I have been looking for a combination long range varmint/medium game rifle.

Would 0.200" or 0.150" of freebore help keep the gun from blowing up with a factory round, while still allowing for a modicum of accuracy?

Is a 24" long barrel sufficient to get all the velocity available from this cartridge.

For a walking varmint rifle is a Bartlein #2 barrel at 24" enough for the rifle, or should I look more at a #3 barrel with flutes to lower the weight a bit?

Is a 95-100-grain Partition enough for deer and antelope hunting.

The whole idea behind this mental masturbation is to have a switch barrel made for my 6.5x65mmRWS Long Range Rifle (Never limit a blue printed action to just one barrel.).

First what is long range.

In the 240 I would want at least a 26 inch barrel.

If using past 500 yards a good solid .5 or the max of .750 grouping rifle, under would be much better.

If using cup and core I would go with a heavier bullet.

With a mono bullet 95 to 100 would be just fine.

As far as game it is all about bullet placement.

The best range finder you can afford, the best bi-pod scope with multiple reticles and lots of ammo used in practice.

I have a pair of 240's. One is a 26 in barrel the other is 24. Little difference in vel on my two rifles. With cup and core bullets everything blows up. If you want to use it on deer or antelope both my rifles like the 95 gr Partition. The only other bullet I would suggest on deer would be the Barnes TSX.

Thank you both.
I believe I will go with a Bartlein #2B contour.
Funny, I had decided to order a few bags of Partition 95-grain bullets. I will get a box of Barnes TSX bullets for trial use.
The best aspect of this set-up, is that I can use the same stock for both barrels.

I’ve owned 2 240 why’s.
Got stupid and sold the first one.
Have not had the second long.
Both 26”.
Shot 4-5 antelope ar 150-400 yards.
Used 90 and 95 grain ballistic tips.
They worked very well, but shot placement is always important.
Also shot coyotes with 70 ballistic tips.
They also performed well.
It doesn’t get much better for a long range coyote killer.

From the factory the Weatherby throat length is:

.240 Weatherby Magnum .169

Thank you all.

Does anyone have recommendation for 26" barrels in a medium barrel contour.

Krieger and Bartlein keep barrel length to 24" until the heavy barrel contour.

I'm not familiar with the various custom barrels for the 240, however, my cousin has had a factory stock Mark V 240 for about 25 years and really loves it. He uses it primarily for deer and antelope and the occasional varmint. the barrel is the standard light profile yet it holds accuracy well- he's fired it several hundred times.

quote:

Originally posted by lawndart:
Thank you all.

Does anyone have recommendation for 26" barrels in a medium barrel contour.

Krieger and Bartlein keep barrel length to 24" until the heavy barrel contour.

Check out McGowen barrels. I used the Shilen #2 contour finished at 26".

I have also not noticed a huge difference between the 24 and 26 inch barrels. I have had several .240wby rifles and have had spectacular accuracy with the standard weatherby freebore. 85 grain partitions work very well for deer as well as 90gr Sciroccos and Accubonds, 100gr Partitions, 85 grain Sierra BTHP Gamekings, 85 grain TSX, and 100 grain Pro hunters. The 70 grain B-Tip from the 240 is the best varmint combo on the planet as long as you don't want the hides.

I would make the case for a 270 Weatherby. It will do everything the .240 will do and allow for heavier bullets/ bigger game. I you are set on a.240 BOB, then stick with game weighing about 120 pounds or less.

I agree with what the others have said here about bullets: cup and core will be a disaster on most deer sized game. Varmints-perfect. Go with Nosler partition, Barnes or a Swift bullet for deer sized game. I do not know if they make the new Scirocco bullet in .240 or not. If they do, I'd try that one too as it has a thick jacket.

Matt

quote:

Originally posted by Ray B:
I'm not familiar with the various custom barrels for the 240, however, my cousin has had a factory stock Mark V 240 for about 25 years and really loves it. He uses it primarily for deer and antelope and the occasional varmint. the barrel is the standard light profile yet it holds accuracy well- he's fired it several hundred times.

My 240 wby has a shilen barrel. I also have several Shilen and Lilja barrels in 22 and 20 calibers. They are quite accurate

quote:

I would make the case for a 270 Weatherby. It will do everything the .240 will do and allow for heavier bullets/ bigger game. I you are set on a.240 BOB, then stick with game weighing about 120 pounds or less.

I have an inaccurate 7mm Rem Mag That will be getting a blueprint and a 270 Weatherby barrel next year.

I will look at Shilen and Lilja barrels for the 240 WBY tube.

quote:

I would make the case for a 270 Weatherby. It will do everything the .240 will do and allow for heavier bullets/ bigger game. I you are set on a.240 BOB, then stick with game weighing about 120 pounds or less....

The .270 will not work in his switch barrel rifle - magnum case head. And where did you get the idea that a 6mm cartridge can’t work well on animals over 120#? Thousands of hunters have proven that idea wrong, including myself.


.

quote:

The .270 will not work in his switch barrel rifle - magnum case head. And where did you get the idea that a 6mm cartridge can’t work well on animals over 120#? Thousands of hunters have proven that idea wrong, including myself.

Chill out just a bit. Different rifles. The Remington Long Action with the standard bolt face is getting a 240 Weatherby Barrel, and a 6.5x65mm RWS barrel.

My 7mm Rem Mag rifle will get a 270 Weatherby barrel,and Maybe a 7mm Weatherby barrel.

Why? Glad you asked. I have large piles of brass and bullets for all these rifles, and the calibers have caught my fancy, just like my 9.3x64mm, 416's, and eventually an 8x68S

Bartlein sent me an e-mail answer. They do offer #2 and #2B contoured barrels at 26" long. Good to know.

I have a .240 Weatherby Classic with a beautiful straight combed stock. I’m a pretty crappy shot and it easily shoots right at an inch with factory ammo.

I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot a deer with a good bullet.

Where I hunt elk often in Colorado the locals I run with shoot the 240 and 257 Wby on elk both with 100 gr. Nosler partition and they swear by both..I witnessed a number of kills and they were impressive, even on big bulls, mostly at ranges under 200 yards, but they tell me it kills as well at 300 plus yards...

Just picked up another .240. I have never had a Vangard, but I found a Back country second new in the box for cheap and couldn't pass. It is fairly light and well balanced with a Vortex Viper 2.5-10x32 on top. Hope to shoot it tomorrow or Thursday. Rumor has it they are a decent rifle. It has a nice trigger, Cerekote, and a pillared stock. We shall see.

I wish you the best of luck with your .240 WM...may it be everything you want It to be.

That said.....you will find it offers you extremely little over the 6MM Remington.

I certainly agree with that assessment. I am building the main rifle in 6.5 x 65 RWS ( a standardized 6.5 x 30-06) Since I have a reamer, two hundred new cases of 240 Weatherby brass, and a 6 mm tube coming soon from Bartlein, and an HS precision stock raring to be a varmint rifle, well I have painted myself into a corner

How far do you want to shoot? 240 Weatherby will go past 1,000 yards if you get a fast twist barrel.

I shoot my 24" barreled 243 Win in 1,000 yard F class matches with the 95 grain SMK, it's taken antelope at 440 yards with the 85 grain Partition and prairie dogs past 600 yards.

The Vangaurd is nothing to brag about yet. hoots 85 grain Partitions and TSX on the first go to about 1.25" and the first run with Sciroccos was a 2" affair. I have always had to do a little work to get Sciroccos to shoot small groups from weatherby chambers, but can usually get them there. I am running out of time before the South Dakota trip so may settle on the TSX, but am hoping to find time to get the Sciroccos to shoot.