Just returned from gun store and was looking at the 340 Weatherby. Asked about the cal. and was told the recoil will be equal to a 458 win. mag. 500gr. I own a 458, is the recoil of a 340 the same? My 458 has a hard rubber butt and no brake.
Thanks for your thoughts

Ak Geo, I've never had a .458. The .340 is definitely a step up from the .338 but I don't think you'd find it enough to dissuade you from buying the .340.

Thanks I am also looking at the 338-06. a friend shot a large moose with one and it preformed very well. 338-06 has much less recoil also.

[ 06-28-2003, 01:23: Message edited by: Ak Geo ]

Ask Geo
I had a Factory 340 Weatherby "Alaskan" the one in the plastic stock no muzzle break. I did not find the recoil that much worse than my 300 Weatherby Fibermark [skinny bbl]. The recoil was much less to me than the 375 H&H's I have owned, way way below 458 levels. I shot factory 210 Partitions and 250 Partitions.

AK: whoever told you the 340's recoil was ANYTHING like the 458's was clueless. Having said that, it is the SHARPEST-FASTEST recoiling rifle I own. It's definetly worse then the 375 in that you really have to hold on to the rifle! I have a 340 Accumark which is a rather heavy rifle. The 338 is a logical alternative. I own one, well, just because! jorge

Ak I for one do not thing that the 340 is all that caustic-I am on my 4th tube and I just love the round.

I have put 4.5 weight Scheiders on M700-M70-usually with a 23"-26" tube. The round is a big time shooter! My first one would regulary put 5 250 Hornady's into .7 or less. I have them built without the freebore and they just plain perk and then some.

Never had a 340 Mark V--while I do kind of like the action-even though it is quite heavy-I have worked with about 5 or so factory Mark V's. Only one of them gave the type of accuracy that I found acceptable.

So if you are intrigued by the round I'd be more than happy to hook you up with my smith. He'll do good by you.

What uses do you have in mind for your 33?

I've also worked with a 338 and a 338/06. Forme and my money if the majority of your shooting is gonna be within 350 yards then I'd take a hard and fast look at the 338/06.

Gotta go

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

savage what kind of a 340 do you shoot?

Pat Hurley from these forums uses a 340 a ton also-you'd do well to talk with him.

Thanks for your posts, most of the hunting I do in Alaska is well within 350 yards, I not sure I can even see 350 yards! Counting brow tines on moose and making sure sheep ect. are legal is not done at long distance. Most of Alaska I hunt is not supper open country anyway. leaning to 338-06

AK you would love a 338/06--I turn a 250 Swift out of mine at 2600 with a 23" tube. This is one fine round.

I don't quite agree with the comments about the 340 being that bad of a kicker-does it you bet is its recoil fast you bet. However if you build it the I was taught to by one of my mentors you'll be more than suprised. Hell I've used the 340's for quite a bit of rock chucking and yote hunting.

This is just me-and I know you didn't ask but I wouldn't even consider a break! I had one of those on a 340 I bought from a friend-it went away toot sweet.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

Mark, do you reload your own for the 338-06, if so how do you make 30-06 case's work? or do you buy Weatherby case's?

AK--I simply lube up a 06 case and run it thru the 338/06 sizer-no problems. Never tried the Wby stuff-spose it would work fine, although they are quite proud of it.

I use R15 with the bullets from 160-210, and then I use IMR 4350 for the 250's.

This my friend is one fine round!! I know there are many out there, but this one I have a fondness for.

Build it so that the gun is at about 8 ready to go and never look back.

What do you have for an action.

Dave Gentry here in Bozeman did mine on my G33/40 and I just love it. I'd be more than glad to hook you up with him if you like.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

I would fine a 270 or 30-06 win and have it made off that. You can find 270's here somtimes at pretty good prices becacuse they are not a very popular here. There is a pretty good smith here that built one for my hunting buddy and he can touch holes with his so I know they can shoot.

Ak--my man I'd say get after it--you'll not regret it.

