Which Brand Brass For a .257 Wby. Mag?

[Kevin Rohrer]

I am getting ready to order a long-range groundhog rifle, and am currently leaning towards the .257 Weatherby Magnum.

I don't need any advice in this area, but am interested in who sells the highest quality brass for this cartridge. The four choices appear to be Hornady, Nosler, Norma, and Weatherby. Cost is not an option; I want brass that will last even though the loads may get pretty warm. I have no experience using any of these brands, so am curious as which brand sets at the top of the heap.

 

[Gunpoor]

I have helped my S-I-L with load development for his Weatherby mark V in 257Wby and we used Wby brass. This brass held up pretty good but this cartridge can be hard on brass cases, so don't try to set speed records with it. I think any of the brands you mentioned should make good brass, we just happened to pick WBY.

 

[Dosh]

Kevin, Norma makes Weatherby brass. Many have found Hornady brass getting loose primer pockets quickly. I've read of some problems with Nosler lately on this forum. I've always used Weatherby brass for all my Weatherby rifles with some on 6+ loadings. Couldn't suggest a load for groundhogs. Good luck

 

[thatguyshm]

I currently own a 257 Roy, and if I was to do it again, I think I'd go with the 25-06 if I was to stay quarter bore. Just due to brass and barrel wear. I don't rapid fire it, but after about 350 rounds at most, I have heat cracking 8 inches up the barrel. It's also hard with few premium bullets in 257. For womp rats and what not, I'd go with a small case 6mm. The 6BR is great with light weights.

Anyway, I use Weatherby brand. I have formed it with 7mm Rem Mag brass, case capacity is slightly less, but shouldn't matter with light bullets. If I didn't have a good stock pile of brass I'd go that route.

SHM

 

[Akhunting]

I have found Weatherby brass to be very consistent and hold up well. Only other I have tried for Roy calibers is Norma in a .240 and it was identical to the Wby. branded Norma. In other rifles I have not been impressed with Nosler, especially for the price. Hornady had been a bit hit or miss depending on the cartridge.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I am getting ready to order a long-range groundhog rifle, and am currently leaning towards the .257 Weatherby Magnum.

I don't need any advice in this area, but am interested in who sells the highest quality brass for this cartridge. The four choices appear to be Hornady, Nosler, Norma, and Weatherby. Cost is not an option; I want brass that will last even though the loads may get pretty warm. I have no experience using any of these brands, so am curious as which brand sets at the top of the heap.

Look into the .25-06 Ackley Improved 40º. It is within 100 fps of the .257 Wby. I have had both. I got rid of the Weatherby and haven't been back since.

As for brass, you will want to form brass using .270 Winchester cases. I recommend Nosler or Lapua.

 

[Makaira]

I don't reload myself but a good friend is loading for me and my 257 bee and asked that I order Nosler brass.So far so good.

 

[Laelkhunter]

As Dosh stated, Norma makes Weatherby brass. I would stick with either of those if available.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Look into the .25-06 Ackley Improved 40º. It is within 100 fps of the .257 Wby. I have had both. I got rid of the Weatherby and haven't been back since.

As for brass, you will want to form brass using .270 Winchester cases. I recommend Nosler or Lapua.

I didn't want this to devolve into a "what caliber is better" topic because there cannot be a winner. But, I am also considering a 25-06AI. The problem I have with that caliber is that my understanding is SAAMI did not standardize it, so the dimensions can be different from one smith to another. This mean I need to fire form brass, then ship them off to RCBS to have a set of custom dies made for it, a process hat might take 6-months. Am I wrong?

The reason I want a fast, fairly large caliber is so I can shoot the 117gr. Berger VLDs a good distance for Pa. and southern Ohio chucks.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I didn't want this to devolve into a "what caliber is better" topic because there cannot be a winner. But, I am also considering a 25-06AI. The problem I have with that caliber is that my understanding is SAAMI did not standardize it, so the dimensions can be different from one smith to another. This mean I need to fire form brass, then ship them off to RCBS to have a set of custom dies made for it, a process hat might take 6-months. Am I wrong?

The reason I want a fast, fairly large caliber is so I can shoot the 117gr. Berger VLDs a good distance for Pa. and southern Ohio chucks.

Not necessarily, unless you just want a custom set of dies... While it is not a SAAMI standardized cartridge, there are still basic dimensional guidelines that are followed, or else it transforms into some other wildcat. There is a standard reamer for it, and standard dies, which is what I use.

PTG Solid Pilot Chamber Finish Reamer 25-06 Remington Ackley Improved

My smith's Ackley reamers are to P.O. Ackley's specs, which allows you to use mass-manufactured dies. I bought the Redding 84422 3-die set. I mostly neck-size for everything (except semi-autos), until it gives me chambering resistance, then I FL size them.

Redding Deluxe 3-Die Set 25-06 Remington Ackley Improved 40-Degree

I shoot the Berger 115 VLD's in mine, and shot them in my .257 Wby, when I still had it. Side-by-side comparison, the .25-06 AI just destroyed my .257 Wby in all categories (recoil, muzzle blast, fill-to-velocity ratio, reloading cost, barrel life, brass life, etc...), except velocity...But over the chrono, it was less than 100 fps difference, which the animal you're shooting will never notice. Both were 26" heavy barrels, and the .25-06 AI was still chunking the 115 VLD's over 3,300 fps.

 

[cape cove]

In my 257 WM i've used Weatherby and Nosler brass, whlie both are good I prefer the Weatherbty /Norma brass. I find the primer pockets stand up better.

 

[jwing]

Norma 257 brass. If you are going to push it.

It's been a long time since I shot mine. Rem 700 257 w
110 AB around 3500 shoots 1 hole, this being said this is a hunting rifle not a shoot a lot rifle. Barrel life is not long when you run them.. but flat and a good killer.

 

[HogginKing]

I am getting ready to order a long-range groundhog rifle, and am currently leaning towards the .257 Weatherby Magnum.

I don't need any advice in this area, but am interested in who sells the highest quality brass for this cartridge. The four choices appear to be Hornady, Nosler, Norma, and Weatherby. Cost is not an option; I want brass that will last even though the loads may get pretty warm. I have no experience using any of these brands, so am curious as which brand sets at the top of the heap.

I have a Weatherby Mark V, for 30+ yrs.. I used some Weatherby brass then went to bulk Norma brass for the caliber. It has been quality brass over the years.

Hogginking

 

[MOJO67]

As most others have said...go with Weatherby or Norma. Very consistent and high quality brass. My experience with Hornady brass is that the primer pockets loosen up quickly and the volume is less than Weatherby/Norma.

The 257 is an amazing cartridge and just absolutely hammers game. It's also accurate and very easy to load for. I'd take it all day long over an Ackley'd 25-06. Custom rifle, expensive dies, fire forming cases, blah,blah, blah...pass me the 257 Roy. Now, if you don't mind doing a custom rifle and also spending the extra money on dies, bypass the 25-06 AI and build a 6-06. Run the numbers on a Berger 105 Hybrid at 3350. It'll surprise you!