257 Weatherby / 204 Ruger or both

[Lohman446]

I am trying to figure out what I still need in my collection.

I have kicked out the 338 as a need - frankly the 375 H+H does everything it will do better. I have a 270 Winchester for when the 375 seems like overkill (ok... but I really like the 375).

I am looking into a long range varmint rifle. Both the 204 and 257 intrigue me. The 257 is more intriguing (Roy Weatherby once dropped a Cape Buffalo with a 257) to me and appears far more versatile. However, its not like I am in a one gun situation. The 204 is the fastest readily available commercially loaded rounds at over 4K feet per second.

Thoughts?

I haven't given up on big guns yet. My next big gun purchase will be a 458 LOTT. But as I don't need any right this moment I am going to just wait until great deals fall into my lap.

[Head Hunter 221]

Well, unless you have extensive reloading tools I would go with the 204 ruger, because it is more likely to be found on the commercial scale, and probably for less. Not that I have any expereince with these two rounds, but I am pretty sure ballistics charts don't lie and they have similar performance.

All in all, if you have reloading tools and everything, and you won't mind shelling out a few more bucks when you need to by commercially, go ahead with the 257.

[LegumeOfTerror]

I am trying to figure out what I still need in my collection.

I have kicked out the 338 as a need - frankly the 375 H+H does everything it will do better. I have a 270 Winchester for when the 375 seems like overkill (ok... but I really like the 375).

I am looking into a long range varmint rifle. Both the 204 and 257 intrigue me. The 257 is more intriguing (Roy Weatherby once dropped a Cape Buffalo with a 257) to me and appears far more versatile. However, its not like I am in a one gun situation. The 204 is the fastest readily available commercially loaded rounds at over 4K feet per second.

Thoughts?

I haven't given up on big guns yet. My next big gun purchase will be a 458 LOTT. But as I don't need any right this moment I am going to just wait until great deals fall into my lap.

there is almost always an alternative to a Weatherby cartridge that is just as good and much less expensive. for varmints, id get .204 Ruger. that with a V-max will 'splode little critters real well. even plain old .223 Remington is a good choice. i really see no need for .257 unless your just want to have a Weatherby cartridge, and theres nothing wrong with that either, its just a little much for tiny animals. there is also .25 WSSM or .25-06 as a sort of in-between, with .25-06 really close to .257.

[Head Hunter 221]

It would also help if you specify a range, like long range = 100-300 yards? or?

Because if you are planning to do anything over 200 yards, even 150 maybe I would go with a 25-06.

[Lohman446]

I'm one of those people who need a gun for everything :). Though the next niche I should fill is going to be in the 300 yard for prairie dogs most likely.

[LegumeOfTerror]

.223 Remington or .204 Ruger would be fine for that. you could build a really nice AR in either of those calibers and have a great varmint rife. something with a 24" stainless steel barrel would be great. if yu get into long rang varmining you'll probably want to start reloding.

[Head Hunter 221]

what about a .223 WSSM?
If I remember right they have higher vleocities than .223 Rem.

I dunno if you would want to spend the extra cash on them tho...