Thanks for your time

Dog

I would go with the 338ultramag instead.I have owned a 257wby and 300wby mag and do not believe that weatherby rifles are worth the extra cost.Ultramag loads are also cheaper as is brass.I now own two 300ultramags and find that I am able to get about 125fps more from the ultramag than the weatherby and more accuracy as well.

I've found the Wby bras while a bit expensive to be just about unbeatable in terms of quality.

Just out of curiousity Stubble what speeds are you getting?

Thanks for your time

Dog

My 300wby would produce a maximum of 3250fps with 180gr handloads while my 300ultramags produce 3375 and 3395fps with the same bullet.For a 338 I use a 338x8mmremmag which produces 3100fps with a 210gr bullet.I didn't want a weatherby rifle or to have to use their brass so I had the wildcat made.If the 338 ultra had been available(about 10 years ago) I would have had one built instead.

AkGeo, go for it -you'll not regret any .338 calibre, because they are all great. IMHO, this is where the heavy game calibres start.

Recoil is heavy, but not painful. Just get a good scope with the proper amount of eye relief.

packrat

Stubble-those speeds your running the RUM are quite doable with the 340 Wby-not quite sure why you would think you can get another 125 with your RUM's? Not that you asked for my comments but I guess I gave em anyway--sorry.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

[ 06-28-2003, 05:26: Message edited by: Mark R Dobrenski ]

Stubble-hey one other thing for years we made 340 cases out of 8 Rem.

Dog

Mark-If you read my post again you will see that I gave you velocity comparisons for the 300 wby and the 300ultramag because they are the two that I own.The 300wby would show pressure signs if the powder charge was increased so it was not capable of the velocities that the ultramag produces.As I stated my 338 was the 338x8mmrem mag which is simply the 8mmremmmag necked up to .338".I have not chronographed the 340wby against the 338ultramag but if the larger ultramag case produces more velocity in the .308" bore it will probably also produce more in the .338" bore.

Gotcha Stubble now I see what you meant-

Dog

AK GEO

The 340Wby is a great cartridge!
When loaded to standard pressures the 340 is no 458 in terms of recoil.

Jamie

Mark R

The 338 Ultra pushes 225 grainers to 3200+fps and 250 grain bullets to 3000+ fps.

When I shot out my 340 I decided to try the Ultra instead. For what its worth, the Ultra is quite a bit faster.

The Ultra brass is cheaper than Weatherby's, however quality is not as good.

Jamie

Thanks for your time Jamie-I can run close to 3000 with the 250's but nowhere near 32 with the 225's.

They have had the steam to do just fine however.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

I have to agree with Mark. I have two 340s, one a Mark V with an aftermarket synthetic stock and the other a Win. SS 338 that I rechambered with a Pacific Research Stock. Both shoot 210 Noslers at 3200 and 250 Noslers at 3000. Neither has the recoil of a 375 and no where near a 458.

They are both accurate and handy rifles. Around 9lbs with 24 inch barrels. My Mark V had Magnaport break on it when I got it but showed no decrease in recoil to a friends unbreaked rifle so I had it cut off. Thus the 24 inch barrel. All it would do was blow off my hat when I shot it.

Geo if you are looking at a good moose rifle in the mid bores you should look at the 358 norma, slightly bigger bullet but similar recoil and energy, I just cant say enough good things about mine.

I think that the .340 WBY. should be an ideal all-around hunting cartridge, no question about it, but that crooked Weatherby Mark V stock design really exacerbates felt recoil in my opinion, and should be replaced with a straight-comb, American Classic style stock.

I know it's an eye-opener to shoot a .300 Weatherby factory Mark V rifle, then shoot the same exact ammo in a .300 Weatherby that's been stocked in the classic style with just about the same drop at comb and heel, plus a bit of cast-off. The difference in muzzle jumb and felt recoil is amazing. In fact, you're better off investing in a new aftermarket stock as a means of dealing with recoil rather than investing in some sort of muzzle break.

