I'm trying to compare them for accuracy and barrel life. I realize the 6.5's have better bullet selection, but I thought I read somewhere that Berger was going to be making a better long range bullet for the 25. Main purpose of the rifle would be punching paper, but I would like to do some long range hunting in the next 4-5 years. From what I gather the 6.5-06 and 6.5x284 are about the same as far as ballistics go.
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257 Weatherby vs. 6.5-06 vs. 6.5x284
- Thread starter codybrown
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MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
They're not going to be making a heavier LR .257 bullet anytime soon. I've been begging them for a while now for some 130gr Hybrid .257 bullets.
I love my .257 Wby. It's an awesome caliber, especially with the 110 Accubonds or Berger 115 VLD's.
cummin_un_glued
Well-Known Member
I have both a 257 weatherby and a 6.5-284...for what your saying I would go with the 6.5x284
The 257 has a much flatter trajectory. If you do any walk around hunting this can pay off handsomely as you won't have to think about holdover, stadia or turret twisting when shooting out to 400 yds or so. Naturally that depends on POI at 100.
My 257 with a 28" 3 groove and moly coated 110 accubonds at 3735 fps with RL-33. 1.6" at 100 is 6.7" low at 400 yds (4000 ft) No 6.5-06 or 6.5-284 is going to touch it. Only drawback is 10.4" of drift at 500 yds in a 10 mph crosswind. The 140 hybrid at 2900 beats it by around 1"less drift.
If the 115 VLD is compared to the highest BC 6.5 berger the 257 and 6.5-284 or 6.5-06 have very similar drift.
I'd go for the 257 Weatherby.
My 257 with a 28" 3 groove and moly coated 110 accubonds at 3735 fps with RL-33. 1.6" at 100 is 6.7" low at 400 yds (4000 ft) No 6.5-06 or 6.5-284 is going to touch it. Only drawback is 10.4" of drift at 500 yds in a 10 mph crosswind. The 140 hybrid at 2900 beats it by around 1"less drift.
If the 115 VLD is compared to the highest BC 6.5 berger the 257 and 6.5-284 or 6.5-06 have very similar drift.
I'd go for the 257 Weatherby.
KidWalleye
Active Member
I'm 257 all the way! I have a little older Vanguard in 25-06. Great gun, I won't take anything away from it! It shoots fast, flat and hits hard!
But my custom 257 just has a little more behind it!
Yes I know I'm comparing a stock Vanguard to a custom but caliber vs caliber the 257 is a little faster and flatter!
Gary
But my custom 257 just has a little more behind it!
Yes I know I'm comparing a stock Vanguard to a custom but caliber vs caliber the 257 is a little faster and flatter!
Gary
BrentM
Well-Known Member
Interesting comparisons at point blank range. 257 is fast for sure.
For LR between the two but that little pill is going to die out more quickly. I guess it depends on what you consider LR.
At 1000 w/140 vld at 2940 fps, from a 24" barrel or let's use apples to apples a 28" at 3025 fps vs a 110 at 3735.
257
Elevation 16.9 MOA
Wind 6.3
1756 fps
753 ft lbs
6.5
Elevatin 21.3 MOA
wind 4.5 MOA
1797 fps
1003 ft lbs
For LR between the two but that little pill is going to die out more quickly. I guess it depends on what you consider LR.
At 1000 w/140 vld at 2940 fps, from a 24" barrel or let's use apples to apples a 28" at 3025 fps vs a 110 at 3735.
257
Elevation 16.9 MOA
Wind 6.3
1756 fps
753 ft lbs
6.5
Elevatin 21.3 MOA
wind 4.5 MOA
1797 fps
1003 ft lbs
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't hesistate to use the .257's inside of 500 yards for whitetails. But if it's farther away than that, I have other medicine for it (7mmRM's and 7mm STW).
It's a shame that the bullets for the .257 cal are not up to par for what most on this site would consider LR.
Bullets in the 6.5 are superior to the quarter-bore's, and with either of those other cartridges, you will use less powder to achieve largely the same goal.
Bullets in the 6.5 are superior to the quarter-bore's, and with either of those other cartridges, you will use less powder to achieve largely the same goal.
Outlaw6.0
Well-Known Member
I have to agree with this ^^^ all day every day. Plus, with the expense of WBY brass, you can run Lapua brass in the other 2
Win- Win.t
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
Oh, I don't consider 500 yards LR, but for shooting a 1/4-bore, yes, I'd call it near the end of it's abilities with our current bullet selection, as far as deer-sized game is concerned.
However, this exact reasoning is why I've been begging Berger to design a .257 130gr Hybrid. I think it would bring the .257 calibers back to the fore-front with popularity. And with a 1:10 twist, the 130's would be ok, which is what my .257 Wby and .25-06 A.I. have.
I agree that 500 yards is near the end, I've seen accurate .257 cal rifles group well out to 700, but 500 seems like its wheelhouse.
I feel the same way about the .277, if the bullets were to ever be equal to the .270 Weatherby's power, that would bring the .270 into the LR game IMO.
BrentM
Well-Known Member
What would the BC come to for a 130 .257? Seems like it might pretty decent.
I am guessing it would put the 130 pill at about 3200 in a 24-26 barrel? If that is the case, would it still be a good choice compared to the other mags, SAUM, Dakota, WSM, etc that send a 140 at those speeds or a 160 at 3000-3200.
Just curious, I know nothing about the .257's. Seems like a neat set up and more beef than a .243.
I am guessing it would put the 130 pill at about 3200 in a 24-26 barrel? If that is the case, would it still be a good choice compared to the other mags, SAUM, Dakota, WSM, etc that send a 140 at those speeds or a 160 at 3000-3200.
Just curious, I know nothing about the .257's. Seems like a neat set up and more beef than a .243.
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
If I had to guess, a 130gr .257 Berger with a Hybrid ogive would probably be in the .575 range... That's just a guess.
The reason that's my guess is the Berger .257 115 VLDs are at a .466 already...The Berger 6.5 130 VLD is .522, and the 6.5 140 Hyrbid is .618. The .257 130 Hyrbid would be a longer, skinnier bullet the 6.5's, plus you add a hybrid ogive, so natural assumption for the added weight & length, and the increase based on the hybrid ogive, it should be around the .550-.600 range...Maybe more?
It would be one nasty SOB, that's for sure! I'd love to launch a few at some whitetails!
