I have a hunting buddy that has decided he needs a long range Antelope buster for next year. I offered him my 7STW but he thought it was to heavy to carry around.

He is looking at one of the 700CDLs with the 26" fluted barrel. I've loaded for a 264 in a 24" but have very little experience with the 257.

So what are your thoughts?

I'd expect the factory ammo availability will be much better with the 257. If he's handloading, that's only an issue if the ammo gets lost of course.

LWD

quote:

I'd expect the factory ammo availability will be much better with the 257

Good point he normally hand loads. I know many worry about lost ammo I'm just not one of them. I've used my own wildcats in the US, Canada and Namibia without issue. Yep I know there is always a first time.

I think they're well matched and both pretty fine for the task. I favor the 264 but not for any particular advantage; just a preference for heavier bullets.

I chose the .264 over the .257 primarily because the throat is shorter in the .264. You can then seat bullets deeper in the case neck and closer to the lands and still have normal overall length that fits the magazine. I don't like the long throat of the Weatherby chamber.

I have owned both.
Only shot deer with them.

If I was going to use one on elk I would prefer the 264.

However for deer and antelope the 257 WBY would be my choice.

I would shoot 100gr bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I have owned both.
Only shot deer with them.

I too have owned both......and now shoot a .25-06 and a .270......

Neither of the magnums are truly much better!

Since your goal is an antelope rifle, I'd choose the 257 WBY over the 264 Win. Both have basically the same flat-shooting capabilities, but the 257 WBY is plenty for an antelope.

Since your friend is concerned about lugging around a big rifle, you might suggest the 700 Mountain LSS in 270 Win instead of the CDL 257 WBY. The mountain LSS is a pound lighter and 4" shorter. Plus, the 270 Win will shoot almost as flat as the 257 WBY or the 264.

well, their case capacity is just about the same and the diameter of the bullets is only .007" apart, so they are likely very similar!

Factory ammo in the 264 is pretty limited, so if you are not a handloader the Roy has the advantage. IMO, if you are a handloader, brass is much cheaper for the Win, and bullet selection is better, so I'd go that way. Either way, the critters won't know the difference, pick what you like.

I own and shoot both. Rem 700 vssfII in 264 win mag. Weatherby accumark in 257 wby. A 100 gr partition at 3,600 fps+ from a 257 wby is hard to beat. w/ 200 yd zero and .377 bc, bullet is .8" high at 100 yds. -4.6" @ 300 yds., -13.7 @ 400 yds. Never shot an antelope with one but it kills hogs and deer DRT.
GWB

quote:

I too have owned both......and now shoot a .25-06 and a .270......

Neither of the magnums are truly much better!

I know he owns a 7mag and I think 270. I said why waste the money. But I'm one to talk when the new rifle fever hits. I think he was just sold on the CDL and the fluted barrel.

He has no issue carrying a normal rifle he just didn't want to carry my Laredo.

If he didn't have the 7mag I would say the 264 if he really has to have one I guess I'll suggest the 257.

Since he's got the 7MM and 270, I'd suggest a 257 Roberts. That'd be something fun to shoot. He should be able to get close to the flat ballistics with 130/140's in the 7MM. The Bob is just easy to like and can be put in a truly light package without being punished by recoil. I know this is going in the complete opposite direction, but it's my suggestion. But who am I to talk. I have a Mark X action in the safe waiting in line to be a 264 WM.

David

Let's see...$2 per brass case, $40-60 for a box of loaded ammo, IF you can find it I see no reason to go with the 257 in the Weatherby configuration. You won't find either in a sporting goods store in the boonies, so that is moot.

264 factory ammo is available all over the internet. I can always reload from 7Mag brass, if I need to, but I don't have to since lots of people have it in stock. That's the way I'd go, and did.

The cartridges are both more than adequate for deer & antelope. they are also enough alike I wouldn't choose either.

Instead, I'd tell your friend to pick the rifle he likes best, then to be happy with either cartridge, if one or both was available in it.

Me, I've GOT both, and for some reason, I end up taking neither for deer or antelope. I always end up carrying my nice old lightened-up Browning/Mauser in vanilla .280 Remington. It does the job, and is a joy to carry.

Tough call, but I think that even after having owned a 264Win and traded up for a 7mmMag, I'd still lean towards the .264.

Because at the time I got rid of my 264 Nosler had not yet introduced their .264 100gr partition.

If both rifles are shooting a 100gr partition at near 3600fps
it's ballistically a "Six of one, half-dozen of the other" situation, what tips the equasion is the cost of .257wby brass or loaded ammo.

"losing your handloaded ammo" can happen if you own a 30-06.

BTW, where are you seeing loaded 257wby ammo for $60 a box?



AD

Just peeked at Midway,the prices seem to be from $40+ to $70 per box, and the only ones less than $50 are Hornady cup and core bullets which IMO are out of their league in a 257Roy.

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?t=8...yString=653***690***

you can resize the 7mm mag. brass and have very cheap brass, which results in a greatly reduced cost for .257 weatherby.

I love the .257 Wby Mag and have gotten around the high cost of ammo by reloading and I, too, resize 7mm mag. brass to .257 and it works great!

I completely agree that cup&Core slugs are out of their league in the 257wby, and by construction in the 25-06, 264Win, 7mmRem, etc...

Basically if it can get them moving faster than 3300 then partitions or Barnes are necissary.

And you'll notice that many of the people that advocate "slowing down" certain cartridges by using a heavier bullet also recommend using a heavier Cup&Core bullet.

