30-378 Cartriges "what do you use?"

[ZIMM]

30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

I'm currently using 165 weatherby ballistic tips for deer. I was thinking about using 150 grain BT? Any thoughts here. My goal is to shoot deer at 1000 yards, my furthest has been 643 yards. I've read what I can, but is there any more information books, articles, that would help me become a better shooter? I just started rifle hunting a few years ago so any information is appreciated.

 

[Fiftydriver]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

ZIMM,

Best single bit of advice I can give you is to get rid of the light weight bullets and shoot at least a 200 gr ULD or VLD bullet. With the case capacity of the 30-378, I would personally not recommend anything less then 200 gr to be used and actually feel the 220 gr class of bullets is a better choice for the case capacity.

Don;t get caught up in velocity here. If your serious about making consistant hits at 1K, get the right bullets for the job, a 150 gr BT or 165 gr BT are not the bullets to use.

It is not bullet drop that will get you at 1000 yards, its wind drift. The High BC bullets will dramatically cut your wind drift at 1000 yards.

Just my opinion but you will find many others that started out trying to horsepower light bullets out to long range and once they learned more velocity had little to do with accuracy at long range or being able to consistantly make hits at long range, they have all turned to the heavy VLD or ULD type bullets.

Also, with your huge capacity in the 30-378, the 200 gr class bullets and heavier will in most cases really settle the big cases down so your consistancy is generally much better with the heavy bullets.

Just a recommendation. Try a 200 gr Accubond or 200-220 gr SMK or order in some +200 gr Wildcat ULD RBBTs, you will not be unhappy.

Remember bullet drop is easy to figure and correct for, its wind drift that is the huge variable at long range.

Just my opinion, but I suspect you will be hearing more of this as more replies come in.

Kirby Allen(50)

 

[bailey1474]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

[ QUOTE ]
Just my opinion but you will find many others that started out trying to horsepower light bullets out to long range and once they learned more velocity had little to do with accuracy at long range or being able to consistantly make hits at long range, they have all turned to the heavy VLD or ULD type bullets.


[/ QUOTE ]

I'm one of those!!! Check out this link. These posts were among the first I made on LRH. I've learned alot in a year!!!!

http://longrangehunting.com/ubbthreads/s...=true#Post57664

I went from a 125 gr to a 240 in my RUM and couldn't be happier. Listen to these guys. They know what they're talking about!!!

 

[Michael Eichele]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

Lighter and faster is not always better. In the situation you are shooting for (deer @ 1K+) 150 ballistic tips are not the answer. Minimum of a 180 class bullet (including the 175 SMK and 178 AMAX) up to the 240 SMK. 180 ACCUBOND or 200 ACCUBONDS are always a good choice also.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

I agree with the above posters. You need at least a 180g bullet at the minimum. The heavier the better in your case. I shoot a 300 RUM. 200 and 220's seem to be the best compromise. I just got back from the range as a matter of fact. I was shooting 1150 yards at a "white rock". It appears to be about 8-10" around. After the first shot, which I was 1 ft. low, and dead center left right. I proceeded to hit that white rock 2 of my next 3 shots. The one I missed was just a tad high and to the right. I would say the 3 shot group was 10-12" or MOA. I am more then satisfied with that coming from a factory sporter weight hunting rifle. I am shooting the 210g VLD by Berger. I have not cronied the load, but went by 3000fps and entered .640 for BC, and it put me within 5 clicks at 1150. You can still see the impact pretty well at 1150 yards with these size bullets.

 

[ZIMM]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

I started out using 200 grain but they where going straight through the deer at 300 hards. The ballistic tips do a much better job at taking the deer down.
I was also thinking about taking my leupold and sending to a guy that can customize the reticle for the long range shot. What is everyones opinions on that.
Z

 

[bailey1474]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

[ QUOTE ]
I started out using 200 grain but they where going straight through the deer at 300 hards.

[/ QUOTE ]

If your concerned about the bullet performance, use the 200 gr Accubond. You will get adequate expansion. Keep in mind that as range increases, velocity drops and bullet expansion will also be less dramatic.

[ QUOTE ]
I was also thinking about taking my leupold and sending to a guy that can customize the reticle for the long range shot.

[/ QUOTE ]

This will work just fine for minute of deer out to about 600 yds. After that the atmospheric conditions and velocity difference in varying temps will probably be enough to cause a miss. Learn to use target knobs and shoot your rifle in the conditions you will be hunting. With a little a practice, you will know how many MOA to dial at various ranges in varying conditions.

 

[Michael Eichele]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

I will second what Bill Bailey stated about a calibrated reticle good to 600 yards. After that you will have to start compensating for your current enviornment.

 

[ZIMM]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

Does anyone know where I could find the ballistic information past 600 yards? I know the theory behind wind drift, is there a chart that I could use as a reference?
Z

 

[Michael Eichele]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

You will need a ballistic calculator for figuring your ballistics past 600 yards unless youre shooting at sea level in 59 degree air with BP @ 29.92" Hg. Then you can use a table found in the sierra reloding manual or Hornady ect... If you want accurate ballistics for the conditions you will be shooting at, you WILL need a ballistic calculator. Changing amposperic conditions ie: Altitude or barometric presure, tempature, humidity ect will vastly change your ballistics past 600 yards. That is where a BC come in. You can enter any conditions you want and the computer will do the rest.

 

[ZIMM]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

[ QUOTE ]
You will need a ballistic calculator for figuring your ballistics past 600 yards unless youre shooting at sea level in 59 degree air with BP @ 29.92" Hg. Then you can use a table found in the sierra reloding manual or Hornady ect... If you want accurate ballistics for the conditions you will be shooting at, you WILL need a ballistic calculator. Changing amposperic conditions ie: Altitude or barometric presure, tempature, humidity ect will vastly change your ballistics past 600 yards. That is where a BC come in. You can enter any conditions you want and the computer will do the rest.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where would I find a ballistic calculator?
Z

 

[Michael Eichele]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

Check your email.

 

[ZIMM]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

[ QUOTE ]
Check your email.

[/ QUOTE ]

thanks for the email
Z

 

[HoytemanPA]

Re: 30-378 Cartriges \"what do you use?\"

I currently use 240 gr SMK for my 30-378.
BUT If I was still using a rifle with freebore as in Accumark, I would look no further than the 200gr Accubonds. I ran many combinations through my factory barrel to find that Retumbo and 200gr Accubonds was the combo to settle on. Exactly the same bullet/powder combination that my 300 ultra mag liked and currently digests. Similar bullet jump as they are loaded for mag feed. The 200gr Accubonds shot better than, 180 Gamekings, 180 Btips, 200gr SMK, and 220 SMK in my previous barrel. Maybe they deformed less? Don't know they just shot better. I can't really complain about the current accuracy of the 240's so I will probably just stay with them in this barrel.

Good Luck,
HPA