Two rounds that often see a fair bit of comparison are the 340 Weatherby and the 375H&H magnum. Both these round has seen lots of use for taking lots of game from moose and elk to cape buffalo. However, they shine better in different scenarios and do have differed uses. So in this article, we will compare the two to see which is better,
Here is the short answer:
The 375 H&H Magnum has a larger bullet diameter and more energy, making it a better choice for hunting the largest and toughest game. On the other hand, the 340 Weatherby Magnum is faster and flatter shooting, making it a great choice for hunting at longer distances.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can go in-depth on each cartridge, what their best uses are, and which one is truly better and why.
In-depth Look at the 340 Weatherby Magnum
The 340 Weatherby Magnum was developed in 1962 by Roy Weatherby and is based on a shortened and blown-out version of the 375 H&H Magnum case. It is a flat-shooting cartridge with a high velocity that is capable of taking down large game animals at long distances. The 340 Weatherby Magnum is capable of propelling a 225-grain bullet at a velocity of 2,950 feet per second, producing 4,476 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.
Here is a ballistic chart of the 340 Weatherby with a 225-grain soft point bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2970 | 4407 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.1 | 2877 | 4135 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.6 | 2786 | 3877 |
| 150 | -0.9 | 1.3 | 2697 | 3633 |
| 200 | -3 | 2.4 | 2609 | 3402 |
| 250 | -6.4 | 3.8 | 2524 | 3182 |
| 300 | -11.1 | 5.5 | 2440 | 2973 |
| 350 | -17.2 | 7.6 | 2357 | 2775 |
| 400 | -25 | 10.1 | 2276 | 2588 |
| 450 | -34.5 | 13.1 | 2197 | 2411 |
| 500 | -45.8 | 16.5 | 2119 | 2243 |
In-depth Look at the 375 H&H Magnum
The 375 H&H Magnum, also known as the 375 Holland & Holland Magnum, was introduced in 1912 and is now established as the lightest cartridge you can use to hunt dangerous game in Africa. The 375 H&H Magnum is capable of propelling a 300-grain bullet at a velocity of about 2,530 feet per second, producing 4,854 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. This makes it a great choice for hunting the largest and toughest game, including African big game such as Cape buffalo and elephant.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 375 H&H Magnum with a 300-grain soft point bullet:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2530 | 4263 |
| 50 | 0 | 0.2 | 2397 | 3826 |
| 100 | 0 | 1.2 | 2267 | 3424 |
| 150 | -1.7 | 2.8 | 2142 | 3057 |
| 200 | -5.3 | 5 | 2021 | 2720 |
| 250 | -10.9 | 7.9 | 1903 | 2412 |
| 300 | -19.1 | 11.8 | 1790 | 2135 |
| 350 | -30.1 | 16.7 | 1684 | 1888 |
| 400 | -44 | 22.5 | 1581 | 1665 |
| 450 | -61.4 | 29.2 | 1484 | 1467 |
| 500 | -82.8 | 37.1 | 1394 | 1294 |
In-depth Answer
When it comes to comparing the 340 Weatherby Magnum to the 375 H&H Magnum, the individual needs and preferences of the hunter should be taken into consideration.
The 340 Weatherby Magnum is a faster and flatter shooting cartridge, making it a good choice for longer range hunting. Its high velocity and flat trajectory make it ideal for taking shots at game at distances up to 500 yards or more. However, the 375 H&H Magnum has a larger bullet diameter and more energy, making it a better choice for hunting at closer range because of its stopping power.
Another important factor to consider when comparing these cartridges is recoil. The 340 Weatherby Magnum has a reputation for having a significant amount of recoil, which can be uncomfortable or even painful for some shooters. The 375 H&H Magnum also has a significant amount of recoil, but due to its larger rifle size and weight, it tends to be more manageable for most shooters.
Conclusion
If you want a cartridge better for longer range hunting and you can handle a lot of recoil, the 340 Weatherby is the better cartridge. If you need stopping power at close range, then the 375 H&H Magnum is the safer bet.