Because my .340 Weatherby differs in weight and fit from my other rifles, I'm looking for a light load for to be used for practice from various field positions.

The only data for a reduced load I've found in in Speer Reloading Manual 10 using 29 - 33 grains of SR4759 with a 200 gr spitzer. I've been told that such reduced loads in large capacity cases can be hazardous and have not found any reduced loads in the more recent manuals I've checked. Also, I've found some 180 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips in .338 caliber, but no reloading data for them in the .340 Weatherby.

My impression in reading the various manuals is that a powder charge for a heavier bullet is also be safe for lighter bullet weights. True or not? Although I have extensive reloading experience with shotshells, my rifle reloading experience is limited and I would appreciate some comments on the safety of reduced loads, suggestions on making them if safe, keeping the light powder charges properly distributed within the cases, and pointers to recipes for light loads for the .340. These loads would only be used for practice as I expect to resight and continue to use commercial Weatherby ammunition for hunting.

Your safest bet might be to just use the starting loads with 180 bullets. I shoot a .340, but typically run it full throttle..never really considered it a plinker. I'll do some digging in my loading manuals and see if I can come up with a suggestion for you.

Accurate Arms website has some data for 200gr bullets 27-2800fps. These wouldn't be a light load by most folks standards...but pretty mild for a .340. By contrast, following data from the Barnes manual, I'm getting over 3200fps with a 210gr XLC bullet-which has plenty of recoil.

Weatherby cases
Federal 215 Primers

180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
RL19 84.0-88.0grs for 3069-3269 fps
RL22 86.0-90.0grs for 3075-3266 fps
AA3100 87.0-91.0grs for 3053-3229 fps
VV N160 83.0-87.0grs for 3085-3265 fps
IMR4350 83.5-87.5grs for 3278-3359 fps
IMR4831 84.0-88.0grs for 3218-3364 fps
IMR7828 89.0-93.0grs for 3203-3267 fps

200gr Nosler Ballistic Tip or CT Ballistic Tip
IMR4320 65.0-69.0grs for 2722-2912fps

200gr Speer SP
SR4759 29.0-33.0grs for 1737-1970 fps
CCI 250 primer
Weatherby cases
Same load you list, but from #13

I have not tested any of this data personally with the exception of the top end loadings with IMR4350 for the 180gr Ballistic Tip. I double checked for typos, but use this at your own risk.

The 180gr bullets at around 3000fps should not be too bad if you have a 8lb, or heavier, rifle..probably pretty similar to the various 300 Mags with a 180gr bullet.

I load AA5744 in my .338 WM for a light practice load. This powder is touted as being safe for reduced power loads (low load density). Check out their website www.accuratepowder.com
Good luck.

Irv -

How reduced are you looking for? We have a fair amount of 1000-1300fps 240gr lead data for the 338 win mag [340 is 90gr cartridge, the 338wm is 84gr, ie, they should shoot 50ish fps slower in the 340, but otherwise fine]. We developed the data to try to run rounds through a new m70 338 (without getting beatup), trying to get all the working parts to lap/smooth out. The loads in general were shooters - 10 into 1.5-2" at 50yrds from bench - some better, a few worse. If the data might be of interest I can try to post what we have.

do shoot straight,
greg
www.gmdr.com

Thanks for the info. Just got back to CO from 4 weeks in PA (my turkey hunt there lasted less than 2 hours so spent the remaining time trimming brush and mowing grass on the farm - the crop fields are leased to the neighboring farmer). My reloading setup is in CO, so I haven't had a chance to try the suggestions as yet - I need to get moving as I plan to use the rifle in BC in mid-September, less than 4 months away.

gmushial - thanks for the offer on cast bullet data, however at present I'm planning on working up a load with jacketed 180 grain bullets.