Home › Browse Calibers › .257 Wby. Mag.
Common uses: Hunting, Long Range, Varmint
| Type | rifle (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 110gr Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X |
| Muzzle velocity | 3240 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 2565 ft-lb |
| Published G1 ballistic coefficient | 0.465 |
| Published G7 ballistic coefficient | 0.234 |
| Case length | 63.5 mm |
| Overall length | 82.6 mm |
| SAAMI max pressure | 65000 PSI |
| Common twist rate | 1:10" |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3240 | 2564 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 3021 | 2229 | 0 |
| 200 | 2813 | 1932 | -2.3 |
| 300 | 2614 | 1669 | -9 |
| 400 | 2424 | 1435 | -20.9 |
| 500 | 2242 | 1228 | -38.6 |
At 1,000 yards, .257 Wby. Mag. (110gr at 3240 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 24.8 MOA / 7.2 MIL, retaining 1462 fps (supersonic).
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | State | Drop (in) | Elev (MOA) | Elev (MIL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 2614 | Supersonic | -9.0 | 2.9 | 0.84 |
| 400 | 2424 | Supersonic | -20.9 | 5.0 | 1.45 |
| 500 | 2242 | Supersonic | -38.6 | 7.4 | 2.15 |
| 600 | 2068 | Supersonic | -63.3 | 10.1 | 2.93 |
| 700 | 1901 | Supersonic | -96.2 | 13.1 | 3.82 |
| 800 | 1745 | Supersonic | -138.6 | 16.6 | 4.81 |
| 900 | 1597 | Supersonic | -192.6 | 20.4 | 5.95 |
| 1000 | 1462 | Supersonic | -260.1 | 24.8 | 7.22 |
Extended predictions beyond 500 yards are modeled from the same G1 engine — useful for initial DOPE, but outside the 500-yard manufacturer-table validation audit. Confirm with observed DOPE, especially near transonic.
A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.
The .257 Weatherby Magnum is renowned as the fastest commercial quarter-bore, pushing light-for-caliber bullets to velocities well over 3,300 fps and delivering an exceptionally flat trajectory that minimizes holdover at extended range. Hunters prize it for open-country game such as pronghorn, mule deer, and mountain sheep, where its speed and reach let a shooter hold dead-on across long distances and where its high impact velocity produces dramatic, decisive results. It burns a large charge of powder behind a small bore, so recoil stays moderate for the performance while barrel life and muzzle blast are notable trade-offs. It doubles capably on varmints and predators, though the cost and availability of its ammunition, and the erosion that comes with its overbore design, keep it a specialist's choice rather than an all-purpose deer round.
Roy Weatherby designed the .257 Weatherby Magnum in 1944 and introduced it commercially in 1945. He built it on a belted case from the .300/.375 H&H Magnum lineage, shortened, blown out, and necked down to .25 caliber. It was one of the first Weatherby magnums and served as a forerunner to later standard-length belted magnums such as the 7mm Remington Magnum and the .338 Winchester Magnum. Roy Weatherby considered it his personal favorite of all the cartridges bearing his name.
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