240 WBY?

[lostart]

I have been reading a little about this cartridge lately and it sounds really promising. Has anyone chambered their savage for the 240? I know the price of brass is terrible, but they shoot the 6mm bullets right? this could be really fun.

[Eric in NC]

I sure would look at a 6mm-06 if I was wanting a super-duper 6mm. A lot cheaper to get up and shooting.

[hcpyro13]

Nobody needs a weatherby, the brass is expensive and there is always dozens of other choices that will be easier on barrels. Personally, I grew up shooting weatherbys and the first rifle I could call my own was a american made weatherby mk v. I love that rifle, yeah sure there are plenty of choices out there, but if you are interested in building one on a savage platform with the ease of replacing barrels I see no reason why you shouldn't toss heavy 6mm bullets at such fantastic speeds! If you are reloading, factory weatherby brass may not have nearly the lifespan of a 308 case but I have safely gotten 4-5 loadings on heavy 300 wby loads before the primer pockets started loosening up. It all comes down to what will make you happy, personally I've been thinking of building one of these up for my father since he is falling in love with my 260...

-HcP

[Slowpoke Slim]

I knew a guy that had a 240 wby, it was a hunting rifle, he used it on pronghorns. Great rifle, super accurate. I doubt he shot 10 rounds out of it a year (probably more like 5). He had other rifles for hunting other critters, and for target shooting that he shot a lot. I don't know what your intended purpose for the rifle would be, target, hunting, varmints, or? But think of this, barrel life will be SHORT, so if you're wanting something to shoot high round counts with, I would think somewhere else.

I have a 257 wby mag (Weatherby rifle, not on a Savage), I use it for deer hunting, not target shooting. The barrel heats up on it FAST, I mean REALLY fast. You cannot shoot a 5 shot group out of it at one sitting, because by shot 4, the barrel is too hot to touch. That's starting with the barrel "cold". So I shoot 3 shots, and wait until the barrel cools down before I shoot the next 2. Fine for hunting big game, and for sight check, or load check, but not for a sitting at target shooting.

I would think the little 240 wby would heat up even faster...

Just my 2 cents worth (and you probably over paid).

[lostart]

By the off chance I decided to build one, I would hunt goats with it as well as some longer range white tail. My brother in law has every wby cartridge except this one and I know no one else that has one. Would it burn barrels faster than a swift or a varmint load in .243? I think that this would be unique and that is what strikes me. Especially in a savage. good discussion lets keep it going

[Hammer]

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Nobody needs a weatherby...

Now has that what we have come to. We must "need" something. Phooey.


Have played with the 240 Weatherby since Weatherby made their first lefties.

Have also played with the 6mm/06 Mashburn.

Don't need either.

But either does do a number on prairie dogs under fifty yards.

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[Hammer]

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Have had no problems handloading the 240 Weatherby.

Used to be able to get a five-die forming set that would convert 30/06 brass to a belted form which you could then form into 240 Weatherby.

With a custom made massive turret press and a little hydraulics, could have enough horsepower to progressively convert them at a rate of 500 per hour.

Wouldn't start with GI brass but with factory new.

.

[Uncle Jack]

If you want to have one of the ultimate 6mm "Bad Boys" and are willing to pay the price:

1. Expensive chambering. (few people have reamers)
2. Very expensive brass. (now considered obsolete)
3. Excessive barrel wear with repeated shooting.
4. Limited reloading data.

What the HeII, go for it. The most it can cost you is a new barrel after 600-700 shots.

If you are a bit more conservative, as I, think about a 6mm AI or a 6mm-06.

uj

[Slowpoke Slim]

Good Lord Hammer!!

LOL!

You must really have a problem out there with charging bean bears, since you keep mentioning 50 yard shots.

Maybe I should come out there and bring my 338 win mag and my 375 H&H to help you eradicate the little buggers!

;D

lostart,

I think it boils down to powder capacity, powder burn rate, and how "over bore" the cartridge is. Granted, my 243 is on a heavier profile than my 257 wby, but the wby DEFINITELY heats at a much quicker rate. I've not loaded for the 240 wby, I know it's a smaller case than the 257, but I'd look at the powder burn rates. I mostly use slow powders, full charges and magnum primers in my 257. I think the smaller case of the 240 may help this out some, but I'd be willing to bet my 243 with 87 to 95 gr bullets will give me longer barrel life than the little wby 240 will. How many shots at a sitting are you planning on sending down range? Can you live with shooting 3 shots and setting it aside for a while and shooting something else?

