I'm considering a Weatherby Vangaurd in 257 Wby. Has anybody used one of these out West on anything bigger than deer? I think it would be perfect for antelope, sheepand deer. But i think it may be too fast for the bullet to hold up on Elk. Any experiance there?

I have killed whitetails,mule deer,mountain goat,bighorn and elk with the 257wby.However,you do need to pick your shots more carefully on large game like elk.A bullet like the tsx will not come apart even at 257wby velocities.As far as the vanguard is concerned though,I would noy buy any 257 with a 24" barrel as this cartridge really needs a 26" barrel to take advantage of it's case capacity and bore size.

How many rounds can you stand to put through your 257? I was checking out the Weatherby site, lookig at ballistics. It says that the 87gr. only drops about 20 inchs at 500yds. That would make a heck of a varmint rounds. I have never shot a Weatherby round before, but i can put 40-50 rounds through my 300 Win Mag. With out my shoulder getting verysore.

Actually it would not be a good varmint round as the barrel heats up fartoo quickly.and barrel life is not great even if you are careful not to heat it up.

Without a brake it will kick like a mule. I sold one this spring and also watched a kid shoot one for a gunsmith and his groups just got bigger and bigger. Recoil. But with a brake no problem if you like brakes.

Big game preformance deer and antelope it will work just fine. Have yet to see one used on a elk. I have seen a few elk downed with a 257 roberts no problems. So I would imagine if a guy took only good shots at elk (which all hunters should do no matter the caliber size) then no problems.

I never found that to be the case at all.I found the recoil to be comparable to my 7mmremmags.

I dont thinkthe the recoil is bad at all. Itis a screamer though.

I have a Weatherby Vanguard in .300 Weatherby Magnum and have actually found the felt recoil to be comparable to my Remington 700 BDL in 7mm Rem. Mag. The Vanguard is a greatrifle and the .300 WBY Mag should be a great elk caliber.

Caldoc

Theposter is asking about the 257wby,not the 300wby.

if you dont reload i wouldnt suggest a weatherby round the ammo is quite pricy