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-   -   270 wsm or 257 weatherby (http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=11742)

willy11 02-14-2008 09:39 PM

270 wsm or 257 weatherby
 
Well it's time to get a new rifle. I primarily hunt deer with the odd moose/elk hunt, and take after as many coyotes and wolves I can get. I've narrowed it down to the 270 wsm or 257 weatherby mag. Why? Because I like the "not your run of the mill" calibers. I really like the ballistics both these cals offer but am having a tough time deciding. The rifles would be a vanguard sub-moa or the plain jane synthetic/blued (maybe stainless) in the 257 and maybe a browning or ruger in the 270 wsm. Any comments? What do you think? Ammo price/availability is not a factor.

RickF 02-14-2008 10:08 PM

Especially if you reload, I'd be all over the 257 Wby. I have a standard Vanguard stainless and love it, in fact I have a McMillan ordered for it.

If you don't worry about holes in pelts (obviously!) I'd load 100 grain TSX's to 3550 and use that load for everything, yotes to moose. In fact I do.

Don't get me wrong, it's not my only rifle but it is my beater. But expect for grizzlies I'd happily use it for everything.

roger 02-15-2008 07:15 AM

what rick said x2
willy i like your thinking, the 3006/270win arguement is so 'vanilla ice cream'
i have two 257wbys and load 100gr triple shocks to 3550 with imr4831. I could use 7828 and push the 36-3700fps area. i have shot wolves, moose fox, elk, deer, lopes, yotes.
2 3/4" high at 100 is 9"low at 400, at 500 yards the scope is still on deer fur. energy at these ranges exceeds a 270with 150gr and with less recoil too boot ya.
i really like the short throw bolt design, the rank looking stock and precision finish that wby offers
one is a ultralite, the other a older deluxe, both have loopy 3.5x10x50, conetrol bases.
the 270wsm is high on the cool factor, thou

Dick284 02-15-2008 07:38 AM

A bit more info for you.
Get a 26" pipe on the 257 WTBY, that's where it shines, long pipes.(factroy #'s developed from 26" bbl)
As for the 270WSM, own one my self. Only trouble I see in your rifle choices is
A. The Browning has a 23" barrel, so dont exprect factory type numbers in the shorter tube.(24" factory #'s)
B. The WSM's in the Rugers are no longer being made, (Ruger will not pay the Jamison royalty)unless you have one tied to a tree someplace expect to have it a mighty tough find.

As for the merits of each caliber, they are both great, WSM ammo is a bit more easily found, and a touch lighter on the wallet, but if you reload I see narey a fly on either of them.

JohninAB 02-15-2008 09:11 AM

Like Roger said, 270 or 3006 is so vanilla ice cream mind you nothing wrong with vanilla ice cream but other flavours are better.

For me the 257 Bee in a 26 inch tube is the way to go for the reasons Dick has mentioned. I bought a 300 Bee in a Vanguard and sometimes regret it as should have got the Accumark with the Mark V action and more importantly the 26 inch tube.

willy11 02-15-2008 06:41 PM

Dick thanks for the info on the rilfes. I did not know this.
I've got no problem with vanilla ice cream, it does in a pinch, but when you're craving something with a little more pizazz, it just won't do. Besides, who goes to DQ just for vanilla ice cream, not me. I'm leaning towards the 257 bee because of reasons mentioned above, especially for all species. I currently own a 7mm and a 243 in a T/C encore (I love that rifle BTW), but would like to have that one for all. 100 gr tsx sounds wicked. Thanks fellas. I'll let you know what I get.
As well, is there anything to warrant purchasing a sub-moa vanguard vs the regular vanguard? Quite a price difference there.

harv3589 02-15-2008 08:50 PM

How bout a 25-06? Not some exotic caliber but a very nice little package.

pipes 02-15-2008 09:48 PM

I'll go against popular response and say 270 WSM. I am a HUGE fan of the browning 270 WSM. I say this, because although there is nothing wrong with the 257 wby mag, you can load larger grain bullets in a 270 wsm and achieve great ballistics.
I'l say it time and again for hunting deer and moose in Alberta, this is a great calibre.
Even so, I will tell you I hit a large white tail in the perfect spot in the boiler room and he kep going for 5 hours. Shooting a 130 grain barnes TSX.
All I'm saying, I believe you get a better choice with big game in alberta with this calibre.
When comparing ballistics look at both velocity and energy transfer.
270 wsm is not vanilla, maybe the neopolitan. trust me a good 270 wsm is not to be compared to a 270 rem.

stubblejumper 02-15-2008 10:01 PM

I won't own any cartridge that shoots a .277" bullet,so my choice would be the 257wby.I have taken pronghorn,whitetails,mules ,a mountain goat,and an elk with the 257wby with great results.However,I will not own another mark V rifle,so I would have a 700sps rebarreled with a premium 26" barrel.

