I’m looking to buy a small caliber, long range antelope gun next year. I really want a 257 Weatherby but the only problem is I want my two children to be able to use it when they turn 12. I’m almost thinking of just getting the Weatherby and getting it ported, but I swore I would never own another ported gun after loosing so much hearing from my ported 300. I have never shot a 257 Weatherby so I really don’t know how much they actually kick.

Do you guys think the kick is a little too much for a 12 year old girl? Should I think about getting a 243 Varmint rifle instead?

Why not install a "port" system with a screw-on end-cap that eliminates the port. I had a system machined into a 338 that permits use of the muzzle-break while range-shooting.....but is changeable at will. Contact Dennis Olsen of Plains, Montana....a "neurosurgeon" of a gunsmith.

I owned a .257 Accu-mark, 26" stainless fluted barrel and I would comment more on the muzzle-jump than the actual recoil. That being said, YES I think it would be a bit much for a 12-14 yr old (probably girl or boy). The rifle was not punishing to shoot, but it "moved around" a good bit. Sorry if this is no help

quote:

I really don’t know how much they actually kick.

recoil is extremely mild.....

That said....it's no gun for a 12-year old!

I would tend agree with those that said a 257 weatherby would be a bit much for a 12 year old. Mine is in the accumark configuration. It is not a light rifle and even thought you are shooting light bullets you are touching off 70+ grains of poweder in some instances.
I think a 260 rem or a 257 roberts or a 243 would be a better choice. If you must have a weatherby, a 240 in an accumark or ultralight might be a bettter choice. An 85 gr barnes tsx in the 240 weatherby is no slouch.
GWB

I second a .260rem you could handload some 100gr ballistic tips or a ,100gr partition for the kids, as they get older, and bigger you can move up to 130gr accubond or scirocco.Then even a 140gr partition or similar for bigger big game.Just a thought....

I have a 257 Weatherby and would have to agree it would probably be too much for a 12 year old.

However, if an average 12 year old is experienced enough to utilize the long range capabilty of a 257 Weatherby, he/she probably would be experienced enough to handle the recoil.

Joe A.

I remember my Accumark in 257 to be a cream puff, but it's been several years since I owned/shot it. I would recommend a Kimber Montana in 260, 257 Bob or 25-06. Lou

I compare my 257 wby recoil to 270 win recoil. If you think your kids can handle a 270, they can handle the 257 wby.

I think they'll have more trouble with the weight of the gun rather than the recoil. Mine's heavy for a "sporter", weighs 8 pounds without scope or ammo.

How about some more choices, like say a Rem mdl 7 in 243? Or a Rem "youth" SPS in 243. You can always get them a "cheap" Stevens 200 in 243 or 25-06 and either sell it off or rebarrel it later when they "outgrow" it.

A "varmint" 243 is also gonna be HEAVY to carry. My daughter has more trouble with a heavy gun than a light gun. She's 12 now, and a heavy gun is hard for her to hold up and keep steady. I would NOT recommend a heavy barrel varmint gun in ANY caliber.

I strongly recomend you get a .257 Roberts. Cool as hell, and I bet you will love it. And as a bonus, if you want a .257 weatherby in a few years, you will have a lot of bullets by then.
You can get a hawkey in the .257 Roberts or if you want to spend a little money get a kimber.
Another real good choice would be to get a Ruger #1 in 25,06 and someday later have it rechaberd for the .257 Weatherby.
...tj3006

I have a Vanguard Stainless Sporter that is fairly heavy. It shoots the 100 grain bullets with a recoil that's on par with a 270 or '06. I find it easy to shoot but then too my boomer is a 338-378 Wby so the "light" recoiling 257 is a piece of cake. That said, yeah, probably a bit much for a 12 year old. They can be had with the Accubrake which is removeable. With the brake on it would be VERY easy on recoil. With that option, make sure you wear muffs.

Ken....

IMO the 260 is the way to go.My son is 8 and has been shooting mine since was 6.With 100gr BTs recoil is very manageable for anyone.Just be careful,if you buy one you may buy another one.

Thanks guys. I was looking around and saw there aren’t a lot of heavy barrel 260s available. I’m now looking at Weatherby Mark V Super Varmintmaster in a 243.

Which model 260s do you guys own?

I agree with the .270 comparisons. Not harsh by any means, I was shooting a .30-06 by 13 and I'm not (nor was I back then!) a big guy. All depends on how you work them up to the recoil.

I have a rem 700 bdl ss dm.My wife has a model 7.I had a 700 vls but it was too expensive hiring someone to carry it for me.(LOL) Just too heavy for deer hunting so I let a friend have it.Damn that thing would shoot!

I believe the .257 Wby Mag is a bit much for most 12 year olds. If you reload, you can load it down for lower recoil and then as they grow you can up the load. However, I think the .243 is the better way to go. I own both and they both are useful--with excellent long range accuracy.

I have the WBY model 500 257 and that rifle doesn't kick hardly at all. I know that your kids could shoot it with no problem.

Seeing as this forum is ACCURATERELOADING, just load up some reduced loads with lightweight bullets to get the least recoil for your 12 year old. Load to the max for yourself. That was a simple solution.

Like others have said, load it down. You should find a good load between 39 at 46 grains of H-4895 and your favorite 100 grain bullet. Let the children have the benefit of growing into one of the best rifle-ctg combinations availible.