25-06 or 257 Wby?

Axle2010

Axle2010

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Anybody have experience with both these cartridges? I had decided to convert my Savage 30-06 into a 25-06, I have another 30 and don't need 2, but looking for a barrel yesterday I found that I can also convert it to 257Wby. I've wanted a 256 for several years just don't want to pay Mark V prices and this would be a cheap way into it especially if I find that i don't use it much. So those is your that have had both what REAL WORLD pros and cons have you found other than ammo cost. I can reload for either or I think i can anyway lol, I have so the stuff but I haven't reloaded anything yet. If I did go with the 25-06 I'd probably go with the AI since I'm buying a new barrel anyway so I think that adds another 100fps to the standard 06. It would be for hunting and maybe some longer range steel shooting if I can find a range around here that's longer than 500 yards. Thanks in advance guys.
 
Greetings. I loaded 2506 with SST 117gr. It had excellent ballistics, I can't remember the speed. Very nice caliber. I considered the 257 Wet as an additional barrel purchase, but eventually gave up. I think it's too strong and too fast for its purpose. And the barrel does not have a long shelf life
I think the 2506 will do everything the same as the 257
 
The 25-06 is a great round and for most hunting applications leaves little to be desired; but if going with the AI version then why not step up to the .257Wby which was Roy Weatherby’s favorite caliber.

I started with a 26” Hart 1:10” barrel and had Barnes TSX moving 3,600fps with RL 22 and ended up cutting the barrel to 24” and had 3,550fps.

That rifle was like a death laser and accounted for my longest deer kill at 550yds and without scope adjustment.

The 101gr TTSX works even better than the original TSX is both calibers and if you want either one for close range work than try the 117gr Hornady RN bullet and the authority of either round at close range goes up.
 
@axel2010 - The animal you are harvesting will not know the difference between the 25-06 and 257WBY. What you will notice is the added muzzle blast and recoil with the WBY cartridge. Your call if you want the benefit of the added velocity to deal with these.

Plus, if you are converting a rifle from 30-06, in order to make the WBY work there will need to be significant changes to the magazine to make it feed reliably. Not to mention the diameter of the base of the bullet will make machining the bolt necessary as well.
 
There are several barrel makers that make a prefit barrel for a Savage in nearly any caliber you want.
Krieger
Shaw
Proof
X-Caliber
McGowen
I have used McGowen in the past with great results.
 
BeeMaa said:
@axel2010 - The animal you are harvesting will not know the difference between the 25-06 and 257WBY. What you will notice is the added muzzle blast and recoil with the WBY cartridge. Your call if you want the benefit of the added velocity to deal with these.

Plus, if you are converting a rifle from 30-06, in order to make the WBY work there will need to be significant changes to the magazine to make it feed reliably. Not to mention the diameter of the base of the bullet will make machining the bolt necessary as well.
Click to expand...
I didn't think about the magazine and feeding issues but supposedly the bolt head itself is easy to change in the Savave 110/111's. I have enough feeding issues with my Ruger American gen2 in 243 my daughter shoots so I don't want more of that. Maybe this needs to stay 06 and try me one of those new 307's in 257Wby.
 
If I am not mistaken the 257wby will require a magnum bolt face unlike the 25-06. Not the biggest deal but it will add extra cost and work to your rebarrel, possibly a bolt swap. The alternative option is Weatherbys new 25 rpm. Should land firmly in the middle of 25-06 and 257 for velocity but will ultimately be a better long range solution with the faster twist and newer 25 cal bullets coming to market. Plus no goofy double radius shoulder and no useless belt to deal with!

If you are solidly stuck between the 25-06 and 257 I would lean towards the 25-06 because it is an easy button. Personally I don't think I would Ackley it either, most of the smaller bore cartridges are already knocking on over bore and didn't gain a ton from the steeper shoulder and reduced taper. I absolutely would look into a faster twist barrel regardless of the direction you choose. They don't hinder your normal projectiles while still making it possible to shoot newer bullets.
 
