How do these two compare? I saw an article, I forget where, that compared the two as about equals. Is this the case from those of you that have been able to compare the two?

Thanks,

jfm

I don't consider them as equals at all....maybe for big game hunting.....but that's where it ends. The .375 has a legal distinction for African DG.....the .340 don't.

I have two .375 H&H rifles and not a single weatherby rifle or cartridge if that tells you how one person sees it.

the .340 is my "GO TO" for game in north america.

My sons 340 does its best work with 250gr bullets. SD would be much lower in a 375 with the same weight bullet.
I find a good rule of thumb to be, to choose the projectile you want first and only then look at what cartridges will launch it for you.
boet

If I could only own one gun above .25 Caliber, it would be a .375, either Ruger or H&H, preferably, but a .376 Steyr would do okay too. If I could only own two guns in that over .25 range, they would be a 7 m/m Mag of some ilk and a .375 H&H. If I could own a third, it would be something much more mild than any magnum. My current rifles do meet those criteria.

The nice thing about a .375 is that it works absolutely bitching for pretty much all game, is legal where other calibers are not, does not kick severely in most guns you find it chambered in, and if you want plenty good sectional density to penetrate either an elephant's skull or both shoulders of a buff, you can always use 300 grain RN solids.

At the same time, with bullets as low as 235 grains weight it works very well on any size of deer and even with 270 grain bullets shoots as flat as a .30-06. In my opinion, of one can't reach the game with a .30-06 trajectory, it is probably too far away for 90% of hunters to be justifiably shooting at.

So, thanks but I'd take the .375 H&H over any .340 Weatherby ever made. Sold my Mark V in that chambering in 1969 and replaced it with another M70 in .375 H&H. Now have many more rifles, but never bought another .340 - it's a great rifle for certain shooters in certain specialized applications, but not an AAR for me. Other's mileages may vary.

Best wishes,

AC

I own and shoot three rifles that I consider superior to the .375 H&H. A .340 Wby, a .338 Lapua and two .358 STA's. Three things mainly, flatter shooting, more selection in bullets and energy where you want it. Yes, I consider the .375 and excellent African rifle and in most countries it takes the .375 caliber to be legal. When I went for the bigger stuff in Africa I felt much better with my .416 Rem and Rigby. I hunt from Alaska to Canada to the American West with more African trips in the future. It takes a reloader to make any chambering shine, consider this opinion from someone who hasn't shot a factory round at an animal in 30 years. Good shooting.

Well, the .340 Weatherby is a long range big game rifle if there ever was one - a real boomer for big bears and elk, moose, whatever it is at very long ranges with flat trajectory and devastating energy.

The .375 H&H, by comparison, throws heavier, larger diameter projectiles at lower velocities. IMO it's a larger .30-06, you can stretch it out a ways but it's not in the same range class as the .340. However, it IS legal for dangerous game and very effective in it's own right.

Personally, they are both very good at what they do best, but what they do best is completely different. If you need a gun that can bring down the biggest elk on the mountain at 500 yards without much guesswork, the .340 is your weapon. If you're chasing wounded brown bear into alder thickets or stalking Cape buffalo, grab the .375 H&H.

If you need the .340's range in a DG-legal gun, there's always the .378

I used a .340 to kill a very large kodiak bear. At 25 yards a hit though the neck dropped him in his tracks. I have used a .375 to kill African lion, and cape buffalo. The cape buffalo was a one shot kill. the lion took three shots. I used the Nosler partition bullet in each of the above. Three hundred grains for the .375, and two hundred and fifty for the .340. They are both outstanding cartridges! They both can kill close or at longer ranges. I have found them pretty equal in killing power. The .340 is more versatale with a flatter trajactory. But, my .375 is a Pre'64 Model 70, and I really enjoy hunting with this rifle! In closing I would state that you won't go wrong with either of the above.

Barring a custom shop job I would take one of the 375s. 340 is better for the kind of shots I don't take anymore.

There are no flies on the .375 H&H and that's a fact. As mentioned above, it's an African legal world wide hunting cartridge revered by many, whereas the 340 isn't.

The 340 Weatherby is a dandy long range hitter, and I believe Remington's 338 U.M. has put the hurt on it as of late. I love 338 calibre in general and the 338 Winchester in particular, but comparing any of them to the great .375 is like comparing apples to oranges.

you should tell us what ranges you intend to shoot at.

i'm a Weatherby-fan but for big game inside 250m, i would pick the .375

Both are great rounds. I like the 375h&h for an all round choice to 250yds. The 340wby for longer range heavy game.

I have owned a 340 WBy and 375 H&H rifles.

I must say I agree with all the above posts.

I will add that I like the 375 H&H best for all round use.

For Africa is is of course the best choice.

However...
The 340 WBY is one of the best choices North American BIG game where shots might be close or far.

Nothing wrong with a serious hunter having one of each.

I would want to 340 WBY to be fairly light 26" bbl and synthentic stocked.

I would consider comparing these rounds like comparing apples and oranges.

If you are looking for an ultra long range elk rifle (and can shoot that boomer well enough to do it justice!) then the 340 has an advantage.

For all other uses the 375 H&H is the standard others are judged against for a reason, IMO. It is also easier to find ammo for if you get in a bind....

Cheers,

Dan

i had the same dilemma 25 years ago. i finally went with the .375 weatherby. reasons: if ammo is lost in transit, .375 h&h works just fine, velocity loss is only about 40 fps. in my rifle and accuracy is excellent. i can equal .340, 250 gr. velocities with a 270gr. bullet in the .375 weatherby and there is no noticeable difference in recoil. .375 h&h ammo is readily available in big game hunting areas worldwide while .340 weatherby is hit and miss. good solid bullets are more readily available in .375 and it's legal for all game everywhere that I'm aware of. mine has served me very well for the past 1/4 century. i found recoil of the .378 to be ferocious and suspect the .376 would be just as bad.