Long range HUNTING cartridges limitations

[okie man]

What happens when you add2-4 inches to the standard 257 weatherby barrel length?

 

[MudRunner2005]

What happens when you add2-4 inches to the standard 257 weatherby barrel length?

Not really sure, my .257 Wby came with a 26" barrel (Accumark)... So I've never shot one in direct comparison with a barrel that's shorter or longer than 26".

But, being that the .257 Wby has much higher case capacity, a longer 28-30" barrel would allow for a more complete burn, creating more gasses, which equals more velocity. How much velocity is something I couldn't tell you.

 

[okie man]

If they ever start production of a 130 grain high bc 257 cal bullet I'd put a longer fast twist barrel on mine just too see what it would do

 

[dana bodnar]

No doubt about that. After about 600 yards, the .257 calibers (thanks to a lack of heavy high BC bullets) seem to really drop off the map. That's about as far as I'd see humanely shooting an animal with it. Now, if someone like Berger would make some 140-145 grain Elite Hunters for the .257, you could extend that much further.

I agree I really like the rifle I shoot a 115-g berger at 3o80 FPS is were the barrel likes it and also at longer ranges in the wind with that light of bullet the wind really pushes it around compared to my 300 win mag with with the 210-g bergers or the 212-g ELD-X I use it alot for my varmint gun and also the smaller white tail deer we have here in Arizona and I also harvested a really big Javelina pig at 439 yards. It's the cheapest rifle I own but it shoots straight and I do have alot of fun with it !!! Savage EDGE

 

[WildRose]

That's a bit excessive... It's only about 250 fps max difference. The .25-06 Rem averages about 3,200 with a 115 grain bullet, and the .257 Wby with the same bullet will average around 3,450.

Depends on the range. The faster bullet will hit with the same energy at 150-200 yards further than the slower bullet.

It's like the difference between the 7RM and STW.

Side by side the STW is faster, flatter, and hits with more energy at any range.

I had a Ruger #1 in 25-06 that took a truckload of NM Antelope, Texas, Deer, Turkey, and Hogs over a couple of decades and hundreds of coyotes. I wish I'd never let it go.

 

[WildRose]

Not really sure, my .257 Wby came with a 26" barrel (Accumark)... So I've never shot one in direct comparison with a barrel that's shorter or longer than 26".

But, being that the .257 Wby has much higher case capacity, a longer 28-30" barrel would allow for a more complete burn, creating more gasses, which equals more velocity. How much velocity is something I couldn't tell you.

Slower powders, lower pressures, longer barrels = lots of fun.

The only problem with the .260 is that with the limited case capacity you are limited to faster powders like RL17-19. I kept running out of case capacity with 23/26 and don't really like shooting compressed loads.

It's really shining with 47.5-48.5gr of RL19 and 130-140gr pills.

 

[Gregg C]

What happens when you add2-4 inches to the standard 257 weatherby barrel length?

Dan Lilja has a fascinating article about barrel length versus velocity. Great reading.

 

[WildRose]

Dan Lilja has a fascinating article about barrel length versus velocity. Great reading.

Got a link? Anything he puts out would be worth a read.

 

[Gregg C]

Got a link? Anything he puts out would be worth a read.

Don't know , lemme see if I can find it.
Gregg

 

[Gregg C]

Got a link? Anything he puts out would be worth a read.

WildRose, I haven't figured out that link thing yet, but the address is
Http:/riflebarrels.com/barrel-length-in-the-338378-weatherby-magnum/
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Or just Google Dan Lilja barrel length vs. velocity, should get you close.
Gregg

 

[AZShooter]

Regarding a 28" 257 weatherby barrel....Dan and I each built one using Lilja 3 groove barrels. Custom reamer by PT&G with approx. .100" freebore and different throat angle.
Using RL-25 can get 3600 with moly coated 115 Bergers.
Using RL-33 3675 fps.

Norma brass is holding up well with multiple firings. This package is a death ray on coues wt. IMO it is the best combination of flat trajectory, energy and low recoil for these deer.

 

[okie man]

That's what I'm talking about, speed without the kick. Easy to place a shot without getting punished on the other end.

 

[MudRunner2005]

That's what I'm talking about, speed without the kick. Easy to place a shot without getting punished on the other end.

Then you should shoot a 26" barreled .25-06 AI 40º... It will blow your mind how well it keeps up, but with even less recoil and muzzle blast.

 

[dana bodnar]

Why is everyone so hung up on muzzle velocity on this thread ? shooting any caliber rifle to it's maxim speed will only prove 1 thing and that is how far you can go until you blow your face off. When I work up a custom load for my rifle with a powder test I start at the lower end of the powder and work my way up and the more powder I use the more I check my brass for signs of high pressure. The tighter the test cell group is telling me that's the speed my barrel likes and that is what you want to achieve. If I shoot a powder test and I get 2 really nice test groups 1 at an average speed and the other at the fastest speed in the book I would choose the average speed group because how temperatures affect powder, when you bring a custom load to the edge of the envelope that's exactly what you get a load that's always on the edge of screwing up your shot. Repeat-ability is the name of the game. Give your rifle what it likes not what you think it likes. A great source of information that we are all talking about here is in Brian Litz book I would have to say it's the best book on long range shooting and ballistics I have ever read and you can buy it here at the Long Range Hunting store.