Wildcat 35-340 Weatherby mag reload data ???

[Camp Cook]

Hi everyone this is my first post here.......

I am inheriting a new/never fireds/s Sako V rifle with a 25.5" Douglas barrel chambered ina wildcat 35-340 Weatherby Mag cartridge.

Does anyone have reload data or info for this cartridge?

Thanks

[Roskoe]

This a fairly obscure wildcat. I have never seen any published loading data for it. If you look at familes of cartridges based on a common case; the empirical trend is that as the bore size goes up, you can load a little more powder at the same bullet weight. For instance, look at the data for the .270 Win. with a 150 grain bullet and compare it to the 30/06 with a 150 grain bullet - both calibers using IMR 4350. Or the 7MM-08 and .308 Win. with both using 150 grain bullets andIMR 4064.

With that in mind, and if I couldn't find any data, I would look at the .340 Wby loading data for the heavier bullets. I think there are 250 grain bullets for both the .338 and .358. Try a .340 Wby starting load for the .35-340 with a 250 grain bullet, and then work up from there.

Also, with any non-standard chamber, determine the neck diameter of the chamber and compare that with the neck diameter of a loaded round. You need at least .003 to .004 of clearance. .005 to .006 would be even better for a hunting rifle.

At least, that's what I would do in the same circumstance. Of course, there is a risk that a whole gang of Murphy's could come to focus on thislogical processand cause your gun to blow up. In which case, I do not want to hear from Norton Frickey on your behalf . . .

[handloader1]

I think you can get away with usingMININIUM loads for the .358 STA as a begining point. Good luck.

[BarnesX.308]

This is the first I've heard of this cartidge but I like it. Sounds like a real hammer.

[vangunsmith]

I concer with roskoe,try starting out with tha 340Wby load as he stated. Just talked to a fellow gunsmith at RCBS,just to throw this problem up in the air at him,and he suggests the same thing. So,thats what i can tell you. hope i helped. vangunsmith

[DM]

Try a .340 Wby starting load for the .35-340 with a 250 grain bullet, and then work up from there.

This always works because your going "up" in overall volume of space for the gas to expand into and your useing the same case capacity.

Once you have a fired case, ifthe bullet your useing will easily slide into the "fired" case, you don't have to worry about neck clearances ect...

Just use a starting 340 load with the "same weight bullet", and have fun!!

Drilling Man