257 Weatherby or 264 Win Mag

[Dosh]

76, glad it's your decision and not mine. These are two of my favorite cartridges. I have two .257 Wbys and a .264 WM. Would never part with either.

 

[Jared2700]

I'm replacing the barrel on my 257 Bee Mark V. Been pondering different options like a 6.5-257 bee or fast twist 257 barrel for 131 blackjack bullets.
Then I came across the 264 wm. Has the preferred shoulder-not double radius-and a huge selection of bullets (only time I'll ever thank the 6.5cm).
I don't have any real problems with the 257 and have some competition dies for it. Only use the gun for deer at 400 or less. Have an amazing 308 already, so this isn't life or death.
Curious what you all would do in this scenario.
257 with a 8,9,10 twist?
264 with a 8,9 twist?

264 with a 1/8 twist.

 

[GLTaylor]

For your self described usage of deer out to 400 yards, the standard 10 twist 257 wby is impossible to beat. 100 grain ttsx at 3700-3750, sighted in for 2" high at 100, gives you a 300 yard zero, and only 7" down at 400.

I have a 25-06 AI that I am very fond of which shoots 100 gr at speeds just behind the 257 Wby. Cheaper brass, easy to form.

 

[Wolf76]

I have a 25-06 AI that I am very fond of which shoots 100 gr at speeds just behind the 257 Wby. Cheaper brass, easy to form.

I have a magnum bolt face. No .473 case heads.

 

[Hoss50]

I am in the same boat as the OP. I have a 257 Roy that I think is close to the end of its barrel life, and have been considering both a fast twist 257 Roy and 264 win mag. Or I have thought about the 264 weatherby mag hybrid.

I dont know what to do...

 

[Wolf76]

I am in the same boat as the OP. I have a 257 Roy that I think is close to the end of its barrel life, and have been considering both a fast twist 257 Roy and 264 win mag. Or I have thought about the 264 weatherby mag hybrid.

I dont know what to do...

Leaning towards a the 257 with a faster twist barrel. There's zero doubt the 6.5 Cal has more bullet options. BUT I have a 300 mag if longer range is needed- so the lighter recoil/laser beam of the 257 is attractive. They are so close for my application, that it's a coin toss. Except I already have dies and brass.

 

[TX Badger]

Leaning towards a the 257 with a faster twist barrel. There's zero doubt the 6.5 Cal has more bullet options. BUT I have a 300 mag if longer range is needed- so the lighter recoil/laser beam of the 257 is attractive. They are so close for my application, that it's a coin toss. Except I already have dies and brass.

You nailed it yourself. I have always wanted a 264 Win Mag, but for deer inside of 400 yards why deal with the extra recoil when a 257 will do everything you need it to. Go fast twist though to keep your bullet options open.

 

[tribb]

For your self described usage of deer out to 400 yards, the standard 10 twist 257 wby is impossible to beat. 100 grain ttsx at 3700-3750, sighted in for 2" high at 100, gives you a 300 yard zero, and only 7" down at 400.

Planning to do just that with my 257 wby.

 

[Steelthowl]

264 wm is more preferable to me..

 

[Andrew Massi]

Just throwing this out again
Really a neat cartridge: arguably what should have been released over the 6.5-300.
127 lrx @ 3450 makes for a dandy 400 yard mpbr setup
( 143 eld-x pictured)

 

[nicholasjohn]

You nailed it yourself. I have always wanted a 264 Win Mag, but for deer inside of 400 yards why deal with the extra recoil when a 257 will do everything you need it to. Go fast twist though to keep your bullet options open.

I agree. I think there are going to be more .257" bullets coming out that will be long & heavy. This is the trend, and it's going to continue. Be ahead of the curve with a fast-twist barrel chambered for a cartridge that you're already familiar with. If the bullets don't show up right away, it's not like you're hurting for decent bullets now.

 

[codyadams]

I think bottom line here bud.....there is no bad choice ;-)

 

[Hoss50]

Leaning towards a the 257 with a faster twist barrel. There's zero doubt the 6.5 Cal has more bullet options. BUT I have a 300 mag if longer range is needed- so the lighter recoil/laser beam of the 257 is attractive. They are so close for my application, that it's a coin toss. Except I already have dies and brass.

Me too. I have a 6.5x55 for deer and elk under 400. If I need to go farther I have a 300 too.

That and I really like my quarter bore and it is the only one I have. If I make this one a 264 win mag I wouldn't have a 25 cal anymore.

 

[257Tony]

Just throwing this out again
Really a neat cartridge: arguably what should have been released over the 6.5-300.
127 lrx @ 3450 makes for a dandy 400 yard mpbr setup
( 143 eld-x pictured)

No doubt. That could have taken the place of the 6.5-300, and the new 6.5 RPM in my book. Perfect balance right down the middle.