I've a M-70 Classic Stainless in .300 RUM that I'm having redone as a 340 Weatherby.

Some guidance as to powders and loads would be appreciated. In addition, what velocities are you seeing with the TSX? I don't suppose anyone has used US869 yet?

I haven't seen the new powder yet but from what I saw on their web site I was not too impressed with the speeds.

As for the 340/225 combo I would start with R25 and then try R22 and one of those should rock and do you just fine.

I've also used the 210 TSX quite a bit and it is one scarry accurate bullet in my 340.

Mark D

Why not just go with the 338 ultra mag?
Thats what I did and it shoots the 225 tsx and H 1000 very well.

I do think though that the 340 is a great round.
You may have to get a new mag box probaly for a 7stw and follower.
What about H1000 and Retumbo in this round I would think they might work to.

What barrel are you puting on it?

Good luck

My .340 really likes RL22 with 250gr. X bullets.

Kyler

US 869 would have worked in the 300 RUM with heavy bullets fantastically. Don't even bother in the 340. Too slow.

Barrel will be a 26 inch Lilja. Hoping to stay away from RL22 due to temperature sensitivity.

Hate to sound like a dynasour but my 340s loved IMR 4831 with 225s and 250s. 3100 fps out of 24"s for 225s.

OK I hadn't thought of 4831. How's RL 19 for this application?

I would go with the .338 RUM but, thats just me. I had a .340WM and the .338 RUM IMO is the way to go. If your going to build a custom gun may as well do it right!

I have shot a .340 Wby extensively for 9 years now and have found that RL-19, RL-22 and H-4831 SC are my best performers in the powder department. As to the .338 Rum, if you want to burn 10 plus grains more of powder to get 50-100 fps more, have at it. Just my .02 worth. Good shooting.

My 340 has a preference for H4831 with 225 gr bullets and RL25 for the 250 gr bullets. It also has a preference for Swift A-frames although it will shoot the 225 Hornady spire to the same spot as the 225 A-frame. I usually practice with the Hornady's and shoot the Swift's at game. It usually only takes one

phurley, snowman, what velocities are you seeing with the 225 grainers?

I'm with Phurley5 on this one. I use MRP (same as RL-22) for my NP, TSX & North Fork 250s at velocities around the 2940 mark and H-4831 for the 225 A Frame (3025 fps) in my 340 Accumark. Absolutely devastating round and I see no need to go to an RUM. Large increase in powder charge for an insignificant rise in velocity...jorge

nyrifleman I'm at work right now and don't have my loading and chronogragh data in front of me but I am getting right around 3000 fps with the 225's. I am a grain or so off of max but choose to stick with the load that gave the best group not the highest velocity. My rifle is a stainless Mk V and it delivers 3 shot groups in the 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch range at 200 yds in just about any weather. That makes it my go to rifle for larger game. I will be carrying it for elk in Montana this fall.

nyrifleman ----- My rifle is the cheap Sporter Model with the Mark 5 action. It has been with me all over the West and Alaska, and to anyone else would look like it is ready for the back of the rack because of dings, scratchs and gouges in the wood. I have a 4 X 16 Burris Signature scope mounted on it.----- Checking my shooting log tells me that I can get 3000 fps with ease and shoot one holers when I have a good day on my end. That is with 87 to 88 grains of RL-19. The fastest speed I recorded with a 225 grain North Fork bullet (all loads with Fed 215M primers) at 3103 fps. My one hole group with Barnes TSX is 2982 fps using RL-22 powder. My rifle also shot a one holers with 240 grain North Forks and 87 grains of RL-19. I have also shot one holers with Swift A-Frame using RL-19 powder, the fastest being 3159 fps. ----- With all those combos mentioned I can get more speed than shown here but if I don't shoot the one holers consistently I drop back until I do. By one holer I mean three shots touching each other for a continous hole, I quite measuring years ago. For standard rifles I shoot five shot groups, Magnums get three shots. I have taken many Deer, Elk and a huge Alaskan Yukon Moose in the Farewell Burn area of Alaska with the rifle. I still pack it as a primary or backup and will give it to one of my six grandsons or my lone grandaughter who seems to be able to tell all the boys how high to jump, when I go to the happy hunting grounds. Good shooting.

I own the 338 RUM and one thing about the RUM is you can down load it to any under FPS you want. It will shoot the 225 nosler partition at 3138 FPS and those 200gr bullets at 3260 FPS. I am going to try those 225 nosler accubond at full throttle tomorrow.

quote:

Originally posted by phurley5:
As to the .338 Rum, if you want to burn 10 plus grains more of powder to get 50-100 fps more, have at it. Just my .02 worth. Good shooting.

LOL...I guess if you cant handle another 10 plus grains more powder get a 340.

I think you guys are missing the point of the .338 RUM.

Just a few...
No belt.
You can down load it.
Starting loads are just as fast as a 338WM and run at a lower pressure.
That 100fps more = about 200-270 foot-pounds more energy.

