From The Nickudu Files:

The .375/.338 Wildcat - Aagaard

The .338/.378 KT - Seyfried

Nickudu

Thanks for reproducing the articles. I'm an old guy who is/was also a wildcatter and like to keep a modest collection of those "vintage" cartridges.

You probably already know all this but Keith and Thomson collaborated on several other wildcat big-bore cartridges that bear the KT moniker. Elmer probably considered the 338/378 a barely adequate deer cartridge.

In my collection I have a 375/338 wildcat that predates the introduction of the 338 Win Mag. It is made from the 375 H&H brass shortened to 2.5 inches. Ask a youngster today what a short magnum is and he will probably say the WSM or the RSAUM not realizing that the true short magnums were the 300 and 375 H&H shortened (usually to 2.5 ") and blown out with 25 to 30 degree shoulders. Just about every conceivable caliber was wildcatted that way prior to the 1960s when Winchester began introducing their line of magnums.

Thanks again for the articles.

Ray

I'm glad you enjoyed them Ray. BTW, I'm an old guy too!

Good stuff Nick.

I had a 338/378 when they were a wildcat. Rebarreled a 416 Wby.

At odd times the 338/378 KT is mentioned on

www.longrangehunting.com

It still has some application for rifles with a 3.6" or 3.7" magazine. In fact HS Precision's 338/378s only come in single shot as the 338/378 is too long. 30/378 and 378 are OK because the bullets don't stick as far out of the case as do many 338 bullets when seated to the cannelure.

338 Ultra compared to 7mm, 300 and 375 Ultra is the same deal hence the slightly shorter 338 Ultra case.

In Wolfe's Wildcat Cartridges Bob Hagel has an article on the 338 ABE Express, the 404 Improved, necked down and shortened to 2.765". A virtual replica of the 338 Ultra.

Hagel also has an article on the 338/378 and makes mention of the 338/378 KT and how it was made with 4831 in mind. The 338/378 Hagel used was a Wby test rifle and barrel stamped as 340/378 but apparently Roy W settled on necking up the 300 to get the 340 and because of powders.

Mike

A very fine review Mike.

Elmer Keith wrote an article introducing the 338/378KT sometime in the late 60's in Guns and Ammo. I remember it being very interesting and informative.

I presently own a 338/378KT and a 338/378 Weatherby. The KT is a Champlin and the regular 338/378 is a Harris Talon. Both are great cartridges and great rifles. The nice thing about the KT is that it can be made to work in 375 length actions.

quote:

I presently own a 338/378KT and a 338/378 Weatherby. The KT is a Champlin and the regular 338/378 is a Harris Talon.

Fuck me and WOW

Whatever you do.....don't post this on the African Forum

Mike

Nick

Very happy that you liked the small write up. You would of course have all the material yourself but sometimes it is just easier for a part timer to put some writing down.

In the gun world, I consider myself to have been fortunate. My first pair of 460s were done over the phone with Roy (also my first international phone call, about 1973) and I was about 28 at the time. The thrill to talk to Roy was unreal. Doubly so because he was keen to talk to people outside America.

Whatever negative comments people will make on the Wby rifle...On Business they are straighter than a die...no split deals with different distributors. They have been with the agency in Australia for the the last 25 years and one distributor before that. But no 3 deals at once.

For those who think the Crown Custom etc is Wbys custom rifle.....I have a news flash for for you No, that is not the custom rifle and the real thing is not cheap.

For example, the four 378s I have here "I think" have better bottom metal than a D'Arcy Echols or Miller rifle.

Are the rifles overpriced......of course they fucking are

But it does make you wonder what could come out of Purdey or H&H.

Sorry to bore some of you....but when reflecting back etc and etc.

Mike

Mike, your posts are Never boring.
I have learned much from you over the years, in a number of areas, not solely things .375 and the big Weatherbys.