Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa 257 Weatherby

In my experience RL-25 is somewhat more temp-resistant than 22, but not all that much.

RS Magnum and H1000 are the first two powders I normally try in the .257 Wby. when loading 100-grain bullets. (They also often work well with heavier bullets.) Some rifles like one a little better than the other....

Thanks for all the replies and experiences gents, i'll use the 65gr charge of Norma 204, it's gotta be a relatively lower pressure load at only 3500 fps.

Big question is, since both bullets shoot plenty accurate enough for 300 max yard hunting on this safari, which bullet would be the best penetrator?

Barnes 100gr tipless TTSX

Swift 100gr A Frame

So what do you guys like? Barnes or Swift, i wonder which one it will be.

Gunner; both are grand bullets. I have no experience with the AFrame in .257 but have used it extensively in 8mm. I have used the Barnes extensively in a variety of calibres including .257 and the 8mm.

I have done head to head tests with the Barnes 180g and the AFrame 200g in 8mm

So based upon experience on game in tests in other calibres I would suggest that the Barnes bullets penetrate as well as lead core premium bullets which are a step up in weight.

Based upon that I would extrapolate that in your case the Barnes would have slightly greater penetration.

Maybe grab some paper before it hits the recycling bin, pack it tightly, soak it, stack it at least 24 inches thick and shoot it at 50, 100 and 300 yards with both bullets. Measure penetration and “wound channel”. Take pictures and post results 😃 You’ll likely find slight but measurable differences.

i am the opposite i have experience with Swift A-Frame bullets 100 gr. 25 caliber in my 257 Weatherby mag. of the 2 that would be my choice ,but don`t forget about the old reliable 100 gr. Nosler Partition bullet another accurate and a good penetrating bullet also. i have shot bigger whitetail ,bucks, mule deer bucks , antelope and elk . when i used a rifle and my handloads it was either with 100 gr Swift A-Frames or 100 gr. Nosler Partitions the last 25 some years in my 257 Weatherby mags. , the last 20 years hunted with a custom Ruger #1 in a 257 Weatherby mag., my son has the exact Ruger #1 rifle as mine and also has done very well with his Ruger #1 on game with my handloads.

GRF, yes, great bullets, hope to be at the point i'm just splitting hairs trying to pick one, definitely need to do some tough test media work.

Pete, Thanks for the real world game use advise too, i cant see any wildebeest being any tougher or harder to shoot through than a bull elk.

Had another thought drifting off to sleep last night, iirc the old 120gr Speer Grand Slams are near a length i can stabilize with 12 twist, if so and also iirc from back in the day, bullets with the same lengths but are heavier in weight are easier to stabilize, something could be said for 20grs more momentum, being able to find and buy some of the old orange plastic slide top boxes of 120gr SGS's could be another great option.

Went and looked, yep, 120gr Speer Grand Slam is 1.088 long, a quick stroke of a file to knock that semi spitzer lead cap off the nose may bring it down to 1.050, perfect for 12 twist and 3250 fps..............................why do i muddy the waters?, i may already be there with the 100gr Barnes/Swift.

Funny how things change in a few weeks, another hunt opportunity popped up during this Safari so i'll have to bring my old Holland Royal double rifle for one particular animal, the mighty 458 WM firing 404gr Hammer bullets at 2500 fps will do the rest, plus, the guys at Hammer bullets want a copy of the video LOL.

Being as i dug the little FN 257 WBY from the back of the safe, checked zero firing a handful of 100gr TSX, it will indeed go on some deer hunts this season, thanks for all the help and info nonetheless Gents.

Gunner, any thoughts about bringing both rifles?

What’s on the menu that needs a bigger gun?

I'm a big fan of fast 25's and picked up some valuable info on some successful load data. Thanks

I'd sure like to see a pic of that Holland Royal.

GRF, i'm bringing two rifles, the 458 WM for all plains game and Cape Buffalo if i can find a big enough one, 404gr Hammer bullets at 2500 fps will let me shoot to a long 350 yards for plains game if need be, the Holland double was added when a very special animal came up, it's the king of animal one doesnt talk about on the www because of all the greenie beta weirdos that put more value in animal life than human, if i'm able to find and kill the animal, get the trophy back home i may be able to discuss it some then.

6MMWASP, go down to the Express Rifles forum, i'll pull up a partial pick of the rifle, it'll be in the 458 thread, i've had it for a good while, figured i best get it over there and get it bloody while we still can, and also while we can export mounts back into the states, i asked Riflecrank to sign a couple bullets, i'll put those in the animal at such an angle that hopefully both can be recovered, i'll then send those along with a video of the hunt to him ; ]

Thanks Gunner

Message received and understood. I would love to hear about the experience. If it’s unpostable please PM me.

Best of luck!!

It actually the other way around , long length is where stabilization is needed. VLD bullets have relatively short bearing surfaces for weight ,but are very Long overall length.

That Holland is stunning. Thanks for the pic.

You were very much misinformed.

well back to the famous old cartridge the 257 Weatherby mag. i have the time just not the funds to do the total package of animals in Africa ,but if i did i would have no problem shooting every different legal animal in Africa except a elephant with my 257 Weatherby mag. rifle and my handloads using 100 gr. Nosler partitions , Swift A-Frames or Hammer bullets. i just need a paying sponsor which will never happen.

You bet GRF, and Thanks Men.

Your memory is excellent.

It was the 80 gr. TTSX at 3,600 fps out of my .240. My conclusion, too fast for that bullet, too much of a good thing. It blew up on a WT's chest wall, small hole thru the chest, slow kill. A slightly heavier ttsx may perform better, just never tried one.

My current go to .240 bullet is the 100 NPT, best accuracy of all, faultless terminal performance. I just love it when the accuracy champ in a round happens to be a NPT. Doesn't always happen, but when it does....

DF