Don't know how many Weatherby guys there are out there but I'm in the process of ordering a Weatherby Accumark.. The stumping part here is that I am going to order one of the two Weatherby 338 based rifles... Mostly I'm looking for expiences with both the 340 and the 338-378 but will certainly entertain anyones thoughts on these two cartridges...

Ken....

This is a strictly personal thing.
I would get the .340. The .338 X .378 is getting down right rediculass to me.
Why not just neck down the 50,BMG.
or just punch a hole in the top of a 1,lb can of RL-25.
The 340 weatherby mag is plenty of power for anything you will hunt in North America.
The only time the you would need the Xtra powder is if you hunt a rediculas ranges.
An acumark in .340 Weatherby , would be a great choice. Get another in .270, or.257 and you are really well set to hunt all over the world except, the biggest african stuff.
tj3006

I think the Muzzle blast of the 378 would keep me from getting it.

The 340 would be alittle more comfortable.

Reloader

I would agree that the 340 is plenty for N/A game. I've had a couple and a few 338s. I now went to the 338/378, still have my favorite 338 too. In a gun with an action the size of the Mark 5 the 338/378 fits fine and smaller rounds seem out of place. Performance is awsome with the big round. Work up loads with the brake and then cap it and rezero for hunting. I don't find recoil with this round bad at all. No where near 378 levels.

get the .340

340 all the way. With careful handloading, you can get close to 3kfps with 250gr bullets without too much trouble. The 340 in my view is one of Roy's best creations, along with the 300 & 257. jorge

Heat-hands down I am with these other fellas.

340 all the way.

I am about as big of a 340 fanatic as you will ever find and I have no doubt you would be very happy if you go the 340 route.

Good luck on your decision.

Mark D

340 easy choice.

Another .340 fanatic here. Though I'm not much for Accumarks..

would a mk5 action work well on a customed rifle? anyone based a rifle on the mk5 action?

Heat,

I just had to make the same decision.

I bought a 338-378. Both will hit you and both need a muzzle brake, so I went with the V12 power! You can load it back easily to MATCH the 340.............

The trigger came down to 8 ounces with a lighter spring, I put a Near 20moa base on it with a 3.5-15x50 Nightforce NXS in Nightforce rings. Bedded in Devcon Steel.

Shoots 240 grain North Forks beautifully with RE 25. It has the combination of bullet weight, velocity and light recoil

I love the bloody thing

Regards,

Blair.

Blair, At least there is one vote for the 338-378 but the decision was somewhat made when my local Sportsmans sold the last one... I have been working with a dealer I know in Texas working out the details on a 340 with the Accubrake (I am going to put a custom muzzle brake on it anyway but I wanted Weatherby to do the barrel threading).. I can still have him order the 338-378 as well so I will figure it out when I speak to him next...

David, Quick question.. Other then the looks of the Accumark, any particular reason you are not a fan of them ???

Paul, I can't see any reason why you couldn't use a Mk V action in a custom rifle... An action is an action is an action... They just operate differently perhaps but they all mount in a stock...

All they rest, thanks for the replies, the 340 does seem to be the favorite here but then too it's been around longer (as a factory offering)..

Ken....

Just my opinion here,
Don't get a muzzle break. If the thing kickes too hard get a .338 win.
Can't stand muzlle breaks . If I was in charge at a range ,I would not allow them.
The quiet ones are only quiet to the guy shooting it. Everyone else hears and feels the blast... tj3006

TJ, I understand the muzzle brake issues... The only reason I will have it on either cartridge is that I want Weatherby to do the threading... The custom muzzle brake of which I speak not only reduces the recoil significantly but it also completely controls muzzle rise (better for a follow up shot if need be) and it sends the noise upward and down range... Noise doesn't go anywhere near bystanders or the shooters or the people on the firing line.. You might find it interesting at www.bp-tec.com...
I don't mind the recoil except when on the bench... There you just beat yourself senseless and I like to shoot more then a few rounds ...

I will certainly let the folks on this forum know how I find the VA Comp from BP-Tec once I've had an opportunity to try it out...

Ken....

Personally I don't see the need for a brake on a .340 - I use a past protector on the bench and good enough. In the field I never ever notice the recoil and I would bet dollars to donuts that you wouldn't either....my 2 cents

Very good point Steve... I also like to "experiment" a bit so thought I would give the brake a go... Not so much a necessity but if it works as designed (the VA Comp) I do like the muzzle control...

Ken....

quote:

Originally posted by Heat:
Very good point Steve... I also like to "experiment" a bit so thought I would give the brake a go... Not so much a necessity but if it works as designed (the VA Comp) I do like the muzzle control...