[Hammer]

.

We will one day accept the fact that barrels, dies, brass, etc are consumable items and need replacing with time.

Just like truck tires.


Only actions are enduring.

Have an 1895 cock-on-closing Mauser action that is ready for yet another 7 x 57 barrel.

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[Hammer]

.

I've had the bulls shake off 45 Colt loads from pointblank.

Need some serious loads to handle 'em.

Have been using the 585 Nyati on 'em but need to get some bonded-core partitions for better penetration.

Lesser rounds do OK on the females and the yearlings.



Why else are 308 FMJ so popular ?

.

[hcpyro13]

Hammer, I like to stick with my 300 wby for those pesky groundhogs under 50 yds.... but I wouldn't mind giving a 240 wby a go!

[lostart]

hammer

I like the way you think.......barrels are expendable and are fairly reasonable in price. By the time i burned it out, I probably would be bored and ready for a change anyway.

I have a solution to knock those bulls down.....12ga slug...it should at least slow em down till you get to the pickup :D

[Slowpoke Slim]

Hammer,

I still have some old 300 gr solids for my 375, you think one of those would at least turn them if they charged me?

If not, would you back me with your Nyati?

[Hammer]

.

... barrels are expendable and are fairly reasonable in price...

From experience...

Know that Northlander, Shilen, Pac-Nor, Shaw, etc will sell you another one.

All they want is a little money (or plastic).



Heck, sometimes they will ship it out same day -- overnight Fedex guaranteed by 10 am.

Be shooting a new barrel by 10:30.


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[Hammer]

I still have some old 300 gr solids for my 375...

You know they make 350 grain solids for the 375...


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[Hammer]

.

Rumor has it...

That some people shoot a whole five-shot group with the same barrel.


.

[Cycler]

The 240 Wby is basically just a belted 6mm-06 so either that or the 6 mm-284 would march its ballistics and brass is more available and cheaper for either.

[BobT]

I sure would look at a 6mm-06 if I was wanting a super-duper 6mm. A lot cheaper to get up and shooting.

This is the route that I took, using new Winchester .30/06 brass necked down I was able to gain 100 fps. above published .240 Weatherby velocities with good case life and great accuracy.

If you want the ultimate 6mm screamer try the 6mm Mach 4!

Bob

[steveinwv]

6mm AI.

[Hammer]

.

Now I understand having small capacity cases like the 6AI.

Heck, I have a 6TCU, 6BR, 6-250, 6XC, and the like for experimental work.

Use 'em to simulate long range fifty yard shots nearer to the muzzle.


But if you're going after trophy prairie dog bulls, you should leave the small stuff at home.



Ever stretch out a skinned prairie dog like they do those Alaskan brown bears ?



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[BrentWin]

You must really have a problem out there with charging bean bears, since you keep mentioning 50 yard shots.

Maybe I should come out there and bring my 338 win mag and my 375 H&H to help you eradicate the little buggers!

Don't tease Hammer! He has seen attacks and gnawings on the American Great Plains that no man should have to see.

I know for myself, that ever since I witnessed the fatal gnawing of Scratch McGee, I often wake up screaming, in the middle of the night, soaked in cold sweat.

In regards to the 240 WBY, if want it, if the air will be cleaner, the sun will shine brighter and you will be happier go for it.

If you are still open to suggestion, go to reloadersnest.com and compare the 250 Ackley Improved to your Wby. With 80 and 100 gr. bullets, you get the same velocity with 9-10gr. less powder. Just something to think about.

[Hammer]

.

There you go.

Wanting to save powder.


Worse than those folks wanting to save gasoline.

Myself, nothing with less than 450 cubic inches under the hood is safe to ride in.

Just get you some auxiliary tanks that hold about 60+ gallons and go.

This is America !

.

[lostart]

Oh I remember the days of the big block.....seems so long ago.

The ol 460 used to embarass those rice burners what fun. Passed everything but the gas station.

I would only want the wby to make the brother in law jealous

The 250 ai sounds interesting though...would be fun in a classic series...kind of a sleeper

[borg]

Yes. Load it hot and shoot it far. Blow the bejeezus out of every critter in range and take pictures. Pull the trigger until the barrel melts, skim the slag, and sell the scrap metal to fund your next project. You have hunting rifles. Now is the time to create a monster, to build a flat-shooting Frankenstein. Go forth and make ugly.