257 Weatherby on Elk

[Raudy707]

The real problem these days is everyone shooting beyond the capability of certain cartridges. Yes a 243, 257 Roberts or 25-06 will take elk cleanly #1, when the bullet is placed in the vitals and #2, within its range to make said bullet perform and function properly. I've killed elk with my 25-06 and 120 grain Nosler Partition without issue out to 400 yds. But I have that cap on it and have passed on shots 500+ yds. Stay disciplined. Get closer. If you can't, try again tomorrow or buy a bigger gun. We owe it to the animals to stick to our principles and limitations of our equipment. They aren't gonna roll over and die I promise. The will to live and escape are beyond our comprehension. Unless you've been in certain situations, at war or on the battlefield, this will to live never crosses our minds. So always remember your limiting factor out there. Is it your shooting skills, your rifle, your bullet etc...You can kill elk with a 22 long rifle if you had to. Just have to know our limitations and stick to them.

 

[FEENIX]

I find it very interesting just how many hundreds of threads have been posted since this one, along the lines of: "Is this cartridge big enough for Elk". The answer never changes, put the hole in the right place!~!!! but the question gets asked endlessly.

Agreed! The availability of heavier bullets and faster twist barrels has been a game-changer., i.e.,

(L=145 Black Hole at 3090 FPS and R=163 Chinchaga at 2915 FPS out of 22" 1:7" barrel during powder pressure test).

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

So true--the equipment has gotten so good that making hits beyond 600 is not only doable but somewhat common. A lot changes past 500 yards. Also with suppressors and shorter barrels more "vogue" short barrels (as much as I love them) are not great for performance--a 24 in barreled 6.5 creedmoor is not the same animal as a 18 in barrel creedmoor. Just some thoughts

 

[Wilderness Blacktail]

So true--the equipment has gotten so good that making hits beyond 600 is not only doable but somewhat common. A lot changes past 500 yards. Also with suppressors and shorter barrels more "vogue" short barrels (as much as I love them) are not great for performance--a 24 in barreled 6.5 creedmoor is not the same animal as a 18 in barrel creedmoor. Just some thoughts

Velocity is velocity tho right? It doesnt matter what barrel length or cartridge ya start it with. Its velocity specific performance levels in this case.

2900 is 2900.
Switch powders or bullets till the performance meets your needs. If that isnt enough get a bigger case to push it OR accept your expansion limitations and shorten ranges.


One of the most irksome example of this was when a gunwriter was sayin the 6.5CM was only a 200yd elk rifle for cows n spikes but his 6.5PRC was fantastic on big mature bulls out past 400. His load was exactly same bullet & velocity as my 26" 6.5CM. LOL

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

I see you posted a link for GPO equipment. I've been looking for posts from GPO owners/users but haven't seen much. Are there any guys out there with GPO experience that are willing to share?

Velocity is velocity tho right? It doesnt matter what barrel length or cartridge ya start it with. Its velocity specific performance levels in this case.

2900 is 2900.
Switch powders or bullets till the performance meets your needs. If that isnt enough get a bigger case to push it OR accept your expansion limitations and shorten ranges.


One of the most irksome example of this was when a gunwriter was sayin the 6.5CM was only a 200yd elk rifle for cows n spikes but his 6.5PRC was fantastic on big mature bulls out past 400. His load was exactly same bullet & velocity as my 26" 6.5CM. LOL

All I'm saying is my 25 in barreled 257 wby is not the same as with a 18 in barrel is really a 257 Roberts at the muzzle.

Your rights 140 grain bullet at 2900 is a 140 grain at 2900--but cut the barrel 4-5 inches--it's a 140 grain bullet at 2750--that is not the same

 

[Wilderness Blacktail]

All I'm saying is my 25 in barreled 257 wby is not the same as with a 18 in barrel is really a 257 Roberts at the muzzle.

Your rights 140 grain bullet at 2900 is a 140 grain at 2900--but cut the barrel 4-5 inches--it's a 140 grain bullet at 2750--that is not the same

Yes.
"Switch powders or bullets till the performance meets your needs. If that isnt enough get a bigger case to push it OR accept your expansion limitations and shorten ranges."

 

[sable tireur]

One of the most irksome example of this was when a gunwriter was sayin the 6.5CM was only a 200yd elk rifle for cows n spikes but his 6.5PRC was fantastic on big mature bulls out past 400. His load was exactly same bullet & velocity as my 26" 6.5CM. LOL

Gun writers get paid to positively address the advertisers which helps to sell the advertising space, digital or hard copy. Most now are simply bloggers without much real experience. There are some but fewer each year.

 

[Raudy707]

Really can't give today's gunwriters and IG influencers much credence or credit their opinions on anything anymore. For example, in just the past month those so called expert hunters called Muley Freak (Eric Vacubrain) is promoting shooting mule deer at 750 yds with a 22 Creedmoor. Claiming it the greatest deer rifle on the planet. I just don't understand the lack of respect for the wild big game animals with this crew. I know if everything is perfect you can kill plenty of deer with a 223, 22-250 or 22 Creed. I've done it myself for ranchers under depredation permits. I promise you the day will come when things don't go perfect and because you didn't choose the right tool for the job, the animal will be lost. Yeah yeah bullet placement blah blah blah. Have you been out there and actually witnessed where hunters hit big game animals? 60-70% hit the sweet spot. Plenty of bad hits out there. It's normal. People get excited. Rush shots, shoot beyond their capabilities, misread wind or whatever. I spend over 100 days out there hunting on the public land every year. It's not all heart shots and pinpoint hits out there. Just use your own brains out there folks. Know the minimum threshold levels and for God's sake respect the game! Rant over. Happy Thanksgiving

 

[T.Ranger]

Just like everything else, if that is all you have and you can shoot, yes it will kill an Elk. Partition or Barnes is hard to beat for this kind of use. That said, if you have other choices that are 338, more better solution. For one elk hunt I would use what I have, if I planned to do it regular I would get the right gun cause around here Elk country is also Grizz country and the sound of a shot is the dinner bell.

