.257 WBY Accurate Load FINALLY!

[SixFive]

I have spent a lot of time and some money getting my .257 WBY MAG Vanguard to shoot. Today I finally made some progress! I recently re-barreled to a X-Caliber 1:7 twist 27" stainless barrel with a tuner break. I tried the new Berger 133 bullets, I simply could not get them to shoot better than 1 MOA at 100Yards, I really did try. I suspect those heavy for caliber bullets are not stabilizing at 100? I changed to the 115 Berger VLD Hunter and used the Berger book to build a ladder load from min to max in .5 increments. The 3 shot group circled in red was the best shot today at 100 yards working the ladder. Really starting to look like something .462 center to center group best I can measure. It is a deer rifle, that will do.

115gr Berger VLD Hunter
Reloader 25 (66.5gr was my most accurate loading)
Lapua Brass FULLY worked .002 Neck tension
Bullet seated at the Berger Manual recommendation

 

[jepp2]

I have spent a lot of time and some money

Been there, done that. I'm glad the 115's look they are going to work for you. I use them in my 25-06 and they shoot very well.

I'm a believer that the only thing a 3 shot group will tell me is if the load will not shoot. If I had a $1 for every promising 3 shot group I shot, that I couldn't followup with successive 5 shot groups, I would have more money. But maybe I'm too much of a skeptic.

 

[Mark W]

Anyone who gets a Wby Vanguard to shoot has accomplished a feet that I have not after two trys.

 

[nmkid]

My 257 WBY with 110 gr. Accubonds is a sweetheart!!

 

[std7mag]

Try a different powder!

I was using RL25 in my 7mm Rem Mag. Fast!
But when i switched over to RL26, my group sizes shrank.

I just got a Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight in 257 WBY.

Picked up some IMR 7828SC, Ramshot LRT and going to play with Vihtavouri N555.
Along with the RL26 & RL23.

Although on a side note, i do know several people that have tried to get the 131 Blackjack to shoot at shorter ranges with no luck. It seems like the long, high BC bullets in 25 caliber really shine once you start stretching to 600 yards and beyond.

 

[Doug Casner]

Mines an old mark 5 1 in 10. Free floated it shoots about 3/4 with 90 gr. hornadys and full dose of imr 4350. Those bullets that dont have a lead core. Doug

 

[cmysix]

WOW! you read the instructions from the manufacturer and it worked? Amazing!

 

[Gary in MD]

Never had any trouble getting very good hunting accuracy out of my MarkV 257 WBY in any of the 3 barrels that it’s had. Using 7828 now but have had great accuracy using RL 22 and also IMR 4350 and H4831. I find that it shoots best when loaded to get the velocities that it was advertised to get. In other words…. Step on the gas!
As a side note, one of the most accurate factory rifles that I ever had was a Vanguard in 270 Winchester that I bedded in a B&C stock. That thing would shoot!

 

[std7mag]

Never had any trouble getting very good hunting accuracy out of my MarkV 257 WBY in any of the 3 barrels that it’s had. Using 7828 now but have had great accuracy using RL 22 and also IMR 4350 and H4831. I find that it shoots best when loaded to get the velocities that it was advertised to get. In other words…. Step on the gas!
As a side note, one of the most accurate factory rifles that I ever had was a Vanguard in 270 Winchester that I bedded in a B&C stock. That thing would shoot!

And by far my worst shooting rifle was a first gen Vangard in 243 Win.
Would do 3 rounds within their accuracy guarantee at 100 yards.
After that, things fell apart.
Groups would literally open up exponentially.
I was letting it cool. Between groups, then between shots.
Would only go back to 1 MOA after letting it sit for a day. (24hrs)
Free floated barrel. Tried pressure points. Bedded the action.
Kept checking & rechecking action, base & ring screws.
2 different scopes. (I still have & shoot with the original with no issues).

Was only gun i was happy to get rid of!!