Rifle for Alberta and Africa??

MiG25 said:
I'd bet the effect of the 340 vs the 338 is more on the shooter than the animal, after all, they are only 100 fps apart (with the same pressure) and that might even shrink to 70 fps at longer ranges.
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There is more difference than that, if you compare equal bullet weights and max powder charges with ideal for caliber powders, which would be the only fair way to compare.
 
bearkilr said:
There is more difference than that, if you compare equal bullet weights and max powder charges with ideal for caliber powders, which would be the only fair way to compare.
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According to the Speer reloading manual I have in front of me, the 340 Weatherby is only 138 fps faster than the 338 WM using the same bullet at max charge with the powder that produced fastest fps for each cartridge.
 
BongoBob said:
According to the Speer reloading manual I have in front of me, the 340 Weatherby is only 138 fps faster than the 338 WM using the same bullet at max charge with the powder that produced fastest fps for each cartridge.
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Generally speaking, the 340 is 200-300 fps faster than the 338WM, especially with heavier bullets and a 26" tube. For example, Barnes lists the 340 doing 3009 fps with a 225 TSX and the 338 doing 2791, this is with 24" bbls. in both. I had a 340 for a while, but considered the extra unnecessary. It made for a heavier, more cumbersome gun, much like comparing a 300 RUM to the 300 WinMag.
 
bearkilr said:
Generally speaking, the 340 is 200-300 fps faster than the 338WM, especially with heavier bullets and a 26" tube. For example, Barnes lists the 340 doing 3009 fps with a 225 TSX and the 338 doing 2791, this is with 24" bbls. in both. I had a 340 for a while, but considered the extra unnecessary. It made for a heavier, more cumbersome gun, much like comparing a 300 RUM to the 300 WinMag.
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Interesting difference between reloading manuals...the Speer book has the .338 WM with their 225g Grand Slam SP at 2944 fps using 78g (Max charge) of RL19 , then it lists the same bullet for the 340 Weatherby with the max charge (85g) of the same powder at 2924 fps...20 fps slower. Strange huh?
 
BongoBob said:
Interesting difference between reloading manuals...the Speer book has the .338 WM with their 225g Grand Slam SP at 2944 fps using 78g (Max charge) of RL19 , then it lists the same bullet for the 340 Weatherby with the max charge (85g) of the same powder at 2924 fps...20 fps slower. Strange huh?
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I've noticed big differences over the years between manuals. One common thing seems to be that I can rarely match their velocities, 99% of the time mine are lower.
 
BongoBob said:
Interesting difference between reloading manuals...the Speer book has the .338 WM with their 225g Grand Slam SP at 2944 fps using 78g (Max charge) of RL19 , then it lists the same bullet for the 340 Weatherby with the max charge (85g) of the same powder at 2924 fps...20 fps slower. Strange huh?
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Hogdon has the 100 fps apart, even after giving the 340 an extra 2 inches of barrel. No way there is 300 fps difference everything else being equal.
 
My old Mark V 340 would drive 250 Parts at 3090 fps from a 26" barrel. You will find that most manuals are super conservative with Wby data for some reason or other. I made my 340 cases from W-W 375 H&H cases and easily got 5+ loads from those 100 cases. I have yet to load for a 338 that would get 2800 fps with a 250, and you can bet I tried..........always loose primers before 2800 fps reached. My experience is 300+ fps difference which is very significant, at least to me !!!
 
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Weatherby used to build rifles on Springfields and pre 64 Model 70's, I wouldn't want to be behind the trigger on one of these with 70000+ psi handloads.
 
MiG25 said:
Nosler has the 340 ahead by 49 fps with the 250 grain bullet and 2 more inches of barrel. I also see no pressure listed by them.

Do you really believe that the 340 holds 20 grains more powder as per barnes?
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According to Nosler, the 340 Wby has roughly 20% more capacity than the 338 WM. If you don't believe the figures, take it up with Nosler or Barnes and give them a lesson in reloading.
 
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c-fbmi said:
My old Mark V 340 would drive 250 Parts at 3090 fps from a 26" barrel. You will find that most manuals are super conservative with Wby data for some reason or other. I made my 340 cases from W-W 375 H&H cases and easily got 5+ loads from those 100 cases. I have yet to load for a 338 that would get 2800 fps with a 250, and you can bet I tried..........always loose primers before 2800 fps reached. My experience is 300+ fps difference which is very significant, at least to me !!!
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It would be interesting to know what pressure it took to achieve 3090 fps with a 250 Part from a 340 Mark V....Thats higher velocity than what is listed for a 338 Lapua with a 250 gr bullet.... 250 Scenars and 250 Bergers both are listed as maxing out safely at around 3000 fps.
 
I think a Sako in 338wm would be a perfect match. You can also use it when you get back, and get all nostalgic when you carry it.
Ivor
 
ivor said:
I think a Sako in 338wm would be a perfect match. You can also use it when you get back, and get all nostalgic when you carry it.
Ivor
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Exactly! If you have any trace of sentimentalism in your psyche, you will treasure that gun as a trophy of the trip. I can't believe the people who buy a gun for Africa, use it on the trip, and then sell it when they get home. I couldn't do it.

My favourite .375 (which I would not have wanted to sell anyways) became priceless to me after my African hunt. It has a lovely little divot taken out of the fore-end by a tracker's axe during the confusion when we were surprised at ultra-close range by a buffalo...I'll never fix that scar, and smile every time I see it. :)
 
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