.257 Mag Buffs... Help me out?

[Biggerhammer]

I've used my Ultra Lightweight for 12-14 years, 2-3 states a year, killed lotsa critters with it, but I use junk welfare Hornady's,
seen some amazing reactions from bucks, but I don't gut shoot em, I shoulder shoot em. Might try cheap bullets that are prone to failure? grin...

Asked every buck I have shot with a " Welfare Hornady" when I walked up to it, if the bullet had failed? None of them had a thing to say, speachless. 

[bearpaw]

I have had a few 257roys. All pushed a 100tsx around 3600 and everything I ever touched with it was a bang flop. The damage is massive and results are amazing. I have never hit a buck that far back, but I imagine I would have similar results. I pushed a 100tsx through an elk at 450 ranged yards....I see no reason for more bullet based on my experience.

Same load we use.... 

If you shoot Barnes you can shoot a lighter bullet faster and get more penetration because the bullet doesn't lose any weight. My son shot his moose three times, all three went clear through both shoulders. Another hunter shot his moose once through both shoulders. I have seen 8 bear shot with the 257 and all died quick.

[bearpaw]

Forgot to mention, no matter the caliber, deer will often run a distance when liver shot. 

[257 Wby Mag]

I've used my Ultra Lightweight for 12-14 years, 2-3 states a year, killed lotsa critters with it, but I use junk welfare Hornady's,
seen some amazing reactions from bucks, but I don't gut shoot em, I shoulder shoot em. Might try cheap bullets that are prone to failure? grin...

Asked every buck I have shot with a " Welfare Hornady" when I walked up to it, if the bullet had failed? None of them had a thing to say, speachless. 

Laffin... I tried the Swift Siroccos, shot alright. Pard uses the in his model 700 Roy and likes em... I like the Hornady's cause I can buy em with my food stamps....grin

[Bob33]

FWIW: I've killed 58 antelope with four different calibers from 257 Roberts through 300 Magnum.  I've used nine different bullets as listed below.  My conclusions: (1) antelope meat is great! (2) antelope can be hard to hit, but not hard to kill. (3) Sometimes they run 50 yards, sometimes they die right there.  I've had some fall over dead shot with a 257 Roberts, and some run quite a distance shot with a 300 Magnum.

If you shoot enough animals with any bullet, some just aren't going to die on the spot.  I don't necessarily consider that a reflection of the bullet's performance. Lung shot animals can live 5 to 10 seconds.

My favorite combination: 257 Weatherby with 100 grain TSX bullets at around 3580 ft/second.

This is the list of bullets that killed antelope; bullet weights ranged from 100 to 180.  Distances ranged from 32 to 438 yards.

Barnes TSX   15
Barnes TTSX   2
Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertip   19
Hornady Interbond   3
Hornady Interlock   1
Nosler Ballistic Tip   6
Nosler Partition   7
Sierra Pro Hunter   4
Winchester XP3   1
Total   58

[257 Wby Mag]

Boy, you like goat huntin huh Bob? I love huntin em too, sure is fun!

[Bob33]

Boy, you like goat huntin huh Bob? I love huntin em too, sure is fun!

Gee, what gave it away?

Yes, without a doubt. They are my favorite critter to chase and to eat.

[Hyde]

Long action I guess... it's a Remington 700 action - I might have one for sale

I need a lefty...

[high country]

I would say that rl22 at about 72gr deep under a 100 tsx is worth a try.

[ANDERWAGON]

Running 100 gr TTSX's with 73 grns of RL25 near 3600FPS with no issues.

[scudmaster]

Did I miss the part of your post where the animals lived and got away?

No caliber/bullet can guarantee a dead-right-there every time.

Enjoy the steaks.  You have a great combination!

You are right on there Bob!!!

Animals, like people, don't always get the memo about which bullet is the best and how they are supposed to react when hit.  If they drop within a hundred yard of where they are shot, that is a good hit to me.  My

[blmathis12]

I had a 257 wby man i loved that gun price of ammo forced me to sell it! Now i picked up another 270wsm in the winchester extreme sportster and im trying to get myself fall in love with it like i did with that lil quarter bore!

[high country]

I had a 257 wby man i loved that gun price of ammo forced me to sell it! Now i picked up another 270wsm in the winchester extreme sportster and im trying to get myself fall in love with it like i did with that lil quarter bore!

A great way to save money is to load the 257 with plain Jane 7mm rem mag brass. One pass through the sizer die and you are off to the dance. They come out close enough, that in my rifle, I see no measureable difference between fire forming and full formed cases.

[bearpaw]

I had a 257 wby man i loved that gun price of ammo forced me to sell it! Now i picked up another 270wsm in the winchester extreme sportster and im trying to get myself fall in love with it like i did with that lil quarter bore!

A great way to save money is to load the 257 with plain Jane 7mm rem mag brass. One pass through the sizer die and you are off to the dance. They come out close enough, that in my rifle, I see no measureable difference between fire forming and full formed cases.

My dad does this too with the 7mm cases, it does work good. A person needs to be sure and keep them identified as 257 once you reform them and load them...