.257 for elk

[.257]

Thank you danno, it will be a great trip, I have always wanted to hunt that area and finally I am, and getting to do it with a couple very good friends 

[BigOrange44]

I have a drop camp elk hunt coming up this fall and I just cant get the idea of not taking my .257. I have a 338 win mag, but I really like the weatherby rifle a lot more. I have taken elk with a 264 win mag, and a 270 win, 300 win mag, 338 win mag, all worked fine. My question is what game animals have you taken with a .257, what bullet was used and how did it perform. I know many of you on here have more experience with this caliber than me, so I am asking for your input and experiences on this...

I own or have owned Weatherbies in; .240, .257, .270, .300 and .340.  I did own a .375 Weatherby built on a P-17 Action at one time.  That being said, my shooting experience has been much more with the 257 WM and I loved the first and the new one, a Vanguard. I see no reason for not using the .257 WM with the proper partitioned bullet if the shooter is comfortable and experienced shooting the rifle.  A good Nosler or any other of the very strong bullets out there when  properly applied in the boiler room at respectable ranges (300 or less)  should get the job done rather well.

[.257]

I agree, I think the .257 will do the job. But in this case where I have not hunted the area before, and talking to the outfitter and looking on google maps. The shot could be 20 yards or 300 yards my limit on big game. Or anywhere in between.
If I see an elk in the dark timber with a lot of blow down and he is moving I will feel more comfortable under those conditions with the 338.

[TRex99]

I saw a big AZ bull take two 225gr .338 Partitions in the boiler room before he went down. Made me feel almost undergunned with a 7Mag and 160gr Accubonds. Got mine the next day though. Unit 6A about 45 miles S of Flag.

[acorange]

I have hunted that area [12] near Trappers Lake. Cool area.... I would use the 257 esp. if you are more comfortable with it.
Out of the 7 elk I have killed the closest was 15 yards and the longest was 120, but I always hunt in the timber and get bored sitting around on "Meadow watch".  It is amazing how in the last 50 years elk have gotten so much tougher and need a 300 plus magnum to kill them when they used to be able to die from a '06, 270, 300 Sav., 35 rem. etc.

[Michiganhunter]

I have taken elk with both. Bulls and cows. Distance from 50 yards to 275 yards. Quick kills on all. I love the .257 and feel quite confident with its capabilities. That being said, I would use the .338. Good luck on your hunt.

[.257]

Thanks guys, now it just seems October is so far away!!

One of the guys I am going elk hunting with also drew a Moose permit, season is in September muzzleloader hunt. That helps with the wait time, I will go with him scouting and on the Moose hunt for the first few days

I also drew a Muzzleloader deer tag by my house so I can try to pattern a couple nice bucks we have around here.

Should be a good fall of big game hunting

[Chris338378]

I agree, I think the .257 will do the job. But in this case where I have not hunted the area before, and talking to the outfitter and looking on google maps. The shot could be 20 yards or 300 yards my limit on big game. Or anywhere in between.
If I see an elk in the dark timber with a lot of blow down and he is moving I will feel more comfortable under those conditions with the 338.

In my opinion you answered your own question right there.  As everyone else said the .257 will definitely do the job with the proper shot placement and bullet but it's not too good at mowing through "brush".  You could take it and if you're in the situation you mentioned you could wait for the elk to move into an opening but there's no guarantee he's going to do what you want him to.  If you're ok with possibly missing out on a nice elk then by all means take the .257. 

[.257]

Thanks again everyone 

[capt_canuck]

Hey .257 I was reading again about weatherbys 7mm mag ...and your .257 the .270 and .7 mm all have the 300 H & H case. So you defiantly are shooting a wild cat calibre with incredible velocity. I also was reading that the .257 is more then adequate for elk and moose. the article is called. In praise of the .257 weatherby..you could google that...I also was reading a eskimo up in the northwest territories owns a .257 weatherby to live. He shoots caribou and musk ox with it for food. He loves his rifle as he explained it has saved his life by having to shoot a threatning polar bear. I think the Aussie BB340 really explained it well how he has layed out ferral donkeys and horses with his .257...now thats amazing firepower and more then just a hotrod deer rifle. I just wondered what bullets you shoot that hold together well.

[.257]

capt_canuck; All the things you mention is why I was having trouble picking which to take. I agree the .257 will do the job, but I also think on this hunt I will be more comfortable under any condition with the 338 win mag. This is a proven rifle on elk for me.

The bullets I use in the .257 on big game is the barnes 100gr TTSX.

[buffybr]

When I lived in Steamboat Springs, CO my hunting partner hunted elk every year with his .257 Roberts.  That led me to building a .257 Ackley when I moved to Montana.

I've shot dozens of elk, but only one with my .257 AI.  It was a 340" bull that dropped instantly when I put a 117 grain Sierra GameKing just behind his shoulder from about 75 yards.

One of the guys that I used to work with hunted elk every year with his .25-06.  I don't know his total kill, but he killed a 5x5 bull hunting with me one year.

Its more about putting the bullet in the right spot, and passing on questionable shots.

[capt_canuck]

 Yep I totally understand and agree .257..if ya got it use it...you want to make sure you get the job done when that time comes, no sleepless nights wonderin if you got enough for every possible shot.. you might have to change your handle to .338 when you get back from your trip...what you got lined up sounds like alot of fun..like a moose hunt too...I only shot my one elk and it was just as big and fun as shootin my first bull moose...a few weeks ago I shot a nice black bear...I hope they ship me my new weatherby soon...then i can figure out whats first on my new hit list...lol