Bandera said:
There are several barrel makers that make a prefit barrel for a Savage in nearly any caliber you want.
Krieger
Shaw
Proof
X-Caliber
McGowen
I have used McGowen in the past with great results.
Click to expand...
Shilen was the first option that came up I've heard about for a long time, any experience with those?
 
Axle2010 said:
The 25 RPM is an option but I haven't seen the ready fit barrels chambered in it yet. Either way it'll definitely be a faster twist so I can use the 100-130 grains.
Click to expand...
Having a smith rebarrel isn't that much more expensive and if you have a good smith, it comes with assurances it will shoot. If you are going to spend money, make sure you get exactly what you want. It is always cheaper to do it once.
 
Shot a few pronghorns with the .25-06. 400 yard shots were certain when I did my part. I think I used 100 Sierra hand loads. If I were doing it over again I’d probably go with 120 gr bullets. Too much meat distribution with the lighter bullets. Keep it simple and go with the legitimized wildcat.
 
25-06 is a great round for deer and antelope but I’ve been shooting a 257 for over 20 years and it is a laser beam. If you are strictly hunting and not dialing in the scope you can zero a 257wby at 300 yards and point and shoot whitetail out to 400 yard easily, you can hold in the animal and hit and kill at 500 ( nice having a round that doesn’t kick that you can give a wife or child and in a 400 yard clearing or field if they can see a deer they can drop them by shooting regularly. Since you handload a 1:7-1:8 twist barrel will open up most of the Heavy bullets on the list but personally I think the 257 shines with 100-117gr. It’s lightning in a bottle when they get hit.

And if you really want a compromise (basically a 25-06 ai) with a fast twist barrel buy the 25rpm. It’s great it really is. I personally have a dislike for it because weatherby refuses to make a fast twist factory option for the 257. Because if they did the rpm wouldn’t sell.
 
I have and have had both. I prefer the .257 Wby for speed reasons and hard hitting at distance.
Realistically, both are excellent. Both have great ammo offerings. Both are killers. I have taken elk with both. The weatherby feels the same, shoots the same but about 10% faster. Not sure why I like that but I do.
In the end, both are "do it" cartridges.
 
Axle2010 said:
Shilen was the first option that came up I've heard about for a long time, any experience with those?
Click to expand...
Nope not directly.
Any of the prefit Savage barrels can be a DYI project.
 
Not a lot to choose between them in the real world of hunting. I had a Steyr in 25-06 for years and gave it to a nephew in mule deer country. He loves it. That said. my do everything rifle here in Texas is an R8 with 257 WBY barrel in place. Whitetail or coyotes, it is pretty close to a death ray from right here to way out there with the 100 gr TSX load. I do not notice any meaningful recoil or noise difference between it and the 06.
 
Axle2010 said:
Anybody have experience with both these cartridges? I had decided to convert my Savage 30-06 into a 25-06, I have another 30 and don't need 2, but looking for a barrel yesterday I found that I can also convert it to 257Wby. I've wanted a 256 for several years just don't want to pay Mark V prices and this would be a cheap way into it especially if I find that i don't use it much. So those is your that have had both what REAL WORLD pros and cons have you found other than ammo cost. I can reload for either or I think i can anyway lol, I have so the stuff but I haven't reloaded anything yet. If I did go with the 25-06 I'd probably go with the AI since I'm buying a new barrel anyway so I think that adds another 100fps to the standard 06. It would be for hunting and maybe some longer range steel shooting if I can find a range around here that's longer than 500 yards. Thanks in advance guys
Click to expand...

No doubt about it the 257 wb.
You can hold on hair to 400yds
If you handload you can down load to 25-06
With mine and the cost of ammo the 257 is more. But for me and the other people I have known to use it and the 25-06 there not really shot high volume.
 
I currently own one and load for both, and have owned both. 25-06 is the practical option if you need factory ammo. But 257 weatherby is the sexy option.

Peterson makes headstamped brass for 257 weatherby that is incredible and is readily available and not too expensive for what you’re getting.

Starting charges on 257 weatherby are roughly equivalent in velocity to max 25-06 loads, so you can download it to 25-06 performance at the cost of some velocity spread due to less case fill.

My vote is the weatherby, but the 25-06 is never a bad choice either.
 
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