willy11 02-15-2008 10:04 PM

They're both pretty good, maybe I'll have a scoop of each! That musta been one tough buck! Phoning around, I found ammo prices to be in ball-park of eachother, found 257 120 partitions for as low as 63.00 a box and found 270wsm in the 140 accubond for 58.00 a box, so not bad, but would definitely have to get into reloading down the road. I know guys who shoot both and recommend both, but find a rifle that feels good and you like is the answer I routinely get. Oh well, will keep looking.

sbtennex 02-15-2008 11:36 PM

Gonna be interesting to see the results of this. IMO, the .270 is the best of the WSM's but my next "need-to-have" hunting rifle will be a .257 W'by, 26". One thing - if you buy a Vanguard you might as well order up a Rifle Basix or Timney trigger for it right away. The trigger sucks - horrid uneven gritty creep. A subMOA isn't one with a human trying to shoot that small group on the test target you get with them.

roger 02-16-2008 09:15 PM

willy,
im probably going to have a third mark 5 257 in the safe by the end of the year. i would not get the vanguard though, go mark 5 or like stubblejumper said a custom pipe on a 'friendly' action.
have you ever shot a weatherby???, if not, i would be more than happy to let you crack off a few.

the 270wsm is also a "cartridge-of-interest" to me as well/. honestly i dont think you can go wrong with either. its just which action to put it in.
dont undersestimate the performance of a 257 caliber 100grain projectile going 3500fps
bang flop, bangflop....is a sound youll get used too!
it is not a meat hunting gun,

Tundra Monkey 02-17-2008 09:03 AM

Lovin my 257. I got it in the ultralight for an all round carrier. I shoot lefty so it made the short list pretty quick. My only "complaint" about the rifle...is that I didn't know it was a steel action.....only the barrell is stainless (fluted and blackened by the way). No probs with it...just wondering why they would do that. Weighs in a 6 3/4 and is topped off with a 1" swaro with the tds.....I'm thinkin it's a keeper.

tm

Dick284 02-17-2008 09:11 AM

Mk5's are a steel reciever only, WTBY doesnt re tool just to make a SS action.
You do realize that the 41xx series SS used to build actions and barrels is very high in carbon steel, which means they will rust if not cared for. Take a magnet to your SS barrel and reciever and it will stick to it.
Hmm, mountain out of a mole hill perhaps..........................

Tundra Monkey 02-17-2008 12:22 PM

Hey Dick,

Sounds like they use the same stainless on the browning....mine shows a little bit of rust on the barrell :ashamed: Must have something to do with the rain and lakes mine always seem to wind up in. Falls are tough on rifles for sure....5 weeks on the tundra tends to be a little messy. Winters a little easier....they never get thawed unless it's for a good cleaning.....gotta love brake fluid :D

It's not really a complaint about the rifle....just a difference of opinion with me and Roy's bean counters. IMO it doesn't make sense to use a blued steel action when they attach it to a ss barrell...but it does to them :huh:

I don't want to steal this thread so I'll pm you my next question :innocent:

tm

willy11 02-18-2008 09:16 PM

I'm really leaning towards the 257 weatherby. Talked to afew guys around the country and it's getting more popular. Several elk fell to it last fall, and a handful of moose as well. Because of money, may lean towards the vanguard unless a hot deal comes up on here.
Thanks guys!

Pioneer2 02-19-2008 10:02 AM

Get the .257 WM! It will kill any elk or moose that ever lived provided A] you can shoot B]use premium bullets and C] Have a working knowledge of game anatomy and the intelligence to pass up risky bad angle shots.My son killed a meat 3pt elk at 400 yards with his 25-06 and a handloaded 120HP Hornady/54gr H-4831 SC/Win brass + Fed Mag primer.Bullet took out a rib going in and another exiting.Dead elk...................I've always wanted a .257 WM myself.............Harold *mind you a .264 Win Mag is no slouch either?

BigBuck$ 02-23-2008 11:32 AM

I have a .257 & love the gun. To compare the two calibers ballistics is somewhat of a challenge though. I use 115 gr Noslers in my .257 when compared to the 130 gr .270 the .257 shoots a bit flatter but the .270 hits harder (more energy) @ 400 yards anyways. Just did a quick comparison on guns&ammo's ballistic page and it really depends on what load you are shooting.

When I bought mine I was also looking at the .270 WM but I already own a .270 WIN so I figured I would change it up a bit.

I found when buying any new rifle / caliber go with your gut feeling cause deep down you will already have your mind set on one or the other.

Have fun with your rifle whichever you choose. :wave:

Salvelinus 02-23-2008 06:14 PM

The Vanguard only comes with a 24" pipe. Does the extra 2" make that much of a difference?

.270fan 02-25-2008 05:25 PM

Why Not ???
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by stubblejumper (Post 112876)
I won't own any cartridge that shoots a .277" bullet,so my choice would be the 257wby.I have taken pronghorn,whitetails,mules ,a mountain goat,and an elk with the 257wby with great results.However,I will not own another mark V rifle,so I would have a 700sps rebarreled with a premium 26" barrel.

