The Accurate Reloading Forums
custom Whitworth in 378 WBY question
22 July 2011, 19:47
Bill G. in Oregoncustom Whitworth in 378 WBY question
I bought this rifle online. I was impressed by its practical feature of being a controlled feed in a caliber not often found in such, and I was lured by the highly figured tiger stripe maple , double cross bolted stock .
question: Given that I have a three day inspection and nothing is said about not including firing it as part of that , is there anything I should do in this inspection beyond these:
1. removing the barreled action to look for stock damage,
2. determining that it feeds and ejects well in different speeds
3. seeing that it shoots reasonably straight?
Thank you,
22 July 2011, 20:09
RobgunbuilderCheck that its not stolen.-Rob
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
Bill, the usual agreement for web-type sales is a 3-day, "no-fire" inspection.
22 July 2011, 20:30
fla3006Ouch, better you than me. I'd check for cracks around the tang, wrist, feeding, etc.
NRA Life Member, Band of Bubbas Charter Member, PGCA, DRSS.
Shoot & hunt with vintage classics.
22 July 2011, 21:05
ramrod340No way I'd be using a Whitworth that has been opened in the front to handle a 378Wby.
As usual just my $.02
Paul K
22 July 2011, 21:23
tiggertateDon't mean this to sound the wrong way but are you sure it isn't a
375 Weatherby?
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
23 July 2011, 02:35
Bill G. in Oregon1. The ad twice says-- and email & phone talk affirmed-- that is a 378. Possibly the gunshop selling it doesn't know the dif--but I doubt it.
2. The inspection details only say, "3 days from date item is received. They do not say "no shooting."
3. I bought on AR a MK X custom in 416 Rem from an Alaskan guide. (I also sold it here to a seemingly knowledge member). I'm wondering why a 378 would not be desirable in a mk X action if a 416 Rem is? More pressure or?
thanks
23 July 2011, 03:34
jeffeossoi would pass on a whitworth in 378 ... the case is the same "size" as a 416 rigby
23 July 2011, 03:55
ramrod340Personally a 416Rem in a Whitworth is not my cup of tea either. A whitworth when opened to handle the 3.6" cartridge is for the majority opened in the front. They will thin the rear of the mag box but the vast majority of the length is added in the front. This removes a HUGE amount of the metal supporting the lower locking lug.
Going to the longer 3.655 OAL for the 378 requires more metal to be removed. A 375H&H, 375Wby and even the 416 Rem use the same basic .532" dia case head. A 378 has a case head of .579. If my math is correct that increases the bolt thrust by about 20% against an even weaker lower lug support. Plus I think the operating pressure for the 378 is also 1500 higher than the 375 & 426Rem.
If I wnated a 378 Wby in a CRF then I would simply get a CZ action and have plenty of steel between me and the rear of the case.
Other large cases in the Mauser are more often in the 47,000psi range.
As usual just my $.02
Paul K
23 July 2011, 05:56
Bill G. in OregonThanks to all.
A local gunsmith has agreed to look at the rifle when it arrives. If it looks dangerous, I will return it.
24 July 2011, 04:43
tiggertateI had a MK-X in 416 Rem and enjoyed it a lot until I sold the barreled action to another member to make room for new project.
Building a 378 Weatherby on a standard size Mauser action is a different project altogether. Harder than a 416 Rigby because the Wby operates at 61,000 psi average and the Rigby only 47,000 and change.
I'm not saying it can't be done or shouldn't be done. But it better be done by someone at the top of the charts that got every detail spot- on.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.