Between those two the 7-08. Had a .257 “Bee” Vanguard, loved 110 Accubonds and absolutely hammered several deer and an antelope with it but it had its downsides, loud, prefers a long barrel, and frankly expensive to feed (even when reloading). The 7-08 is one of my favorites, short action, can be used in a 22” barrel, not ammo “fussy” and as others have mentioned can be loaded from 120 to 175 grain bullets.

Then get the 7-08…it’s also cheaper and both of those are known to shoot. I like both those rounds…found some 25 cal 115 ballistic tips this evening and thought I probably need a quarter bore of some variety No, I did not buy them…I’ve got a 300wsm in the works.

Good luck!

I have both, have only hunted with the 7mm08 but will shoot something with the 257 this year. I like the weatherby for its history, nostalgic, speed, I think it’s an awesome round, I’m a huge fan of all the 25 caliber cartridges. However, for a no nonsense deer killer that does a great job, it’s hard to beat the 7mm-08.

I have one .257 wby and 3 7mm-08’s in my safe.

IMO the .257 is a specialty cartridge...I’m not gonna shoot whitetail with it sitting under a feeder at 100 yards. I bring it out when the deer are big and the shots can stretch out there. It’s just as much as the gun its chambered in as the cartridge. Killed a few mule deer, a few aoudad and a big bull elk with it.

We took the 7mm-08 to Africa and my wife killed Kudu, Zebra and Nyala and it performed perfectly.

IMO...for a “deer rifle” it’s gonna be hard to beat a handy 7mm-08. It’s simply one of the best rounds ever made.


You get a stable of guns then a .257 wby certainly has its place, but buying one as a general whitetail rig is like buying a corvette to go back and for to the grocery story

7mm-08 gets my vote!

Interesting discussion. It ties in with what I’ve been thinking about recently, but probably won’t do. That’s to find a Ruger 77 tang safety Ultralight, have it tuned/accurized, and rebarreled in 260 or 6.5 CM. My Dad had one in 270, and when he passed, I cleaned it all up, rescoped it, found the good load, and gave the gun and 100 rounds to my Dad’s favorite nephew. Sure was hard to part with it, but I know Dad would’ve wanted that young man to have it.

But….Now I don’t have it, and it was a marvelous shooter. Another But, is that I have enough rifles and don’t need another.

As for an alternate caliber, the 257 Roberts AI would be a good choice, being ballistically very close to the 260 and 6.5 CM.

I just always liked the Ruger Ultralight.

That's some sig-worthy stuff right there.

Dang it red, carefully what you say around some of these guys.

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Dead is dead. Drop right there means via the nervous system. Drop right there and leave imprint in the ground means… Hand of Zeus via 257wby. Don’t make God mad, God gave Zeus the 257wby because sometimes lighting bolts aren’t enough.


I’m just saying he is always listening and watching, plus Santa Claus uses it to smack wolves

I aint down for none of that! I stick to my

If you decide to go for the .257 wby get a 26” barrel.

Of those choices, I would go with a .270

You have troubles following directions, don't ya?

243 will kill any deer in Texas!!!!!

if i were you id just wait a week or two and buz will probably be selling one of the two

Thanks guys. Went with the 7mm-08. Ruger American on sale at Reed's for $380 total Shipped. Now I am on the ammo hunt. If anyone sees any anywhere close to Denton please let me know. 94o-399-9o35. Thanks again.

Now carry on. Red I am shocked! LOL

Bring the rifle to me, turn and walk away.

Good choice! Was the shipping free too?

I almost did.....lol

Yes. Well I guess it was. They have a fall sale going on. On the Website it was $399.99. He told me about the discount and said the total was $380 even.

I have 2 I would like to do that with. Can we get a 2fer? LOL

Yes, if I have them at the same time.

Well this thread sure got interesting. Who know



Congrats Bobcat on new rifle!

How long is the waiting list?

Just wrapped up the last rifle I've got, yesterday. So at the moment, I am caught up.

Yesterday was a GAP .300 Win Mag target rifle. 210 Berger VLDs. Ended up the load makes 2925 fps MV. My steel targets were hating me when I was getting DOPE on that load. Man that thing hits hard!