For my own use, I'm happy with the regular .338 Win. Mag., but if I was serious about a .340 I'd strongly consider going custom with an action that's lighter than the Mark V, a straight-combed synthetic stock, and a medium-contour stainless barrel - possibly a Hart. Then you'd have a practical rifle for the sort of hunting that the .340 was born for.

AD

Both the .338RUM and the .340 Weatherby are close ballistically, except as told above. These cartridges are a step in power over the .338WM, and would make excellent "all around' cartridges for Alaska. For bear bunting alone, one could use 250 to 300-grain bullets, and push them out of the barrel at least 200 to 300 fps faster than the .338WM.

My favorite is the .338WM. One could reload for it at the level of a .338-06, or go back up in power. The .338WM may well be the most popular cartridge up here, very close in popularity to the .30-06, and the .300WM. You will do well with any .338, from the .338-06 to the .338 RUM/.340 Weatherby. You will have to reload more for the .338-06 and .340 Weatherby. Factory ammo for both is expensive.

Regardless of which .33 is used in Alaska, one of the advantages is the great SD of .33 bullets.

[ 06-29-2003, 02:22: Message edited by: Ray, Alaska ]

Thanks for the posts everyone, Allen day, if it is not to much trouble go in to more detail about how you would have the 340 put together. What make of action, stock ect. What would think the cost of the project would be. Thanks

AK Geo --- I took a .340 Wby to Alaska in 1999 for a Moose hunt in the Farewell Burn. I bought a cheap weatherby sporter for approx. $800.00, put a 4 X 16 Burris Signature scope and had a total of only $1,250.00 in the combo. At the time I shot a 250 grain Nosler Partition Gold bullet at 2900 fps, with pinpoint accuracy. It was a very accurate combo, with that load and a 225 grain Barnes XLC at 3150 fps and equal accuracy. I took a great Moose, a nice 5X5 Elk, and a fair 5X5 Mule deer with it that year. Now I shoot nothing but a 240 grain North Fork at 3000 plus fps. You can get more speed with the Ultra mag, but at the expense of 10 to 15 more grains of powder. You might want to look at that added recoil. The question becomes, do you want the 50 to 150 fps additional speed and suffer the additional recoil. I just thought I would mention an alternative to the custom cost. Good luck and good shooting.

Having owned two weatherby mk5 rifles, I will say that the weatherby stocks do seem to increase felt recoil.My 300weatherby seemed to recoil just as much or more than my 300 ultramags with mcmillan stocks despite the fact that they burn more powder and produce more velocity.

[ 06-29-2003, 02:01: Message edited by: stubblejumper ]

Ak Geo,

If you take both the .458 WM and the .340 Wby., put them in rifles of the same weight the .458 has about 13 lbs. more free recoil. In a 10.5 lb. rifles the .458 with 500 gr. bullets has about 56 lbs. of recoil and the .340 with 250 gr. bullets has about 43 lbs. of recoil. This is being that everything is equal. Lawdog

AK-while you are waiting for A.D.to get back to you here is what I did.

M700-african walnut by Brown Precision-4.5 weight Schneider/10 twist-Jewell trigger-3 positions safety-4-14 Leupold with Premier dotz to 700

Pre/M70-african walnut by McMillan-4.5 weight Schneider/10 twist-3-10 Leupold all electroless nickled.

They both have staight stocks-no humps-no brakes on the tubes. This is one round that will shoot! I've been around quite a few 340's and they will perk if set up right.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

I'd say if you supply the action you should be able to get it tubed for $450 and another $350 to wrap a stock around it I would guess.

I'd also have it chambered sans the freebore,I was taught that by my mentors and it works out great!

P.S. sorry A.D. didn't mean to jump in but I am full of P&V after working today-plus I gett to go and scout for Mtn Goats tomorrow so I am really rolling.

[ 06-29-2003, 05:20: Message edited by: Mark R Dobrenski ]

AL Geo, Mark's .340s sounds like the right sort of recipe to me for serious, no-fluff use. Those are the sort of rifles I like to hunt with myself. A Model 70 or Model 700 action is always a good foundation, with my favorite being the Model 70.