Ken....

I haven't noticed my barrel climbing up at all, just a straight back kick. I shot a mule deer off hand a couple years ago and watched thru the scope as he hit the dirt. I think if I had had a brake that sent the blast upwards I would have lost sight of him from the barrel being pushed down. Still I will be curious to see/hear how the the VA Comp works for you.

Steve

ps. a .340 doesn't need a follow up shot..

Heat,

Actually I do think the Accumark has a nice look to it. I guess I am assuming that you plan on using this as a hunting rifle. It is in that regard that I don't like the Accumark as well as Weatherby's other offerings in the context of how I hunt. If your intention is to have some fun off of a bench or gear it towards stand hunting have at it. They are an awesome rifle in that respect. I had one when they first came out in .30-378 and it was alot of fun to shoot at 500m. But it was no fun to carry in the Colorado Rockies. I've shot a few others as well and they consistently perform well, but in my opinion they are edging away from sensible balance and towards an extreme. This is especially true of the .378 based rounds.

Paul from NZ,

The David Miller Co. Has turned out a few or their rifles based upon the Mk V action.



My wish of wishes for Weatherby is to bring the ClassicMark back out. In my opinion that was the classiest rifle Weatherby has ever offered. And if they would offer classic style stocks on their synthetic models like my '93 vintage Mk V Alaskan wears would be nice too.

And as others have pointed out you don't need a brack for a .340. Get a past or a sorbothane pad for bench work. More importantly shoot it and or rifles of similar recoil on a regular basis.

David,

I see where you're coming from on the weight of the Accumarks... Hunting here in AZ where we do it's not rough terrain and walks tend to be no more then a mile or so...

I've handled the Accumark in the 30-378 and 338-378 and for my build and size they feel pretty well balanced and mount easily and quickly...

I agree with the "no need" for a brake but then again I just like to experiment a bit and can always take it off if I find I just don't like it... One of the advantages of the VA Comp is the noise goes where it should, down range so there is no issue there...

I've only seen one person shooting a 340 at the range and the muzzle did jump a bit but not as much as I thought it would.. At only 165 lbs myself the more powerful cartridges do tend to move me around a bit so I do like the muzzle control offered as well as the recoil reduction..

Recoil in itself has never really bothered me but at the same time I don't want it to EVER be the cause of a flinch... I prefer to practice often with any rifle before I will consider taking it hunting and thought the reduction might just be the ticket to some longer range sessions...

There are those out there that simply won't have a brake mostly because of the noise and the muzzle blast. Technology is just starting to get involved in designing some of the newer ones to reduce the negatives that brakes tend to produce (noise and blast)... I'll take my chances with the VA Comp and if I find I just don't like it then it will just be money I shouldn't have spent and take it off....

Anyway guys, some excellent points and opinions here and I greatly appreciate all of them...

Ken....

Heat,

Let us know how you like the BP brake. Their info/vids certainly look good. I am against most brakes for their sound/blast increase but I am curious as to how the BP works in RL. I have pondered getting one for my 458 Lott but have held off until I get more real world feedback. BTW I shoot a 338 Lapua as my main deer/elk rifle and don't find the recoil too bad. Experience with the heavier recoiling rounds does help...after a while you get just get used to it IF you have the mind set to master it.

John

I had a custom 340 on a M700 action and found it hard work shooting the thing, prone. We tend to do a lot of shooting feral game, here in Australia, so you fire lots of shots. I'm only a little bloke and it was shoving me back aways So I went with the 338-378 braked.

In the field I use those moulded ear plugs all the time now anyway, just pin them on a string to your shirt collar and you are ready to go.

Interested to see how that brake works for you Ken.

Cheers,

Blair.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Golden:
Personally I don't see the need for a brake on a .340 - In the field I never ever notice the recoil and I would bet dollars to donuts that you wouldn't either....my 2 cents

Exactly. I agree wholeheartedly. In all honesty, I don't feel the difference between my 340 and my 300win. Certainly, in the field you can't tell the difference.

Mine is a light gun as well, a transition model 70 on a lightweight High-Tech stock.

I've had good luck with IMR 7828 (sorry can't remember the charge off the top of my head) and 250gr TSX shooting 3/4in groups at 3000fps.

Frankly it is one fantastic cartridge!

I certainly didn't expect quite this number of replies but I certainly appreciate all the feedback.... Still waiting to hear from the dealer so I still have to make that final decision... Once done though I can't wait for whichever one I order.... Course that initial ammo cost will be a bit of a kick but what the heck, it's the Christmas season ...

