Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles weatherby 257 mag

You don't hear more about it for multiple reasons. First is that there are not a lot of rifles chambered for it. And those that are tend to be more expensive., making it a better option for handloaders than those that shoot factory ammo. Third, while it shoots flatter than most other cartridges inside 700 yards (and probably further), it is an overbore barrel burner - it is a hunter, not a target cartridge.

My .257 Roberts is my favorite rifle. While it doesn't push bullets as fast as a .25-06 or .257 WBY, it does pretty well with +P brass and loads, it is economical on powder and it is a joy to shoot. A Savage 111 action I have as a donor has a mag bolt face and i've been debating how to chamber the new barrel. Could change the bolt face and go with a non-magnum. Have considered .25-06, .257 WBY, 6.5 PRC, 6.5-06, 6.5-06AI, .264 WM, 26 Nosler, .270 Win, .270WBY, .280 AI, 28 Nosler and a few others that I don't already have.

I keep coming back to the idea of a cartridge that is economical on powder, relatively easy on the shoulder and adequate for hunting elk and smaller out to at least 600 yards. Good availability and options for bullets and brass is a requirement.as well. Since only one SIL reloads and I plan to pass this rifle down to family later on, the less exotic the better. My current 6.5-06AI shoots as flat as a 257 WBY and does so using .25-06 brass that is fire-formed. And does it with a 24" barrel.

Still have not decided on the chambering but have eliminated some, including the .257 WBY. I'd rather go with a 6.5PRC or .264WM than the .257 WBY.

Just finished loading a few over 100, with 110 gr Accubond's, over 69.5 gr's of rldr 22.

…….I don't know why a rifle that is more expensive is better for a handloader…….I will shoot factory only.....I am not a target shooter so the life of the barrel should be fine for me.

it is also hard to get a wide selection shooting lh…..not lh just shoot that way....haven't had a weatherby before be nice to try one out.....

cost of ammo is not a consideration …..24 vs 26......2 inches difference.....not a big deal......thanks for all the replies.....bob

coyote hunter thanks for your view...….I agree that to a shooter...cost could be an issue......this will be a hunting rifle the amount of ammo ran thru it wont be that much..

barrel length.....I like 24....but 2 inches in the grand scheme of things for me wont matter much.....thick timber....shorter....open meadows....prairie fine...…


I also think the 257 mag will be a good fit ...thanks.....I also think it sounds like a good fit for anyone that likes and wants a pretty flat shooting rifle.....bob