257 Weatherby Vanguard Sporter (wood stock)

[DLEB]

Strange...
Shot my new rifle this past weekend. The barrel was allowed to cool (to the touch) after every shot. In each and every 3 shot group the first 2 shots would be 1/2" center/center on basically a horizontal line and the 3rd shot would be high and increase the group to
1 1/4". I was shooting factory Weatherby 115 Ballistic Tips. The rifle has a pressure point near the front swivel stud. It has a new Nikon scope and Leupold bases/rings with locktite. I get the distinct impression that it will shot 1/2" groups if it were not for the 3rd shot flyer.
I am suspecting culprit to be wood stock/bedding. Remedies being new Bell and Carlson Medalist stock with full aluminum bedding and pressure point or the need to free float.
Any opinions or experiences would be appreciated.

[tuck2]

First ,I would remove the forearm pressure pad ,that is free float the barrel and shoot it.  You can glass bed a new pressure pad in it ,if free floating does not give you better groups. Also inspect the action bedding to see how the action is contacting the wood. I have not had a rifle shoot poorer groups  after glass bedding the action but I have seen improvements in the groups with some rifles.  I have the same brand rifle in the 7 MM Rem Mag. You may wont to adjust the trigger pull to around 2 3/4 - 3 1/4 Lbs when you have the barreled action out of the stock. I think the Weatherby Vanguard rifle is one of the best in its price range. If I dident have a 264 Win Mag I would get a 257 Weatherby.

[jro45]

My 257 WBY is Mark 5. But it sounds like you might want to check the barrels free float and see if its floated. My 257 put bullets on top of each other at 100 yds. Those Vangards are pretty reasonable= Good Buy!

[DLEB]

I have adjusted the trigger to 3.25#s. It still has a slight bit of creep that I will probably live with. Is yours wood or synthetic?

[DLEB]

jro45, what grain and type bullets/ammo have you had the best luck with?

[Ahab]

My 257 WBY is Mark 5. But it sounds like you might want to check the barrels free float and see if its floated. My 257 put bullets on top of each other at 100 yds. Those Vangards are pretty reasonable= Good Buy!

Mine is a Mark 5 Ultralight and it too will do as above with 117gr Sierras on 72grs of R-25. I also have Vanguards in .243 and 7mm Mag. They both needed more than a few rounds thru them before they settled down. Sounds like that vertical flyer is heat related which a free float might help.

[charles p]

Before you do anything, back off about two grains of powder.  If you are like me, the reason I would purchase a 257 Weatherby is for the blistering velocity.  I get dizzy looking at the ballistic charts.  Not every rifle shoots its best at max velocity.  It's cheap and easy to see if this is your solution.  Trust me, you can sleep at night with 50-100 fps less than a 257 Weatherby at its max load.  No deer or paper target will ever know the difference.

[jro45]

jro45, what grain and type bullets/ammo have you had the best luck with?

Mine stock is synthetic. The best bullets  are those Hornady 87 gr and then the Nosler 100 gr and then the Serria
117 gr and last the Speer 120 gr. These rounds have a high B.C.

[31 bertram]

My First MK V 257 wby was purchased used from gunbroker.com.  I latter discovered it was a rebarreled 24".  I had the same problem with that gun, it also would not stabilize the bullets, so I suspect it was the wrong twist rate.  I ended up selling it and bought a new MK V 257 wby.  I ended up using 100 gr. Hornady Spire Points because I could'nt get the Nosler Partitions to group even close.  But this gun is a shooter with every other bullet I've tried.  I am going to try that Barnes TSX next.
31 bertram 

[DLEB]

I will probably try the factory 100s once I get the rifle to settle down a bit. Maybe the 110 also.

[DLEB]

Free floated the barrel and went from 1 1/4" to 7/8" groups. The 1st shot of this 3 shot group was only the second shot after cleaning. It stretched the groups to 7/8". The 2nd and 3rd shot cut each other in half. I get the distinct impression that this rifle is capable of 1/2" groups with a decent trigger and me being able to do my part. Still have noticeable creep in the factory trigger. Maybe a Timney...