Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 257 Wby Mag

After years of considering it, I finally took the plunge and acquired a .257 Wby. The rife is the older version (V1) Weatherby Vanguard Sub-MOA. My plans are to run the 100 gr TTSX. I am curious if any of the new powders that have come out in the last few years are out performing the benchmarks like RL 22; Magnum & H 1000? RL 26 and a 150 gr bullet in the 270 seems to have a magical combination, any special combinations with the new powders and the 257 Wby?

I own a .257 Wby. in a MkV, in which I shoot 100 gr. TTSX Barnes bullets, using RL22. Like you, I am curious about the performance of RL26 in my rifle. Hornady is now making their ELD-X bullet for .257 in a 110 grainer, with a BC of .465, quite a bit higher than the .327 of the Barnes TTSX.
I'm thinking that if this bullet can be safely pushed at around 3450-3500 fps, it would be very flat-shooting indeed, and with a lot less wind drift than the TTSX.
Been hoping that someone would post some load data as a starting point.
BTW- I have recently worked up a load for my .280, utilizing RL26 and the Hornady 150 gr. ELD-X bullet, at a MV over 3000 fps, and great, sub-MOA accuracy.

This might be worth a look been considering myself. MD really like Ram Shot Magnum in his vanguard. Been shooting the 100GR TSX with H1000 in mine and it is my go to for deer.

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/rl26-257-wby-115-bergers.191185/

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

C ROY,

I haven't tried all the new powders in the .257 Weatherby, in particular RL-26, because according to Alliant's data it doesn't provide any more velocity than I'm getting with H1000 and 100-grain bullets. A lot of people assume that because 26 results in higher velocity with SOME cartridge/bullet combination, it will do it in just about anything. But that's not true, anymore than it was for RL-17 when it was the latest Wonder Powder.

Am still finding Magnum and H1000 pretty good for 100's, partly because both are more temperature-resistant than RL-22, especially H1000. IMR7977 proved to be pretty close, with both 100's and heavier bullets, but in my NULA H1000 was more accurate--just as Magnum was in my first .257 Weatherby, a Vanguard.

Haven't tried IMR8133 yet, partly because there's no published data, but partly due to being too busy with assigned projects.

Thanks MD. I happen to have been given an almost full 8 lb. jug of H-1000 about a year ago from someone winding down their reloading. This should come in handy. I also have some Magnum and IMR 7828 ssc on hand. This should get me on my way with some initial load development.

The Speer data has become my go to source as I use several types of Alliant powder. https://www.speer-ammo.com/reloading/rifle

Their data is still showing R25, R33, Magnum and VV560 as all ahead of R26 and R23 is behind R22 in velocity for some loads. So R26 is in the top 4-5 powders for velocity it trails up to 100 fps behind the old standbys. I am having good results with R26 in several cartridges but it is not magic and some of the super high velocities reported were due to a lack of tested data and a heavy hand on the powder dipper. It also doesn't show any traditional pressure signs until you are at a proof load level. I believe this is due to the long peak pressure curve and that the peak is further down the barrel than for less progressive powders. But I have no data to support this theory.

I get 3600 fps with 100 gr TTSX and book max H1000 in a 26" barrel.

My .257 Wby. shoots 100 gr. TTSXes at a chronoed 3700 fps, using RL 22 powder, with great sub-MOA accuracy, from my 26" bbl. MkV.

MD I noticed that your max load of RS Magnum for 100 grain in both Gun Gacks is now nearly 3 grains above max in the data now published by Western. Seems like a lot for batch to batch variances. Is the new data for a different batch or are you still using the same loads?

Shoot straight y'all

scottishkat,

Actually, my only handload with Magnum that uses any of the 100-grain bullets listed in Western's data is 1.7 grains above Western's. My load with the 100-grain Barnes TSX used 75.0 grains, while their max load is 73.3 grains. That was in my first .257 Weatherby, a Vanguard sporter--which I sold a decade ago. (

When I first started playing with Magnum in the .257 Weatherby in 2005, Western didn't have any data for the cartridge, probably because they didn't have a pressure barrel, so I started low, with charges that seemed reasonable given the approximate burn-rate with Magnum, and worked up until velocities were in the right area, and accuracy was good.

Have encountered slightly warmer batches of Magnum since, based on results in other rounds, but nothing startling.

I have several Weatherby units and a few friends carrying too. Presently my 257 loads are with RL 22 and they're well under MOA. Amongst my associates, however, IMR 7828 seems to be the cat's ass from 240's up through the 300's. Next reloading, I'm going to give that a try in the 257. That was also a powder often found on the shelves when we went though our last shortage.

As a generality, the slower burners seem to do quite will in the super velocity units.

Ramshot in both of my .257 Roys

I use 72 grains of Reloader 22, right at 3500 fps, right at an inch. I prefer the 110 Accubonds.

Ramshot Magnum gives me excellent velocity and single-digit SD's w/100TSX. 25" 3-groove 1:10" Lilja on a SS M70 Classic action.

i use 72 grains of reloader 22 also with a 27 inch Bunx barrel on my Ruger no.1 100 gr. Swift A-Frame bullet 3700 fps out of my ohler chronograph.

I look forward to seeing what RL-26 will do in the .257 Wby.

Mine worked well with RL-22, RL-23 should do as well and with better temp stability.

DF

RL-25 and 115 NBT's. You can thank me later! As a 2nd choice, H-1000 and 110 NAB's.

Skip the 100 TTSX. It's a ping pong ball. If you're going to burn 70+ grains of powder, you might as well maximize it with a better bullet that doesn't get stomped by lesser cartridges, burning less powder.

As for RL-26, It didn't generate any more velocity than RL-25. Both will give me just over 3400 fps with a 115 NBT. That's max in my gun.

100gr TTSXs or old Hornady Interlocks;
71.3gr RL-22/MRP
Fed 215 primers.
done

There definitely seems to be a trend on powder burn range for this cartridge. Luckily I have some RL 22 & 23 & 25; Magnum; 7828 & H-1000..waiting on the rifle & components to arrive! Can’t wait to get started

75.5 grains of H1000 is giving me sub moa consistently (most much better) with Wby or Norma brass, Fed 215M’s and 110 grain Hornady ELD-X bullets. Chronograph is running between 3470 and 3505 for rounds clocked.