Which is better, more accurate, more available ammo? 257/308

Doug, since mine has a different valve, I see a HUGE difference, just going from 80 grains t0 60. Gr I have about 5″ less drop at 80 yards and is typical for mine.
but Accuracy with teh cut down bullets is superb. I couldn’t ask for more. Groups are typically well under an inch at 80, with most well undr 1/2″ at the same range.

Both you and Cedric are pushing a larger valve, and a longer bbl. Makes a big difference!

Going to try to see if I can’t quiet her down a bit today!

😀

Knife

LOL, skip, its really not complicated. When you change or build something, you have to have patience to do it right. Even changing your 177 to 25 won’t necessarily be a peace of cake. You need this, then you need that, then you will have to try some of those and blah blah blah……lol!

The .308 uses more air. It’s based on bullet weight. The lighter you shoot the more shots you get.

The good thing about the AF design is that POI doesn’t really change when you change bullet weight. I can shot 118 gr and switch to 158 gr and still hit a coke can at 100 yds. With the haley it drops almost a 12″.

Agree with DOUGLAS….lol.

I’ve shot the 257 HS bullets and compared to my own Lyman bullets…….THERE WAS NO COMPARISON. Its more that the lead is harder than what I cast. Yes, hardness in lead projectiles ALONE makes a difference in accuracy. But that is a whole nother post.

Now, I love the 308 and I love the 257. 308 probably has MORE bullet selections via either buying off the net or bullet molds. The 257 itself in the powder burner realm is popular but the 308 is super popular. Police and Military both use the 308 extensively. But both have MORE than enough options period. But all out, the 308 has more.

Accuracy is about the same but like Doug said, you have to have the right barrels and bullets. Many of the current big bores now have barrels that have twist rates that’s TOO slow. Like my Corsair. Not only that but they also push bullets that are far too long also. Something like a 170 gr 308 bullet in a barrel with 1-20 or 1-22 twist does not make for a great combo. Something like 1-14 or 1-10 is waaaaaay better with that weight of bullet. Stick with 1-20 and you might as well stick with 120 gr or less 308 pills. Its the EXACT same philosophy in the powder burner world…heavier bullets means a longer bullet (cause caliber does not change even thought the weight does) and it requires a faster twist to stabilize that projectile.

As far as cost goes, the 257 is obviously cheaper cause there is simply less lead to make the same amount of bullets between the two calibers.

The .25’s don’t work and one of the .257’s is one of the .25’s before they size it down.

They cast bullets to make money. I cast for me. There is no comparison in the quality. I throw back bullets into the pot that look better than what I buy because they are not perfect.

I ordered 500 53 gr .25’s from hunters supply. I Would Say 75% of them looked like they got pinched across the back and drive bands. I should have never been sent the bullets. I sent them back and had them replaced with 171 gr .308’s.

Second they ship them in a box and it sounds like a box of marbles when you get it.

Had my brother shooting a .25 slug gun and I told him he could sight it in on a softball hanging at 100 yds with the HS 63 gr slug. After awhile I could see he was frustrated. He said it shoots here then it shoots there. So I said hold on, let me get you something different to shoot. I gave him the Lyman 257420 that I sized down to .251. After a couple of shots he was hitting the softball every shot.

The only thing I use them for is chrono testing into my pellet trap and not even that anymore. I will melt down what I have left and put a little in my lead when I cast not to harden my bullets to much.

Either one is accurate if done right and with the right barrel. After building my latest .308 I’m really impressed with how good and hard it shoots. Just need to make a shroud for it to tame the bark.

Ammo is a issue for either unless you cast your own. I know RJ Porter on here was selling bullets in both calibers with a good selection. Hunter supply is no good in .257. Quality is just not there. They have a casting machine and have to cast with harder lead so you can’t get pure lead bullets from them.

There 171 .308 seem to work alright. That is the only thing I shoot from them and not very often.

Mr hollow point is expensive and can’t recommend him at all after what I was sent before I started casting my own.