257 Ackley 1:12 twist bullet choice

[Winchester 1897]

Might be picking up a 257 Ackley improved, built on 1934 model 70 action. Only thing that has me hesitant is that it's 1:12 twist and the guy says it might not stabilize heavy hunting bullets. Yes I.know I can use hammers in a 85 or so grain bullet and likely turn a deer inside out but I don't want to get caught in BFE with no shells and the only bullets that the store has are standard 257 Roberts with 110 grain bullets and it won't shoot em.

Anyone have any have experience with a 25 caliber with a 1:12 twist?

 

[Ravenanme]

Might be picking up a 257 Ackley improved, built on 1934 model 70 action. Only thing that has me hesitant is that it's 1:12 twist and the guy says it might not stabilize heavy hunting bullets. Yes I.know I can use hammers in a 85 or so grain bullet and likely turn a deer inside out but I don't want to get caught in BFE with no shells and the only bullets that the store has are standard 257 Roberts with 110 grain bullets and it won't shoot em.

Anyone have any have experience with a 25 caliber with a 1:12 twist?

1:12 is for small light-weight bullets but I'm not saying they won't do the job on big game ! I know my 243 with 100 gr bullets took well
over 25 big animals out as far as 300 plus yds . The ability of even the 257 Weatherby with 115's on elk , I saw with my own eyes , hit in
the curly-hairs with a uphill shot took us 3 hrs to recover ! Do as you wish but , there's better calibers for larger animals , that won't kick
the snot out of you on report . Even the 270 Win gives you a wide selection of big game bullets and can be setup to shoot very flat !
Take a look at the Rem 260 , really a nice caliber for some serious big game hunting ? I purchased one for my SIL that went with him
on (2) African Plains game hunts and even the Giant Eland was a ONE SHOT kill at 230 yds with 140's !

 

[Winchester 1897]

I shoot a 270. The Ackley is just a fun gun for the kid and the wife maybe. I know it'd be a coyote killer.

 

[Sunklands]

Sierra used to make a 90 grain game King hp. In my 25-06’s it was great round.

 

[derbyacresbob]

Barnes recommends a 1-10" twist rate or faster, for their 101 gr LRX Boat Tail 25 cal bullet.

I would much rather have a 1-9" or 1-10" twist rate 257 Ackly.

If you are going to shoot 90 gr and lighter lead bullets the 1-12" twist should work fine. Lead free bullets are longer than the same weight lead bullets so lead free bullets need a faster twist rate to stabilize them.

 

[Winchester 1897]

I kinda think I'm gonna end up passing on it. It'd be a nice rifle especially for the price but if it won't work for deer there is really no point. Wife will have to shoot the 30/30 or the 270 I suppose.

 

[Ravenanme]

When I ordered my barrel for the 6.5 x 284 with the 8.5 " twist back in the early 90's , guys thought I was crazy !
These 127 gr lead-free bullets work just fine !

 

[Winchester 1897]

When I ordered my barrel for the 6.5 x 284 with the 8.5 " twist back in the early 90's , guys thought I was crazy !
These 127 gr lead-free bullets work just fine !

Yeah if definitely prefer a 1:10 twist but if I jump on this rifle I don't have a choice. Thought about getting my 270 rebarreled with a 1:7 twist eventually or go whole different route and get it rebarreled in 280 or 7x57 Ackley

 

[Nocalhonker]

Go on the hammer forum and talk to them, if the price is right you could also do a barrel swap. With AI your best bet is reloading it’s plenty big for deer, antelope and yotes. The 257 is an under appreciated cartridge.

 

[Bear]