Varmint loads 257 Wby Mag

[Ackman]

The intended target indeed is woodchucks, the rockchucks eastern cousin lol. I'm after terminal effect, clean the mess up with a rake type terminal effect!

Appreciate the reply and I remember you from when I was on this forum 10-15 years ago.

To be clear about this though, my rifle doesn't have a std Wby chamber with its hugely long freebore. My chamber was cut with a reamer that has 0 freebore and is .050" short. The right length for less expensive 7mag and .264 brass which can easily be formed to Wby if you choose to use them. . At the lands both 100gr boattail Sierras seat to just above the neck/shoulder radius. Pictured is a window gauge, a short piece of the new barrel, neck and shoulder cut with the reamer. Then a window milled into it. Useful for finding the lands originally, and later for measuring throat wear. Every new rebarrel should come with one of these.

 

[Bainbridge Varminter]

To be clear about this though, my rifle doesn't have a std Wby chamber with its hugely long freebore. My chamber was cut with a reamer that has 0 freebore and is .050" short. The right length for less expensive 7mag and .264 brass which can easily be formed to Wby if you choose to use them. . At the lands both 100gr boattail Sierras seat to just above the neck/shoulder radius. Pictured is a window gauge, a short piece of the new barrel, neck and shoulder cut with the reamer. Then a window milled into it. Useful for finding the lands originally, and later for measuring throat wear. Every new rebarrel should come with one of these. View attachment 1753263

I figured yours was one that was cut with AckleymanII chamber reamer. That is a slick tool you have there and agreed every new barrel should come with one!

Thank you for the reply.

 

[Stormbringer]

I have varmint loads worked up for my 257 Roy (87 TNT and 85 Ballistic Tips). Both are traveling 3850. I have yet to use it but will sometime this spring on Chucks.

 

[Bainbridge Varminter]

I have varmint loads worked up for my 257 Roy (87 TNT and 85 Ballistic Tips). Both are traveling 3850. I have yet to use it but will sometime this spring on Chucks.

If I may ask sir, how long is your barrel and what twist? I plan on trying the 87 TNTs and 87 Sierras. Maybe some 75 Vmaxs for the hell of it lol?

Thanks for the reply,
Mike

 

[Stormbringer]

If I may ask sir, how long is your barrel and what twist? I plan on trying the 87 TNTs and 87 Sierras. Maybe some 75 Vmaxs for the hell of it lol?

Thanks for the reply,
Mike

1-10" twist and 26" long.

 

[Hammer]

I've done a bit of searching on here and haven't found the answer to my question. With the 257 Wby Mag and using varmint bullets how difficult is it to reach the lands while still having sufficient neck purchase? Varmint bullets being any facilitated by a 12tw barrel. Knowing the 257 Wby Mag has a freebore of .3627" raises some concern.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

I can personally attest to and provide witnesses that a 257 Weatherby with a 12-inch twist with 75 grain bullets will shoot accurately and kill prairie dogs in Montana. And create splatter greater than a 240 Weatherby with 75 grain bullets.

I have no first hand knowledge of its effectiveness on larger game such as rockchucks.