Is this caliber adequate? How much better, if any, is the 30-06?
2007-12-20 14:59:41 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
The .257 Weatherby has the raw power to kill elk, but the problem is with the bullets.
Those ,25 caliber bullets were just not designed for deep penetration on an 800 pound elk. They will be moving very fast and will have a great chance of fragmenting rather than penetrating deep.
I think you'd be better off using a .30-'06 or a .35 Whelen, or .358 Winchester on elk and save the .257 Weatherby for deer and antelope.
Doc
2007-12-20 17:33:27 · answer #1 · answered by Doc Hudson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The .30-06 will be consistently better for Elk than the .257 Weatherby Magnum. Of course, the .257 will take Elk but it is a bit light and a bit narrow for the heavier boned Elk & Moose. You should consider a 150 grain bullet the minimum bullet weight for Elk, to be sure it will consistently plow through the heavier muscle & bone. I would consider the .270 Winchester the minimum Elk gun with the 150 grain quality hunting rounds.
The .257 Weatherby Mag. is a terrific long distance deer gun for up to Mule deer size game.
Best.
H
2007-12-20 15:35:15 · answer #2 · answered by H 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
257 Weatherby For Elk
2016-10-01 04:15:02 · answer #3 · answered by hodgkiss 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can take most any North American game with any caliber gun as long as the placement of the bullet is perfect, i.e. Lungs, heart or brain.
I’ve taken deer with a single shot from a .22 *yes it’s not legal in most places but it worked.
The .257 Weatherby is by far my favorite caliber! Roy Weatherby shot just about every animal there is with it, even the Cape Buffalo!
If I’m not mistaken, most states require a minimum of .30 caliber to hunt Elk with. So the .257 is out.
The velocity of the .257 vs. the 30.06 is close to equal… but the main difference is the bullet weight.
I shoot a 117-grain in my .257 and a 180-grain soft point in my 30.06 Springfield – Major knockdown difference!
Most who have never shot Roy’s favorite caliber will tell you a .257 is underpowered, but that is completely false! The .257 is said by most experts to be a .270 on steroids, which is an accurate comparison.
But yes, the right placement of a .257 bullet would put the Elk down.
I hunt with blackpowder during Elk season, and the .50 does it’s job nicely.
I’d go 30.06 if using a rifle.
The .257 is awesome for long-range shots, upwards of 500 yards! Antelope, Whitetails and just about anything in a open range is a prime target for the .257
Good luck!
2007-12-20 15:33:44 · answer #4 · answered by hivoltg30 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have had a fair amount of hunting experience with the .257 Weatherby. It is an awesome long-range deer and antelope cartridge. The .257 Weatherby has killed elk, but if you have to take a shot from a bad angle, you will probably not be happy with the results. A .30-06 is better, but I would recommend a .338 Win. Mag. for elk, preferably with Nosler 250 grain Partition bullets in a load such as the one made by Federal.
Also, where there are elk, there are frequently bears. One of them may hear the sound of your shot as his dinner bell, and come running. If this happens, he will probably decide that your elk is his, in which case you may have to stop a charging bear at close range with your hunting rifle. I suspect, in that situation, that you will be much happier to have a .338 in your hands.
2007-12-20 15:08:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have shot both my cow elk with my 257 Roberts. I use Barnes-X bullets that my husband handloads.
The 30-06 is a good one too.
Whatever you are familiar and comfortable with would be the best.
Don't take a shot that you are not sure of!
2007-12-20 17:04:02 · answer #6 · answered by Lora W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your best choice for that purpose is the 30-06, because you have a greater variety of bullet weights to choose from.* When you have a 30-06 you don't need any other rifle.* It will harvest anything in North America.* I prefer the 180 or 220 grain bullet myself.*
2007-12-21 11:01:09 · answer #7 · answered by dca2003311@yahoo.com 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Living in the three corners area of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, I have killed my fair share of elk. Owning both a 30-378 Wby and a .257 Wby, I have seen more elk dropped with one well placed shot from the .257 than the .30. Out to 500 yards the .257 is my go to gun for elk, even large Bulls:) hope this helps!
2016-07-04 13:02:40 · answer #8 · answered by Justin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you are a dern fine tracker and dont mind wounding the sheeat out of your animal.
2007-12-20 15:31:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