.257WBY long or short throat?
If you were getting a new barrel chambered for this round and had a choice of a long or short throat. Which would you go with and why? What are the advantages and disadvatages of both?
Thanks,
Terry
If you plan to shoot handloads only, a short throat. But if you want to be able to shoot factory loads as well as handloads, you must go with the factory freebore. There is no guarantee a shorter freebore will give you better accuracy, but a long freebore is normally not considered conductive to accuracy. Still, a lot of factory Wthbys shoot very decently.
- mike
11 July 2005, 22:10
1911reloaderI third mho. I have a .257 ultralightweight and am very displeased with it. I can shoot 1" groups with Sierra's all day (thanks in part to the tangent ogive), however, all the premium bullets I used shot all over the place. I attribute this mostly to the freebore, and to a lesser extent, chamber/barrell temp.
The only reason Weatherby uses the freebore is to "flatten the pressure curve." Somehow this is suppose to increase velocity (I haven't figured that out yet), which is their marketing trademark.
I would do a little research to see if other people have had luck with a short throat and are within safe pressure limits. I wouldn't think that would be a problem since there are so many other more powerful magnums that don't use freebore.
12 July 2005, 09:00
jstevensI would use the standard chamber since you can use factory loads or may want to sell it someday. In all honest I haven't had any problems getting my .257 to shoot with premium bullets. I've been using 100 grain TSX bullets with RL22 for my beanfield deer and antelope always shoots under 1 MOA. sometimes will almost shoot three into one hole. I have a hunting buddy who shoots a .300 Weatherby in a Sako that also shoots real well. The only negative I have with my .257 is that it seems to foul the barrel a bit quicker than most of my other rifles.
12 July 2005, 13:16
buckshotquote:
Originally posted by jnemmers:
I third mho. I have a .257 ultralightweight and am very displeased with it. I can shoot 1" groups with Sierra's all day (thanks in part to the tangent ogive), however, all the premium bullets I used shot all over the place. I attribute this mostly to the freebore, and to a lesser extent, chamber/barrell temp.
The only reason Weatherby uses the freebore is to "flatten the pressure curve." Somehow this is suppose to increase velocity (I haven't figured that out yet), which is their marketing trademark.
I would do a little research to see if other people have had luck with a short throat and are within safe pressure limits. I wouldn't think that would be a problem since there are so many other more powerful magnums that don't use freebore.
You're on the right track. Weatherby also used the double radius neck refered to as the Powell Miller Venturi Freebore, or something like that.
I personaly think it was due to a healthy dose of IMR 4350!
12 July 2005, 14:52
<JOHAN>TC1
I have had a 257 wby with short throat and experienced no problems. Cartridge OAL was 86,5mm.
In a match grade barrel you will likely reach top velocity with slightly lighter loads than most reloading manual indicate.
Cheers
/JOHAN
13 July 2005, 00:10
lofterInterarms MK X no name barrel. standard throat. 115 nosler bt's with 65 gr H4831SC. will cut all 5 holes on a good day. This is the only bullet i've tried to date. I'm more than satisfied with it's range and field performance.