Just curious Stubblejumper, why not the .277 caliber ? Why is the .257 better ???

Dick284 02-25-2008 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salvelinus (Post 115762)
The Vanguard only comes with a 24" pipe. Does the extra 2" make that much of a difference?

Figure 50 to 70 fps per inch of barrel, you do the math

stubblejumper 02-25-2008 06:45 PM

Quote:

Just curious Stubblejumper, why not the .277 caliber ? Why is the .257 better ???
Because I see the .257" as being plenty for any deer,and the .277" being overkill for deer,and a little on the small side for elk and moose.For a do it all cartridge,I start with the 7mms.

roger 02-26-2008 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salvelinus (Post 115762)
The Vanguard only comes with a 24" pipe. Does the extra 2" make that much of a difference?

I have 2 257wbys and different bbl lengths, a 24" and a 26"
i was at dick284's and we put the same ammo through each gun and it measured eggzactly 100fps less
Dick what was that equation that multiplys velocity by bullet weight???
257mag...100gr x 3600fps=360000
270.........130gr x 3100fps=403000
45-70......400gr x 1700fps=680000

shooterbuck 02-28-2008 07:45 PM

What??
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by stubblejumper (Post 112876)
I won't own any cartridge that shoots a .277" bullet,so my choice would be the 257wby.I have taken pronghorn,whitetails,mules ,a mountain goat,and an elk with the 257wby with great results.However,I will not own another mark V rifle,so I would have a 700sps rebarreled with a premium 26" barrel.


Quote:

Originally Posted by stubblejumper (Post 116168)
Because I see the .257" as being plenty for any deer,and the .277" being overkill for deer,and a little on the small side for elk and moose.For a do it all cartridge,I start with the 7mms.


Youve taken mulies, goats and elk with "great results" with a 257wby yet in the next post you say the .277 is too small for Elk. Ummm did I miss something??:huh:
If the 270 is too much for deer why is a 7mm a good choice for an all arounder? Were talking about 8/1000ths of an inch?....larger?
Sorry stubblejumper just not following you here. Personally I dig the 270 short mag.

stubblejumper 02-28-2008 07:59 PM

Quote:

Youve taken mulies goats and elk with "great results" with a 257wby yet in the next post you say the .277 is too small for Elk. Ummm did I miss something??
I have taken over a dozen deer ,two pronghorns,a mountain goat and one elk with the 257wby with great results.That one elk was a yearling,not a mature bull.For 700lb plus elk,and 1000lb plus moose,I much prefer a larger caliber bullet,with .284" being my own personal comfort level.

Quote:

If the 270 is too much for deer why is a 7mm a good choice for an all arounder?
Because I would rather be overkill on deer,than on the small side for elk and moose.

muzzy 02-28-2008 09:27 PM

So split the difference and go with a 270 weatherby mag I have one and its awesome all round gun


Gord

stubblejumper 02-28-2008 09:35 PM

Quote:

So split the difference and go with a 270 weatherby mag I have one and its awesome all round gun
I chose the 7mmstw as my all around gun.Flatter shooting than a 257wby,but with larger caliber bullets than the 270.Still overkill for deer,but better suited to larger game than either the 257wby or any 270.

DAVE 02-29-2008 04:20 PM

I Have a 257 & 270 wby also 7mm stw i like shooting them all 257 100gr tsx 270 130gr part 7mmstw 140 part

sbtennex 02-29-2008 09:16 PM

I'm like Dave - I like to shoot them all, but to say that a .270 is over-gunning or under for other critters bugs me. A .270 Win will handle almost anything with a decent load and still carry the thump to do it way out there, including elk and moose. I generally carry my 7mm RM for everything but the .45-70 will see a lot more use from now on thanks to handloads. A .270 WSM is generally a fair bit more capable of sustaining wallop way out there than a .270 Win but I've never heard of "too dead". Even though I will eventually own a .257 Roy, I wouldn't even begin to insult my .270 by claiming the .257 is better at anything - it's just a different caliber and on deer will probably do far more meat damage than either my .270 or my 7mm. Oh, yeah, and the .257 W'by I buy probably won't be in a Weatherby rifle. I think they're over-hyped and not worth the price for the better looking ones, but (not to start any kind of argument) then I don't have much use for Ruger bolt guns either.

stubblejumper 02-29-2008 10:21 PM

Quote:

like to shoot them all, but to say that a .270 is over-gunning or under for other critters bugs me. A .270 Win will handle almost anything with a decent load and still carry the thump to do it way out there, including elk and moose.
Yes it will do the job under most circumstances,but everyone has a personal minimum as to what they think is suitable.For me,the 7mms are my own minimum standard for elk and moose.Some people use the .223 or 22-250 for deer where it is legal,but I wouldn't choose to use one any more than I would use a 270 for elk.


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