Why the 338-378 Weatherby is my favorite long range Rifle

[woodsman1991]

It's hard not to like a good Weatherby. They've slipped into my collection lately with a 378, 340, and 300 to round things out. That 378 is my favorite of the group, with a good brake the recoil is survivable though the blast will get your attention.

 

[Rob L.]

It's hard not to like a good Weatherby. They've slipped into my collection lately with a 378, 340, and 300 to round things out. That 378 is my favorite of the group, with a good brake the recoil is survivable though the blast will get your attention.

Indeed...
My favorite and was the .378 with factory muzzle brake too. It is also very accurate, shooting sub-minute groups.
This is an old 100 yard target from the 90's when Barnes first changed to the current TSX from their crappy monolithic bullet.
I don't shoot the .378 much today, but there was a time when I had confidence anywhere I hunted with it.

 

[fmajor]

This is a dangerous thread!!! Curse the necromancer who resurrected it !!!! (just kidding there.....).

I'm still sorting out my 7mm-300 Win mag, but have long given thought to a big, fat 338 and this is kindling a fire I just do not have the time for! I sure look long and hard at the 338-378 Weatherby... The hoola-hoop around her ankles doesn't bother me a bit 'cause she's among the fastest in her class....

For me, I like a small 7mm, a big-ish 7mm, and a BIG 338! To me, unless you want a one-gun armory, (overkill for smaller game, but maybe a wee bit anemic for bigger stuff wayyyyyy out there), I really prefer to skip over the .30 caliber.

That said, the 300 Win mag is pretty tough knock - it really is pretty close to a perfect, one-gun armory. However, I'm just sweet on the 7mm's and a big 7mm will do almost everything a big .30 cal will. If I need more, a truly big 338 just solves the problem with no muss - no fuss.

Hats off to the mighty 338-378 W-by!!!!

 

[GSRetrievers]

I have a 338am and a 338edge on the way. Here's what I'm getting out of the edge if I use a 300gr otm. I've always been a 338 dude from the very get-go. With my very first magnum in a 338WM when I was 19 shooting the 160gr x bullet at 3400 fps nothing got away lol.

View attachment 553435

That much powder must be the AM, not the Edge. I'm shooting 145gn in mine getting 3425fps.

 

[Bghunter338]

That much powder must be the AM, not the Edge. I'm shooting 145gn in mine getting 3425fps.

Yes the load data is from my am, the edge is still being built.

 

[Bghunter338]

That much powder must be the AM, not the Edge. I'm shooting 145gn in mine getting 3425fps.

You must be using Peterson brass. Kirby said I could get better performance with Peterson.

 

[GSRetrievers]

You must be using Peterson brass. Kirby said I could get better performance with Peterson.

It was Bertram, which I do not like. My barrel is 34"

 

[gollygee]

I have been using the 338-378 Weatherby accumark scence it came out.I tried the 338 wm and 300 wm but they didnt have the punch I wanted out on large game such as moose and bears at long range.I put Nikon 6.5x20 and 5.5x15 power scopes on my 338-378s.They are light to tote .I cant see toting a 18 pound rifle in Alaska through the mush and tundra.There needs to be a good hunting rifle in the 338 lapula .I am suprised Weatherby has not chambered the accumark in it.I think Elmer Keith was way ahead of his timein long range rifles.I almost bought a 338-378 KT but a friend got it and rechambered it to 338-378 Weatherby.I an very comfortable using this rifle on the tundra.I only dont like it when a bear pops up at 15 feet and I cant see him.That is something that can happen any time in alaska.I like the 250 gr Nosler Partition best of all the bullets i have tried.I know they will handle a grizzley where as the match bullets wont.There is a big difference in hunting where grizzleys will be involved .I usually have my 454 also just in case or when cleaning an animal.I am so glad the 338 caliber getting its day in long range hunting.It is one of the best calibers.Weather you have a 340 weatherby ,338 ulta mag,338 lapula or a 338-378 you have made a very good choice in a long range cartridge.Choosing a rifle you are able to tote 10 miles a day and still shoot good when its down to the wire is whats important to me.

I am with you, there is NOTHING a little gun will do that a big gun won't do better. Use the biggest gun that you can handle well. Dead is dead IS NOT ALWAYS GOOD ENOUGH, sometimes you need DEAD RIGHT NOW.

 

[TonyRumore]

I've got all the Weatherby calibers from 240 - 460, all left hand deluxe wood, except for my 30-378 which is a plastic AccuMark.
338-378 is bottom gun in this pic. Top is a 6.5-300.

Tony

 

[Laelkhunter]

My gunsmith shoots a 338/378 with a 225 Barnes ttx @3400 fps, he says it just flattens bull elk!

My .340 shooting the TTSX at 2900 does the same, so I can only imagine what another 500 fps does to them. Perfect elk rifle for sure, except maybe the 6.5 Creedmore.

 

[Reemty J]

Laelkhunter,
I just settled on a load for my 338 RUM, 225shock hammer, 91 grains RL22, federal 215m, new Remington brass, 3.582 oal, 1/4 crimp, 2 three shot groups, 1st on clean barrel, 3325-3333-3300–average 3319 fps, 2nd 3309-3275-3311– average 3298 fps, 7/16" center to center. Not a 338-378 but close……….Brown Bear medicine…soon!

 

[JiggyIi]

I've got all the Weatherby calibers from 240 - 460, all left hand deluxe wood, except for my 30-378 which is a plastic AccuMark.
338-378 is bottom gun in this pic. Top is a 6.5-300.

Tony

Awesome ️I don't know how I got so lucky to find my LH 416 ! My 378 is a Lazermark
Next is either a 257 or 270 lol a 240 is on the wish list also

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

Can anyone tell me a good Gun Smith. Wait no take that back. A GREAT GUNSMITH who chambers for weatherby and does great work? I'm looking at building a 338-378 instead of buying a weatherby and putting a new stock and Muzzle Brake on her. Trying to decide which path to go.

Thx

 

[Lenny Foffa]

WOW !!! Gentlemen , Really impressive big Game Calibers!! Easy to see why it would flatten an Elk. I take my hat off to you children of Elmer, who can actually handle and enjoy that big stuff. It is WAY out of my league!!! The energy numbers must be out of this world!!!