Went to the range today and shot those Accubond
225gr bullets threw my conagraph. They did 3178

FPS not bad with that there is 5044 foot lbs of engry.

Glad I've got a 338 RUM.

And the belt is an issue why?
And 100 extra fps at the expense of 10gr more of powder why?

PHurley: Thanks for the data on your 340. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to know what charge of RL-22 you are using. Thanks, jorge

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
And the belt is an issue why?
And 100 extra fps at the expense of 10gr more of powder why?

1.) Why does the 340 have a belt? It does not need it! Its just for looks. The belt can be a pain in the ass for sizing. Plus a belted case does not feed as smooth IMO.

2.) Why not...I dont have to put 10 grains more in....But I can! Like I said 200 to 270 F.P.E more. I can down load it to 340 levels and run at a lower pressure.

Your just bent out of shape becaues, the .338RUM can out run the 340.

The fact that you put such importance on FPE, especially such an insignificant figure as 270 lb, makes one wonder as to your experience with the subject at hand.

The 300 H&H is THE smoothest feeding round in exixtence and it sports a belt, further evidence of a neophyte... Bent out of shape? not hardly. The fact that you are a "TC Nut" and I'm willing to bet your "RUM" is a 700 places us at opposite ends of the galaxy. Let's just quit while we're ahead...Enjoy your RUM, from the looks of it, it'll be a collector's item in a few years time. jorge

T/C Nut ----- I shoot a .338 Lapua, two .358 STA's, a .416 Remington and a .50 BMG, besides the .340 Wby. I don't have any recoil concerns, and I am not knocking your .338 Ultra mag. My point is simply this, you are burning a lot more powder to essentially get the .340 speeds. If I had not already owned the .340, I would probably be an Ultra Mag owner myself because I like big bullets going fast. After I shot a buddies Ultra Mag I discovered the speeds were very close (when going for accuracy not top speed) but I was burning a lot more powder to realize those speeds with the Ultra Mag than I was with the .340, just a fact good buddy. I chronograph all of my shots when working on loads with an Oehler 35P, so I know as close as the layman shooter with field resources can determine what is happening. I don't know what is happening to all that powder, that is a long debate, but the bullets are not receiving all the benefit of it for some reason, if you know, I am all ears. Good shooting.

jorge ----- I will check my charts and get back. Good shooting.

Thanks, Ph! jorge

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
The fact that you put such importance on FPE, especially such an insignificant figure as 270 lb, makes one wonder as to your experience with the subject at hand.

The 300 H&H is THE smoothest feeding round in exixtence and it sports a belt, further evidence of a neophyte... Bent out of shape? not hardly. The fact that you are a "TC Nut" and I'm willing to bet your "RUM" is a 700 places us at opposite ends of the galaxy. Let's just quit while we're ahead...Enjoy your RUM, from the looks of it, it'll be a collector's item in a few years time. jorge

I'll take that bet!


LOL...I was just saying it has more FPE Like it or not! It also drops less at any given range. Insignificant maybe but, its still more and drops less. You never said why the 340 has a belt. Must be because it needs it other wise it wouldn't have it...LOL Enjoy my RUM I will! Collector's item in a few years time you say. Well crap what will I do?...How will I make brass when they quit making it? Hmmmmm guess the 300RUM,375RUM,and the 404 is going to die in a few years time too?

jorge ----- That was 85 grains RL-22 and the Fed 215M primer. Historicaly I have had better luck with RL-19 with my .340, but once I get a one holer it gets my attention and I play with the powder I shot it with more extensively. Good shooting.

Thanks, phurley. I've been using MRP which is identical or close to RL-22 with the 250 NPs, Hornadys & TSXs, but with the 225gr I was using H-4831. I plan to load some this weekend and bring back a full report. jorge

Nosler reloading book no. 5, says 83 grains of Reloader 22 is 93% capacity in a Weatherby case.
An old gun nut around here says cases made from 375 H&H WW brass will give more capacity. And of course a subsequent increase in velocity.

Not owning a 340 could one of you gents invest a little time, money and effort, to prove or disprove this theory? If it's true YOU will be the one to benefit, if not I offer apologies in advance.

I use RL25 in my 338 RUM. Max loads are in the 90s I don't think that RL25 can be used in your 340 WBY.

I don't shoot Barns bullets. Don't like them.

I am looking at purchasing a .338Bore in the near future. I think the 340Wea. is a fantastic
round. If I had one now I would not go to the Rum to get a little more speed. But, starting from scratch I believe the RUM is better for me. I love the Accumark, but for the same money I can buy a Rem. & get it bedded, install a Holland Recoil Lug,square the rec. & basically have the chance of a better shooting rig, the extra powder is not an issue as I will shoot my 300WM & other smaller rigs more. The cartridge may go away but the 300RUM sure won't, so I could have it re-chambered to 338EDGE if I choose & have a never ending supply of brass. But yea, both are great!