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

Big Sky, I am looking at building a heavy barreled rifle for antelope. Weight is not an issue. I am thinking a shilen number 3 contour about 26". It will be in an elkridge thumbhole lamiate stock. I am guessing that the rifle you have was meant for beanfield hunting. tom

Well it may of originally been built for bean fields but I bought for the same reason you are building yours, plus for deer that stand out in the middle of stubble fields all cocky like. Here's the specs:
Ruger S/S M-77MKII action-accurized
Douglas Premium Select Match Barrel
in S/S #6 Contour @ 30"-Matte Finish
McMillan A-2 Stock in Desert Camo w/ decelerator pad
Timney trigger
Tubbs Titanium Firing pin & spring assy
All metalwork was done by Big Stick's personal Gunsmith
and is superb in detail and accuracy.

Has been accurized-lugs lapped,squared,trued,etc...

Hopefully this photo will work.


I'll let Cheaha add any information about the loads and velocities if he cares to. Hope this helps.

Big Sky, very nice. tom

You forgot to give the specs on the tactical bucket, or is it still in Alabama? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You know how Cheaha is, he will give up about anything for a price, except his tactical bucket.

Hey, NOBODY gets my Tactical Bucket!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

With that 30" tube I found accurate loads with 100gr bullets @ 3850fps(Vit.N-560) , 3950fps (IMR-7828) and 3995fps (RL-25).

I had 10 lbs of N-560 and it was the most accurate so I went with that load.

If weight and handling is not an issue, I would go at least 28" on the barrel and 30" is not out of the question. You can always whack it shorter if it doesn't suit you...

Don't rule out a .264 . Use a 26 inch barrel and the 120 gr 6.5 bullet @ 3500fps will hang right in there with any .257 W load .

Recoil is mild and brass will be easier and cheaper than .257 W .

I agree with DFC... I've never cared for the Wby's with that free-bore issue and the price of their brass/shells.
The STW is cheaper than the Wby, all things considered and it's faster. The poster who's getting 4000 fps from
a 100 gr bullet in the STW is really pushing it, and IMHO, there's just no need to go that far.... although I seem
to remember him saying that's out of a 30" tube...

To the poster who asked me about the barrel and reamer, I didn't post correctly in the first place. I meant
to infer that I'd be happy to build one for him since I have those items on hand and ready to go.... I'm sorry
about the screwup....

Ok Redneck now I am confused. I understood you have a 257 stw reamer and a 25 cal shielen barrel is that correct? If so what is the contour and length of the barrrel ? thanks tom

One thing about thumbhole stocks on a hunting rifle. I find it a little awkward for quickly working the safety and getting your thumb back in the hole for the shot. No big deal but having a thumbhole stock it is not something I would want for a serious hunting rifle cool looks aside.

Big Stick may have tried both 257 and 264, but he never tried
the right powders or bullets in the 264. (RL25 or GS 100 bullets with a BC of .490). The 264 will match the 257 in the
light bullet arena and pass it up with it's ability to shoot the
heavier 140 which even elk hate.
I personaly dont like the "Flash Gordon, 1940s look of the Weatherby either.
If I were to go with a wildcat, I would go with the 300 win mag case and long throat (and seat the bullets out to kiss the lands) it for either the 257 or 264.
Something a little different but not unreasonable for loading.

That projectile wasn't even a bad dream,when I was banging around with the 264,nor was the propellant.

What might GS offer in .257" with a similar weight and what's it's BC?(grin)

What's the current skinny on GS delivery and business practices? It seems all at AR were pissed and some had been waiting over a year to receive pre-paid orders,that still haven't arrived. Many unhappy campers,in that regard.

The Weatherby case design,isn't something that I am giddy about. What horns me up,is how it works,more so than the way it looks.

The 257Wby is wicked...............

Boy, who'd a thunk a .264 vs .257 Roy would get a bite from Big Stick?!? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Somethings are just predictable; tides, moon, phases, .270 vs 30-06 articles, etc..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, I know, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Weren't much of a stretch boys.

I remain a simple creature...............

Pumpgun, I'll have to go and check the barrel label to make sure but I think it's a #4 contour 1 in 10 twist and finished length will be 26". I'm 99% sure of this but I'll look this morning later to make sure and post back if it's different. I've had this particular barrel on hand for a while, waiting for one of my customers in WY. But he's holding off for a while so this barrel's available now.. I used this exact same barrel on my own rifle about 5 years ago and have been very happy with the results. I do remember you said you wanted a 'heavy barrel' for antelope. This is a medium weight sporter barrel. I can get a heavier contour fairly quickly if you need that. If nothing else, why don't you email me. I can respond quicker than I can here..



ruber@airstreamcomm.net