Load data for 240 Weatherby using Nosler 100 gr Patition?

I know JB had one a few years back, I have not reloaded in a couple of years hoping to get back to it soon..

Not to steal JB's thunder, but data is online:

https://www.nosler.com/media/load_data_assets/pdfs/240-Wby-95gr-version-9-0.pdf

I'm not JB and not a gun writer, but I have a lot of experience with the 240. With either 95 or 100 NPT I found 53.5 grains of IMR-7828 and Fed 215 primers to be deadly and accurate. I ended up liking the 95s better since they didn't have the big exit hole like the 100s did.

thanks, I had checked online but in the past I have found "better" loads from 24hour members..

bullet manufacture's online loads max out at 3175-3200 fps, how does Weatherby get their factory ammo to run 3400+?

My fav .240 load is the 100 NPT over MRP. I'll get the actual charge when I get home.

The rifle is a H.S. Precision SPL in a McM Hunter's Edge. They make their own barrels, cut rifled like Krieger and shoot about as well.

My best group was 1.7" at 400 yds. Now, I can't always reproduce those "bragging" groups, but at least I know what the gun can do.

MRP, from what I've read, is a more refined version of RL-22, more lot to lot consistency. I fortunately have a big jug.

DF

I don't generally buy factory ammo, for sure not Wby due to cost.

As to their 3,400 fps claim, I'd clock it before accepting that as the Gospel truth.

Now, sometimes those guys use powders that we can't get. Still I'll believe it when the chrono says so.

IIRC, my load runs around 3,250 or so. Pushed to the limits isn’t always optimal. Seems to me best accuracy is often slightly less than full out max. But it depends on what the chrono and target say.

DF

The load I used with the 100-grain Partition in a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight was 52.0 grains of MRP, which got right around 3200 fps with excellent accuracy.

Here's plenty of load data for it... I find Shooters Reference to be a really good load data source, referencing a lot of info from quite a few sources:

try this if you want a lot of info on it: https://www.shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/240-weatherby-magnum/

Good luck with your quest Old Willys

I just checked my .240 Wby, 100 gr NPT load data. It’s 53 gr MRP at 3,250 fps out of a 26” barrel.

Not always, but sometimes the Partition is the most accurate bullet. IMO, that’s never a bad thing, just gotta try them to see.

So this .240 is now a dedicated Partition rifle; I’m not trying to find a better load. Gonna stick with this one. I have enough other projects to keep me busy, this one is done. Too good a barrel to cook it looking for that “Holy Grail” load. Think I’ve found it.

DF

Have not seen any Norma MRP locally for some time will look for it.

thanks

RL-22 is pretty close. But, I quit buying RL-22, get RL-23 instead, when I can. To me it’s a better powder with similar performance.

DF

Have to agree, have a big jug of Reloder 23 and love the stuff.

RL-22 and MRP are the SAME powder. The only "difference" is in manufacturing lots.

RL-23 is very good powder, but trying to find it has always been a problem.

The reason I started with MRP and the 100-grain Partition is the Weatherby factory load using the 100 Partition grouped very well in the ULW. Found out the powder was MRP, and used the same powder charge, with the bullets seated the same--which worked equally well.

That said, eventually switch to 90-grain plastic-tipped bullets and 57.5 grains of Ramshot Magnum, which got around 3325 fps with equally good groups--but only with magnum primers. They shot flatter and drifted less in the wind than 100 Partitions.

I just checked Powder Valley for powder availability. They're getting more powder in, but I don't see one Alliant Reloader powder available. If it's an RL, it's out of stock. Same at Midway.

Wonder what's going on in the RL world...?

DF

As I mentioned in another thread, a lot of European powder production is probably going to military contracts these days.

That makes sense. With everything going on in the world, could be a while before they come up for air.

DF

Not a 240, but 300 Weatherby ammo in 180 partition was quoted on the box as 3240 in a 26" barrel. My Vanguard Sub MOA did 3190 in a 24". Flattened primers but no ejector marks and easy extraction. I could never match that with R22, IMR7828, H1000, or H870.

YMMV? Rifles are all different. Maybe powders too.

Could not locate any MRP locally or online but have a pound or so of RL22 on the shelf , will try it

I have a couple of pounds of RL-23 but I can’t find any load data for it. I’m going to try the 95 Ballistic Tip in my 240 Wby Backcountry Ti. Does anyone have a good starting point for RL-23?

I’ve had really good luck with RL-25. The buck was killed with 100 gr Hornady BTSP @ 3250, the cow was killed with factory 85 gr TSX. I was able to duplicate the velocity with the same bullet and RL-25 though. My hand loads with the 85 TSX is shooting 3510 FPS. Both loads consistently shoot MOA.





Todd

I’ve never used RL-23 in my .240. If no data, I’d check data on rounds that used RL-22 and RL-23, see how close they were. I start low, go slow with equivalent data. I’d guess they’d be pretty close, but that’s just a guess. A chrono would be handy.

Surely someone has .240 data with RL-23.

DF

I’d say that load works.

Nice.

DF

Have mentioned before that flattened primers aren't necessarily a sign of more pressure--one reason they're an unreliable "pressure sign."

Anybody interested in why that's so can read my MARCH Column: "Primer Flattening," posted on this forum above the current threads--which I originally posted in 2019.

Why is it that guys ask for the magic load, when every rifle is different? The online data, or an old load manual is where I look first. You are always going to have to work up, so why not just consult the guys that make the bullet first? Working up a great load really isn't that hard to do.

