i want a 257 weatherby that is semi-custom. it should be teflon or stainless, about 7lbs without scope, synthetic stock, i supply the action and want to spend about 2500 bucks. who would you recomend building this for me? i havent done this before so i would be interested in what more educated people feel as far as accuracy, quality and craftsmanship and what components. thanks a bunch

The first thing you have to consider with that caliber, is whether you want to shoot handloads exclusively, or whether the rifle must be able to handle factory loads?? If you are happy with handloads only (and accept the risk of not being able to buy ammo - in a pinch), I'd think hard about getting a chamber cut without the standard long freebore.

In general, I no longer believe in getting a chamber cut with whatever reamer the smith has lying around. Unless the smith knows exactly what his reamer is going to produce (and you can't measure freebore on the reamer), and unless you know exactly what you want to feed it, your chances of running into unforseen problems rise significantly. We spend so much time choosing our components, but this central part of the project is often largely left to "chance".

Other than that, the choice of components has been covered extensively. A M70, M1999 or a M700 action; a barrel from one of the top makers (Krieger, Hart, Shilen, Lilja etc), a stock from McMillan, Bansner or Borden, the best smith and you should be started well down your project.

- mike

How about one of the Weatherby Howa's that are guaranteed MOA rifles. With a little tweaking you might have your semi custom and save a $1000.

Mark

For what you want and what you want to spend I would just get a nice garanteed Mark V and be done with it, you can spend whatever is left on a Mcmillan stock and some good optics.

For that price just get yourself an Accumark for around 1400 bucks or a MKV Deluxe for 1800 and have the Weatherby custom shop embellish it any way you want, for example, I would replace the aluminum floorplate with steel and maybe have the action had honed and the bolt and folower damascended. My Accumark is fantasticall accurate right out of the box.jorge

The Whtby Ultra-Lightweights are good ones also.

DB

Hey there nice project you're gonna do, it'll be a great rig. A buddy fo mine from town here did about the same thing this summer.

Boy would I ever love to tote that around this fall, it'd be great for all that moves here in Montana.

A cople of thoughts.

#1-yep I would undoubtably have it cut without freebore if you're a handloader.

#2- with you supplying the action this is a very doable project for the money you've got budgeted.

#3- and this is a bit controversial but I go with a good reputable smith as opposed to something from Wby. This is just my opinion and most likely will be echoed by some others, but me thinks for the moola you can do better than Weatherby. (and I do like some of the Wby line).

For the tube I'd be for going either Schneider or Krieger with a 10 twist.

If you need any more ideas feel free to PM me and we can discuss this.

Good luck

MD

My .257 Wby is an off the shelf Weatherby Accumark with fluted barrel, very handsome I might add, even with the composite stock. I mounted a 6 X 24 Burris Signature scope and it will shoot one holers when I do my part. 120 grain Nosler partitions at 3500 fps, 100 grain Barnes triple shocks at 3650 fps. If you want to spend more money feel free to do so, otherwise get on Gunsamerica and you will find several. Good shooting.

black mamba

I would contact John Levis, he is very nice person and a sterling reputation. John used to work for Kenny Jarrett. http://www.cprifles.com/index.htm

Cheers
/JOHAN

Another way to go is find yourself a used M700 Syn. stocked rifle, long action, & send it to someone like PacNor for a new bbl. Or, pick up a used M700 for the action. Any good gunsmith can fit a syn. stock & bbl. for reasonable amount. The Rem. M700 are the lightest actions out there & have a good rep. for accuracy.

I AM ONLY PASSING ON WORDS A GUNSMITH SAID TO ME WHY WOULD YOU WANT A 257 WEATHERBY BY THE TIME YOU GET IT ON PAPER, THE BARREL WILL BE NEED A CHANGING, NEVER MIND TRYING TO WORK OUT A LOAD.

Thanks for passing it along but to that I say total and utter BS! And he had zero clue to what he was talking about, or about what he was doing with said round.

Have a good day

MD

manitou210 ----- I agree with Mark Dobrenski. If your gunsmith said that, he is simply showing his prejudices. My .257 Wby has shot over a thousand rounds and will still drill one holers. My grandson kills 10 - 15 Deer with it each year, and you better not talk ill of that rifle in front of him. Two years ago he hit a 175 pound buck at 150 yards where the neck adjoins the shoulder with a 120 grain Nosler Partition going 3500 fps. The bullet was recovered at the back of a ham imbedded in the hide, with perfect mushroom. Ask the gunsmith for something else that will do that and see what he says. Good shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by manitou210:
I AM ONLY PASSING ON WORDS A GUNSMITH SAID TO ME WHY WOULD YOU WANT A 257 WEATHERBY BY THE TIME YOU GET IT ON PAPER, THE BARREL WILL BE NEED A CHANGING, NEVER MIND TRYING TO WORK OUT A LOAD.

send this message to the smith that said that

My custom 257 Wea. is currently at fit4duty having a cerakote finish put on the gun & rings. I had a accumark & it shot well, but I was just not satisfied. I had mine built with the following components:

1. Started with Remington SPS magnum action & had bolt fluted. Trued, squared & lapped lugs.

2. Lilja #4 barrel stainless fluted finished at 26 inches.

3. McMillian stock pillar & glass bedded.

4. Talley rings & bases.

5. Swarovski AV 4X12X50 TDS

I have not weighed or shot it yet. Matt Spoon built mine.
http://www.mackspw.com
This is the 4th rifle he has built for me. I decided to go with the freebore just in case I need to use factory ammo. Just thought I would share how my 257 Wea. is built.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
How about one of the Weatherby Howa's that are guaranteed MOA rifles. With a little tweaking you might have your semi custom and save a $1000.

Mark

ABSOLUTELY

But as others have said any gun currently chambered for the .264 Mag, 7MM Rem mag or weatherby mag, .300 win Mag, .338 mag, .358 mag, .458 win mag can be easily rebarreled to .257 Weatherby. Nominally for about $450 more or less.

quote:

Originally posted by manitou210:
I AM ONLY PASSING ON WORDS A GUNSMITH SAID TO ME WHY WOULD YOU WANT A 257 WEATHERBY BY THE TIME YOU GET IT ON PAPER, THE BARREL WILL BE NEED A CHANGING, NEVER MIND TRYING TO WORK OUT A LOAD.

I've met a couple of gunsmiths like that, I won't let them touch my guns.

Give these folks some consideration and take a look at the J Earl Bridges stock. I've dealt with them in the past....good people.

Hill Country Rifles

SHW-just curious but what does that 4 weight Lilja measure at the muzzle?

Thx

MD