Let's Talk Weatherby

[Cottonfish]

My Dad has wanted a MkV in .257 Magnum as long as I can remember, and I'm considering surprising him with one at Christmas this year. Problem is, I know very little about them.......I know they were sourced to different manufacturers at different times, and (in .257, anyway) the barrel twist rates changed over time. Does anyone have any knowlege to share, and help guide me on my search?

Stu

[Rubi513]

I have a 257 Weatherby Magnum Mark V Accumark. It is the most accurate rifle I have. It shoots the Weatherby 115 ballistic tip very well. It will tear one ragged hole at 100. The gun just feels solid in your hands and looks nice as well.

The very early models had the 1:12 twist rate, which would have been good for the lighter bullets. The current twist rate of 1:10 is what they should have had in there to begin with.

I have always liked the Weatherby's, but Remington does offer a 257 Weatherby mag. in the Classic if you are interested. Good luck with whatever you decide on!

[Jackhawk 9000]

I have the Weatherby ultralight chambered in the .257. I shoot a 115 grain Ballistic tip also. It is a great performing round. Just look at the ballistics table if you want some proof. I love mine and I will never sell it.

[locknload]

I shoot a Weatherby Lazermark 257WBY Magnum. I prefer the 100gr Barnes TSX bullet
($80 box) for deep pass thru shots and does not ruin the shoulders. For Weatherby factory ammo, I find this bullet to be consistently accurate year after year and has a good flat shooting trajectory. Try to find one with a muzzle brake so he can enjoy it forever...

The Weatherby 257WBY magnum is an excellent caliber. No runners with this caliber.

257 WBY Magnum Bullet Statistics
Energy (Foot-Pounds) "Knock Down power"
Muzzle -2731
100 Yds - 2352
200 Yds - 2019
300 Yds - 1725
400 Yds - 1496
500 Yds - 1239

[Old Bald Guy]

I know of a .257 purchased back in the 70's that will be coming up for sale shortly. We shot it a few times and then put it in the safe where it has been ever since except for being wiped down. Don't know yet what the price will be but the gun is cherry.

[locknload]

Hey Cottonfish, checkout this scope (Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x50 AO) on TBH for sale. This would make it a killer setup!!

[Cowpolks-TR]

I shoot a vanguard .257. I used the 100 grain Spire point bullet. I love the gun, great to shoot and dead accurate. Definitely the best shooting gun I have owned. Allows you to reach way out and touch them too.

[PondPopper]

[

[PondPopper]

I know of a .257 purchased back in the 70's that will be coming up for sale shortly. We shot it a few times and then put it in the safe where it has been ever since except for being wiped down. Don't know yet what the price will be but the gun is cherry.

Ohh boy can't wait. Any idea when?
This will be good.

[chase15]

Ive got one of the older vanguard Sub Moas in 257 WBY. It quickly became my favorite by far and many of my buddies have went and bought one after shooting an animal or two with mine. Fun, flat, hard hitting caliber. I shoot the cheaper 100 grain Spire Points, and ive never had one take a step.

[Tx_Wader]

I have a Weatherby Mk V Fibermark in .257 Weatherby Magnum, 26" barrel; it's a tack driver and loaded with the Barnes bullets it's deadly on deer. That barrel length is important.

The neat thing about it is that it will shoot the 100 grain Barnes bullet and the 100 grain Spire Point bullet in the same hole. So for hogs and such I can shoot the less expensive ammunition and not have to re-zero my scope.

My .270 Weatherby Magnum Mk 5 Fibermark shoots the same way but has a bit more oomph on the shoulder than the .257 does.

[Old Bald Guy]

Ohh boy can't wait. Any idea when?
This will be good.

Not sure exactly but in the next week or so. Also will be some old model 70's, Sakos, Kimbers, Remingtons etc.

[Mike D]

I have a custom 257 Weatherby based on a Rem 700 pattern action.

It is an incredible shooter and round. I shoot the 115 grain Bergers and the 115 grain ballistic tips and it puts them hole in hole.

Make sure to get a 26" barrel to get the most performance from it.

[Dale Moser]

Not sure exactly but in the next week or so. Also will be some old model 70's, Sakos, Kimbers, Remingtons etc.

Keep us posted on that, please!


We bought dad a Mark V .257 for his 50th birthday....that would have been 2000. I don't know what twist the barrel is, but everything he points it at dies right now!

[Cottonfish]

Thanks for all the info, gents........I guess I was mostly concerned about getting ahold of an older rifle with a slower twist barrel that wouldn't handle the 115-120gr bullets well. And I know the .257 mag really needs a 26 inch barrel to get the most from the case capacity. Looking at the Weatherby website, my best option may be a new production gun........off to start shopping the internet gun sites........

Stu