[kciH]

2Bits,
I was shooting my .340 this weekend, I chronographed a load that I'm planning to use for hunting. The load uses a 210gr Barnes XLC X bullet and about as much RL-22 as will come out of a RCBS Uniflow measure with one pull of the handle. It was 95+ degrees yesterday, and I wanted to shoot this load to make sure it was REALLY safe. I noticed some minor pressure signs, so I know this load really is a max load, as was indicated in the Barnes #3 manual that I took it from. I've shot it before when it was in the 70's and experienced no pressure signs, but didn't take that opportunity to chronograph the load. The velocity was 3250 fps, how much faster do you think your new toy will be? I realize that some prefer heavier bullets in these rounds, but I've had problems making heavy X-bullets shoot in many guns.

P.S. I use a KDF muzzle brake on mine when target shooting.

 

[kciH]

Mystic,
I understand what you say about convenience and portability in the shorter barrels, but shooting a huge case like the UltraMags or Wthbys with a 20" tube would be a waste. I also understand that I don't really "need" a .340, it won't likely do anything in the field that my .35 Whelen AI won't. If I'm in the brush, I usually take a handgun with me anyway. I like flat shooting rifles, although I take more game with the more standard cartridges.

2Bits,
I don't know how the weather is where you live, but if you like to do bench testing without waiting a half hour between three shot groups, I'd reccomend a fluted barrel on the monster magnum if you're going to get the barrel in any sort of lighter contour. The barrel on my Mk V is pretty thin, when it's hot out, like it is now, you'll burn your hand on the barrel after 3 close shots. I do let it cool, but I know the throat on this thing isn't going to last forever, and that will be all the justification I need to get a new thin fluted barrel put on it.
As far as penetration with the 210gr bullet at 3200+ fps, I don't think there's an animal on this continent that it couldn't penetrate stem to stern within 100yds.

 

[kciH]

Zeppelin,
I've looking at some of the HUGE rounds like you speak of. I'm pretty happy just shooting the REALLY BIG cases. I've got an order in a for a .416 Rigby, so maybe I'm not sane after all. From what I can tell from different data that I've seen, there is virtually no gain attained from going to .338-.378 unless you are using a rifle that has a 28+ plus barrel and are using the heaviest bullets available with a maximum charge of the slowest burning powder. This would be a setup that a long range target shooter would use and would be impracticle in a field situation, as the normal Weatherbys are somewhat of load to carry around unless you're in wide open territory. If you want one just to have the "biggest" that's OK by me, but I don't see it having any practicle advantage over the .340 in a field situation. The .300-.378 does do some things that are rather impressive, but I don't see having to put a new barrel on a rifle as soon as you've developed loads for the first barrel. That's based on what I've been told, not from experience.

 

[kciH]

Zeppy,
The .416 takes my front foot off the gound when I shoot it, man's gotta know his limitations.