.340 Weatherby Mag Ammo

Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

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: 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:

Year Event
2022 Weatherby continues to produce rifles and ammunition in .340 Weatherby Magnum, maintaining its popularity among long-range hunters
1996 Introduction of improved bullet designs for the .340 Weatherby Magnum, enhancing its long-range performance
1962 Roy Weatherby introduces the .340 Weatherby Magnum cartridge

.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.

Note: Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads, barrel length, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

.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:

Big Game Hunting
  • Excellent for large North American game such as elk, moose, and grizzly bears
  • Suitable for most African plains game, including eland and kudu
  • Provides deep penetration and high energy transfer at extended ranges
Long-Range Shooting
  • Popular for extreme long-range target shooting
  • High ballistic coefficient bullets maintain velocity and energy at distance
  • Capable of sub-MOA accuracy with proper handloads and rifle setup
Specialized Hunting Scenarios
  • Ideal for open country hunting where long shots are common
  • Effective for mountain hunting where wind drift is a significant factor
  • Provides a flat trajectory for easier range estimation in field conditions

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:

.340 Weatherby Mag vs. .338 Winchester Magnum ▼

.340 Weatherby Mag vs. .300 Weatherby Magnum ▼

.340 Weatherby Mag vs. .375 H&H Magnum ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of .340 Weatherby Mag with other magnum rifle cartridges. (Based on a 9 lb rifle)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads, firearm weight, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .340 Weatherby Mag with other magnum rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 200-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of .340 Weatherby Mag with other magnum rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of .340 Weatherby Mag with other magnum rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the .340 Weatherby Mag?

A: The .340 Weatherby Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked magnum rifle cartridge developed by Roy Weatherby in 1962. It's based on the .378 Weatherby Magnum case necked down to .338 caliber.

Q: What is the typical bullet weight for .340 Weatherby Mag?

A: The .340 Weatherby Mag typically uses bullets weighing between 200 and 250 grains, with 225 grains being a common choice for factory loads.

Q: What is the effective range of the .340 Weatherby Mag?

A: The .340 Weatherby Mag is effective for big game hunting at ranges up to 500 yards, with some skilled shooters able to extend this range even further.

Q: What type of game is the .340 Weatherby Mag suitable for?

A: The .340 Weatherby Mag is suitable for hunting large and dangerous game, including elk, moose, brown bear, and African plains game. It's also used for long-range hunting of smaller big game animals.

Q: How does the .340 Weatherby Mag compare to other .338 caliber cartridges?

A: The .340 Weatherby Mag generally offers higher velocities and more energy than other .338 caliber cartridges like the .338 Winchester Magnum. It typically pushes a 250-grain bullet at velocities around 3,000 fps, compared to about 2,700 fps for the .338 Win Mag.

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