340 Weatherby

nagantguy

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Aug 28, 2020
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I’m looking at buying a 340 Weatherby, a 30-35 year old MarkV . Comes with some ammo, a few once fired brass and a older weaver scope. I’ve a 7mm WB and a 300 WB, this 340 is the clone of the 70’s era 300 MarkV I already have .
doing some reading seems the 340 is nipping at the heels of 338L .
my hesitation is 3 fold- one while the package price for this very nice rifle isn’t crazy time gouging level it isn’t exactly a deal either.
also don’t really want to try and find reloading components/ dies powder ect for a new caliber in these current times and after spending 2-3 years consolidating calibers .
Lastly - what’s recoil like in an 8ish pound hunting rifle in this large a caliber?
I’m not particularly recoil sensitive or a whimp - (insert appropriate number of bow kills and raw branch press weight here)
But I did for a short time have a 45-70 barrel for my T/C Encore and I don’t know if it was stock design or relative light weight or a combination of the 2 but it was the least fun rifle I’ve ever shot, and after lusting for a 45-70 for years it just sucked so much I sold it in pretty short order- even with trap door loads it was more punishing to shoot that my 10gauge.
also I don’t see much here or on the hunting forums about the 340 , any inherent problems such as short barre life or did the round just never catch on cause on paper it looks like a barn burner.
sounds like I’m talking My self out of it doesn’t it?
 
Like you said, it’s not wildly popular, but that has nothing to do with lack of merit imo. Im
not sure what youre looking for exactly, but if you want it, grab it.

Recoil energy is going to be there no matter what, you can’t cheat the physics. Stock geometry and rifle weight are really important for shooter comfort. The only 340 I have more than a few sessions on is a total pussycat, and I chalk it up to the stock shape. That particular gun has been all over the world killing big things in the hands of a family member. It’s also tack driver (factory Sako). I also have two 45-70’s and the lighter of the two is far more comfy to shoot than the heavier one, again due to stock shape.

Unless you need to shoot the thing right now, i dont the think the “current times” should steer you away.