Ok I can't take it anymore, WHAT? lol Unless the rules of physics just stopped working completely the 257 is not as much gun as a 7 Mag or a 270 Mag. Wish it to be all you want to. Still don't make it so. It's at the upper limits on elk. Elephants were killed with 7x57mm too but that doesn't make them an elephant rifle in the regular joe hands of the world. By that logic my 7-08 is a gaint killer.
Yikes! Come on already.
Chip I am not saying it is as much gun...the .257 is clearly on the lesser end and the 7mm on the upper end "power wise" physics haven't changed.
What I am saying is that anything one could or would feel comfortable shooting with a .270 or 7mm can be taken with a .257 using premium bullets. None of the three are in the class of a fast .30 or .338 as far as "stopping power"
No the .257 isn't the optimim Cape Buffalo rifle, but neither have deer and elk evolved to the point where a 155mm cannon is required to put one on the ground. I will state it again the .257/.270/7mm Weatherby are all fine calibers, but I place them ALL in the same class as far as killing game is concerned. They all are capable deer, elk, hog, black bear, and plains game type of calibers...anything larger and or more dangerous and a larger caliber and bullet is adviseable.
I am a fan of the .257...a BIG fan, but I also love the .300 and .340 and plan on one of the Big Three at some point, but the .257 with the right bullet will flat get it done on most of game that most of us hunt and do so without punishing the shooter. I think there is a REASON that is was Roy's favorite and I think that it is often overlooked.