Post by: MuleDeerCrazy on November 26, 2011, 11:04:34 AM
Well, test day came and my youngest daughter shot her first branched buck at 333 yards. The first shot was a little far back (gut/liver) with no reaction from the buck (didn't know she'd even hit him til we got over to him). Second shot dead perfect behind the front shoulder right through both lungs, again no reaction from the buck (but I heard that one hit him). He side-hilled about 30 feet and stopped broadside looking around. Third shot was a little high and she busted his back, although once we got over there we could see he was alread dead on his feet from the second shot? Neither cavity shot exited the deer, so he had to absorb all the energy from both shots and it's rocking a pretty good punch (1785 ft/lbs at 300 yds), so not sure why there was no reaction from the buck when she hit him?
Next morning the wife shoots her buck at 200 yards. The first shot was a little back (liver) and at that shot he did the mule kick, so I could see she hit him (again, not sure where at this point). He runs about 40 feet and stops again giving her another shot. Her second shot was just behind the shoulder leg bone, going through both scapulas and blowing 3-4 inch hole through the rib cage/chest cavity and out the other side. At that shot he turned, walked up the hill a ways and then came stumbling back down til he collapsed.
That load is packing just about as much as my buddies .270 WSM (57 ft/lbs less at 200 yds and 86 ft/lbs at 300 yds) and his flat out flips deer at that range with those kinds of shots. At 200 yards, both shots passed right through the chest cavity and at 300 neither passede through. And regardless of pass through or not, aside from the second buck kicking, neither showed any reaction like they had just been hammered with anything.
Maybe my sights were just set way too high on the .257 mag... any synthesis of how it performed from some of you guys more experienced with .257 Weatherby Mags???
Not sure what to think about it now... Thanks for any feedback!
Post by: Nape.257 on November 26, 2011, 11:36:25 AM
I shoot 115gr Berger vld's at 3300fps and have taken two bucks with them.
The first one I spined at 340 yards and then shot him in the neck to finish him, so I dident get any real good bullet data on that one.
There is a link to the second deer I shot with them.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f84/my-little-luck-charm-63749/
Post by: Bob33 on November 26, 2011, 11:43:41 AM
No caliber/bullet can guarantee a dead-right-there every time.
Enjoy the steaks. You have a great combination!
Post by: buckhorn2 on November 26, 2011, 11:57:43 AM
Post by: johnnyaustin44 on November 26, 2011, 11:58:46 AM
Post by: Biggerhammer on November 26, 2011, 01:06:45 PM
You never know, there is no set rule to it. Maybe you just got into a couple of tough bucks. ;)
Post by: MuleDeerCrazy on November 26, 2011, 01:25:14 PM
Buckhorn2, if you shoot the same load, how did the animals react when you shot them?
Was hoping BearPaw would chime in too, I seem to recall they routinely shoot a .257 Weatherby Mag. and should have lots of observations?
Thanks.
Post by: DoubleJ on November 26, 2011, 01:34:10 PM
Post by: high country on November 26, 2011, 02:16:07 PM
Post by: Hyde on November 26, 2011, 02:20:08 PM
Post by: high country on November 26, 2011, 02:55:00 PM
Post by: MuleDeerCrazy on November 26, 2011, 03:07:35 PM
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on November 26, 2011, 05:13:44 PM
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...
Post by: MuleDeerCrazy on November 26, 2011, 05:33:43 PM
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on November 26, 2011, 05:39:28 PM
but down after tghe shot. Try some 115 BT's, softer, and better BC. Win/Win for buck huntin.....
Post by: Biggerhammer on November 26, 2011, 07:18:27 PM
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. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: bearpaw on November 26, 2011, 07:29:46 PM
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.... :tup:
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.
Post by: bearpaw on November 26, 2011, 07:33:30 PM
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on November 26, 2011, 07:33:50 PM
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. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
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
Post by: Bob33 on November 26, 2011, 07:56:45 PM
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
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on November 26, 2011, 08:01:55 PM
Post by: Bob33 on November 26, 2011, 08:13:32 PM
Boy, you like goat huntin huh Bob? I love huntin em too, sure is fun!Gee, what gave it away? :chuckle:
Yes, without a doubt. They are my favorite critter to chase and to eat.
Post by: Hyde on November 26, 2011, 08:38:20 PM
Long action I guess... it's a Remington 700 action - I might have one for sale :)
I need a lefty...
Post by: high country on November 26, 2011, 08:43:28 PM
Post by: ANDERWAGON on November 26, 2011, 08:48:34 PM
Running 100 gr TTSX's with 73 grns of RL25 near 3600FPS with no issues.
Post by: scudmaster on November 26, 2011, 09:53:52 PM
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 :twocents:
Post by: blmathis12 on November 26, 2011, 11:53:16 PM
Post by: high country on November 27, 2011, 07:07:06 AM
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.
Post by: bearpaw on November 27, 2011, 07:14:37 AM
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... :yike: