I picked up a pretty Weatherby Vanguard Lazermark in 257 Weatherby Mag. I'll most likely use this for Antelope and whitetail, but may actually take it elk hunting someday.

What's the go to powders and bullets for this? I'll most likely fireform some Win or Rem 7mm RM brass since I have a bunch of it, but no 7 mag rifle.

I run 72grs of RL22 with 100gr Barnes XLC. RL22 is great and a bunch of folks like Ramshot Magnum also. Not sure on charges with it but it will be a few grains more than the RL22.

When I had my .257 Wea.s I used the same load as Steelhead except I used Nosler 100 grain BTBT..My use of it was limited to coyotes, deer, antelope, and sheep..Never used it on elk..

That works. Just watch neck thickness. You may need to turn necks for best accuracy. You already have the 7RM brass. If you were buying brass to make .257 Wby cases, .264 Win Mag may be a better choice.

DF

Coyotejunki,

I got the same velocity from 7828 and RL22. You may laugh about this, but the difference is RL22 kicks more.

I got my best accuracy and velocity from 7828 with every bullet I tried in my .257 Wby. R22 might work great for you. It does for most folks, seems. If it doesn't, give 7828 a try. Also, I got my best accuracy with pretty danged short OALs too, in the 3.140" range. That was with a SAAMI freebore.

John

Using 7828 here. Funny thing is, 7828 SSC doesn't group nearly as well.

Never tried the SSC version, but want to in my .260.

John

Mine loved 70 gr RL22, Fed 215, and 100 gr monometals including ETip & TTSX in Norma cases.

110 NAB & 50 gr Magnum worked nicely, too...

For fireforming of 7 (you said WM but I'm assuming you meant RM since you said RP & Win?) RM cases mine loved 67 gr H-4831 under 117 BTSP Interlocks. At 3250 fps I can't imagine it'd have been a problem killin' anything, either!

I worked with a couple brands of 7 RM brass but never had an issue w/ neck thickness.

Great rifle in a fantastic cartridge man!

Yes, my bust. I meant Rem Mag, corrected original post.

Is there an advantage with RL22 or 7828. Is one less temperature sensitive or give more FPS?

Interesting. I have had the opposite experience.

Nah they're pretty close on both counts. From what I've seen its a question of what your rifle likes best.

7828 and R25 are the best powders in my current 257wby. Having another put together this year, just waiting on Rock to finish the bbl.

71 of R22 and a 100tsx, Norma brass, Nosler 215 primer in my Rem 700

Fwiw...if forming from 7mm cases that have been fired I've found annealing is a great idea.
Figure 2.5 to 3 grains less powder in the 7mm cases will net same velocity as realnnorma/why cases.

I have had good luck with H1000 and 110 grain Nosler Accubonds in both of my .257 WBY's. 7828 would be my second choice, but H1000 delivered better groups and less velocity spread.

Recently worked up new load with RL-33 and moly coated 110 accubond. 28" 3 groove lilja with 750 rounds through barrel. Your results could vary.

83 3625 which slightly faster than old load with RL-25
83.5 3674 fps shot well two shots of four were same velocity
84 gr 3704 fps shot well two shots of four were same velocity
84.5 gr 3735 slight signs of pressure on one case of four this is max case capacity with drop tube

84 grains has shot well for four range sessions. This load makes a 91 fps gain over a max load of RL-25

Opinion: RL-33 should be used with 110 or heavier bullets.

Az- that's fast!

Sheittt, dang right Sako, hope ya can keep that Accubond outta the eating parts at that speed AZ.

Gunner

Yep, that would be a broadside lung combo. I bet it will really light em up at longer ranges.

No doubt about it.

Gunner

My Vanguard definitely prefers 110 or 115 gr bullets and IMR-7828. Groups are half the size of those with RL-22 and 1oo gr bullets, for some reason...and I tried lots of variations of charges, OAL, etc because I really wanted it to work with the 100 gr TSX...spent a lot of money before just accepting that my gun likes heavier bullets.

Anyone ever run H4831sc? I use it it in my .300 win mag and it's one of the temp extreme powders.

Any slow powder pushing a 100gr Swift Scirocco fast....

Now that I see that R-33 is available, I am going to have to try it. Going to contact alliant for data.

Just talked to Sakoluvr and thought I'd share here.

The 257 I mentioned earlier is a 3 groove 28" lilja SS that is severely worn. Has 750 rounds through it. Used to shoot 115 VLDs but it got so rough it began destroying them. I had been using moly to help with that issue from starting too early but knew that it was inevitable. Also knew accubond could withstand that kind of abuse. Naturally the throat is worn which lowers pressure.

Just saying...you may not be able to run your Roy with the same powder charges. Work up carefully.


FYI it is beginning to be a chore to clean this barrel. Borescope shows cracks and fissures like no other rifle I own and I have a 6mm-284 with almost 1000 rounds through it!

Rebarreling is right around the corner. Looking forward to another 257 Roy and the upcoming 115 Berger hunting hybrid.

I am slowly working my way to the same conclusion concerning bullet weight. Have not tried heavier than 110's, but have tried a few 100's with little success. If I have to stick with 110 NAB's, I will be a happy camper. Shoot the 180's out of my TRG, and they are boringly accurate.

Az, thanks for that wealth of info!

Agree. I found that fired brass is harder to form, takes more force than new, unfired brass.

DF

I use 72.0 gr. of RL22 behind the 100 gr. Barnes TSX bullet, Wby brass, and CCI 250 primers. Very accurate, boringly repeatable, and have taken elk with it, at a ranged distance of 300 yds. with no problem.

Chrono velocity, BTW, is a hair over 3700 fps in my rifle.

70gr RL-22 with the 100gr TTSX gets 3700fps from my 25" Lilja 3-groove. With the Swift Scirocco I have to drop back to 69.5gr for 3600fps. The campfire standard of 72gr. is way to hot in my rifle so I would encourage you to drop down and work up.



X-VERMINATOR

After shooting probably 20 NC whitetails with the 80 gr ttsx it's hard for me to look elsewhere. From 10-320yds 65-180lbs I have only recovered two. Good blood trails, no recoil, 220 swift trajectory.