257 Weatherby

[CdnHotshot]

I've started reloading for a friends Weatherby chambered in 257 which has a 1-1/2 lb Timney trigger, full length stock bedded and fitted with Bushnell 6500,4-32)

Using BERGER 115VLD
My powder choices are IMR7828, H1000, RL25

The bullets are being seated long enough to function in the magazine and therefore I have no idea how far I am from the lands which is not my usual way of seating bullets.

Question:
Anyone have experience or suggestions with this calibre or any of the components above ?

Thanks
AL

 

[Marksman]

Weatherby's usually have a good bit of freebore, as I believe that's where they get some extra velocity. I wouldn't even bother with trying to chase down the lands on a Weatherby chamber.

 

[CJ6]

If you want to see how far of the lands you are get a comparator and check the difference between a max magazine length round and a soft seated round. As mentiomed Weatherby's have quite a bit of freebore.

 

[2506]

Don't worry about getting close to the lands with Berger bullets. Berger is now saying that they have found that their VLD's like to jump quit a ways. 50 thousands or so and will shoot just as good as jammed into the lands. There is some good information on loading the Berger's on www.longrangehunting.com in the reloading section of the forum.

You might want to try you some 110 Nosler Accubonds with Retumbo powder. People are getting some really good results.

 

[CdnHotshot]

Did a 300 yard ladder test this morning.
IMR 7828 was slightly more accurate and the velocity was much higher @ 3375-3400 fps compared to 3100-3200 with H1000 & RL25

The 115 Berger VLD's are seated to maximum length that'll function in the magazine.

 

[RJinTexas]

Al, I also get great accuracy with Barnes 117 TSX and NBT 115 using IMR 4831 seated to just fit into the magazine of a Accu-Mark.

RJ

 

[CdnHotshot]

Did some '200 YARD' shooting today and found an extremely accurate load using IM7828 @ 3400 fps
I'll be settling on this as my pet load.
Thanks to everyone who commented !
The 3 shot group measures exactly 1/2'

 

[338Lapua]

I have a 257 wby mag accumark, I use 110 accubonds and 100 gr barns tsx,i have experience with Reloader 22 - H1000 & H4831sc and all powders give very good accuracy in the 257 bee but keep charges up around max for best results, don’t bother trying to get the bullet to the lands there is to much free bore. Set your bullet .0025 shorter than the mag box and use the fed 215 mag primer.

 

[jlann]

Hey Al

Great job!!! But what was the load?

Jack

 

[CdnHotshot]

257 Weatherby with factory 24' barrel.
load is BERGER 115 GR.VLD,hunting bullet),
71.0 gr. IMR 7828 Fed 215 Magnum primer
Avg velocity 3,381 fps

 

[Hondo64d]

I have had no luck getting TTSXs to shoot for me, but 110gr Accubonds have done well for me so far.

All groups were < .5 MOA. 67gr averaged 3384, 68gr went 3448, and 69gr went 3553. 69gr was a littlewarm though with sticky bolt lift.

I would like to to try some VLDs also but have been unable to find them...

John

 

[CdnHotshot]

John > your 257 Weatherby load information certainly confirms my posted/founded reloading results.
IMR7828 is certainly the 'kats meow' in the accuracy and highest velocity departments. Your 1/2' groups and 3400 fps velocities reflect my findings.
The Nosler 110 Accubond is certainly a great hunting bullet but I'll stick with the BERGER 115 for now and see how it performs this season.
Thanks
AL