.257wby vs .280ai

[Dust1n]

I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a .257wby or a .280ai

What’s some pros and cons of each?

Does anyone have any first hand experience shooting them?

I will be hunting bighorn sheep, black bears, whitetail deer and hopefully elk if a legal one presents the right opertunity.

 

[LIWolverine]

My boys have killed 2 deer this year with my .257Wby. Both dropped like they were hit by an axe. I will be taking it black bear hunting in Idaho next year. I have been more than impressed so far. This is my 8yr olds doe. 154 yrd shot.


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[MT257]

The 257 is my personal favorite. It will be more than sufficent for the critters you mentioned. Most elk that have been taken with it don't move after impact.

 

[Dcrafton]

I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a .257wby or a .280ai

What’s some pros and cons of each?

Does anyone have any first hand experience shooting them?

I will be hunting bighorn sheep, black bears, whitetail deer and hopefully elk if a legal one presents the right opertunity.

Do you reload


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[Wrench]

I've killed deer, elk and bear with the 257roy 100tsx combo and it kills on contact with a big bloody mess.

The pro is that it is as flat shooting as they come. 2" high at 100 keeps you on a deer vitals to way into 400 yards.

Cons...eats a barrel in 1500 rounds. Must be handloaded or you gotta be rich to shoot it. (7mm rem mag brass necks down fine).

Here's a reticle pic for a 100gr ttsx @3650.

 

[Dcrafton]

I’m a big fan of the 1/4 bore, I own and love my 25-06 and my 25 PRC, but they can not hold a candle to my 280ai shooting 180 ELDM

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[Dcrafton]

You can see it’s supersonic out to 2150 yards. Just awesome


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[Centralcoastca]

I’ve been eyeing a .257 for awhile now with a mind to hunt pronghorn and deer with. I currently shoot a .280 and .300wm and I think it’d be an awesome addition and am intrigued by such a fast flat shooter, but if I was going to pick one caliber for hunting all that you listed I’d probably lean towards the .280ai myself. I know the .257 has killed plenty of everything but I’d like a little heavier bullet for some of the bigger animals. That being said, either would be a good choice and both are regaining popularity which is nice for availability, resale value, etc.

 

[Dcrafton]

If the 257 had a faster twist so it would shoot the 133 elite Berger’s then you would be on to something.


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[Wrench]

There's something to be said about pulling up on a coyote hauling ass across a field 300 yards and gaining and you simply point and click. With my roy, I go pick it up. With my 2800fps rigs, I have to range it and by then it's gone.

 

[kevin11mee]

The 280 AI is an excellent cartridge. Tons of high b.c. 7mm bullets. Good brass available. The 280 AI is close in performance to the 7mag but uses less powder and has less recoil. The 280 AI is a much more versatile cartridge if you're planning on using it on larger game.

 

[Elkhntr08]

Never owned a 280 AI, have a 257 Weatherby, so no need.
Antelope this fall. A 100 grain TSX at 428 yards.
Mine is a AccuMark that I bought from a member here.

 

[Bater]

I have both but if I could choose only one for Western hunting to include elk it would be the 280AI. It’s much more versatile and it’s not even close.

 

[manitou1]

No comparison. For larger game, the280ai.