I picked up one of these at Scheel's this weekend and I almost didn't let it go. That gun felt soooooo nice. I REALLY like the 257 Weatherby(26" barrel) but the drawbacks are 6 3/4 lbs. and 3+1 in the chamber vs. a standard caliber like the 25-06, 270, 280, or 30-06 which are 5 3/4 lbs. and hold 5+1 in the chamber. What a quandry!

Is it sac-religious to buy a Weatherby rifle in a standard caliber??? It kinda seems like that to me. Plus, the 257 Weatherby is death incarnate to deer. Who would need the extra 2 rounds anyway? The extra pound would help with recoil too.

Would I be silly to give up 2 rounds and add a pound, just to get the 257 Wby? A 25-06 would be cheaper to shoot and very close ballistically. Plus, it would also be a dream to carry. Maybe the 270, 280, or 30-06 would be best? Better on larger game, lighter, and 5+1 rounds.

What do you think??? Also, I'd love to hear some field and bench reports on this gun if possible.

Nebraska "What do you think??? "

Get them all,problem solved.

No, it isn't wrong to go standard...the 25-06 means death to deer just as much as a .257 Wea does. As for the rifle, very nice indeed but I hope they fixed the firing spring problem they have had in the past. My excitement deminished very quickly after the first time my Weatherby UL went "click" instead of "kaboom". I know we aren't talking about the same rifle but the action is the same.

I know it's not the exact same rifle, but a friend of mine has a Ultra Lightweight in 25-06 Rem. It has a real short throat, unlike WBY rifles in magnum calibers. This led to some bullet seating problems. I don't know why they have the magazine longer than the throat will allow, seems stupid to me. The accuracy is no hell either, 5 shot groups of about 1.75-2" is the norm, not great for a $1650 canadian rifle.

Maybe he just got a lemon.

Hey'
"Confucious" say,"one who buys a Weatherby Rifle,may in fact own a Howa,in wolf's clothing"
1geejay
www.shooting-hunting.com

I have owned a weatherby in 257wby mag and my assessment is that I loved the caliber but the rifle wasn't worth the pricetag.My 700's shot as well or better at a much lower price.As far as choice of caliber If you can't get the job done with three shots you need to improve your shooting not a bigger magazine.

Stubblejumper is right,

Please tell me guys if any of you ever had the opportunity, in a hunting situation, to empty a 5 rounds magazine? 3 shots are plenty enough!

I have the Ultralight in 257 Wby & 7-08. Both rifles shoot very well and with handloads I can easily keep groups at 1/2 inch off a bench at 100yds. The 257 is a 25/06 on steroids. I have had no problems with feeding,fireing pins ect. In addition to the above I have a SPM in 22-250 that I call "Mikey" because it will shoot everything I load for it well.