Feeling the itch for a Weatherby

[Remington92]

Hey there wanted to pick yalls brain on a new rifle. I’m wanting to pick up a new antelope/ mule deer gun, specifically wanting to try a Weatherby. I’m fairly decided on a weathermark LT in 257. Watching buddies shoot mule deer with it the last couple years it strikes like a bolt of lightning and drops big bucks in their tracks like nothing I’ve seen. However doing some looking the 6 lug 240 Weatherby really looks like a sweetheart and I also like the rarity of it. Also semi considering the 6.5-300 but that’s a very distant third.

For reference of what I currently have I’d like some to fall between
-a cheap savage 243 truck gun
-7 Rem mag
-Cooper 300wn

For what I’m looking for will a 240 or 257 fit the bill better?

Also just thinking for glass
Vortex viper hs 4-16
Leupold vx3 4.5-14
And possibly vx5 3-15

 

[LightFoot]

I think it depends on how far you are gonna shoot. I would expect the wind have a lot of effect on the 240 and 257. Weight savings is a huge advantage of the 6 lug 240 (also consider the 6.5 WBY RPM).

Good luck on your decision.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[Remington92]

Farthest will probably be 500 and that would be stretching it. Probably 200-350 average.

 

[Overdrive]

I set up a 257 Wthby in a Vanguard II with a Huskemaw 5-20X50 and pushing 115gr Berger VLD's (3260 FPS) and this rifle has put down a lot of game, if I was to set up another Weatherby for Long Range it would be the 6.5-300.

 

[Bsnyder]

My 257 bee is a rem 700 cdl with a burris veriocty on top and I love it deer and antelope and one elk so far. I also own the 6.5-300 bee and it’s hard on game but the 257 always goes I run the 100 grain ttsx at 3680! My best friend has all three you mentioned and only shoots the 257 and 6.5-300

 

[Elkhntr08]

Started working up a load for my new to me 257. A AccuMark wit a VX5HD 3-15 on it. It seems to really like Barnes 100TSX bullets.
Rifle has a little heft to it, #3 fluted barrel, but not terrible. It’s quickly becoming my favorite rifle. It’ll be the one I take to Wyoming for pronghorns.

 

[Billy Goat]

240 is a bit of a barrel burner. I have a Mark V in it. Haven't shot it in a number of years, it was very picky with ammo. I think I had trouble getting the accuracy I was wanting with the heavier bullets. Slow twist, seemed like for no more than what I could shoot weight Wise I could do the same with a .243.

Never tried any handloads in it, all WEATHERBY ammo. It has sat for a good while now. Maybe I should dig it out again, use it or sell it.

 

[Remington92]

Started working up a load for my new to me 257. A AccuMark wit a VX5HD 3-15 on it. It seems to really like Barnes 100TSX bullets.
Rifle has a little heft to it, #3 fluted barrel, but not terrible. It’s quickly becoming my favorite rifle. It’ll be the one I take to Wyoming for pronghorns.

My local scheels has a like new 257 mark V first lite with fluted #3 for $1000 that I really really tried getting myself to like. Such a nice rifle and I bet would be a shooter. Almost had myself talked into it till I went back and handled a Cooper timberline like my 300wm and so how large the weight difference is. If I didn’t plan to do a lot of walking I’d have been all over it.

If I don’t plan to do much dialing do you see a major improvement in the vx5 3-15 over the vx3 4.5-14? I have a vx3 on my 7mag and vx6 on the 300wm but haven’t handled a vx5 before

 

[Elkhntr08]

If I don’t plan to do much dialing do you see a major improvement in the vx5 3-15 over the vx3 4.5-14? I have a vx3 on my 7mag and vx6 on the 300wm but haven’t handled a vx5 before
I also have both. For me, the biggest difference is the clarity of the glass on the VX5HD. I don’t know that it’s worth the extra $500 or so, but I got great deals on the one’s I bought.

 

[Forest]

257 is an incredible round. Easy choice for me

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Montana Slim]

My 257 bee is a rem 700 cdl with a burris veriocty on top and I love it deer and antelope and one elk so far. I also own the 6.5-300 bee and it’s hard on game but the 257 always goes I run the 100 grain ttsx at 3680! My best friend has all three you mentioned and only shoots the 257 and 6.5-300

I shoot this same setup but with the vx3 4.5-14, and not quite as hot. It is my 'do everything' rifle in MT. I have a bunch of other rifles in smaller and larger calibers, but the 257wby is just great. If you don't mind the barrel length and inefficiency of the cartridge, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better antelope/muley setup for non-dialing shots to 400.
I like the monos because if you shoot something under 100yds with a 'soft' bullet and the .257wby - lookout!

 

[Tobey]

I have a weatherby mark v ultra light in 240 wby. I load 100 grain partitions in mine, zero 3 inches high at 100 and don't need to touch a dial out to 400. Recoil is negligible, the skinny barrel goes from cold to branding iron really fast, so I don't shoot it recreationally very much unless I have a hunt coming up. Killed antelope, mule deer, ibex and aoudad with it. I feel it's an extremely effective cartridge on stuff smaller than elk, especially in open country where you can stretch it out.

