.257 Weatherby vs. Whitetail Deer

[MudRunner2005]

Alright...well...this year looks like I'm gonna be shooting an Accumark .257 Wby. Mag.

I'm also gonna be using a Carl Zeiss 3-12x56 scope with a 30mm tube.

And some Weatherby 110gr. AccuBonds.


What do yall think the accurate range for this gun might be...using this particular bullet???

 

[RugerM77.270]

Kill range should be about 1000 yards. Accuracy though you will have to shoot it and see. ''If'' the accubonds stick to the 1 1/2'' garuntee with a 10'' kill zone on a deer you are looking at about 650 yards.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Kill range should be about 1000 yards. Accuracy though you will have to shoot it and see. ''If'' the accubonds stick to the 1 1/2'' garuntee with a 10'' kill zone on a deer you are looking at about 650 yards.

That's good to know...

I was figuring it around there.


You don't happen to know where I can find a ballistics chart for this caliber?

Like if I'm 2" high @ 100 yards, then I'm DOA @ 300 yards.....and so-on????

 

[RugerM77.270]

You can go to Hornady's website and make your own by plugging in your velocity, BC, and what yardage you want to zero at but it still doesn't make up for shooting. Many times factory ammo embelishes on the velocity of their ammo and the charts are nil after that. Nothing makes up for getting out their and making your own. Plus, its the only way to tell if your rifle is accurate out that far. Here is the link.

Hornady

 

[oldfamily]

If you want to really enjoy your rifle, invest in reloading then you can load what your rifle likes not just what they have for as far as factory ammo. If the rifle would shoot them a wildcat 125 rbbt would put a hell of a punch on a whitetail. Or your rifle might be able to handle the 130 bfb wildcat both hit with a good thump to them. Oldfamily.

 

[MudRunner2005]

You can go to Hornady's website and make your own by plugging in your velocity, BC, and what yardage you want to zero at but it still doesn't make up for shooting. Many times factory ammo embelishes on the velocity of their ammo and the charts are nil after that. Nothing makes up for getting out their and making your own. Plus, its the only way to tell if your rifle is accurate out that far. Here is the link.

Hornady

Hey thanks Ruger!

I did that, and it's pretty cool!

If I'm DOA @ 300 yards...then I'm only 2.6" high @ 100 yards.

 

[Quarter Round]

Your estimates are close and shooting will at 300 will confirm you are still in the kill zone.

Don't be surprized to find that your AccuMark will shoot sub m.o.a. Mine shot under an inch with the first test load of Berger bullets.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Your estimates are close and shooting will at 300 will confirm you are still in the kill zone.

Don't be surprized to find that your AccuMark will shoot sub m.o.a. Mine shot under an inch with the first test load of Berger bullets.

Hey Charles...was that after break-in?

Or do the Accumark's require it?....or are the pre-fired from the factory, so you don't have to?

I know virtually EVERY gun on the market has to be properly broke-in...I just didn't know if Weatherby pre-fired, so we don't have to shoot $120 worth of shells to break it it???

I mean...break-in for a .308 ain't ****...neither for a regular caliber......BUT for a gun that costs $3.00 a round to fire...that's a lot of money just to break it in!!!

 

[Hired Gun]

Accumarks ar test fired for function and to very accuracy requirements. No gun needs to be broke in but cleaning after every shot for awhile will help it get to where it doesn't foul so much. You can do it over the years as you hunt with it or all at once when it's new. No gun is broke in at the factory.

 

[Quarter Round]

The group was fired with the initial handload and only 6 factory rounds had been down the barrel prior to this. I should be able to get the next test load or powder increase down the barrel this week.

As far as break in, I shoot and clean my rifles as use them. I don't go out for a special range session to shoot x number of bullets through it for the sake of the so called break in. I do clean and care for the firearm properly though.

 

[MudRunner2005]

The group was fired with the initial handload and only 6 factory rounds had been down the barrel prior to this. I should be able to get the next test load or powder increase down the barrel this week.

As far as break in, I shoot and clean my rifles as use them. I don't go out for a special range session to shoot x number of bullets through it for the sake of the so called break in. I do clean and care for the firearm properly though.

So, you don't fire one, clean. Fire one, clean. Fire one, clean.......etc...???

You just go shoot, then when you get done, clean it thoroughly......correct?

 

[Quarter Round]

Yes, I fire 4 or 5 shot groups for load development and clean. When I see something developing with velocity and accuracy I will shoot more rounds up to 10 per group and clean. I'm sure other shooters on this forum have a different regime for this, but the key point is cleaning properly with good tools and solvents.

I'm fortunate to have my own range for load development, so it is not necessary for me to plan a whole day or force myself to shoot on a day when I'm distracted or rushed.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Yes, I fire 4 or 5 shot groups for load development and clean. When I see something developing with velocity and accuracy I will shoot more rounds up to 10 per group and clean. I'm sure other shooters on this forum have a different regime for this, but the key point is cleaning properly with good tools and solvents.

I'm fortunate to have my own range for load development, so it is not necessary for me to plan a whole day or force myself to shoot on a day when I'm distracted or rushed.

****! Must be nice...

I currently don't even have anywhere to hunt, other than my local Wildlife Management Area.....which sucks!

However....I'm talking about when you first get the gun...before you've ever even squeezed one off in it....in other words....do you do your rituals and then sight your gun in....or do you just go and sight your gun in?

 

[Quarter Round]

Take it out of the box and disassemble, clean, re-assemble, snug action screws and check for problems. Mount the scope and sight it in. This rifle took 6 factory rounds to get it close for 300yd. intended point of impact shooting at 100yds. Cleaned after session and ready for next session, etc.

My home range is 284 yds. and the rifle checked on the last session with factory loads to be slightly right and low. Shooting the factory loads for brass and will make final sight in adjustments based off of handloads. This is not the way everyone does it and I certainly won't tell you it is the best way or the only way.

Wildlife management areas are pretty tough, but usually hold some real gems if you can find the right area that all the others avoid.