Ken....

have both but as to advice--go for the 340. it is enjoyable --for me--to shoot. the 338/378 is in a realm all its own. don't get me wrong about the 338/378, it does have a bit of recoil and you must pay attention on every shot, there is no mind wondering with that baby or she will rattle your partials out of place, rather she will snap them solidly together in a hurry.the 340 is the way to go and will tahe game further than a person should shoot. hurry up, go buy a 340 now.

quote:

Originally posted by Heat:
I certainly didn't expect quite this number of replies but I certainly appreciate all the feedback.... Still waiting to hear from the dealer so I still have to make that final decision... Once done though I can't wait for whichever one I order.... Course that initial ammo cost will be a bit of a kick but what the heck, it's the Christmas season ...

Ken....

One good thing about the 340 is that you can just neck down and fire form 375H&H brass.

Climb into it Ken

Yep, chatted with my dealer on the phone yesterday... It will be the 340 and the paperwork begins today .... Now if I can just get it before christmas... Then the Mrs might want to get me a gift certificate for Sportsman's so I start on the reloading supplies ...

Ken....

Heat, way to go

Good choice on the .340 Heat. May that blessed gun fill your freezer with lots of meat!

God Bless,

Corey

Well, the decision was pretty much made for me... Though I love the wood stocked Weatherby's they're just not what I want to beat around the brush with... I think I found the only 338 based Accumark in the country Friday after several hours on the phone... Interestingly it was Cabela's in Buda, Texas... They'll be shipping it to the Arizona Cabela's (just 3 miles from my house ) this week...

Oh well, there goes 85 bucks a box for ammo... Shouldn't take too long to collect enough brass for reloading so no big deal...

Until I get the custom muzzle brake installed I guess I'll just have to make sure I'm down at the far end of the range so I don't get too many people next to me...

I'm sure after the first few rounds there will be some onlookers anyway ....

Ken....

I just bought an Accumark in 340 in left hand a couple of months ago. I am absolutely THRILLED with it! Mine does not have the Accubreak on it, as I don't like muzzlebreaks on rifles. To be quite honest, you don't need one on these. Loaded and with a scope, my rifle weighs right in at around 10lbs, which I think is just about right (I like a little heft in my weapons). The recoil is about the level of a 375 H&H, just a little quicker. I've put about 3 boxes of ammo through it, and haven't been bothered yet by the recoil. The gun is surprisingly accurate, giving me a 1.25" 3 shot group at 200 yards. Excellent choice!

Hey Clayman...

Yeah, my original search was for a 340... The only Accumark I could find was in the 338-378 so the brake is pretty much a must...

I will, however, put the custom brake on it in the spring which will send the noise downrange and not anywhere near the shooter or bystanders...

Ken....

Not only has the decision been made but the 338-378 Accumark is now in my arsenal... After another hour of looking through scopes I opted to mount a Leupold 3.5 x 10 - 40 VX-III on it... They didn't have any Talley rings available nor Leupold QRs in medium so I went with the Warne QDs... Now I just can't wait to get to the range ...

Ken....

This is my .338-378 Weatherby Accumark. I topped it with a Leupold Vari-X III 6.5-20X 40 MM in Leupold Mounts. I've been pleased with it's long range performance. For punching paper I use the 300 Grain Sierra Matchking. The Accumarks 1 in 10" twist will stabilize this bullet out to past 1,000 yards. For powder don't screw with the overpriced commercial stuff. Go with WC-872 from either www.gibrass.com or else if Jeff's out of stock www.patsreloading.com You can load it with H-870 data to get started. This stuff is so slow it's pretty hard to get into trouble with it. It's very consistant and the best thing about it is the price. $40.00 for an 8 pound jug. If you buy 6, 8 pound jugs he pays the Haz-Mat fee. It's all I shoot in my overbore Weatherby Magnums. Bill T.

I shot a 340 Weatherby for many years and never found it lacking. I used it on a Brown bear hunt in Alaska as well as an Elk rifle and a plains game rifle in Africa. It does an outstanding job and with 210 grain Noslers, it is a killer.The rifle is easy to shoot WITHOUT one of those ugly muzzle breaks.

quote:

Originally posted by Heat:
Not only has the decision been made but the 338-378 Accumark is now in my arsenal... Now I just can't wait to get to the range. ..

How does it shoot???

I love my Mk V in 340 Wby. Good shooter and powerful for what the other guys are talking about. If I had to do it again I would spend the extra bucks and get the Accumark instead of the Sporter as I did. It's still a good shooter for what I do with it, but functional bells and whistles are always cool.

And the 340 uses 80 to 90 grains of powder, depending on type, compared to, what is it, 110 to 120 grains of powder? More recoil if you desire it.