.340 Weatherby Mag
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.340 Weatherby Mag: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle Magnum |
| Used For | Big Game Hunting |
| Case Design | Belted, Bottleneck |
| Year Introduced | 1962 |
.340 Weatherby Mag: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Excellent long-range performance
- ✔ High velocity and energy retention
- ✔ Suitable for large and dangerous game
- ✔ Flat trajectory for easier aiming
- ✔ Versatile for various big game species
Cons
- ✘ Significant recoil, challenging for some shooters
- ✘ Expensive ammunition
- ✘ Limited availability of factory loads
- ✘ Requires a magnum-length action
- ✘ Overkill for smaller game animals
.340 Weatherby Magnum: A Powerful Long-Range Cartridge
The .340 Weatherby Magnum is a high-performance rifle cartridge developed by Roy Weatherby in 1962. Known for its exceptional power and long-range capabilities, this cartridge was designed to offer superior ballistics for big game hunting. The .340 Weatherby Magnum is particularly favored by hunters pursuing large and dangerous game, as well as long-range shooting enthusiasts who demand flat trajectories and high energy retention at extended distances.
Development and Characteristics
Roy Weatherby introduced the .340 Weatherby Magnum in 1962 as part of his line of high-velocity magnum cartridges. It was designed to bridge the gap between the .300 Weatherby Magnum and the more powerful .378 Weatherby Magnum. The cartridge is based on a necked-down .378 Weatherby Magnum case, which gives it a large powder capacity and contributes to its impressive ballistic performance.
The .340 Weatherby Magnum is capable of propelling heavy bullets at high velocities, typically pushing 250-grain bullets at speeds over 3,000 feet per second at the muzzle. This combination of bullet weight and velocity results in high kinetic energy, making it suitable for taking large game at long ranges. The cartridge's performance is particularly impressive when used with aerodynamic bullet designs, which help maintain velocity and energy over long distances.
Applications and Usage
The primary application of the .340 Weatherby Magnum is big game hunting, especially for large and dangerous game. It is well-suited for hunting elk, moose, bear, and similar-sized game at extended ranges. The cartridge's power and flat trajectory make it effective for long-range shooting, where it can deliver sufficient energy for ethical kills at distances beyond 500 yards.
While the .340 Weatherby Magnum offers exceptional performance, it comes with significant recoil, which can be challenging for some shooters. Rifles chambered for this cartridge are typically built heavier to help manage recoil, and the use of muzzle brakes is common. The cartridge's power and recoil make it less suitable for smaller-framed shooters or those sensitive to recoil.
Timeline of .340 Weatherby Magnum:
.340 Weatherby Magnum Performance
Performance characteristics of the .340 Weatherby Magnum cartridge:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bullet Weight | 200-250 grains Common bullet weights used in factory loads |
| Muzzle Velocity | 3,000-3,200 fps (250-grain bullet) Velocity varies with bullet weight and load |
| Muzzle Energy | 4,500-5,000 ft-lbs Exceptional energy for large game hunting |
| Effective Range | 500+ yards Suitable for long-range hunting and shooting |
| Recoil | High Significant recoil requires proper technique and equipment |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .340 Weatherby Magnum loads.
.340 Weatherby Mag: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .340 Weatherby Mag ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Big Game Hunting (North America) | 0-800 | Excellent for elk, moose, and large bears at extended ranges |
| African Game Hunting | 0-600 | Suitable for most African plains game, including eland and kudu |
| Long-Range Target Shooting | 0-1000 | Capable of extreme long-range accuracy with proper loads |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .340 Weatherby Mag is known for its high velocity, flat trajectory, and excellent long-range performance. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .340 Weatherby Mag
The .340 Weatherby Mag's powerful performance profile makes it suitable for specific applications:
Caliber Comparisons
To understand the .340 Weatherby Mag's place in the rifle world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .340 Weatherby Mag with other magnum rifle cartridges. (Based on a 9 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .340 Weatherby Mag with other magnum rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .340 Weatherby Mag with other magnum rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .340 Weatherby Mag with other magnum rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .340 Weatherby Mag
The .340 Weatherby Magnum is a powerful rifle cartridge known for its high velocity and energy. This table compares the sectional density of common bullet weights used in this cartridge.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .340 Weatherby Mag | 200 | 0.250 |
| .340 Weatherby Mag | 225 | 0.281 |
| .340 Weatherby Mag | 250 | 0.313 |
| .340 Weatherby Mag | 275 | 0.344 |
Note: The .340 Weatherby Mag has a bullet diameter of 0.338 inches. Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². The high sectional densities of this cartridge contribute to its excellent penetration capabilities, making it suitable for hunting large and dangerous game.