My first .257 Weatherby was a Vanguard sporter (walnut stock) with a 24" barrel, which shot VERY accurately--and killed a bunch of big game.
But it weighed around 9 pounds scoped, so I eventually ordered a New Ultra Light Arms Model 28 with a #2 Douglas 24" barrel. It shoots just as well--3-shot groups at 200 well under an inch--but weighs less than 7 pounds with scope.
As others have suggested, .257 Wby. rifles do not have to weigh a lot to shoot very well.
