Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Magnum Something For Antelope?

I am thinking about having my 358 Norma Magnum re-barreled to a smaller magnum caliber for antelope hunting. Does anyone have any suggestions? The current setup is a Number 3 shilen barrel in an Elkridge thumbhole laminate stock. The rig is too heavy for toting around in the mountains so I thought I would convert it over to an antelope rifle since weight is not an issue there. And no I am not going to sell it and buy something else this rifle stays in the family. tom

Not that it would be practical, but I've always wondered about a 6mm on the 350 Rem Mag case. But for ease of brass prep would pick a 257 Weatherby or 264 Win Mag.

Pointer, the 257 is at the top of my list, but I wanted some sort of feedback from people that have used it or know someone that has used it. I had not thought about the 264. How does it compare to the 257? tom

I've used both and much prefer the 257Wby...............

PG:

While I have not used the 257 Roy at all, the 25-06 has been fantastic on antelope for me. Given your mag bolt face, and your intended targets, I dunno how you could do better than the Roy. No need or advantage for a 264.

Jimf

Stick, Do you still use the 257Wby? Or have you replaced it with something else? I am open to doing a wildcat instead since I reload. tom

.257STW.

George <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

George, not fair don't just throw that out and run lol. Tell me more. tom

I've found nothing to replace the 257Wby with,so it remains a favorite.

Though I've built stuff that uses more powder and kicks harder,nothing has trumped Roy's 25...................

Big Stick, thanks for the feedback. The 257 is the way I am leaning. tom

It'll go from a 100yd zero to 1000yds with 19.5MOA up on the turret,with a Hunting bullet.

Same bullet 2" high at 100yds,yields a 300yd zero and is 6.6" low at 400yds and is 17.5" low at 500yds. It reaches 500yds with over 2550fps of remaining velocity and just makes an impression upon stuff in general.

That's a lotta juice for somethin' that don't recoil....................

I've played with a .257 Roy. Beside very flat trajectory, for those "misestimated 300 yd. shots," they kick less than the popular 7 mm Mags and hit very hard at the shorter ranges if you have shoot an elk with it.

In my book, the best Pronghorn rifle is one that has what the shooter needs to hit something over 200 yds. Your plan for the rifle has much of this. E

SOLD, guess I will do the 257 ROY lol. This will be a really heavy rifle when it is done well over 10 LBS. thanks for the feedback gents. tom

I think a 257Wby is best in a lightish weight all arounder.

That,like everything,is subjective................

Get it rebarreled and chambered to .257 STW. Gotta be one of the best antelope rounds there is. Main thing to watch is make sure you use a premium bullet. Anything other than the best may disintegrate upon firing.

I've got the reamer and a spare 25 caliber barrel....1 in 10 twist, from Shilen, still in the box... (trolling for bass here.... LOL)

Ditto the STW. It's a screamer and with 100gr TSX's it knocks stuff flat.

The last 2 rifles I built were with those speedgoats in mind. I built a 338 RUM necked to 7mm, a 264 Win Mag, and am now in the process of another 7mm/300 Win Mag. The last one is the stuff. 3500fps w/140 Ballistic Tips, knock um flat????? The RUM necked to 7mm pushes the 140`s to 3600+ a couple loads that dinged the brass were over 3700fps. 3" high at 100 12" low at 500.

pumpgun,
I've taken at least a dozen antelope with my .257 Wby. I really can't imagine a better caliber for prairie goats. This is one case where I actually prefer smaller-grain bullets, as goats are just not big animals, nor are they hard to kill if hit properly. Probably the best performer for me has been the 117 gr. Sierra BT. Noslers work fine as well.

I love the 25's and 100 gr bullets for the use you mention. And I have a heavy, hot shooting 25-06 for just that use. I'd do a 257 Weatherby on your action and be a happy camper.

I have used a .257 Roy for years now and my dad has as well and I really dont think there is a better mag for goats out there cept maybe the .257STW if you can handle or want more kick to her. Stick with a good 100 Gr bullet and like Stick says, it can flat reach out there and down those gots in their tracks. Does a wicked job on Deer and Elk too, Yes i said Elk........let the bashing begin <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />