257 Weatherby Magnum

P

Profiimker

New member
Greetings, folks! I'm new to the forum, so my apologies for asking a question that has probably been discussed previously. Still playing with the search engine...
In the meantime - I'm new to the 257 Weatherby Magnum cartridge. Looking to load a variety of bullets/weights in the 75 gr - 110 gr ranges - to test, and ultimately optimize performance of bullet/powder combination, primarily for mid-west varmint hunting at the moment. Recommendations regarding powder seems to be a popular topic - especially whether to use ball/spherical, stick, etc. Thought I would inquire, and get some feedback from folks with experience on the topic. No firm brand preferences at this time - trying to keep any bias out of my plan to test going forward, although I am very familiar with the Alliant brand - having loaded over .5M shotshells of various gauges over the years. Thanks for your inputs!
 
Every rifle is an entity of it's own. A good reloading manual will get you started with pressure testing done already so you pretty much know where you are going with the loads. Some manuals have accuracy loads listed so there you have more data available.

As far as stick vs ball. I find that stick powders are easier to find an accurate load but they don't meter that well and when I'm loading stick powder I weigh everything. For volume loading I try and find an accurate load with ball powders. It usually isn't more than a couple thousandths inch difference and volume loaded ammo will suffice for most of my shooting.

Good luck with you endeavor and Welcome Aboard.

Keep us posted on your progress with the Weatherby, I'm a quarter bore fan but in a smaller packages 25-35, 25-204, 250-3000 and 257 Rob.
 
I have or had a few 257 Roberts, a 25-06, a 25-06 imp and two 257 Weatherby’s. Most bullets and slow powders work but don’t wast your time with 90 Blitz King’s, they can’t take the velocity
 
Mine has a 28" Hart barrel, braked, 12 Twist and 0 freebore chamber. It just loves RL22 and 100gr Sierras, both spitzer and bthp match. Best groups about 1/4" with either one at 4010. I've tried 100BT's and lighter custom bullets, but nothing works like those 100gr. Sierras. The gun was intended for chucks and does a very admirable, messy job on them.
 
Mine has a 28" Hart barrel, braked, 12 Twist and 0 freebore chamber. It just loves RL22 and 100gr Sierras, both spitzer and bthp match. Best groups about 1/4" with either one at 4010. I've tried 100BT's and lighter custom bullets, but nothing works like those 100gr. Sierras. The gun was intended for chucks and does a very admirable, messy job on them.
 
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