If a cup and core bullet isn't used there is less need to slow down.

In a prarie rifle, especially when you are looking for Pronghorns out in the sage, there is nothing that can be substituted for speed.

I just figuire that a 120gr TTSX launched at >3500 (closer to 3600) from my 7mmMag is less "target aspect sensitive"

Proportional to it's size I doubt there is anything out there that has a larger vital area than a pronghorn.
there's an awful lot of lung inside a pronghorn.



AD

quote:

Originally posted by Allan DeGroot:
In a prarie rifle, especially when you are looking for Pronghorns out in the sage, there is nothing that can be substituted for speed.

maybe accuracy?
maybe stalking/hunting skills?
maybe a range finder?
maybe a steady rest?
maybe BC?
maybe the right bullet?
maybe adequate penetration?
maybe adequate expansion?

I dunno, just thinkin' Lots of variables, not sure one is all that much more important than the others. The 204 Ruger has lots of velocity, if that were the only important variable.

One other thing,
If you get the 257 wby cartridge, make sure you have a 26" barrel, or you'll be carrying a loud 25-06, with same performance.
Can't speak for the 264, but would suspect the same might apply.
triggerhap4

quote:

Originally posted by triggerhap4:
One other thing,
If you get the 257 wby cartridge, make sure you have a 26" barrel, or you'll be carrying a loud 25-06, with same performance.
Can't speak for the 264, but would suspect the same might apply.
triggerhap4

My 24 inch Vanguard 257 throws the 100 grain TSXs at 3500 + fps whether from my handloads or from factory ammo. Others I know with a Vanguard 257 get the same numbers. The 25-06 will push them at about 3200 - 3300 fps. There is a bit of a difference there. Not that game would know the difference however .

Ken....

[/QUOTE]
maybe accuracy?
maybe stalking/hunting skills?
maybe a range finder?
maybe a steady rest?
maybe BC?
maybe the right bullet?
maybe adequate penetration?
maybe adequate expansion?

I dunno, just thinkin' Lots of variables, not sure one is all that much more important than the others. The 204 Ruger has lots of velocity, if that were the only important variable.[/QUOTE]



+1

I haven't shot dozens of antelope, but I've shot a few. My first one was at about 200 yards with a Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag pistol. One shot, DRT. My hunting partner had missed him with a .300 H&H Mag.

In fact, I enjoy HUNTING them, and have never taken a shot at one over 200 yards away. No need to. The season here is a week long, and in that time I know I can figure out how to stalk up on one. Playing "tag" with them is most of the fun for me. BTW, I've never used anything but cup'n core bullets for them either. They are not very tough animals. (Would only switch to "premiums" if the California lunacy spread up here and required it. Then I'd use some form of Barnes-X.)

Having both I prefer the .257Wby. I've got the Wby Mk5 light weight and it's a hoot. Long throat doesn't bother me at all and it is more accurate than my .264 Winny.

VERY good question. I struggled with the answer to this question at length. The best answer is both. I couldn't afford both so for my application I choose the .264 Winchester Magnum because of the heavier bullet. the .257 is flatter.

quote:

Originally posted by olarmy:

quote:

Originally posted by Allan DeGroot:
In a prarie rifle, especially when you are looking for Pronghorns out in the sage, there is nothing that can be substituted for speed.

maybe accuracy?
maybe stalking/hunting skills?
maybe a range finder?
maybe a steady rest?
maybe BC?
maybe the right bullet?
maybe adequate penetration?
maybe adequate expansion?

I dunno, just thinkin' Lots of variables, not sure one is all that much more important than the others. The 204 Ruger has lots of velocity, if that were the only important variable.

I've already covered the "bullet" issue, velocity takes care of the expansion.
bullet construction deals with penetration...

but then again we are talking antelope here "penetrating" them or discussing doing so is like discussing penetrating jackrabbits.

Ranger finder? Necissity variable and need decreases with velocity (initial and retained)

Do remember that relatively speaking the vitals of an antilope account for nearly half the animals broadside sillouette.

to me "stalking" an antelope is like trying to sneak up on a marathon runner by crawling on broken glass.

"Antelope in the sage" doesn't completely cover it because where I've been it isn't only "sage", the ground is covered in a carpet of prickly pears, you can hunker down or even crawl in that shit if you like but frankly I'll be happy to "snipe" at them without even trying.


Though the last antelope I was close to with a firearm in my possession was looking at me with great curiosity nearly within bayonette range while I was sighting in my 10-22 cottontail
rifle. WAY TOO close for even a 3X scope.

another step and I would have started considering how to mount a curb feeler to the barrel.

NO, I didn't shoot it.
and NO I'm not gonna tell you exactly where it was other than "wyoming north of I-80 and east of I-25" and that covers about 1/3 of the state.

Private property and essentially ZERO hunting pressure. you drive around and they race you
but they seem to have little concept of what a human on foot is.

Then again nobody has ever accused a pronghorn of being terribly smart, where they live fast and nervous is sufficient for their survival.


AD

Hmm....tough choice! I think its 6 to 1, half dozen to another.

264 Win Mag!!! ONLY way to fly!!! 140 Gamekings over a dose of El-Cheapo H-870 and away we go!

Aloha, Mark

I have both, but prefer the 264.

Brass is easier to get and the accuracy is not as fussy with the 264.

Plus it shoots heavier bullets if you want to..just more versatile.

Another vote for the obsolete 264. Much better Sectional Density and BC in similiar bullets.