Looking for solids for .257 caliber 100 gr.

[GSTONE]

I just returned from Zimbabwe and harvested two of the "Tiny Ten". I am planning to go back to South Africa to try to get additional specimens. I would like to take my .257 Weatherby Accumark, but I want to use solids for my loads. I have tried Barnes, but the BATF has stopped them from making banded solids in that caliber until they determine whether they are "armor piercing" bullets. :doh2:

Does anyone out there know of any available solids I could obtain for reloading for this caliber? The .257 is a great rifle, but factory bullets REALLY do a lot of damage...and I do not want to use them on the tiny antelope.

 

[Bobpuckett]

Hey Gstone Can't say that I do, I've done a web search and can't even find FMJ. I'm thinking you may need to go with Barnes or something Similar. Just wondering with a .257 why you would want to use solids just saying a 25 cal is a pretty small hole anyways. what ever your reason 90gr Barns banded solids is about the best I could find. Banded Solids? | Barnes Bullets

 

[Code4]

Velocity out of that cartridge is always going to be your enemy when it comes to reducing terminal performance.

 

[enysse]

Velocity out of that cartridge is always going to be your enemy when it comes to reducing terminal performance.

So true, with an expanding bullet, the faster it goes the bigger the damage!

 

[GSTONE]

Velocity of the .257 Weatherby really tears the smaller animals up. I practically removed the whole off side of a coyote at 275 yards with a soft nose bullet. I am hoping the solid might result in a cleaner kill on the smaller antelope. The rifle shoots REALLY well out to 350 yards and has a real flat trajectory. Barnes banded solid seemed like the best choice, but BATF has stopped the production until they decide it is not an armor piercing bullet.

 

[Code4]

You might find there is a 'venturi effect' even with solids.

 

[GSTONE]

If all else fails, I will figure on taking my .243. I have had good luck with some tame loads with that rifle when shooting rock chucks. The Weatherby is REALLY accurate, but probably not the right choice for the "Tiny Ten."

 

[Code4]

My son has started his Tiny Ten with his .243 and 100 Partitions. He shot a lot of game up to Impala in size with it a few years ago. Note the exit hole.



For a dedicated small Ten rifle, a heavy sporter barrel .223 with high BC projectiles would be my choice if I had to start from scratch. You could take anything up to Springbok in size with that. The .243 just adds more flexibility.

 

[GSTONE]

Thanks for the picture. I also have a bushbuck on the list...the .243 is looking better.

 

[buffybr]

Hey Gstone Can't say that I do, I've done a web search and can't even find FMJ. I'm thinking you may need to go with Barnes or something Similar. Just wondering with a .257 why you would want to use solids just saying a 25 cal is a pretty small hole anyways. what ever your reason 90gr Barns banded solids is about the best I could find. Banded Solids? | Barnes Bullets

I used my .257 AI with 117 gr Sierra GameKing bullets for my backpack Dall sheep and Mountain caribou hunt. Those bullets made a 1/4" entrance hole and a nickel size exit hole in both the ram and the caribou. While we were packing the ram out, we encountered a Wolverine. A mid-body hit at about 100 yds with one of those same 117 gr GameKing bullets put a double fist size hole in the middle of that Wolverine. My taxidermist did a great job of putting him back together.

Another time I was hunting Pronghorn antelope in eastern Montana with that same .257 AI. Walking back to my truck I walked through a prairie dog town. On one dog mound 125 yds from me, there were 3 prairie dogs standing in a straight line. I just had to take that shot. I moved in line with the dogs, laid down prone and shot. The first two dogs literally exploded, and the third was cut in half, all with one 117 gr GameKing bullet.

My point is, fast .25 caliber expanding bullets make a small hole going in, but can make a huge hole going out, especially in small animals.

 

[Diamondhitch]

I have used BBS in my .257 WBY and loved them, they grouped well and grouped only 1/2 right of my TSX group. It is too bad about the ban.

I have shot plenty of Coyotes with TSXs and they do very little damage to the pelt. My Steinbok, shot with a 100gr TSX at 3700+ fps, was easily suitable for a lifesize mount despite hitting it in the spine. I don't think they have time to open up much on small critters.

I would not hesitate to shoot any of the little guys with TSXs out of my .257. I have not however had opportunity to test out TTSXs but hope to soon on some coyotes, we are plagued with them this year so I will be on a mission this winter.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Geoff,

You may want to look at the brass ESP bullets by Cutting Edge Bullets. Load them in one direction and they're sort of like a soft, go the other way and it's a solid. They're pricy to be sure. I've used their Safari Raptors and Safari Solids in my .458B&M and they print virtually inside one another at 100 yards.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

What about Hornady GMX? Have not used them myself, but have only heard good things about them.
Best of luck with your quest for the "tiny 10". Its an absolutely great target to try and achieve.


Take Care,
Marius Goosen

 

[Uintaelkhunter]

Congrats on the little ones they are addicting. I'm still trying to complete my tiny ten just a few more to go. I have used a 223 416 and 375 H&H for them the 223 did the most damage on the exit hole. The 375 with solids was the best. It left a exit hole of about a half inch and that was on Suni and sharps grysbuck both some of the smallest of the tiny ten. Most of the shoots are close under 75 yrds solids are the way to go in my opinion

 

[GSTONE]

Thanks for the feedback. My .416 Ruger worked extremely well with the DGX on my Klipspringer and Grysbok. I was hoping to take a smaller caliber for next year's hunt, but have not been able to determine which would result in similar results. I guess it's time to hit the range some more!

 

[Gerard]

The GSC FN range works very well in the small animals and the .257" FN is 90gr in weight. I hope this information is not too late to be of use.