What power is a good power scope to use on my Wby 257. Or what do you use? Right now I have a
leupole 3X9 on it. I can see clearly to 300 yds.
I am thinking of changeing to a 4X12 Leupole.

you have all the scope you need right now.

I used a 3-9x40 on my .257 Wby in North Central MT last year. Where we hunted is VERY open country, and I'd hate to state how long shots we had to take. I never felt I had too little magnification with my 3-9.

That said, it would certainly be possible to use a 4-12 or even a scope with higher magnification. In my mind, it does not depend so much on the upper magnification, rather on how big a field of view you may need for close up shots. That sets a limit for how high you should go on the lower magnification, and indirectly determines your upper magnification level as well.

- mike

First thing I wonder is why do you want a different scope? What is it you want it to do the old standard 3x9 doesn't?

In a rifle with that much zip I'd put a much higher magnification scope on it just for popping vermin way out there. I have a 4.5x14 Leupold on my .25-06 and love it. The only other rifle I'd go bigger on now is a .22-250 that's wearing an old 4x12 Vari-X II. Not because of an insuficient power as much as for shooting tiny spots on stuff farther away. The higher the power the more distortion you'll see which doesn't help. Heat waves raise hell with good aiming ability on high power. I used a 6.5x20 for field shooting of ground squirrels and the heat waves were bad enough as it warmed up that I dropped the power off a bit. IMHO 4x16 is about as high as is practicle and much over that would be usefull only from a bench when it's cool out. Nate

4.5-14 Pentax

4 power is ok close up say 20 yds. I wouldn't want anything higher close up. So I guess a 4X12
Leupole would be ok for my 257 WBY Mag. I'm changeing
the 4X12 Leupole on one rifle so I can use it for my WBY.

What you have is at best OK. The cartridge has way more potential than 9 power can give. I would go for a minimum 6.5x20 power with at 257 Weatherby.

What are you going to use the rifle for?

I've got mine setup as a lightweight mountain rifle and went with a Leupold Lightweight 3-9x. Comes in at 8 ounces and doesn't effect the handling or balance of the rifle at all. Perfect combo in my opinion.

If you are setting the rifle up for something else, you might want a larger and heavier scope. 9x is still pretty strong magnification though, imo.

I have a 4.5x14 Leupold Tactical on my 257W. Some may not like the fine crosshairs but I like them.

The 4x14 power range is perfect for the areas I hunt where the shots can be almost at my feet to too far to shoot.

Joe A.

I have a Leupold Vari X II 3-9 x 40 on my .257
I think its just about perfect.

Keith

I do not own a .257 Wby, but my dad has a new Accumark that he put a new Leupold 4.5X14 LR scope on. It is a 30mm model with a 40mm bell and has the Boone and Crockett reticle. It has the side focus AO.

That is one great scope. Even though it is a 30 mm scope it does not look too large on the gun and is well proportioned. The optics are great and the Boone and Crockett reticle works very well. We shot it at a 400 yard gong and found the 400 yard mark in the scope to be right on. Last August my dad used it to kill a record class antelope in New Mexico at a lasered 429 yards. One shot, down for the count!

Personaly,
on a .257 weatherby or anything else for big game hunting, I would not use a scope with an adjustable objective.
I had a leupold vari X thre 4.5X14. On my stw. I sold it. But if you are varminting you need the magnifacation, But a 3X9 is Big enough for any big game animal at the range most are shot.
If you are of the opinion a high power scope with a super flat cartridge will make a long range marksman of you. You are mistaken.
I am a decent rifle shot but 400, yards is my max for any rifle scope combination, for deer...tj3006

4.5 X 14 Leupold on my Colt/Sauer in Conetrol rings and mounts. Better than the 6 X 18 Simmons that was on before.

I have a 6 X 24 Burris Signature on my .257 Wby Accumark and it is a deadly combination. My grandsons take several Deer each year with this setup. My accuracy load is a 120 grain Nosler Partition or Barnes 115 grain TSX, both at 3450 fps. One recovered Nosler Partition that hit a 180 lb. dressed weight Whitetail Buck headon just to right of the brisket and found in a ham still trying to exit the hide, with perfect mushroom. Good shooting.