Hi guys... this is my first post on this site, but I have been reading for a while.

I was just reading an interview in Precision Shooting with Rock McMillan and they taked about this rifle (30-378) and was wondering who might own or had any experience with one.
The article claims sub 1/2 MOA and a point blank range of 500 yards with 180 gr. bullets.
Any way this is the first I have heard of this gun and any help would be appreciate, including cost.

I just relized I might be on the wrong forum since it is only a 30 cal, even if it is a 378.
Thanks

Yeah, this probably should be on the wildcats or medium bore forums. Basically, you're looking at a 378 Weatherby case necked down to 30 cal. Originally the claims were 3500 fps from 180 gr bullets, but in real life it's more like 3300-3400. Which isn't a bad thing. Hard on barrels, but it's a smoker. Just a little faster then a 300 RUM, a little slower then the 300 Pegasus from A-Square. Accuracy will be more a function of the rifle and how well it was built, I should think. Good long range 30 cal, though. - Dan

Welcome to the forum. You are in for a real feast of information as you browse about.
Frank

I built a 30-378 on a P-17 and it shot under 1" without too much difficulty. I think you could get better balistics going with the 338-378 though. Especially when you go past 180 gn bullets. With a brake on it, it kicked like my 7x57.

I have trouble understanding why a regular hunter would want one...

Until you get way out there, any of the smaller .300's will do the trick quite nicely. Even the terrible 30-06 will do it...

Buying a 30-378 won't make you a 500 yard or more shooter.

I shoot alot and I sure as hell can't use the capabilitiesof this cartridge, But if you just want one, I can understand.

have a look at Saeeds reloading board they have some data on the 30-378 and after 60 shots it was showing throat erosion
daniel

Let me state that I'm not a fan of the 30-378. I've owned a Weatherby 30-378 (worst POS I ever saw, the factory set it up to have bullets touch the brake, can we say off center ?) and sold it within two weeks. I won't own a gun that won't shoot. I built a 30-378 myself on another WBY action with a nice Shilen 30 inch barrel and it shot about 1/2 MOA for about 500 rds at which point it started shooting 1 inch then 2 inch then 4 inch groups at 200 yrds. Guess what? Barrel was shot out completely at the throat and for the first 1.5 inches after that of the barrel. I wacked off the threads, re-chambered it, re-crowned it and its now a 27 inch tube. It shoots fine, but in truth I think the 300 RUM is the better cartridge! As somebody here mentioned, in fact your probably gonna shoot worse with a 30-378 at 300 yrds than with a 30-06. It gets worse from there. If your after a 1000yrd benchrest gun, then that's another matter.-Rob

rpoll
Welcome to A/R! This place is a lot of fun.
The 30-378 is a great cartidge, and if you choose it I'm all for it!
You have obviously thought about this for some time. I offer my thoughts (short time).

The 30-378 will not allow you to make a shot that could not be made with the 300 Ultra or even the 300 Winchester.

The 30-378 is not a big bore in the sense of killing power. It is as impressive on deer size game as it is messy. It will not impress an elk or moose any more than a 30-06 will. If as much.
Ignore the cartridges foot pounds of energy.

It's as accurate as any other cartridge, but, not for long.

When you compare it to the 300 Ultra the ballistic difference is small enough to be considered insignificant. The barrel life of the 300 Ultra is probably double the 30-378 (going by what robgunbuilder says about his 30-378).

The 1000 yard guys are looking for an edge that doesn't have much application to a hunter.

I built a 1000 yard target gun and considered the 30-378 and the 300 ultra, but chose the 300 Win instead. Why? Well, you need a great deal of practice at long range to be any good at it.
I would be getting ready for my third barrel if I chose a 30-378.

There are better choices for long range deer that wont beat up you and your barrel.

All my opinions stated some day I would like one for myself.

Just because.
Jamie

rpoll - I built and shot a .30-378 target rifle for a few years. It wore several 30" Krieger barrels. I went through three barrels within less than 5,000 rounds. There was no question the gun was accurate, the problem was it was very expensive to feed and maintain.

I built the gun out of sheer insanity. There is no real need for this caliber. You can accomplish the same thing today in a .300 RUM or a .300 Dakota. If you wanted a real hot rod .30 cal then I would strongly suggest either of these cartridges. However, if you just want to get 3300fps from a 180gr bullet, the .30-378 is the answer. If you do this, make friends with a good gunsmith - you will see him often...

Thanks guys I am thankful for all the imput....
I already have a match 308 (m1a1) and a 338 win mag I am comfortable out 500 yrs with either and
don't really need another gun ... but has any body heard of........