Opinions

[Hogie135]

Well, just finished my first hunting season with some awesome results! Got myself a nice big buck and a couple does with my 30-30. Longest shot being 200 yards. That's as far as I'm willing to shoot with that.

I'm now starting to think about getting another rifle for next season that has a little further reach. I already have a 30 cal rifle so I'm looking for something in between a 243 and a 270 but neither if thise two cals. The 257 Wby Mag has kind of caught my eye.

Anyone have any insights to the performance of this cal? Or maybe even suggest another cal which has good ballistic performance as well as good performance on game deer sized and smaller?

[Jeron Kahyar]

Going to go out on a limb here and assume you are reloading if you are looking into the .257 Weatherby? So I might suggest the 6.5-284 Norma really nice ballistics and gets a little heavier bullet out to range if you are going to be attempting some longer shots.

Either that or as much as I hate to say it (just personal preference not liking it) the 7mm Rem. Mag if you don't reload. This will allow for a good choice of factory ammunition.

[Fowl91]

I wouldnt throw out all .30 caliber cartridges just yet. You do have a .30 cal rifle, however it doesnt have a lot of range. Just something to keep in mind.
I shoot 30-06 predominately, so i would say if your top end is .270 then that would be a great choice. If you wanted something smaller like the forementioned .257 Wby, I would suggest taking a look at the 25-06. It is a great cartridge that has a bunch of punch for deer and even elk. It is shooting the same .257 caliber bullet as the Wby but with less recoil and is cheaper to shoot.

Fowl

[CNP]

There is a calibre/cartridge for every day of the month. I sold all my 30 cals/magnums because I didn't enjoy shooting them. I go with a 708 or a 25.06 for big game. I shoot them fairly regularly and I like to shoot them because they don't hammer on my shoulder. I'm good for everything except for bison and grizzly. That's what I have bows for .

[Kurt505]

257wby is an awesome cartridge with very little recoil. I say go for it

[Bushmaster]

25-06 would fit the bill nicely......

[Mike_W]

257 bee is crazy expensive to shoot unless you reload.

270 wsm is a personal favorite

[catnthehat]

The 257 sure dangles, but like mike said, pretty exensive to shoot a bunch unless you hand load.
I like most of them, but I really liked my 6.5WSM!
The 264 win mag is cool as well, but both are pretty hard on barrels if you are into high volume shooting!!
Cat

[TUFFBUFF]

That leaves you with 25 and 26 calibers - the 257 Roberts and 25-06 rem, 6.5x55 and .260 rem are four cartridges I would look at in those calibers.

[cody c]

opinions are like a-holes, everyone's got one.

But I say go for the 25-06. To make use of its potential for speed look for a model with a longer barrel.

Although your really splitting hairs on trying to find a caliber between 6mm and a 270.

You may have as much fun with a 280 AI, or a 7mm, so surf the net and pick what manufacturer or model you like maybe before getting stuck on a caliber.

[Mike_W]

Although the 30-30 is a 30 Cal I wouldnt right off other 30 cals or .284 cals cause a 30-30 is such a limited cartridge in comparison
I would take a look at a 280 Rem, 7mm Rem or 30-06 Sprg!!

[Hogie135]

Thanks for all the feed back guys. I haven't even looked at the cost of ammo yet for the 257. I don't reload (anymore) so maybe I'll take a better look at the 7mm08 or the 7mm rem mag.

[waterhaulerhunter]

I shoot the 7-08 and 7mm mag. The 7-08 is my go to gun now for deer and bear, I know it can handle bigger game but I still like to shoot the 7mag once and awhile lol. Can't go wrong with either one.

[ReayMan]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

257wby is an awesome cartridge with very little recoil. I say go for it

X2

[ReayMan]

Love my 257 wby mag!! Great gun!

[savage shooter]

Is recoil the reason you don't want to look at any 30 cal other than the 30-30?

Serious question.

[Hogie135]

Originally Posted by savage shooter

Is recoil the reason you don't want to look at any 30 cal other than the 30-30?

Serious question.

No no, I have no problem with recoil. I just want something smaller than 30 cal for the variety.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Hogie135

No no, I have no problem with recoil. I just want something smaller than 30 cal for the variety.

A 280Remington will get you inot the bigger cartridges and smaller calibres than 30, but IMO the 257 Bob is a nice little cartridde, as is the 6.5X55 .
Cat

[Fowl91]

Originally Posted by savage shooter

Is recoil the reason you don't want to look at any 30 cal other than the 30-30?

Serious question.

Although it is a 30 cal, the 30-30 has never really been known for having a lot of recoil imo. I'd have to agree as well to take a look at the 280 Rem or the 7mm-08. I have not shot the 280, but the 7mm-08 is a super slick little unit.

Fowl

[4thredneck]

Originally Posted by Hogie135

Thanks for all the feed back guys. I haven't even looked at the cost of ammo yet for the 257. I don't reload (anymore) so maybe I'll take a better look at the 7mm08 or the 7mm rem mag.

If you don't reload the 257 bee will be around 5 bucks everytime you pull the trigger!

[geordie]

I'm puzzled why not the 243 or 270. I have both love em

[Twisted Canuck]

Originally Posted by Hogie135

Thanks for all the feed back guys. I haven't even looked at the cost of ammo yet for the 257. I don't reload (anymore) so maybe I'll take a better look at the 7mm08 or the 7mm rem mag.

This x10 . I have one of each, love them both, and hardly ever shoot my .300 WM anymore. I checked zero with it in August at range, put 6 rds down range, and haven't shot it since. I was thinking of taking it out for my late season cow elk just but I really do like my 7s......