotta have some reaaallllllllll good [bleep] reasons to go L/A and even more to suffer belts.

Mainly because I've got all of the t-shirts.(grin)










'Hunter,

I built ammo for all of my 257's and 264's with mostly R/P 7mmRemmie hulls,but did score a goodly sized batcha R/P 7mmWby brass and they's a CH longer,but it's moot.

Very easy to headspace a Virgin false shoulder and ring the [bleep] bell,right outta the [bleep] gate.

If Hornady does a Quarterbore A-Max or Lapooey a Skinner,I'll be hitting WFO on reactivating the .25cal larder...but until then,they's purty quiet.

Just sayin',but it's easy for me to say,I gots 'em all.9grin)










dooshmike,

The Whelen is the Queen of suck and the '06 is no different than the 308,in that you gotta neck the suck outta it.

A Plain Jane 6-06,will squirt a .547BC at 3300fps,standing on it's head and that's a fair amount of mustard.

Hint.









(Addendum: for yet another CLUELESS Window Licker)

OldKchunt,

"Congratulations" on stuffing schit ammo aboard a schit rifle and driving schit glass,then mentioning that your exceptionally low standards are "fulfilled",by your Stupidity.

THAT was awesome.

Wow +P+.

Laffin'!

Double Dog Dare for you to cite the rifle "particulars",Make/Model,stock,barrel,boolits/velocity,scope,etc. and a BEEG Bonus for a picture of you and your crossed-eyes holding same,with a Splendid Beastie duped by your "prowess".

Looking forward to the Whine and Excuses.

Laffin'!

Anyone that says 257 Weatherby Ammo is expensive has not been buying Factory Ammo lately. At the LGS I frequent it is the same if maybe a few bucks more then Federal Premium and all the other"Premium" Makes and he sells them all .

With a 100 grain factory Load using a standard scope I can shoot Dead on at 300 and Less then 8" drop at 400. I don't have to twist turrets it is just a point and click procedure. It has been a long time since I shot something past 300 so it is all the gun I need for WD hunting.

Have you tried to find $12 boxes of .257 Weatherby ammo? Cheaper Than Dirt has $12 boxes of .30-06 ammo in stock, Midway has it for $17 in stock. The cheapest .257 Weatherby ammo at either place is $32.53 and $37.49 respectively.

In fact, I count 23 types of .30-06 ammo in stock at CTD for under $20, including offerings from Winchester, Federal, Remington. CTD has 42 types in stock for under $30. The same Winchester 180g .30-06 ammo I�ll probably hunt elk with this fall is $18.75. Federal Premium 180g Trophy Bonded is $30.76 a box, Federal Premium 180g Partitions are $32.25, and so on. So what I�m seeing is cup-and-core .257 Weatherby ammo is, at best, about the same price as .30-06 premium loads.

Want Weatherby factory 110g Accubonds? They are $80.99 at Midway but you can settle for 115g Ballistic Tips for only $69.99. Compare that to Winchester 180g Ballistic Tip for $31.49 or 180g AccuBond for $37.00 at Midway.

Nope, I�ve not been buying much factory ammo lately (except Winchester .30-06 and .300WM) but I can read�

Comparing 30-06 ammo to a 257 WBY are we? Come on now you can do better then that. 30-06 ammo in the cheapest form Remington Corelockt is 23 bucks a box here, 270 WInchester Ballistic Silvertip is 39 dollars a box and these are Wally World prices, Nosler Ammo, Corbon,HSM and whatever else premium ammo is the same or more at my LGS. Prices must be cheaper in Colorado they sure are not here.

So you have the ammo, but not the rifle.

Get the rifle. Around here, that's called "sufficient justification."

Comparing .257 Weatherby ammo costs to .30-06 (and the 7mm RM) ammo costs is exactly what I was doing. If you go back to my original post:

�Ammunition for the .257 Weatherby tends to be on the expen$ive side��
�7mm RM is a very good place to start looking � lots of factory ammo choices that are relatively inexpensive�
�you can still find [.30-06] ammo for a fraction of what .257 Weatherby or .264 WM ammo costs.�

The prices I quoted were today�s CTD and Midway internet prices. They both sell to pretty much anyone, even people from North Carolina.

