First post here. Let me start by saying that according to my checkbook I haven’t met a caliber I don’t like, so please take no offense if I’m seemingly picking on one of your favorites. I’m thankful we all have the freedom to choose what we want to shoot.
Ok so I need some Big game hunter brain power here. I want to specify that I am discussing big game here not dangerous game. My focus is on bear, plains game, elk, etc.
I’ve observed the usual suspects in the bear conversations are 375 H&H, 338 Win Mag and 9.3x62. Occasionally the 300 Win Mag. My question is why is there so little love for the 340 Weatherby Magnum in these circles? I don’t want to cloud the conversation with facts, but I have included a table below.
First I want to give credit to Chuckhawks.com for the recoil data. I have referenced back to this countless times over the years. So thank you.
Ok here we go. I sorted the data by 300 yard energy. I’ve never killed an animal at the muzzle. Actually, I did once with an angry wounded racoon but that’s another story. I consider 300 yards a conservative number. Hopefully that’s the furthest I’m shooting a big animal assuming I can’t stalk closer. First the 340 WBY magnum is flat at 300 yards with a 250gr bullet. Yup flat. Its nearest competitor 338 Win Mag is dropping 7.6 inches with a 225gr bullet. That seems minimal until you are performing that holdover in the wind. It’s big cousin the 375 H&H (amazing round btw) is dropping 18 inches with 300 grains. That’s King Kong dong measurement. I’m not taking that shot. Seems easy at the shooting range off a bag. The 9.3 about the same at 18 inches with 250gr. So once the pill arrives at its destination the 340 Bee is hitting at 3120 ft/lbs of energy. That’s where most rifles start. Its closest competitor again is the 338 Win Mag at 16% less energy. The 9.3 landing at 25% less. So, the next argument is recoil. That’s where the 340 starts to lose traction. I inherited my dad’s 1979 340 WBY deluxe. He shot some elk with the rifle and each one fell like a sack of potatoes. I don’t recall him ever complaining about the recoil or me witnessing him blowing the shot due to “flinch or anticipation”. So what if the old girl has a little kick. Admittedly she’s not comfortable on the bench but we aren’t punching paper for long sessions. I’m more interested in punching a grizzly. What about the old standby ammo cost argument. Well, all these magnum ammo prices are ridiculous these days. Not to mention most of these calibers (338 win) can’t be found. This argument doesn’t hold the water it once did.
So constructive thoughts are welcome. I believe the 375 is in it’s own class in Africa but I’m trying to figure why the 340 isn’t a part of the dialogue for a bear gun. I’m biased primarily b/c I have one. It has a 26” bbl so not the handiest rifle but it’s an accurate beast. I grew up surrounded by Weatherby Magnums. We didn’t have much money but we sure had some nice rifles. Clearly the men did the budget. The fellow’s in my family took them out a few days before a big hunt and shot a paper plate at 100 yards. The typical group was probably 1 – 1.5 MOA but that terminology was not used or cared about. The zeroed dead center 2 inches high. It was in the “kill zone” so good to go. This was the 80’s. My dad dialed in his 250 grain bullets kicking like a mule with a cig hanging out his mouth. He then proceeded to drop anything he pointed at with the 340 Weatherby Magnum. I know some guys do love the 340 but my observations tell me it is not in the usual suspect list. Do tell. I’m preparing for a future bear hunt and hopefully PG so this isn’t simply theoretical. TIA.
Ok so I need some Big game hunter brain power here. I want to specify that I am discussing big game here not dangerous game. My focus is on bear, plains game, elk, etc.
I’ve observed the usual suspects in the bear conversations are 375 H&H, 338 Win Mag and 9.3x62. Occasionally the 300 Win Mag. My question is why is there so little love for the 340 Weatherby Magnum in these circles? I don’t want to cloud the conversation with facts, but I have included a table below.
First I want to give credit to Chuckhawks.com for the recoil data. I have referenced back to this countless times over the years. So thank you.
Ok here we go. I sorted the data by 300 yard energy. I’ve never killed an animal at the muzzle. Actually, I did once with an angry wounded racoon but that’s another story. I consider 300 yards a conservative number. Hopefully that’s the furthest I’m shooting a big animal assuming I can’t stalk closer. First the 340 WBY magnum is flat at 300 yards with a 250gr bullet. Yup flat. Its nearest competitor 338 Win Mag is dropping 7.6 inches with a 225gr bullet. That seems minimal until you are performing that holdover in the wind. It’s big cousin the 375 H&H (amazing round btw) is dropping 18 inches with 300 grains. That’s King Kong dong measurement. I’m not taking that shot. Seems easy at the shooting range off a bag. The 9.3 about the same at 18 inches with 250gr. So once the pill arrives at its destination the 340 Bee is hitting at 3120 ft/lbs of energy. That’s where most rifles start. Its closest competitor again is the 338 Win Mag at 16% less energy. The 9.3 landing at 25% less. So, the next argument is recoil. That’s where the 340 starts to lose traction. I inherited my dad’s 1979 340 WBY deluxe. He shot some elk with the rifle and each one fell like a sack of potatoes. I don’t recall him ever complaining about the recoil or me witnessing him blowing the shot due to “flinch or anticipation”. So what if the old girl has a little kick. Admittedly she’s not comfortable on the bench but we aren’t punching paper for long sessions. I’m more interested in punching a grizzly. What about the old standby ammo cost argument. Well, all these magnum ammo prices are ridiculous these days. Not to mention most of these calibers (338 win) can’t be found. This argument doesn’t hold the water it once did.
So constructive thoughts are welcome. I believe the 375 is in it’s own class in Africa but I’m trying to figure why the 340 isn’t a part of the dialogue for a bear gun. I’m biased primarily b/c I have one. It has a 26” bbl so not the handiest rifle but it’s an accurate beast. I grew up surrounded by Weatherby Magnums. We didn’t have much money but we sure had some nice rifles. Clearly the men did the budget. The fellow’s in my family took them out a few days before a big hunt and shot a paper plate at 100 yards. The typical group was probably 1 – 1.5 MOA but that terminology was not used or cared about. The zeroed dead center 2 inches high. It was in the “kill zone” so good to go. This was the 80’s. My dad dialed in his 250 grain bullets kicking like a mule with a cig hanging out his mouth. He then proceeded to drop anything he pointed at with the 340 Weatherby Magnum. I know some guys do love the 340 but my observations tell me it is not in the usual suspect list. Do tell. I’m preparing for a future bear hunt and hopefully PG so this isn’t simply theoretical. TIA.
