I am looking into a .340 Wby, .338-378 Wby, or .358 STA for use on Alaskan and African game. What do you people think about these chamberings and which is best? Also are there any other cartridges you like starting with the fast .33's and up to a fast .375? Forget the 220 grain limit thing but I can't change the post name.

[This message has been edited by Seamus O'Grady (edited 03-22-2002).]

Seamus,

I have a 338-8mm Rem Mag.

I've only used 200gr Bal Tips in it, but I'm going to use Sierra 250s in it soon.

If the 250s shoot well, that should give me > 340 Wby ballistics at some substantial speeds.

You'll see I have a post for 330 Dakotas. I'm wondering if that cartridge would give me more than I already have.

I'm also going to be doing a 375 Wby real soon. I had one years ago. A real terror with 235s, 260s, & 270s. Could alos push the Sierra 300s to ~ 2900fps.

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Speak softly and carry a really big MAGNUM.

Regards,

Mark

Well, in my rifles, with 250 gr bullets the yardstick goes like this, 338-06 - 2600 fps, 338 Win Mag - 2725 fps, 340 Wby - 2950 fps, 338 Lapua - 2960 fps. 330 Dakota is ballistically the same as a 340 Wby. The 338-378 Wby will get that 250 gr bullet over 3000 fps, maybe 3100 fps. A lot depends on barrel length and the rifle. As for the 8mm Mag, there are 250 gr bullets avail. With the 220 gr bullets and a 26" barrel I can get 3100 fps. In the large 35's you start with the 358 Norma, a 250 gr bullet at 2800 fps (350 Rigby ballistics should be very similar), go to the 358 STA, 250 gr at 3000 fps, and go to the 35-378 WBY or 35-416 Rigby, both of which will push that 250 gr bullet to 3100-3200 fps. In fast 375's, you have the 375 Wby (300 gr @ 2850 fps), 375 RUM (same ballistics as the 375 WBY), 375 Dakota (ditto), and the 378 Wby (300 gr bullet @ 2900 fps). There are also a great many wildcats with differant claims to velocity. I haven't tried them all, so I can't tell what the actual real world velocities are. Perhaps some of the other posters can weigh in with their favourites. - Dan