If you're interested in a custom rifle with a fiberglass stock and a stainless barrel, you can spend (for a good one) anywhere between $2000 & $6000. I had my old .300 Winchester built in 1993 by Glen Pierce on a Model 70 action with a Hart barrel and a McMillan Model 70 Super Grade-pattern (straight comb) stock for just under $2500, and that rifle has been used from Oregon to Texas, and from your state to Tanzania. I've really gotten my money's worth out of that gun, and it was well-worth the money. I don't think Glen is building rifles anymore, but when he was, his product was one of the best, especially for the price.

For starters, check out these websites:

www.riflesinc.com
I've looked over a lot of Rifles,Inc. rifles at SCI over the years, and this would be one of my top picks today. You can get a "Classic" grade built for right at $2500.

www.bordenrifles.com

www.siskguns.com

www.brownprecision.com

I hope this helps!

AD

I don't want to pee on anyones .340 parade but, in my opinion a 250 grain bullet at 3000 is way to hot.
77 grains of RL-22 and a 250g Nosler @ 2900 made just over 70,000 Psi on my Oehler 43. I could only guess what pressure is created at 3000 fps.

I,m not saying it can,t be done but I would recomend doing it with a bigger case!

Jamie

I'm with X-man. Just yesterday I finished up the load work on a 340. The barrel is a Krieger 26" 1-10 twist. The temp was 90 and I was using all the standard powders one would use.I shot only 250gr Nosler and Swift bullets. My chamber allows .100 bullet jump to the lands. I hit the maximum, safe, high temprature, pressure limit with both bullets a 2900 fps. Belt expansion on new Norma cases was .0015 and .0003 for the second loading. The accuracy ran .525 for six three shot groups with the best load combination. Prevoius 340's have given me 2850 fps and others 2925 fps when I hit the pressure limit for those particular rifles with the same 250gr bullets and temps.

Here's a little more perspective to add to the mix.

I own a .338 Win. Mag., which D'Arcy built for me with a 24" Kreiger barrel, that will produce 2740 fps. with 250 gr. Nosler Partitions, and it'll do it in 35 degree weather or 85 degree weather, and with acceptable pressures plus superb accuracy.

Now I'll admit that this is a fast .338 Win. Mag., but even so, I'm not sure that the real-world difference between what it produces and what the average .340 WBY. produces is worth extra barrel length and recoil.

AD

A.D.--that's a good thought-and I would certainly agree with Mr.Echols about the speeds. While I feel that 3000 is attainable, the mid 28's to a bit over 29 is much more sane.

Here's another thought- my 23" 338/06 will run the 250 Swifts at 2590-in the practical world there really isn't difference between it and the 338 WM is there?

Either way to me the cartridge make less and less difference to me every year. To me it is about true intimacy with your rifle-knowing your limitations-and being able to use it now and with duplicatable results.

To me it is mostly about the rifleman and his rifle and the 100-150 fps doesn't really mean much. (IMO that is)

Know your gun and it will happen.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

ps I bet that 338 that was built for you is a joy--grins......... bring it to Montana and we'll go and chase bruins-I saw quite a pile of them this spring

[ 06-29-2003, 18:55: Message edited by: Mark R Dobrenski ]

Mark, that .338 is becoming a favorite alright. So far it's only been used on Texas deer and hogs. I'd love to bring it to Montana for a bear hunt, which is a most gracious offer! You and Brad and I would have a great time, no question of it.........

Your comment about the value of that extra 100-150 fps. is very true. Most guys can't take advantage of it, self included. Yet how many times have you seen guys try to push handloads to the point of dangerous pressures just to squeeze out that last 50 fps? I used to do it myself when I was a kid, but those days are long past.

I see the .338 Win. Mag. as a middle-ground cartridge that's still shootable, and yet widely-available in terms of brass and ammo. I feel about it much as I do the .300 Win. Mag. It's not the fastest cartridge for its bore size around, nor the most powerful, but it is practical and effective, even if it does where a belt!

AD

Where the bigger case of the 340 makes sense is with heavier bullets,like the 308 and the 30.06 with 180s.