Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .257 Weatherby 115grn BERGER VLD loads info.

Does anyone have any data for this? Thanks in advance!

No load data but I'd try 7828 with the slug for sure.

Dober

Thanks Mark will do!

I have been using 67gr RL25 and COAL of 3.27". This is in no way a max load, based on what Berger emailed me. I am thinking the COAL could be a tad longer and I'm sure the powder charge could be increased a little. This load gets me between .7-.8", not a worldbeater but decent hunting load.

My friends and I have a total of five 257 Roy semi customs. All have 3 groove lilja SS barrels. Two are #5 profile and three are #3 profile. A Pacific Tool and Gauge reamer was used with Dave's special leade angle which is different than the original weatherby specs. Freebore was shortened as well. Two rifles use a .125" jump the other three use .070" jump to rifling. All rifles are using RL-25 with moly coated 115 Berger VLDs, Norma brass and Fed 215 match primers. Work up to max load listed for 115 BT shown in Nosler loading manual #6. I don't have my book nearby IIRC it was 72.5 or 73, best to check. Some of the rifles were able go past this amount with 74 grs. The 74 gr loads were worked up in 85 degree temps. Outstanding accuracy. Two elk, and five deer taken so far with excellent results.

For what it is worth your results may vary due to a different chamber, not using moly, number of grooves in barrel and mixing components. I hope it works out for you.

You guys are great thanks to ALL!!!!!!!!!! Lord willing I'll be trying the Bergers on this weekend!!!!!

I have a 700 Rem SS SPS with 26" barrel. I have tried 7828 with the 115 Berger VLD. I thought that this bullet offered the best balance of mass, BC, and velocity. The loads I have tried are between 66.0 to 67.0 grains. With 67.0 grains I obtained 3363 - 3376 fps using Federal 215 primers, Federal 7mm Mag brass resized to 257, set to an OAL of 3.710". I got very uniform extreme spreads (13.13) and Standard deviations (6.55) but did not shoot good groups. I have not found a single load in this rifle that goes less than 1.5 to 2.5". A problem I encountered with this bullet is that I could not set it any deeper than 3.710", it bottoms out in my Redding seating die. The chamber has a very long throat. I have also tried the 100grain TSX and 110 grain NAB. I have tried Ramshot Magnum, 7828, RL 25, and H1000. 7828 has produced the best Extreme Spreads and Standard Deviations of any powder I have used. Good luck.

Thanks Ed.

This works for me.

Gru that's what I'm looking for!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!! Mine came in today will try them and see what happens!!!!!!!

Marcus,
While I'm not shooting the Berger I am getting groups like Grumulkin with 115 Nosler BTs with IMR4350. It is a little slow but with groups like that who cares. My 257 is a Vanguard.

Same load as Grus' Marc?

No I'm using IMR4350 max load in the newest Nosler Manual with Fed215s and WBY brass.

Interesting Berger sent me some load data and it didn't have any 4350 data,
115 Grain AA MAGPRO 64.5 3121 67.8 3286 90.4%
115 Grain RE-22 61.0 3103 64.5 3273 90.1%
115 Grain RETUMBO 66.0 3136 69.6 3300 97.8%
115 Grain NORMA MRP2 65.0 3107 68.7 3289 97.1%
115 Grain Ramshot Magnum 66.5 3114 70.1 3299 92.5%
115 Grain VIHT N170 67.5 3029 70.9 3195 99.6%
115 Grain H1000 65.5 3096 69.1 3277 94.8%
115 Grain RE-25 63.5 3132 66.9 3287 95.0%
115 Grain IMR 7828 SC 61.5 3058 64.6 3214 88.8%
115 Grain ADI AR 2209 58.0 3078 61.0 3223 83.9%
115 Grain ADI AR 2213 61.0 3110 64.0 3260 87.1%

which is ok. What I'm going to do is try what I have as per powder and if it dosen't look promissing OR if it do I'll still try the 4350. Thanks Marc!!!!

From Nosler #6
IMR4350 115 grain BT/CT/PT
55gr 2952 fps
57gr 3034 fps
59gr 3116 fps also listed as the must accurate load with IMR4350.

Awesome!!!!!! Thanks Marc!

Gotta help a fellow Marcus! It's a fun caliber.

I have over 300 Berger VLD 115s thru a 25 SAUM with 27" Lilja. Case capacity is several grains less than the Weatherby so can offer no help with powder, but Rx 25 has been most uniform, within specific lots, in this smaller case. I expect SDs to be under 20 fps. However, in this rifle I have seen big differences between different lot #s of Rx25. My first can got the Bergers to 3300 with 61.5 grains. My current lot # gets nearly there with 56 grains.
The Berger 115 will shoot flatter at 3000fps than the Nosler 115 Ballistic tip at 3300. I sent a scope to Premier to have ranging dots installed to 600 yards according to shooting groups with the Nosler. I latter tried the Begers and found them to be a bit more than 1 MOA higher at ranges past 300, with a 300 yard zero.
That Berger is a slick bullet.

It really is! Thanks again!

WHOA interesting..... I'll definitely be trying the Rel.25 along with some other powders I have. I figure out of the 5 I'll try HOPEFULLY I'll have atleast one that looks promissing! Thanks headspace!