I've owned serveral weatherby rifles. Most shot great, one, a 340, shoots fantastic (<1/2")as long as I use weatherby factory ammo. The one rifle I had that did not shoot well was sent back to weatherby for warranty work. They changed the way it was bedded (most rifles come with intentional contact at the end of the stock), and it regularly shot MOA groups. I've had mixed luck with handloading for several weatherbys. Most of the guns I could handload and at least match the factory ammo accuracy and velocity (not so with my 340wby). I've always been able to get them to shoot well if I back the velocity off a bit but what's the point? I am a weatherby fan although I a forced to reluctantly buy factory ammo for 1 of the guns. A 257 has been on my wish list for some time. I just haven't found the right deal. Unless you never intend to shoot anything bigger than deer, I think the 7mm or 300 is a better overall caliber.