Picked up a Weaterby Vanguard today in .257wby.

I keep Reloader-22 on hand and use it in a 300WM and I'm pretty happy with the performance.

A secondary concern is bullet selection. I've been a Nosler Partition fan over the years. I'm ready for something a bit less um, explosive. Honestly, I'm not sure how to approach something with this speed. It's going to be used deer hunting primarily. With antelope being the reason for the reach.

I've got everything set up to reload for mine including dies and several hundred 110gr Accubonds, but have not done so yet.

I'll be interested to see what kind of response you get here. While I absolutely love the rifle, it's not a real popular round for some reason. Not sure why, as I've killed everything from coyotes to elk with mine.

Now that I'm actively looking for ammo or supplies I believe it's the cost of entry. I got what I think was a very good deal, enough to offset the cost of brass.

I'm drawn to oddities so I'm used to a bit of drama at the ammo counter. This has been the topper though.

Yeah, retail Weatherby ammo for it is certainly spendy. I've paid nearly $80/box before. That's why I bought the dies and have saved all of my brass. Just need to get to it.

It sounds like you’re looking for a long range bullet. I’d think the Partition wouldn’t be preferred simply because of the lower BC more so than the terminal performance. Neither deer nor antelope are all that tough. How about a bullet like a Hornady ELD-X or a Berger hunting? Neither is bonded, but is that really an issue at long ranges against smaller game?

I’d probably go with Accubonds if you just must have a bonded bullet. It’s too bad Nosler doesn’t offer the Accubond LR smaller than .264. I’d be curious if the Accubonds tip will deform when launched at Weatherby speeds. Hornady claims to have solved that problem with the ELD-X.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
I’d be curious if the Accubonds tip will deform when launched at Weatherby speeds.

They work fantastic. The factory loads that I've bought have been the 110gr. Accubonds and they are deadly accurate killers even on large game.

Nothing wrong with the good ole Partition but ultra high vel is where the mon metals shine. Other good choices would be bonded like Swift.

The Swift A-Frame is on my short list. I have seen enough grenading of the front end of Partition bullets to concern me about close in deer and destroyed meat.

Swift 120 grain A-frame if what you want, but RE22 may not be the best powder for it. Also consider the 117 grain Sierra Spitzer Pro Hunter.

Are you looking to dial speed back some in order to prolong barrel life? 3000 fps should still be attainable.

Throttled back would be great. I would have been happy with a 268 Roberts. I bought the rifle and accepted the chambering
I’m ate up with powerful rifles. This is to be my antelope and deer hunting rifle. I’ll be sure to look at the Sierra too.