The fact remains that .257 Weatherby ammo options are quite limited when compared to the .30-06 and that you can buy .30-06 ammo at a fraction of what you will pay for the cheapest .257 Weatherby ammo. Most people I know aren�t interested in plinking or even doing much practice with ammo that costs $32-$80 a box.

Thats why you hand load a 257 weatherby. Not much is going to beat a 30-06 when it comes to availability and cost that is a given.

Most people who buy a rifle chambered in .257 Wby. do so with full knowledge and acceptance of the fact that factory ammo is not cheap. For those who choose to own and shoot a .257, comparisons to ought-six ammo costs are meaningless. It's simply a matter of personal preference and what you're willing to spend. If you don't want to pay the price of admission... don't.

When I had my .257 Bee I bought a few boxes of factory ammo. It ran $65 a box for 115 NBT's and 120 Partitions. After I shot those, I quickly got dies and started reloading all that good Norma brass.

"what you're willing to spend" was kind of my point. The OP needs to make that decision and I get the feeling he doesn't handload.

Boxer= Ebola!

If I was going to get a 6.5 or 260 anything, THAT would be the one!

But, when it came time to order a new PacNor barrel for my FN Sporter I stayed with my tried and true 257WBY. I am familiar with it and its drop and windage at various ranges, and it has worked extremely well on our large Mule Deer out to as far away as I will shoot at an animal that bleeds and could potentially be wounded. Last years buck was 618 yards, first shot did him in right nicely.

Not saying there might be better one's out there now (there would be very few, IMO), but 30 years of familiar, and a bunch of supplies to keep it fed combined with my new economic reality made my decision for me. And I will most likely be happy to death with it for the rest of my life if I don't wear out this barrel.

THIS..

The fact that the OP has a 6.5 Creedmoor and is asking about the differences between that and a .257 Weatherby suggests to me that he isn�t particularly familiar with the .257 Weatherby. Moreover I�d bet he doesn�t reload.

I agree that if the OP knows about the differences in ammo costs and doesn�t care, the cost differences are a �don�t care� issue. Nothing in his post indicates that this is the case. He has a �couple hundred� rounds and is considering the purchase based on that. Since he is asking about the differences, I think ammo costs are a very legitimate item of discussion.

I agree completely on the ammo costs being a factor, but KW's post is also spot on. At least in my experience, most Weatherby owners either reload or the price of factory ammo is not a factor. Incidentally, I am well balanced with two 257s and three 3006s

When I saw "well balanced," I thought you were going to discuss liquid refreshments... It IS Friday.

Now that you mention it, just poured my second bourbon..Wooford Reserve, Double Oaked. Smooth...

What model boxcutter is that in the pic?

Thanks for all the input. I went ahead and bought a 257
Thanks
Reno

Vanguard or Mark V or what?

Went with the Remington 700 XCR II RMEF

Not as efficient as the CM, but a virtual lighting bolt anyway. Velocity does really cool things to critters properly hit and if the .257 Roy is short on anything, it ain't velocity. Recoil is light and out to 500 or so trajectory is amazingly flat. I think you'll have a good time with it.

I hope you enjoy memories of your father every time you shoot it.

John

Good choice. You'll like it.

That is an excellent thought process. I came across a deal for a McMillan Weatherby MkV magnum stock and did not own a rifle; I do now.



Proceed.

That'll work.

The 257Wby with 115VLDs spanks the Creed with 140VLDs easily to 1k in terms of trajectory and drift, but I suppose one can milk the input any way he likes

Put the 264 win against the wbthy with the vlds you mentioned, then come on back and brag results.

Reloader7RM,

You damned right it does,thus it's great affinity of gents who live/breath same! Belts or bust.

Well said................

Are you in a mood?...................(grin)

Long week in hill country, did get a serious tax rebate paid back in mostly MaDouce dunage. Barrels hot enough to melt the ice caps. Thinking it was mostly pretty epic.

Been contending surprisingly ominous weather here,suffered a brief reprieve today,so focused on Rimfires more than a bunch. Have those Bitchly Duties done,all new Lots of fodder are factored and come-ups jive with same...so it's ALL good.