 

[Remington92]

Well I Think I just got some other toys sold to free up the cash for the Weatherby. Is the weathermark Lt about the best bang for the buck regarding lighter hunting rifles in the mark v line or is it even worth the couple hundred premium over the standard weathermark

 

[JakeSCH]

The 257 or the 6.5 RPM in the standard backcountry would be my vote with the VX5 (wind plex)...but it is easy to spend someone else money!

The 6.5 RPM with the barnes 127 LRX will be money.

 

[CApighunter]

A 257 is on my short list of rifles to own, I’d go that route.

 

[wyo2track]

The new 6.5 WBY RPM with the 6 lug action is appealing to me in a Mark V Weathermark. It is 1.5 lbs lighter than one in a 257 WBY with the 9 lug action. That would be a nice carry rifle, still keep it 7.5# with scope and have just enough heft that it would hold better than the ultra lightweights.

 

[Capt_Craig]

The thing about the Mk V Weathermark LT is that in 257 (9 lug action) it is really not very lightweight. It’s definitely lighter than the regular Weathermark due to the fluted barrel on the LT, but it’s still over 7 lbs bare, and likely closer to 7 1/2 lbs given the small hole in the bore (the 30 cals will be lighter). I’ve looked at this rifle, and the previous 257 lightweight models (Ultra Lightweight/Altitude/Outfitter rifles), which all weigh about the same, and keep hesitating from pulling the trigger to buy it knowing that the fully set up rifle with a significant scope will weigh 8 1/2-9 1/2lbs. Coming from shooting mostly Kimbers, Tikka Superlite, and Barrett Fieldcrafts, the Weatherby is going to feel pretty heavy in comparison. To someone used to shooting standard Weatherby, the LT is going to be a good bit lighter.

That being said, I’ve been kicking around picking up one of the new Mk V Backcountry models in 257. With the new AG Comp stocks, they really are appreciably lighter finishing between 6-61/2 lbs depending on model, literally a pound lighter than the LT. What’s holding me back are three things. First, the 3 grand price tag on the Ti model. Second, the terrible color choices made by Weatherby for the non-Ti model (light tan and light green, blech). Third, what seems to be an increase in complaints about their new recoil pad on those models collapsing and not holding their shape (I’ve seen six reports of deformed pads already with Weatherby not offering any solutions to address them).

My choice will definitely be the 257 as I already have a very accurate Kimber in 280 Ack so neither the 6 lug backcountrys in 280 AI or 6.5 RPM interest me, though they might to the OP. I’m waiting to see some more reports on the accuracy of the new backcountry models, and to see what Weatherby does in regards to fixing the deformed pads for existing customers, and address the pads on the rifles in production as it seems the issue is heat deforming the pads with some coming straight from the box on brand new rifles.

Whichever rifle you choose, post some pics and let us know how you like it and how it shoots.

Craig

 

[Remington92]

@Capt_Craig I’ll agree with you that even the LT weathermark isn’t exactly light but it’s basically the same weight as a 700 BDL that I grew up on so tolerable. As nice as the backcountry is I can’t justify dumping that much on one right now so the Weathermark LT is more in my realm. (If I was jumping that high in price I’d be tempted to do another Cooper)

As far as the recoil pads I don’t have any experience with them except for handling one at scheels that had the recoil pad all smooshed in the corner sitting in the case. (Back country TI in 300wby, Talk about a mule kick) the fella I deal with whose always been good to me said they straighten back out after sitting flat on the counter for 20min. Not sure if that true or not though, and like I said out of my Price range so I don’t have to worry haha

 

[Capt_Craig]

@Remington92
You know, I never thought about it like that, the LT being the same weight as the regular Rem 700. So many folks hunt with them, and seem to do okay weight wise. I also agree with you about dropping that much coin on the backcountry rifles. You can build a pretty nice custom for what the Ti costs. My issue, coming from shooting primarily lightweight rifles for the better part of 20 years, is that LT will weigh quite a bit more than most of my other rifles, and I was really looking for a lighter weight 257 Roy, which there really aren’t any except the LT and Backcountrys and the Cooper 92 like you mentioned, but with a price of the Cooper is similar to the Weatherby Ti and getting a Cooper in 257 Roy is going to be as long of a wait as a custom.

If you do decide to pick up the LT, please let me know what you think of it and how it shoots. For me, the LT is a much better looking rifle color wise than the non Ti Backcountry is.

craig

 

[Bsnyder]

I shoot this same setup but with the vx3 4.5-14, and not quite as hot. It is my 'do everything' rifle in MT. I have a bunch of other rifles in smaller and larger calibers, but the 257wby is just great. If you don't mind the barrel length and inefficiency of the cartridge, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better antelope/muley setup for non-dialing shots to 400.
I like the monos because if you shoot something under 100yds with a 'soft' bullet and the .257wby - lookout!

Now your killing me I don’t have as many tags as I normally do this year and have a handful of new rifles, so the 6.5 Sherman will get a go the 28 nosler will get to go and I have a 6mm creed that needs to shoot something lol but the 257 is hard to leave at home! That’s a rifle that never lets me down. I just pulled the old lupy off of it to put this newer scope on it. I may go back just because that combo never let me down. Duplex reticle and plug and play to 400. You were talking about cup and core blowing my best friend shot and antelope buck with factory Silver box weatherby soft points and he had an entrance hole and exit hole on the same side on a shoulder shot antelope folder but that sure threw me for a loop. Op I hope you love the 257 bee as much as I do!