I had asked for advise some time ago about what big gun to start with. I finally ended up with a 378 Weatherby. I guess I don't understand the intricicies of the big bore culture, so I wanted something I could use for more than just puttin an asswhuppin on an elephant. I seems as though I have not figured out why 5800 f/lbs from a 375 is inferior to 5200 from 416, but I just can't imagine anything living through even a decent hit from this thing. The rifle is a Custom DGR in desert camo. The factory shot target group was .617" with 300gr noslers, but I can't get under .9. The recoil is violent.

I wouldn't worry about the group being .617 or .9, I'd concentrate on
making sure you can handle the recoil and shoot it well / accurately and be ready to shoot a follow up shot.

It doesn't matter what calibre you use, if you hit it in the foot, it doesn't do much !!! (As Feldstein will attest to with the 700 Nitro ).

I think you answered your own question with the "recoil is violent..." statement.

The high velocity makes a recoil that is much different, and more difficult to recover from than many other choices.

You will find that reloading in an effort to match factory MV is an exercise in futility.

I owned one, so I am not just gossiping about what others have posted. The CZ 505 Gibbs I own does not beat me around as much as the Wbee.

The answer: are you happy with it and capable of consistently placing three rounds in 4-5 inches at 200 yards?

That's all that matters.

Rich
DRSS

Quintus, The ballistics of the 378 are truly spectacular. Before I gave up, I'd have a gunsmith add some weight to the rifle. With a 26" barrel and Accubrake, you may be a bit muzzle-heavy anyway, so getting a pound of weight into the buttstock will work wonders. You could also call Larry Barnett at Superior Ammunition and have him load you some ammunition that is on the lighter side for practice.

quote:

Originally posted by Quintus:
I had asked for advise some time ago about what big gun to start with. I finally ended up with a 378 Weatherby. I guess I don't understand the intricicies of the big bore culture, so I wanted something I could use for more than just puttin an asswhuppin on an elephant. I seems as though I have not figured out why 5800 f/lbs from a 375 is inferior to 5200 from 416, but I just can't imagine anything living through even a decent hit from this thing. The rifle is a Custom DGR in desert camo. The factory shot target group was .617" with 300gr noslers, but I can't get under .9. The recoil is violent.

Excellent choice of caliber and rifle - my favorite of the .375s that I have. Best advice for dealing with the recoil has to do with welding your cheek to the cheekpiece and rolling with the recoil. Only time it ever hurt was when I took my face off the stock - then "SLAP".

Don't think about the recoil and if "violent" creeps into your head while squeezing the trigger, you will certainly develop a flich. So put that out of your mind.

If you reload, build some lower velocity loads with ligher than usual bullets and work on being confortable shooting the rifle (Hornady 225grain bullet over 115 grains of Reloder 25 for example). You will quickly find that it is both easy and comfortable shooting the full power fodder.

Good luck,
Paul

Yeah, sorry I had company come to the door and didn't finish my post last night. Recoil is violent, but manageable - and with the accubrake on I find the recoil to be somewhat disapointing. I'm not saying my daughter at 12 will be taking it to the tree stand, but from the stories I had heard the 378 would tear retinas, break collar bones, and reduce all but the heartiest of men to mere ruble.
I do craft my own ammunition, but for the amount I will shoot this rifle at any one sitting I doubt I will reduce loads. The rifle is a little front heavy. Thanks for the info to correct that. I may just try some weight in the stock. I will try to get to the range in the next week and see if I can manage 4 inches at 200 yards. I would certainly think that should be attainable given 100 yard performance.

Another great load for long range target practice or medium game:
111 grains of IMR-7828 with a 300 gr Sierra GameKing.
Gave +2900 fps in my 25" CZ rechamber, and was sub-MOA.
I have also experimented with a 22" barreled Mark V,
and a 22" barreled Brno ZKK 602: Bad Rip!
Those two were rebarreled to 27" 30/378WBY and .510/460WBY.
I finally learned my lesson!
Short barrels really cripple the 378WBY velocity and deafen the shooter.
Muzzle brakes only deafen.

with the brake .. 378 is okay ...
without the brake, i can't stand shooting them from the bench .. give me a 500 something anyday

The .378 should have a 28 - 30" barrel to take advantage of all that powder ... and for me a very heavy profile - brake or not ...

quote:

Originally posted by Quintus:
I had asked for advise some time ago about what big gun to start with. I finally ended up with a 378 Weatherby. I guess I don't understand the intricicies of the big bore culture, so I wanted something I could use for more than just puttin an asswhuppin on an elephant. I seems as though I have not figured out why 5800 f/lbs from a 375 is inferior to 5200 from 416, but I just can't imagine anything living through even a decent hit from this thing. The rifle is a Custom DGR in desert camo. The factory shot target group was .617" with 300gr noslers, but I can't get under .9. The recoil is violent.

With that piece you can pretty much nix anything
alive on this planet. 0.9 is excellent with this cannone as most guys have hard time hitting
barn door at 100m.

quote:

I seems as though I have not figured out why 5800 f/lbs from a 375 is inferior to 5200 from 416, but I just can't imagine anything living through even a decent hit from this thing. The rifle is a Custom DGR in desert camo. The factory shot target group was .617" with 300gr noslers, but I can't get under .9. The recoil is violent.

Yes, precisely. You're suffering from post-concussion syndrome. "Cognitive or mental symptoms can include confusion or impaired cognition, problems with attention, impaired judgment, and amnesia or other problems with memory, especially short-term memory." Clearly, the backend of that 5800 ft/lbs is doing a job too!



On the other hand, you're more man than I am just for shooting it at all.

LWD