In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Weatherby .30-378 Very Interesting

Ricci WrightRicci Wright Member Posts: 8,259 ✭✭
edited January 2018 in General Discussion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30-378_Weatherby_Magnum
I didn't know it was developed for the U.S. Army.Very interesting read.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • gjshawgjshaw Member Posts: 14,770 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I read this article and every thing Dennis was saying about this caliber made me want one so when Kasey got one up on auction I won it. It?s a great little vittle getter. You can really reach out and touch something with it. Ammo is on the pricey side at close to 160.00 for a box of 20 bullets but who?s counting . Weatherbys are not for everyone.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I shot several "new" at the time sniper rifles at a course in 1985, The rifles were made by Iver Johnson and were the removable bolt type of single shot rifle.

    We had them in

    30-378 WM

    338/416 Lapua

    They were neat and fairly accurate. At that time The Army had very limited sniper training and teams. All were in Special ops. 9th ID had a sniper school under I corps but that was about it.

    The M21 was the official sniper rifle at that time.
    RLTW

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pwilliepwillie Member Posts: 20,253 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by gjshaw
    I read this article and every thing Dennis was saying about this caliber made me want one so when Kasey got one up on auction I won it. It?s a great little vittle getter. You can really reach out and touch something with it. Ammo is on the pricey side at close to 160.00 for a box of 20 bullets but who?s counting . Weatherbys are not for everyone.
    Several of my hunting friends use them for deer and elk...ammo is expensive,but they will kill! I prefer my 257 Weatherby for white tails..I recently renewed the scope rings on 2 30-378's.."Gamereapers."..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A gunsmith friend of mine had a 40mm anti-aircraft casing necked to .30-cal. Clearly, a much "better" round than the wimpy .30-378 right?
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There comes a time when the distance is just too great for shoulder fired rifles to be counted on. The 30-378 is a awesome beast but who can handle that much recoil for days on end?

    To me if you get out past a mile it is safe to call in artillery or an air strike to assure the target gets to room temperature.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ChetStaffordChetStafford Member Posts: 2,794
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
    A gunsmith friend of mine had a 40mm anti-aircraft casing necked to .30-cal. Clearly, a much "better" round than the wimpy .30-378 right?




    Still can't let it go I see...... Maybe you should not open any topics pertaining to cartridges you disapprove of.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Wild Bill KelsoWild Bill Kelso Member Posts: 82 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can only kill something so dead.

    Having said that all Weatherby cartridges are world beaters.

    In addition there are some real hard hitting long range cartridges out there but, one must keep Sir Issac Newton's second law in mind - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

    Recoil can be beyond brutal, even standing next to someone firing one of these big boys is nasty - you feel it in your chest.

    Excessive recoil over time can rattle your corneas loose

    Plus most people can't hit beyond 200 yards, heck a hundred yards is a challenge for most.

    All in all considered, long rang riflery is best when the shooter is isolated from the dynamic, firing a rifle in a Caldwell Lead Sled is perhaps best. I have a portable Caldwell product designed for field work.

    Fun to talk about, but that's where curiosity is best left
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pwilliepwillie Member Posts: 20,253 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My business associate,and his son fire their 30-378's...on a regular basis...I wouldn't want one, but they are completely satisfied...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • buschmasterbuschmaster Member Posts: 14,229 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    yep, at one time I was infatuated with such cartridges and came across this gem.

    http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.338+Lapua+Magnum.html

    a lot more indepth.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,041 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I sold my Weatherby 378 here about 6 months ago. It was a thing of beauty.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chiefrchiefr Member Posts: 14,115 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The overbore cartridges are great for long distances, however the takeaway is short barrel life. Recoil can be tamed by adding weight, but then weight has its drawbacks.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.