I knew that was coming!!!!!!

I like the .375h&h but I have never fired a .378wby. From exp. shooters I have talked to it isn't worth the trade off in recoil. The .340wby is probably a better long range hammer, a bit easier to shoot w/ high BC bullets. For more whack in close I would rather go up in bore dia./bullet weight. A .375Wby. is as far as I would go & then I would probably load it to .375h&h vel. w/ lower pressure.

Three shots dont account for much experience but I fired a 378Weatherby years ago on a MarkV with factory ammunition. Compared to my lightish 458WM it wasn't too bad, recoil was fast but not unbearable. Factory ammunition was a major issue, at an ambient 20 degrees C, it was sticky and shaved brass into the ejector slot effectively jamming it up. In the far distant future I'd love to build a 378Weatherby on either a Ruger No1 using a 28" barrel or an older 602 action.
Cheers...
Con

The first big gun I purchased was a 378 Weatherby back in 1989. Ordered the gun a Weatherby "Custom", at least that what it says on the floor plate. I guess due to the fact that I had the bolt and magazine plate jeweled and upgraded the wood. I purchased the gun to go Cape Buffalo hunting but had to cancell that trip back then...Since then I have spent my Hunting trips in search of "Big" Whitetails. I have been somewhat successful in that pursuit, taken three in the 160's, still after the "Big" one, now I just chase them up in Alberta. I love Alberta, home of true "Giant Whitetails but that is another story.

However, after joining the AR Forum, by the way it is such a great resource...I have got the bug to go to Africa and hunt Buffalo, which I hope to do in 2005. After reading so many post about "Big Bores" I had to have one, now I have two new CZ's.

The 378 (no brake) has only 100 rounds through it, so that is the limit to my experience. It does recoil but it is manageable, however, after a dozen or so shots from a Bench I would go to something else. It can be loaded down to reduce recoil, if that is your desire or with full house loads it can reach out as far as any "big" rifle should be used. Since I purchased the two new rifles I may put this Weatherby up for sale. If you have an interest let me know.

I have previously owned two of the Made in Japan 378s as well as having had a direct involvement with 2 others. With their super thin barrels they can be a real character building exercise both in recoil and accuracy . I think the super thin barrel and very large freebore of the 378 contributes greatly to them having accuracy with different loads that ranges from excellent to some sort of a pattern.

The Made in USA 378s come with the heavier barrel of the 416 and a muzzle brake.

Mike