I just purchased 200 virgin 240 Weatherby brass at a garage/estate sale for 20 buck's!
Anybody know who supplies reloading dies that are a improved version in order to elimnate the double radius shoulders?

I could also do a search for names of the dies if you could provide it.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Norseman:
I just purchased 120 virgin 240 Weatherby brass at a garage/estate sale for 20 buck's!
Anybody know who supplies reloading dies that are a improved version in order to elimnate the double radius shoulders?

I could also do a search for names of the dies if you could provide it.

Well first of all. The .240Wea is about the practical limit as far as casevolume one can benefit out of a 6mm cartridge. A very similar-to-performance is the 6mm/284 Imp. which also is on the verge to become a over-bore cartridge.
Second. What will you gain by removing the double-radius shoulders?.

I was hoping for a 30 to 40 degree shoulder to make reloading more precise. I seems to recall that 240 Weatherby improved dies were cheaper then 240 Weatherby dies.

Norseman Even if there was an improved 240Wby (never heard of it)and the dies were cheap , where do you think you will find a chambering reamer? If you want cheap dies watch on E-Bay. Uncommon calibre dies go for $20-$30 at times.There is a similar wildcat cartridge out there. It was the 243 super rockchucker. It was the full length 30-06 case necked down with a sharp shoulder.It is not a belted case.

quote:

I seems to recall that 240 Weatherby improved dies were cheaper then 240 Weatherby dies

240Wby RCBS dies are around $33. Unless someone has the imp dies and wants to part with them think $150 range.

Anybody else?

Read the American Rifleman current issue where they roadtest the new Vanguard in 240 WM. Based on their results, you should keep the brass as is and buy the rifle as it's inexpensive.

It has been well documented that, with rare exceptions, the case's shape makes no difference
in ballistic performance. The most well known was the Handloader story comparing the 300 WSM and 300 H&H. Same barrel, same loads, no difference.

This is worth a read.
Lots of physics.

http://www.superiorballistics.com/

Thank's! I feel better now.

An interesting read from a company that is selling a concept and a product.
The fact is that case shape matters little if at all. That has been proven over and over is real side by side tests. Dig out your new American Rifleman and read the piece on the 300 H&H. You will note that in practical terms there is no differnce among the 300 H&H, 300 WSM or 300 Winchester magnum. The differences in barrels, load/bullet/case choices quickly negate any real differences
May I suggest that rather than believing an Intenet piece by a company touting its own product, you pick up that same Rifleman and read the roadtest of the new Vanguard in 240 WB.
Not only has the rifle been improved but it's a bargain as well.
For the average shooter using a hunting rifle, shoulder shape belongs in the same trashcan with neck turning, primer pocket cleaning/uniforming, case weighing and other anal tasks handloaders waste their time on ..... time that could be better spent on the range ...... dare I say ? learning how to shoot 4 positions with a sling.

I'll swap you an equal # of new 30-06 cases (about same capacity as the 240 WM) for your 240 WMs. You can buy custom dies, get a new barrel both in 6mm Gibbs (a very improved 6mm/06).

It will save you from the problems (?) associated with the radius shoulder.

There are 6 pages on it in Fred Zeglin's book WILDCAT CARTRIDGES (which I published).

Available on Amazon for $84.00 (shipped) or direct from me for AR members for $70.00 (shipped)

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by 45-70 shooter:
An interesting read from a company that is selling a concept and a product.

The fact is that case shape matters little if at all. That has been proven over and over is real side by side tests.May I suggest that rather than believing an Intenet piece by a company touting its own product, you pick up that same Rifleman and read the roadtest of the new Vanguard in 240 WB.

Pretty much lost all respect for Freddy Z when I saw this bullshit on the Z-Hat website:



Really now, .30-06 based wildcat more efficient than a .308?

Would surmize it all depends on the characteristics of the powder selected.
I'm sure with certain powders a Hawk can covert more efficiently as can a 308 with others.

As with the previous website, Fred is selling something and would be a fool to select data that showed the 300 Hawk as a loser.

My central point is that the 240 WM is a good cartridge in its niche (6mm Magnums) and changing its shoulder shape won't mean a thing.

As for the book's section on Roy Gibbs, it's not an opinion piece, it's drawn from Roy's own files, ballistic tests etc as well as an update based on what we have learned since then.

Does Ford tout Chevies as great cars ?

I have had a 240 wthby and currently have a 240 Gibbs. I like the gibbs, 100 grn bullet, case full of H870 = 3400 fps with a 26" barrel and moderate pressure. What does it do that the 240 wthby with the same barrel length and safe pressures @ 3340 fps can do? Nothing!!

Yes wildcats are fun. I have a 22-06 that will move an 80 gr Sierra BTHPM at 3600, but so would a Swift in modern rifle.
Roy's (Gibbs) problem was that he, like many back then, had no good pressure equipment and some of his loads were way hot. He was not alone either, Ackley was also optomistic and an early Speer manual will pucker you up with some loads in it.
Gibb's cartridges are high on cool (as are Ackley's and Zeglin's) but cool is of no help when the airline has lost your ammo and you're in bum-f nowhere.
Something to be said for popular cartridges, even if very low on cool factor.

quote:

Yes wildcats are fun. I have a 22-06 that will move an 80 gr Sierra BTHPM at 3600, but so would a Swift in modern rifle.

What twist do you have in that rifle?

1 in 7.5" (rifle was built in mid 30s)

quote:

Originally posted by Norseman:
I was hoping for a 30 to 40 degree shoulder to make reloading more precise. I seems to recall that 240 Weatherby improved dies were cheaper then 240 Weatherby dies.

In this case (bad pun) you supply the precision not the dies or the case.

Dont see how it could be improved much, and its not hard to reload.