Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 340wby Loads

I’ve recently dusted off my MarkV after 9 years. Years ago, I was unable to match the velocity and accuracy (at the same time) of factory 210 Partitions. These clocked nearly 3250fps and regularly shot into 1/2” or so. The load was an absolute hammer on dozens of elk and a number of mule deer and one moose. I’m quite disappointed to see these factory loads are no longer available. Given the forced ammo change, I’m looking once again to attempt to harness the accuracy of this rife in an all around big game loading. Given how my rifle collection has evolved the last 10 years, I’m inclined to focus on 225s (Partitions and Accubonds). I’ve got 7828, RL 22, RL 26, RL 33, H1000 and H4831 on hand. After pouring over manuals and online posts, the RL 22 and 7828 seem to uniformly be well regarded. Although, I can find no data, my sense is RL 26 should really shine as well. Anyone care to share what has excelled for you in both accuracy/velocity? You’ll note I haven’t included the Barnes offerings. Based upon some poor expansion I experienced years ago, I fear I’d have to rely on busting shoulders to get reliable expansion on deer size game at longer ranges.

I used 85.0 grains of surplus H4831 with either the 225 grain Hornady Interlock or the 225 gr. Nosler Partition in my .340. Those loads produced 2950 fps and shot very accurately in my rifle.

My MK V Weatherguard 340 Bee

Fotis, do you have any first hand experience on that particular TTSX on deer sized game? Can I count on it opening on the ribs of a 180lb deer at 400yds.

I have tried 18 bullets and 13 powders using this cartridge over about 20 years.
The best of the best were;
95gn of Rel 22 under the Barnes 185 TSX for 3372fps and .5ish
92gn Rel 22 and Barnes 225 TSX for 3100fps and around .9mOA. The TTSX version aso shot well but I didn't use this same load for some reason that escapes me.
250gn Woodleigh Weldcore over 87gn of Rel 22 for 2907fps and just under MOA consistency
300gn Woodleigh Weldcore over 83gn of Rel 22 for 2684fps and shot to the same point as the 250 Woodleigh and strangely also the 185 TSX.

Having 3 loads that shoot to the same point was a major influence in using the Rel 22 across the board.

I also burned several pounds of the original 4831 and it was a terrific powder especially in the milder meaning not cold climates of Oz. The Mulwex/AR subsequent versions not so much.
Other powders that shot well were Rel 19 and 25, and both IMR 4350 and Win 760 in the lighter weights under 200 grains.
There was once upon a time a 175gn Barnes that worked very well fro ridge to ridge shots and always opened up well past quarter mile.

With starting from scratch, I would try the 185gnTTSX for the game you speak of and look to the medium slow powders in the 4350, Rel 17 range but also look to the newer Rel 26 as that is developing a very good track record. Would also start about 4 or 5 grains under my loads and stop were accuracy shines rather than squeezing the last foot second out of it as deer to elk won't notice it any way. Your shoulder and ears will however.
John

Absolutely!!!!! Hit anything over 1900 fps impact velocity and down!

If memory serves, seemed I used 82gr H4350 behind the Barnes 210 xbt in '98 for 3200fps in my one and only .340W

Fotis, how would you compare them to the 210 partitions on deer sized game? The 210 was boringly reliable, expanded well and was silly accurate for me in the Weatherby loading.

Complete penetration and you can eat up to the bullet hole.

Loaded the 250 gr Partitions to just over 2900 fps with IMR-7828 in two different 340 WBY mags back in the day, one was a factory M-V stainless syn rifle, the other was a buds custom, built on a M-70 action with the same WBY freebored chamber, both rifle were extremely accurate with that load, used factory brass and fed-215 primers.

Those guys killed everything over here, and all but Ele, Buff and Hippo in Africa if I'm remembering their hunt accounts correctly, the 340 WBY truly is a take no prisoners hard killing hunting cartridge, I like it.