Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .257 German Weatherby Load

I've got a new/old .257 German Weatherby that I'm trying to get a good load worked up for. First load I tried was a mid-mannered load of IMR 4350 behind a 110 Gr Accubond. Didn't work. Threw 5" groups at 100. I tried some factory 100 Gr. Spitzers and they grouped at about 1.25" - 1.5" I understand that the 1-12 Twist on the older German guns won't stabilze anything in the 115 - 120 Gr. bullet weight range. I thought I might be OK with the 110 Accubond. Anyone have any experience with one of these guns and if so what does yours shoot well? I was thinking of trying some 100 Gr Partitions next.

1st thing I would have to ask-- is the barrel a #1 or a #2?
G

The barrel is a #2

I think that Black Hills shooters supply sells the factory bullet used in this case, it has a lot of bearing surface and should stabalize...go with what works.

Thought about a 100 gr Interlock? I betcha those'd fly nicely for you.

Also 117 gr RN Interlock?

Thanks guys.. What do you think about those Spitzers? I'm going to use this gun on Mule Deer primarily. I bet the Interlocks would probably work.

100gr ttsx seems to shoot well in many 257wbys. Seem to usually shoot better the more you push them also.

I bet the accubonds will shoot if you used a powder that would fill that case up some. 4350 is too fast with a 110gr accubond, you'll hit pressure way before you see the speeds the 257bee is capable of. I'd bet that if you push those accubonds a little the groups will shrink up.

Evidently some posters on this thread either didn't read the original post, or didn't get the fact that this rifle has a 1-12" rifling twist. There's no way a 110 AccuBond or 100 TTSX is going to stabilize in that twist, no matter what powder or primer or anything else is tried. They're too long for the twist.

The 100 Hornady is be best bet, though I'd also probably try the 100 Partition as well.

Mike, my 257Wby is a 1:10 but if it was a 1:12 I think the 80gr TTSX would be good to go......

Link: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/99...in-spitzer-boat-tail-lead-free-box-of-50

Yeah, the 80 TTSX would work. Or just about any 100-grain lead-core designed to stick together, whether the 100 Hornady Interlock or whatever.

Mule Deer.. That's kinda what I figured. I'm gonna try the Partitions and the Interlocks. If the Partitions shoot thats what will go in the gun. Might take me a couple weeks to get it all fixed up, but I'll let you guys know what happens. Thanks for the input.

I read the post. The 257WBY's that I've loaded for had a 1-10 twist and I loaded up to 115gr bergers without problems. I've never had a 1-12" 257WBY so I guess I shouldnt have posted when it was based off of opinion and not experience.

You need to call Weatherby. You may be surprised that the Sierra 117g semi point may stabalize in the 12 twist, it is not always the length of the bullet but also the amount of bearing surface.

Weathery loaded a Norma 117g Oryx bullet that has a lot of bearing surface, great bullet for game up to the size of elk.

Thanks Keith. I'm not familiar with the Oryx bullet, but I'm going to do some reading up on it here if I can. I'd love to be able to shoot that heavy a bullet out of the gun for Mulies.

A freind had a custom 25/06 built with a 1-12 twist. The gunsmith Is a Texican and stays busy building custom 25/06's.

He told me the loads to shoot which were with R#25 and fed 215's in new Win brass. 100g Sierra Flat base were shooting tiny groups at 3600(neck sized the brass after firing for 3 firings) and the 117g Sierra Flat base was doing 3350(absolute max load for this rifle) shooting groups in the .450 range.

I did some research for you on the 25 caliber Oryx bullet and Black Hills did not stock them, lots of other Oryx bullets, just not the 25 caliber.

Good luck!