I'm just in the dreaming/planning phase of this project. But I'm looking for all honest opinions.

I have a pushfeed Model 70 .300 Win that's in the middle stages of being "shot out". I've decided that, when the accuracy deteriorates too badly to suit me, I'm going to re-barrel at 26" in either the .257 or the .264. I'm leaning toward the .264 for the sheer economics of brass prices. But, I doubt I'll shoot either chambering enough to wear another one out.

What's your thinkings and how's come??

The 264 will do anything the 257 will and gain the advantage of heavier bullets.....IMO, that's worth a lot.

No question about it.....IMO the 264 is the right choice.

Great question Strut10. I really like both cartridges. My observations:

1. One thing about brass prices is the quality. As you know Norma makes the Weatherby brass and Norma has the reputation of top line quality.

2. Does a longer bullet seat (throat) bother you? It doesn't bother me but take into consideration when custom chambering for presuure using factory .257 Weatherby ammo. Also, may be accuracy consideration.

3. The .264 caliber has high quality target and hunting bullets available. The .25 caliber has great hunting bullets but not many target bullets.

4. Important point is to build the one that interests you the most.

Bottom line: If I planned on 600-1000 yard shooting I would lean .264 Winchester Magnum. If I wanted to shoot more with bullets at or below 100 grains I would go .257 Weatherby Magnum.

Buliwyf

The only reason I'd pick the 257WM is if I did not reload.

Thanks for the input, fellers.

Kinda shored up what I was already thinking. Probably looking to build more of a long range varmint/paper-puncher rifle than anything else. Something a little more pleasant to spend extended sessions with in the prone position than my 7-STW...........and something that gets a few more loads from a can of powder.

I believe...........if no other project that a magnum boltface will accomodate comes along looking sexier...........I will, indeed, end up with a .264 barrel on the old .300 one of these days.

There is an artical about reloading the .264 Win starting on page 34 of the Feb 2005 No.233 issue of Handloader Ammunition Reloading Journal. The artical(New Powders in the .264 Winchester Magnum)lists RL-25,MRP2,Magpro,Retumbo ,and Magnum powders. I use 68.5Gr of Ramshot Magnum powder in Win cases,9 1/2 Rem primers with Hornady 140 Gr bullets.I get a muzzle velocity of 3,190 ft/sec from a Mdl 70 Win rifle with a 26 inch barrel.

If it just the cost of the brass that is an issue. Years ago I used to make 257Wby brass from other mag brass. Run 7Rem mag brass in a 257Wby die bump the shoulder a little and resize the neck load and fireform. The neck was just a little short but since the Wby neck is so long it was not an issue. Just checked two sources and neither had 264 brass so you might be forming anyway.

I agree with the others. If you want a light bullet gun the majority of the time go 257. If you want 120 and higher more go 264.

For me making a rifle decision on the cost of the brass is not something I do. 100 cases last a long time.

As to the long throat on the 257. If you don't want it and don't plan to shoot factory set it to what you want.

I LOVE my 264's but I really think im going to like my new 257wby...

Just get one of each

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:

For me making a rifle decision on the cost of the brass is not something I do.

Me either. I guess I mentioned that in my post because that's about the only difference I could make between loading for the two rounds.

I'm not sure whether the longer throat of the Wby. makes a difference to me or not.........mostly due to ignorace/inexperience. I only load for & shoot one Wby. round which is the .375. It is acceptably accurate. But I have no way to guess if it would be better, accuracy-wise, if it did not have the freebore. Logically, maybe, it should be but.............??

Still think I'm liking the .264

.264 Win Mag!

Both are really quite overbore, and both will have the tendency to shoot out their barrel a little quicker than something more efficient. I would give the .264 the nod because of the fact that you can drive a much heavier bullet than the .257, which can make the larger powder capacity work harder, ie - more energy per grain of powder.

Strut10,

I don't know if you are just tired of having a 300WM, but IMHO it's a much better option than a 257Wby or even a 264WM

It'll surpass both of them in any parameter you may think of.

Regards,

quote:

Originally posted by Gustavo:
Strut10,

I don't know if you are just tired of having a 300WM, but IMHO it's a much better option than a 257Wby or even a 264WM

It'll surpass both of them in any parameter you may think of.

Regards,

Gustavo......

I'm not tired of the .300 Win. in any way, shape or form. I have another one. So I figured, since I wore this one out, I'd try another flavor.

I'll not be without a .300 Win. so long as I shoot.

Strut10,

Good to hear that!

Well, then back to your original question, the .264 hands-down. While the .257 is a fantastic performer, it's way overbore and such very not very efficient.

May I suggest a 7mm Rem Mag?

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
The 264 will do anything the 257 will and gain the advantage of heavier bullets.....IMO, that's worth a lot.

No question about it.....IMO the 264 is the right choice.

+1
I chose 270wm over 257wm yrs ago. sure glad I did!
These days though 270win or 280rem with 140tsx is more than enough.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustavo:
Strut10,

May I suggest a 7mm Rem Mag?