Just saw Plinker's reply, pretty much the same same as this one.

Just wondering what others thoughts are on the 257 WBY with a 115 Partition on elk? Ok for cow? How about on a bull?

A 30 30 has killed many elk, my fav. Is 7rem mag, 708, 300wm, however most of my bulls were shot in the neck one hand down from the ear. I hunted in heavy hazel brush. Hit them there and they go down with the 257.

 

[Wilderness Blacktail]

Really can't give today's gunwriters and IG influencers much credence or credit their opinions on anything anymore. For example, in just the past month those so called expert hunters called Muley Freak (Eric Vacubrain) is promoting shooting mule deer at 750 yds with a 22 Creedmoor. Happy Thanksgiving

Its one thing to do something its another to promote it without the caveats that let folks know, "hey this was the perfect scenario and it worked but if....i wouldnt because we're near the edge here".
N that stands for any cartridge combo used near the limits.

Critters move unexpectedly for any number of reasons, the shot may have been perfect when the trigger broke but in the .99 seconds of flight time that horsefly bit him in the junk and he moves a foot or so in a flash. Doesnt matter that ur shootin a .750 cheytac AI SS Creedmoor with a 820gr ELD-VLD-LRX-LR its a gut shot, ham shot or whatever and now ur hopin like heck it doesnt go far, that the bullet didnt pencil, that of leaves sign and you can track as good as u think and hopefully you have a blood trackin dog.

When writers/role models/influencers fail to note these other important considerations they, assuming they know , they are not being responsible.

The other model, in my example that writer is blinded by AUTHORITY, forgot that headstamps matter not, only the speed of said bullet at impact and its placement.

 

[Wilderness Blacktail]

Im gettin me another .257wby and I will sure as heck take it elk huntin. Itll be loaded well n be ready for shots from 10 yards in the brush to across the basin a good ways. The shots i wouldnt take are not any better with a 30 cal mag, they are shots I wont take.

 

[Quintus]

Really can't give today's gunwriters and IG influencers much credence or credit their opinions on anything anymore. For example, in just the past month those so called expert hunters called Muley Freak (Eric Vacubrain) is promoting shooting mule deer at 750 yds with a 22 Creedmoor. Claiming it the greatest deer rifle on the planet. I just don't understand the lack of respect for the wild big game animals with this crew. I know if everything is perfect you can kill plenty of deer with a 223, 22-250 or 22 Creed. I've done it myself for ranchers under depredation permits. I promise you the day will come when things don't go perfect and because you didn't choose the right tool for the job, the animal will be lost. Yeah yeah bullet placement blah blah blah. Have you been out there and actually witnessed where hunters hit big game animals? 60-70% hit the sweet spot. Plenty of bad hits out there. It's normal. People get excited. Rush shots, shoot beyond their capabilities, misread wind or whatever. I spend over 100 days out there hunting on the public land every year. It's not all heart shots and pinpoint hits out there. Just use your own brains out there folks. Know the minimum threshold levels and for God's sake respect the game! Rant over. Happy Thanksgiving

I hate to get into this discussion, but. You liable Muley Freak (I have no familiarity with) for using the 22CM effectively and then say you have done the same with smaller 22s. I am so tired of guys on a long range hunting site whining about other folks success with a cartridge or bullet or scope or whatever that doesn't meet their performance criteria. I am sorry, but it does come down to bullet selection, placement, and impact velocity. The 257Bee with a good bullet in a good spot within the bullets operating velocity window is a great elk killer. The same can be said for the 22CM and deer. 338WM works too. It doesn't have to be one or the other. Rant over. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[Raudy707]

I shot it my culls at 10 to 100 yds and they're 80 lb blacktail. I could give a rats *** about his successes. I care about the animals. I care about ethics. A quick humane kill. You missed my point completely. As an influence on new hunters I disagree with his actions. Just makes hunters look bad. But hey it's America, do whatever the he** you want.

 

[Calvin45]

Velocity is velocity tho right? It doesnt matter what barrel length or cartridge ya start it with. Its velocity specific performance levels in this case.

2900 is 2900.
Switch powders or bullets till the performance meets your needs. If that isnt enough get a bigger case to push it OR accept your expansion limitations and shorten ranges.


One of the most irksome example of this was when a gunwriter was sayin the 6.5CM was only a 200yd elk rifle for cows n spikes but his 6.5PRC was fantastic on big mature bulls out past 400. His load was exactly same bullet & velocity as my 26" 6.5CM. LOL

That happens all the time! Irks me too!

I know short barrows don't squeeze full velocity out of magnums especially, but I've heard multiple times that a 22 inch .300 win mag is just a loud .30-06 that kicks more…maybe a 28 inch 30-06, MAYBE….and I don't want that!