257 Weatherby Mag to small for Bear

[Bearhunter]

I want your opinions, is the 257 weatherby to small for black bear and elk sized game.  Im looking at a used gun, but I think it would probably be only ethical to use on game up the deer.  Whats your opinions and experiences?

[mossback91]

I know high country kills elk with it.

[actionshooter]

If I had one I  wouldn't hesitate to use it on bears are even an elk.  If I were buying a rifle for elk and bear, I would buy a different caliber.

[huntnphool]

its plenty of gun, your placement is going to be more crucial than the caliber. I watched my bro drop a 330 class bull with one shot from a 7mm. You might think this is completley different but he dropped it from 290 yards with a 140 grain nosler. The 257 has similar loads and will do the job you need it too.

[MountainWalk]

in my H.o  , the 257 roy, or bob,, make fine medium game rifles, but for elk or bigger black bear,, they leave a lot to be desired.  yeah yeah everyone has heard about 22lr's killing elephants ,, 223's as deer rifles and all that,, but its hardly ideal.. lotta folks say "placement placement placement"..but alot of the times, still hunting especially for elk,, sometimes you have mere split seconds to take a shot or its nothing. situations like this do not allow for pinpoint accuracy. sometimes you have to take raking shots.. the 257's will not range foward from a rear quartering shot.  honestly, if i had a hunter show up at our hunting camp in montana, i would refuse to let him use it. would have to lend him my rifle. i know alotta folks will wanna string me up for this. but these flat landers from back east dont have to go root out bulls outta the deep dark holes... but then again, thats just me.

[Red Dawg]

I dont know that is getting past my comfort level. I wont say that it should not be done but I am thinking that it to close for comfort on elk at least. It is a great caliber though.

[billythekidrock]

If I had one I  wouldn't hesitate to use it on bears are even an elk. 

But you are a proficient shooter and experienced hunter. That makes a huge difference.

If I were buying a rifle for elk and bear, I would buy a different caliber.

I agree. 30-06 will work just fine.

[billythekidrock]

situations like this do not allow for pinpoint accuracy. sometimes you have to take raking shots..

Sometimes, like listed above, you don't take the shot.

[mossback91]

Just not any room for error. AT ALL. With a bigger gun you can get by with a little bit of error and still have them hit the ground. Cause we all know things just go wrong soemtimes.

[MountainWalk]

bill the kid rock.... your still hunting thru some dog hair,, you see tine,, upon closer inspection its a say 320 bull...in its bed..instantly it gets up , shakes, and in one second will be gone... you wont take the shot?  not the least bit tempted?

i love good pinpoint accuracy, but in the real world,, sometimes it doesnt happen..say you spent a good deal of money on a new mex tag or something.. or a canada stones sheep hunt..on the last day you are given a chance, but a small chance.. what do you do?

its easy to paint things black and white, especially with something like this,
 
do you shoot running game?....some say i will only shoot game that i have 150pecent confidance in hitting......if that is the case,, we shouldnt be bird hunting..they move. fast.


when we hunt, we never know what we will run into, and it seems only proper to use rifles that are fully capable of doing the task at hand. people who want to use super small loadings for game thats very large, regardless of all their kills, clean or otherwise, know that really, there are better tools for the job..

back to the above scenario.. say its me,, i hear elk bones and joints popping, see the bull, and even if he's about to book,, i raise the old 338 win mag, and confidently put a 250 grainer into em. big is not always better,, but it sure helps alot. gives better margin for error..you may go home with an empty tag, but i wont.    please direct all comments to the nearest brick wall..............j/k

[Intruder]

I tend to agree w/ the gerneral sentiments already posted.  The 257 Wea Mag will certainly kill bears and elk but it is not ideal.  These animals have some of the biggest bones of all N. Amer game and to consitantly kill them you really need to shoot a weapon that will give you good penetration and bone breaking ability from multiple angles... especially when you're talking range.  If bear and elk are your primary hunting quarry than a different cal is probably justified.   

[actionshooter]

 I didn't make myself very clear. If I were buying a gun for elk and bear, it wouldn't be a .257. If its all I had and couldn't buy something (I would find a way) else, I would use the .257 VERY carefully. It could be done but not recomended.
 

 But, thanks for calling me proficient billy   

[DHB]

The 257Roy is one that sparks controversy.
It kills beyond it's size but bullets are the key.
Also depends if your hunting mature bulls or cows/spike bulls.
I would agree that although I really like the chambering it is NOT what I would use unless it's all I had. I would use 115gr partitions or 100gr TTSX's.

I sold my 257's and in it's place use a 270wby. Shoots as flat and with 150's at 3200 or so hits harder.

Dave

[DHB]

Let me add that for normal WA bears I would have no issue using it if the shots were long but once again 100yd bear shots are not the 257's strong suit.

[WDFW-SUX]

25 cal is 25 cal 

I think 270 weatherby is a way better choice.