This right here is proof you didn't even look at the online data that muskegman posted a link for. The max velocity using RL22 is 3,352 fps. That's also with a 24" tube. Is there a reason you chose not to use the online data?

I've had very good luck with R 26 and the 95 gr. ballistic tip fast and accurate.

Yep, same for me. RL-26 was definitely the magic pixie dust..especially when combined with the 95 gr NBT. By far provided the most velocity(by 100-150fps) and accuracy over any other powder I tried.

Would one of you using RL-26 share your recipe? It’s another powder I can’t find any data for.

I love RL-26 and have a big jug. It’s my fav 7RM powder with 160’s. Never tried it in my .240.

I did try some in my .257R. I remember unburned granules left in the chamber such that I couldn’t chamber a round.

I’m thinking one would get a more complete burn with the .240, especially with heavies.

I’m sticking with MRP in the .240, RL-26 in the 7RM.

DF

DF, I’d try that MRP load if I could find any of that powder. I’m about ready to load H4831 but I know I’m leaving some speed on the table. It’s why I’ve hoped to find some data for either RL-23 or 26.

"Leaving speed on the table" seems to be the theme of this thread--which of course tends to be the notion of many older handloaders ("Boomers"?) who still firmly believe another 100 fps of muzzle velocity matters a lot in the field--even with bullets with what we might call "average" ballistic coefficients.

Then there's also the question of "sourcing" .240 brass. Weatherby stuff is very good, but expensive and scarce.

All of which is why my present ".240" is a 6mm-06 with a 1-8 twist. It has more powder room than the .240 and can handle higher-BC bullets.

But whatever....

Give the 100 gr TTSX a try. Its Deadly

How can a bullet that never existed be deadly?

My question as well....

If I was building from scratch, it would be a 6-06 with 8 twist.

But when traded for, you use what ya got. I got a CH4D die to form .240 cases from .25-06 brass. It takes a good press and some muscle power to squeeze down the .25-06 case body to form the famous Wby belt. But it works. Firing completes the double radius shoulder.

I use Winchester brass, which I’ve heard lasts longer than softer Wby/Norma brass, primer pockets last longer with hot loads. I don’t max them out, go for accuracy over speed. So I can’t testify Winchester primer pockets last longer. Urban legend?

Good brass for less money. It needs to be virgin brass. Fired brass has been worked and is hardened somewhat. And that takes a LOT more force to form those cases, enough difference that I won’t use anything but virgin brass.

DF

I have generally found "soft" Norma brass to be untrue for at least the past 20 years or so. No doubt at least some of it was soft at one time, but haven't experienced that recently--if 20+ years is recently.

One example is the 9.3x62 Norma brass purchased after buying my first CZ 550 in 2002. It's been loaded repeatedly to at least 60,000 PSI, and often fired for various articles, or in tropical heat when hunting. Have not encountered any loose primer pockets--or hard extraction.

Another example is the Norma brass used in my 6mm PPC benchrest rifle. As with many bench rifles, the primary load I used for years is somewhat warm, a grain or so over the maximum listed. That brass has also been fired quite a bit, partly while continuing to experiment with various powders and bullets for the ultimate in tiny groups, and partly because the rifle's also been used for prairie dog shooting. Primer pockets are still tight.

Also never encountered any problems with factory Weatherby/Norma brass during that period, and have owned, hunted with and experimented considerably with handloads not just in .240 Weatherby but other Weatherby Magnums including the .257 (two rifles), .270 (also two rifles), 7mm Weatherby and .300 (three rifles). All the brass kept working just fine.

My current go to load is 56.5 gr of RL-26, 95 Gr NBT, F210M and Weatherby brass. It's a rather warm load averaging 3350fps, but it's where I happened to find the best accuracy. Gun is a Vanguard Wilderness with a 24" barrel.

Agree with Df, here. I built a 6-06 off a Rem 700 action and an 8 twist, 26" Brux barrel. Probably the most accurate gun I've ever owned. Berger 105 Hybrids at 3300 generate some amazing ballistic numbers...and kills! Super easy to load for as well...25-06 brass with one pass through a 6-06 sizer is all it took to make brass. Like a dummy though, I sold it. Jeez! Once I wear out the barrel on my 240, I'll rechamber to a 6-06.

I have to disagree here BTDT, I have done 6-06 and 6-284. both shot well but barrel life was short.
Best I have found is 6mmAI 1-7.5"twist Bartlein, shoots close speed wise and barrel life is better. only problem might be finding brass these days

Well, seems most high performance rounds can be pretty hard in barrels, i.e. 6.5-284, 26 Nosler, to name a couple that I have. The .240, if shot hot and often, will eventually digest a barrel.

I generally work up a good load, load up a supply of ammo and move onto another project. That way, I don’t fry that many barrels.

BTW, barrels are replaceable and in some circles, considered expendable commodities.

DF

Weatherby Mark V - 9 Lug with 26" No2 Barrel
All loads used standard Large Rifle primers
All chronographed on Oehler 35P

100gn Nosler Partition
50gn AR2209/H4350 = 3323fps
52gn AR2213/H4831 = 3304fps

100gn Hornady SP
54gn IMR7828 = 3257fps
53gn IMR4831 = 3470fps
48gn AR2209/H4350 = 3154fps

100gn Remington CoreLokt
55gn Original H 4831 = 3333fps

100gn Sierra SP Flat Base
55gn Original H 4831 = 3327fps
55gn Rel 19 = 3464fps
53gn Rel 22 = 3382fps

All loads maximum working loads in my particular rifle. Please work up using Winchester or Federal Std LR primers.