When you've some time to kill,you'd probably better shout my way and we'll align R&R's,if only to the chagrin of Mall Ninja's EVERYWHERE.

The only thing you need to bring,is yourself,as I've a hunch all bases are covered.

'Cept a camera. I'm still saving for my first.................

All over it. Cast and Blast of biblical proportions.

If there was a Jeezus,he'd be CRYING now...at the Gawddamned NOTION................(grin)

My fingers are all healed up from springer season, will be ready to shread em up by this time next year.

I wish I was responsible enough to proffer good suggestions in that regard...but I'm generally wrist deep in ripping out carnage and wondering EVERY time why I can't behave differently.(grin)

Do as I SAY...not as I DO.

Laughing...............

Here's a picture of the one I bought.

Great choice fly! The 257 is a fantastic round. Some folks like to compare the 257's perf using lighter bullets, but the heavies are where it's at if you want to maximize the 257's performance(115 VLD, 115 BST).

Good luck with your new gun!

Typical Campfire response!He didn't even ask about the 264 Win!!!!

Would it not be rude,to not connect dots...for those that can't themselves?..................(hint)

Actually, the solution here is so simple that I am surprised no one else has suggested it... The OP needs to sell his 200 rounds of 257W. ammo, use the money to buy a plane ticket, move to another country where college is cheap, get a PH.d in physics with a heavy emphasis on ballistics, go through a machinists apprenticeship in the machinist's trade, and then research and develope his own cartridge.
Mother Mary in a motherhumpin' motorboat, the OP just asked about the wisdom of buying a 257 Weatherby, based on the fact that he has some ammo-to shoot at ranges less than 300 yards- And we get endless pages of G7 ballistic coefficients, drop charts out the wazoo, and "spanks this" and "spanks that" for eight pages. Are you guys trying to answer his question, or show off your ability to read a chart?
There are some things relevant to the OPs question that have been totally overlooked that are probably more pertinent to his situation than the G7 of every Berger bullet to the 6th decimal place- Like muzzle blast, cost of ammo after the initial 200 rounds are shot, barrel life and even more important, the selection of rifles available in 257 Weatherby and their handling characteristics.

You burned alotta bandwidth,to correlate how very little you shoot or do.

Congratulations?

Personally,I wouldn't touch someone else's reloaded ammo with a 1000' pole and undoubtedly the bullets are junk to boot..............(hint)

I get that I shouldn't buy a rifle just because I have some ammo laying around. I have always thought about getting one so having the ammo was just an "excuse" for getting it, so I got one.


I never said that the ammo were reloads but if they were , I'm sure those "junk" bullets would still kill a deer at 250 yds.


I have to agree with ROYCE's post. I just wanted some basic info. Thanks everyone for the info that I got. But I should have know what this post was going to turn into.

Thanks again
Reno

I seem to recall my having shot a 257Wby once and if that recollection is correct(of which I'm certain),the chambering might have been unforgiving on bullets. Read that again. Now one more time.

Those bullets are worse,the closer they impact Critters in relationship to the muzzle. Splashes are no fun. Read that again. Now one more time.

Finite headspace control,rates a serious thunk,for many reasons. Necking down 7mmRemmie Virgins to realize same,will bear lotsa fruit from the first poke. That despite your inability to grasp same. Read that again. Now one more time.

I savvy,that you sincerely wanted no more than you can savvy,but you are not savvy. Savvy? Read that again. Now one more time.

Now I'm the last guy who is going to try and talk someone out of a new Play Toy...though perhaps the first to connect dots. Read that again. Now one more time.

Bullets matter more than headstamps. Read that again. Now one more time.........(hint)

I don't give a schitt. Read that again..........(hint)

You are going to tell yourself that a few million more times,before even YOU "believe" it.

I suggest you write more than a few things down and apply all of them.................(hint)

I had a .257 WM in a Vanguard. I liked it. It was incredibly loud but recoil was low. I ran 115 grain NBT's and 120 grain Partitions. They were both flat enough I never felt the need to go to the oft touted 100 grains. Always figured the 100's were just too fast anyway and would be harder on the barrel. I wouldn't be one bit afraid of taking a .257 Bee with 120 Partitions and hunting every animal in the lower 48 and most of the stuff that isn't.

The 100XLC remains KING..............