257 Ideas please !!!

[BB340]

I just spoke to my gunsmith and he said $1050 for a new SS barrel fitted is a good deal. Especially being all the way over in WA.
Here in NSW he charged me $950 to fit a new 26" TSE barrel onto my Jap .257 Wby plus giving it a rich dark blue.

Just on your hunting with the .257 Bee, I think it is pretty well agreed here that something like the 100 grain Barnes TSX or TTSX is a great projectile for hunting deer sized game. I have used the standard 100 grn Hornady SP for goats and pigs with good success. But when it comes time for you to hunt donkeys and camels then I would step up to the 115gr TSX. Donkeys won't be a problem for the .257 even the 100 gr TSX would sort them out. Although I have never hunted camels before, (not yet anyway.. It's on the list to do though) As you know those bulls can grow into quite a big critter. you would be wise to definitely use the 115gr TSX on them.

[Ben257]

Thanks guys - a bit of an update -

The smith quoted Krieger 4 groove barrels in Number 5 Profile.
Carbon steel with 1 in 10 twist or Stainless steel in 1 in 9 twist
Agreed the $1050 is pretty fair, but + more $ for blueing or Cerakote.

I have also had a chat to another smith who has a number of barrel options - Maddco is one amongst a couple of locally manufactured barrels - Allen Swan & TSE were mentioned. Similar pricing was discussed, so I guess the discussion is now more about which barrel and why.

What should I be looking for in a barrel, or am I starting to overthink this ?

[DW5]

Guess it depends on how heavy you want it to be/type of hunting you do/etc... do you want to try and drive tacks off the bench or is around 1 moa more than acceptable? How much walking do you plan on doing with the gun??

I’d answer questions like that for myself and then start my decision from those answers. Good luck with the choice and be sure to keep us updated!! Maybe post a pic once you got it all done!

[BB340]

I have only had TSE barrels fitted to a few of my rifles and so cannot say what the others are like. But the TSE ones I have a accurate and I have not had any trouble with them.

[Ben257]

 I have been a bit quiet on this for the last month or so as I have been doing alot of research !
The 7mm Rem Mag was where I was headed until I re read all your comments !

The Mark V is a very nice hunting rifle. I have decided to keep it that way and not try to make it a crossover rife with a heavy barrel etc.

I am packing her up and posting it to Allan Swan gunsmithing. Allan specialises in barrel making and re-barrelling rifles.
Reading up on his work Allan seems to have a  quite a few happy customers that have re-barrelled hunting rifles with excellent results. Fingers crossed I will get the same outcome with the .257.

I have asked for a 1 in 9 twist, as i would like to throw some heavier projectiles around - anyone have any experience with the .257 Wm in a 1 in 8 twist or 1 in 9 twist it is currently a 1 in 10 twist.

Now to wait the 8 weeks for the job to be done !!!!

[Buckleman]

And hope they gaurantee their work

[Blackbear3]

The waiting is the hardest part, looking forward to your results and 2 months would give you time to get it ready for hunting season!!!

[BB340]

Good choice. Both of caliber and gun smith. Alan does fantastic work. I have never heard a bad thing said about him. I have a heavy barrelled .375 H&H on a CZ 602 action he built. It is a real tack driver too.

[Northern hunter]

The 1:8 rot is for long bullets such as a .264 and say berger or the eld-x heavy weights. You shouldn't need any quicker than 1:9. Keep it a 257 you will not regret it and you will be amazed at just what that chambering will do for knock down power.

[Arnold]

I had a Mark V 257 WBY re barelled to 270 Wby and I love it, I also bought a Vanguard in 257 Wby, couldn't live without one. Stick with the 257 you won't regret it. If you are set on a new caliber, try the 270 Wby, It's a death ray.

[HuskyMusky]

7mm Rem.Mag. off the top of my head was what I was thinking...if .257wby is too hard to make happen etc...

[Glen8338]

I agree with the .257 barrel.  I have a Mark V Accumark in that calibre and it is deadly on deer size game.  Extremely flat trajectory and accurate toboot. Just don't over heat your new barrel!

[Ben257]

Hey Guys,

Yes it has been a long time - Unfortunately it takes a long time to get work done on rifles over here.
After a lot of consideration -  I went with a re-Barrel in 257-Roy
Alan Swan did a really nice job of recreating the original barrel profile and Bluing so the MK 5 looks very original.

I went with a 1 in 9 twist, as I have an eye on heavier projectiles - still waiting for the mythical 25 cal, 130 Grain ELDX from Hornady.

I am in the process of developing some loads and had some good results with 85 grain Nosler BTs and 117 Grain Hornady SST's. Managed to get some 3/4 MOA groups.

Still work to be done, but very happy with where things are going - nearly time to take it out into the field.

[Blackbear3]

Nothing better than a plan coming together, especially when it turns into a shooter. I'm still waiting for the mythical 7mm-378 Weatherby to be released, so nothing wrong with waiting on a 130 ELDX.

[flyinstroke]

Hey Guys,

Yes it has been a long time - Unfortunately it takes a long time to get work done on rifles over here.
After a lot of consideration -  I went with a re-Barrel in 257-Roy
Alan Swan did a really nice job of recreating the original barrel profile and Bluing so the MK 5 looks very original.

I went with a 1 in 9 twist, as I have an eye on heavier projectiles - still waiting for the mythical 25 cal, 130 Grain ELDX from Hornady.

I am in the process of developing some loads and had some good results with 85 grain Nosler BTs and 117 Grain Hornady SST's. Managed to get some 3/4 MOA groups.

Still work to be done, but very happy with where things are going - nearly time to take it out into the field.

I am a huge quarter bore fan. I have a 25-06 Ackley that is nipping at the heals of a 257 Roy. I have a 7 twist barrel and sending the 131 BlackJack Ace @ 3250 with ease. I could care less if Hornady or anyone else ever comes out with a heavy 25 cal bullet as the Ace has done everything I need it to do. Hammer also makes a heavy 25 cal bullet that I have heard good things about. My next build will be a 257 Roy twisted to shoot the 131's.  A buddy went that route and couldnt be happier.