ORIGINAL: skeeter 7MM
ORIGINAL: SwampCollie
This is just an assumption here, but I'd bet that the guy who told you he is shooting elk at 500 yards with a .257 wby probably wouldn't know what 500 yards looked like if you stood him on the 500 yard line of a rifle range.
With a bullet that is made right, and a shot that is made right, I have little doubt that it would do the trick. But elk are a lot tougher than deer are, and at ranges that extreme in the sort of country elk tend to inhabit.... nah... I wouldn't do it. I think there are much much much better choices, espeically for shooting elk at that kinda range.
If you are hunting in the timber and your shots are inside 150 yards or so... I doubt it matters much. The sweedes shoot the hell out of moose with those 6.5x55s. And there has been plenty of African game taken with 7x57s and .30/06s that are as large and tough as elk. I just really think there are better choices for you though.
In the case of a .257 wby closer isn't necessarily better as its speed can easily eclipse the bullet design of the 1/4 bore. Hence why I said better hope your gun shoots robust bullets orther wise ...splat may happen. Seen it happen on 100 yard shots on deer with less robust bullets. Those I know who use them where they may even remotely get a chance at a 100 ish yard shot on game all shoot the likes of Nosler Parts, TSX. etc. At the amount of powder, the price of brass and cost of bullets I say WHY??? None of them would ever consider the .257 for elk or moose! Tools for this job & this ain't one of them.
B/C it says weatherby or mag doesn't make it even marginal IMO..it's a deer cartridge and nothing more.
Read the first sentence of the second paragraph in my first post..... The last two sentences of paragraphs two and three for that matter. I think you'll find us in agreeance.... no need in hunting for one sentence to spin.