340 vs 338

Ummmm. What new rifle? .340 and .338 are one and the same caliber for all intents and purposes. mtmuley
 
sorry about that I guess my post didn't get all the way through been thinking of a 340 weatherby but curious why the 338 is more popular I am currently shooting a 30 378 and been checking the ballistics which are really close and the 340 is a lot cheaper for reloading just kicking this out there to see opions on why the 340 isn't as poplar as the other two calibers
 
I don't have any experience with the Weatherby cartridges. I like the RUMs because of the cost factor. There are some Weatherby guys here. You'll probably hear from them. mtmuley
 
I suppose the main reason for the 338's popularity is that it's available in more rifles, the 340 is basically a weatherby deal. I bought a rem 700 in 338 a few years back thinking I would rechamber it to a 330 Dakota or something more "more powerful" than the 338, but the rifle shot so well I figured the only thing i would gain from going bigger was the pain in the ass of finding obscure brass. The 340 is an impressive cartridge for sure, if yer a weatherby guy its a no brainer, get the big one. Personally, I've found the 338 winnie to be all the 338 I need, it hunts like a champ and very easy to load for.
 
Dead is dead.

My .338 just stones critters.

The .340 may be better past 500 yards. The 48" of drop I have at 500 yards is pretty huge BUT with a rest, no wind, and time, I've made that shot several times. The only time I didn't is when I didn't have time to figure the shot.
 
The 340 WBY is an excellent round as is the 338 win. I have a 338-375 Ruger that I really like. It has the same case capacity as the 340 WBY. I push a 250gr Berger at 2925 fps from a 26" barrel with ease. I can hit 3000 fps, but 2925 is where my rifle had the best accuracy. The only downside is that without a muzzle brake, it's about all the recoil a person wants to absorb. The 338 win does not need a muzzle brake imo, but the 340 WBY is right on the border line. I think if I was shooting 300gr bullets in my 338-375R, I would probably have to put a muzzle brake on it.

As for 338-375R performance on game? ... It's a treat to watch that 250gr Berger slam into game at high speeds. Haven't needed a follow up shot yet :)
 
Oh Hell yes they both need a brake! imho

I own a 338 Win and 340 Wby. Both are great cartridges in semi-custom 700 Rem rifles which will do ALMOST the same thing. If I were building another .338 dia, it would be an Ultra Mag (to get away from the belt and double-radius shoulder), and they'd both be WITH A BRAKE! lol

Zeke
 
I am leaning toward the 340 slinger that 338 375R sounds like an interesting cartridge and zeke which one do you like better your 340 or the 338? It will take me about a yr to really decide on which one I will get I try to get all the facts I can on a rifle long before I buy one and yes anything of these calibers I would be getting with a brake why wouldn't you. I have never been around any of the RUM or UM or win mags thanks for the info so far any advice is always good
 
HoundD, i'm still trying to wrap my head around your comment, "...and the 340 is a lot cheaper for reloading"

Really? I would think anything bigger "Weatherby" would be very expensive to acquire Brass. Bullets, powder, and primers...about the same. No?

And just a thought, If i were going THAT big, i'd go all the way to one of the .375 cartridges. That way you'd have your big Elk Boomer and it would/could draw extra duty as a big Bear stopper or if there ever was a trip to Africa for Dangerous Game... .375 minimum.

Joey


"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"
 
HD,
The physical characteristics are completely different on the two rifles. I use them to accomplish the same goal but in a totally different manner.

The 338 Win mag has a custom English walnut stock. I use it as a fair-weather, no backpacking, elk stalking rifle. I'll use this rifle for my moose hunt this year....with care.

The 340 Wby (Rem action also) has a stainless Lilja barrel and a synthetic stock, longer barrel, higher power scope and is designated as my rough weather, backpack, LR rifle. It's not as pretty but it's quite a tool.

Of course, I'm the kind of guy who thinks everyone should have an excuse to have a new rifle any time he/she wants regardless of NEED.

There you have it.
Zeke
 
sage the 340 is a cheaper for the cases than my 30 378 are I really like the 30 378 just looking for something new to shoot and the 338 or 340 has kinda in trigged me have not looked at 375 and I will be improving my 30 378 right now I have it grouping 5 shots in a 6" circle at 500 yrds I think it can do better
 
HD's, Fair enough!! :)

Joey


"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"
 
After shooting an 8mm Mag A$$ kicker; You were right Joey! The biggest reason has to be recoil . Both UlTRA's and WBY's in these big cases recoil but perfomance levels are above the standard mag catridges, that's why those of us that shoot them use them.

I can tell you 8mm ammo is expensive and cases are hard to find, so I have to agree cost of ammo (brass/premium bullets) is a major factor.

2f350s: Spend the money on additional licenses and HUNT more!
 
Have you looked at the 338-378 to go with it little brother 30-378.
Best shooting rifle I have shot was that 33-378, and now my nephew is loving life with it.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]
 
I have a 8mm (325 wsm) in browning Xbolt I like shooting it I will take it out hunting sometimes mostly use it on bears I use a 220grn sierra game king bullet, I don't have a 338 been thinking of a 338 or the 340 I would keep it around though
 
sorry I didn't read your post right about the 8mm rem mag I don't have one I would more than likely keep it though I have a 300 wsm and a 325 wsm which is basically the same,I shoot different bullets and weights and use them for different hunting applications and areas I would say keep it and shoot them both and find which one you like better
 

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