The Accurate Reloading Forums
Ouch!
05 April 2002, 13:45
<Raging Demon>Ouch!
My new rifle kicks like hell but I don't mind the noise.My next question for you guys is this.My other rifle which is of course a weatherby (Synthetic Mark V) in 338-378.I have noticed that the 338 Excaliber can launch a 250 grain bullet at 3200 fps. which pisses me off, can I duplicate these ballistics with the 338-378 Weatherby?
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Death Comes To Us All
Factory ballistics for .338-.378 Wby with 250 grain bullet top out at 3060 fps out of a 26" barrel. Ross Seyfried ran his up to 3250 fps with a 26" barrel, but that was without benefit of pressure data.I doubt he would be willing to do that or recommend it now.
Guns and Ammo (December 1999) used a Weatherby Accumark and an Oehler 43 PBL to get to 3143 fps with RL 25, the Sierra 250, and the CCI 250 primer.
I refuse to exceed factory ballistics, so I feed mine 111 gr. of IMR 5010 for 3050 fps. This is a slightly compressed load. I suppose 3100 fps would be safe out of my 24" barrel, but come warmer temperatures, that probably will be just what I get.
06 April 2002, 05:24
RobgunbuilderThe .338-378 aught to be able to do alot better than 3200fps with a 250 gr bullet! A 9.3X64 can hit 2950 with a 250 gr. The 338 ultramag can hit 3100 and a 460 weatherby with the same parent case can hit well over 3000fps with a 350 gr bullet. I think the published load data is way to conservative. You just need to find the right powder ( i'd try Rl-25 of H1000) and move up carefully looking for excessive belt expansion( .002) or ejector marks on the case. The only reason that might limit your top velocity is the barrel length. I know the 338 ultramag needs more barrel ( 28-30 inches is optimum) so I would not be suprised at all if this is the limiting factor for the 338-378.-Rob
[This message has been edited by Robgunbuilder (edited 04-05-2002).]
06 April 2002, 07:33
Allen GloreBelieve me, it will not do way over 3200 FPS. Had a 338/378 built on a Bauska action 11 years ago. 26" Lilja barrel. It would only get 3153 with the 250 Partition and 115 grains of H1000. Now with maybe a 28" or 30" barrel you will get that extra 50 FPS, but what good is it gong to do you other than give you an extra 50 FPS velocity.
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AlleninAlaska
27 April 2003, 11:40
700 nitroi am loading a barns 210 grn bt x bullet at 3200 fps its a killer of a load and accurate as hell to
it will easly stay under 7/8" at 100 yards 3 shot group, wich is plenty for hunting larg game in north america and africa.
27 April 2003, 14:52
Dr. Bob KeelerYou would be rid of your problem of recoil and be able to have the velocity you want if you would do what I did a few years back and order the 338 Excaliber from A-square. I consider the recoil as only modest with their stock design.
27 April 2003, 19:28
RobgunbuilderUnless I miss my guess, The 338-378 simply needs more barrel to burn all that powder. The same thing holds true for then.338 Ultramag. I'll bet 3200 is attainable with a 250 gr bullet, but it will take a 30 inch barrel to do it! Not much of an advantage over a .338 ultramag. Nevertheless, these things are real killers on game!-Rob
28 April 2003, 07:28
x-manRobgun.
I agree I have both.
In 26" garrels velocity is 75-100 fps faster in the .338/378. Recoil is much higher in the Wby.
Dan Lilja has some exellent info on long barrels in .338/378 at
www.riflebarrels.comI can't get 3200 out of a 250 grain bullet without fragging the case in two firings.
Jamie
28 April 2003, 09:48
CanuckDr. Bob Keeler,
The name sounds very familiar....were you in a couple videos bowhunting stone sheep and moose with Macmillan River Outfitters? If memory serves you had a couple of pretty good hunts with a recurve.
Cheers,
C
28 April 2003, 11:48
LAWCOPMY REGULAR non-Shepherd scope load for my .340wby is moving the 250 GameKing at 2950fps and I have room for more, but I asked myself "WHY"? Seems like the 338/378 should be good for at least a couple hundred more.
ALSO, ask yourself WHY take the "abuse". It is really NOT a macho thing to get your brains rattled when you don't have too, althugh I guess some folks think of it as fun(?).
My McArthur brake makes the rifle into a felt hot .243 or light .270 so you can "enjoy" shooting a burner and you can concentrate on making the shot.
Good brakes are a good thing.
28 April 2003, 14:50
Dr. Bob KeelerDear Canuck
That seems like along time ago, but yes that was me. Thanks for having a good memory.
28 April 2003, 16:26
x-manLawcop.
What powder, primer, case are you using?
Or are these factory loads.
28 April 2003, 18:36
LAWCOPquote:
Originally posted by x-man:
Lawcop.
What powder, primer, case are you using?
Or are these factory loads.
HANDLOADS
85 gr of 4831
Fed 215 primer
Weatherby case
Sierra 250 Gameking
the last time I shot a batch over the chronograph my spread was a high of 2960fps and the low was 2948fps.
my SHepherd scope load so it profiles the built in ballistics of the P1 scope is
83gr of 4831
Fed 215
250 GameKing
Weatherby case
average of 2825fps
29 April 2003, 11:12
Canuckquote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob Keeler:
Dear Canuck
That seems like along time ago, but yes that was me. Thanks for having a good memory.
I haven't watched them in a few years, but I did watch those videos about 6 times each. They were nicely done. Congratulation on some fine hunts with your recurve. I actually found those videos about the time I started hunting with a recurve ('96), and they were very inspirational.
Cheers,
Canuck
29 April 2003, 12:25
Dr. Bob KeelerThank you. I am glad you enjoyed them.
I also recognize your name. I have watched all of your videos, including the polar bear one and enjoyed them alot. Do you still shoot your bow?
Good Hunting.
Lion
30 April 2003, 06:43
Dr. Bob KeelerDear Lion
Unfortunately, I do not shoot my bow near as much as I used to or would like. I have been blessed with some great memories afield and I am glad others enjoyed them as well.