John Lazzeroni is a new forum member in about the last 4 months so hopefully he'll chime in on your posting. I own 2 Warbirds and another Lazzeroni short magnum chambering. One Warbird is a 12 twist and the other is a 14 twist both with 27" Lilja barrels. I did not buy either rifle from Lazzeroni primarily because, back when I starting buying them, all John was offering was a really heavy rifle. He has since begun offering lighter rifles but I have no experience with these—I just know they exist. My rifles were both built by Mark Bansner. My 12 twist Warbird wears a Swarovski ProHunter 4x16x50 and my 14 twist Warbird wears a Schmidt 4x16x50 with Mildot reticle.
I have helped one additional Warbird owner and clocked his shots who had, I think, a Savage of some kind chambered rifle with a 26" barrel that John sold for the economy oriented hunter for a while.
My father has been shooting my 12 twist Warbird with John's factory loaded 150 grain Barnes TSX bullets very successfully at about 3750 FPS. Everything he has killed has been inside 400 yards. He loves the rifle and believes strongly in it and kills everything so I haven't tinkered with it.
I primarily shoot the 14 twist Warbird with either 130 grain Barnes TTSX or 200 grain Nosler Partitions. I get an honest 4000 FPS with the 130s and my partitions shoot real well at 3300 FPS. I did buy a box of 180 grain Partitions from John years ago and they clocked over 3500 FPS in both rifles. I can easily shoot tighter groups with my handloads vs. John's factory loads without doing anything more than loading them more uniformly in seating depth and powder charges. John though, can make them go faster. (John: when you read this…your handloads should shoot tighter groups IMO). I think, not certain though, most companies like Superior, etc. will handload for the Wardbird if you are not satisfied with John's factory loads. RCBS made my dies.
Since changing over to another brass maker, the Bell brass issues have been fixed at least 5 years ago.
I see on his website John is even willing to sell loaded 190 grain Berger VLDs for 12 twist rifles, must be going soft in his old age... The 12 twist rifle would be my choice shooting 150 grain and heavier bullets. FYI, the 210 grain Berger VLDs call for an 11 twist minimum.
The Warbird velocities are real and what can I tell you that has not been written about concerning what a 180 grain penetration bullet does to game with a starting velocity of 3500 FPS? Or a 150 grain Barnes TSX at 3750 FPS? Or a 200 grain Partition at 3300 FPS? Be careful of your bullet selection with these velocities; use tough penetration bullets only to get started. If you want to slow them down and shoot more delicate expansion bullets, then why not shoot a 300 Winchester Magnum or similar caliber?
Yes the ammo is expensive, but consider Weatherby charges $154/box of 20 for their 30-378 stock factory loads with premium bullets and the Warbird launched bullets are usually always a little faster. The super customized 30-378s some of John's Arizona buddies shoot, like the Outdoorsman version, will clock the same as a Warbird.
Sighting in 2" high at 100 yards usually puts you dead on at about 325 yards and no hold adjustment is required until 350 yards. I built mine for Canadian whitetail hunting during the rut where time is a luxury I do not usually have, I always know with my range finder where 350 yards is and make a mental note. Both these rifles have served me well…
The only negative for all this performance is I need a muzzle brake to shoot them well so I must always be aware of hearing protection in the field. The 150 grain load with a brake is reasonable in recoil.
I have no knowledge of this TN gun shop