Never was much of a 7-Rem fan. I always figured if a fellow was going to burn that much powder and get kicked a bit, he may as well be shooting a .300 Win. and have something. Also.......I have a Model 70 s/s in 7-STW. So the 7-Rem would be quite a large step backward for long-range shooting.

Myself I like my 257 WBY. The 264 can shoot bigger bullets but none are as fast as the 257 WBY.

I looked at both the 264 and the 257 WBY last year when I was planning a new rifle for long range Deer. their was just nothing they would do that my old 270 win wouldn't do just as well.

I looked around for somthing that would give me a edge over the 270 win and settled on the 257 STW. It pushes a 100 gr TSX at 4,000 fps (Max velocity with the TSX is 4,200 Fps). You can do the math, but to put it simple it smokes the 257 wby and the 264 win. if you like Bang Flops this is the rifle for you.

Dr B

Going back to an item mentioned above (brass quality), I've found that even though Norma brass is very pricey the quality is still rather dicey. In other words, I see no advantage for the .257.

Get the .264 and sort out the best of 6 bags of Winchester brass. Do the prep work level you are comfortable with and the result will last through the life of the barrel.

Gabe

For whatever one man's experience is worth, I haven't had a problem with Winchester brass. I use it as it comes, no sorting or prep work and still get 3/4" groups with Sierra's 140gr BT.

if you are wanting a fast 25 cal and dont mind hand loading you should look at the 25 stw it can be the action you mentioned

I just went with a 270 WBY and I am happy.
Nothing wrong with 130 nosler Accubonds at 3500 fps.

quote:

Originally posted by POP:Nothing wrong with 130 nosler Accubonds at 3500 fps.

POP: I agree. (Nosler just introduced 130 AB's in 6.5MM. )

quote:

Originally posted by RH outfitter:
if you are wanting a fast 25 cal and dont mind hand loading you should look at the 25 stw it can be the action you mentioned

It can?? I thought the .257 STW was just (basically) the 7-STW necked down. Last time I looked, my Model 70 7-STW was on an Express length action where the .300 Win was on a standard long action.

Strut10,

Have you already made a decision?

quote:

Originally posted by Gustavo:
Strut10,

Have you already made a decision?

I believe I have decided the .264 will get the nod when this project gets going.......yep.

dear strut 10 the model 70 express length action is the same length as the mag length action the only differance is the ejection port is .500 longer than the standard or magnum length action and this .500 is at the back of the action i have built a 25 stw on a model 70 action chambered for a 7mm rem mag and it functions fine i also have one on a wby vanguard action that was a .300 win mag so it should work on yours.

quote:

Originally posted by RH outfitter:
dear strut 10 the model 70 express length action is the same length as the mag length action the only differance is the ejection port is .500 longer than the standard or magnum length action and this .500 is at the back of the action i have built a 25 stw on a model 70 action chambered for a 7mm rem mag and it functions fine i also have one on a wby vanguard action that was a .300 win mag so it should work on yours.

So some milling off the rear of the ejection port and my .300 Win action is good to go?? Probably have to do something with the mag box, too, right? If this is the case........I may be changing my mind. Always wanted to do a .257 or 6.5 STW........just didnt want to shell out for an express action.

dear strut 10 you do not have to do any thing with the ejection port unless you just want to i did't i did have to open the mag box up a little on my 25 stw with 100 grain nosler bt i am geting alittle over 3800 fps it will explode some varmints. if you build one keep us posted.

Strut10, you can have a Wyatt magazine box put into your rifle and those STW cases will fit with your bullets seated to touch the lands if need be. I had one put in my Remmy 700 last summer to accomodate .358 STA. Before the STA it was a .300 Jarrett, same 8mm mag length cases, but I had to seat bullets to fit in the box. Google Wyatt Outdoors. BUT, if you go with the .257 WBY you will have the right cartridge and won't need the longer magazine. I've looked long and hard at the .264, and feel that the 7 mag will do everything it will and more, but as you have another .300 you probably don't need a 7 mag. The .257 is a ripper and not so ridiculously overbore as the .257 STW, IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by cobrad:
Strut10, you can have a Wyatt magazine box put into your rifle and those STW cases will fit with your bullets seated to touch the lands if need be. I had one put in my Remmy 700 last summer to accomodate .358 STA. Before the STA it was a .300 Jarrett, same 8mm mag length cases, but I had to seat bullets to fit in the box. Google Wyatt Outdoors. BUT, if you go with the .257 WBY you will have the right cartridge and won't need the longer magazine. I've looked long and hard at the .264, and feel that the 7 mag will do everything it will and more, but as you have another .300 you probably don't need a 7 mag. The .257 is a ripper and not so ridiculously overbore as the .257 STW, IMO.

Cobrad........

Thanks a ton for the heads-up on the Wyatt mag box. the #8 box brings many new project possibilities to life. It's just like Christmas!!

I had this same problem a few years back I wanted a 257 or 264 and could not make my mind up so I built both. The 257 is on a early 700 action with a 27.5 in. S/S barrel by brian penwell. The 264 is on a S/S encore with a 26.5 in. S/S barrel by Bullberry. I love the way they both shoot and would do it again. Yes there both close to each other in vel. but the encore is more of a pack around gun and the 257 a crop field gun.

Hoeram