300 Wby Vs 30-378 Wby...differences justified by the cost??

[Strongbad]

Man do I feel like the minority. I had a 30-378 and loved it. Only thing I didn't like was the muzzle brake. Just too much blast for me. As a result, I fixed it. I had it rebarreled to 338-378 and left the brake off.

I didn't get it for bragging rights. I got it because I wanted it. I don't need any more reason than that. Does it kick like hell? You bet. For me, mastering the recoil was part of the challenge. As for being the noisiest cannon at the range, unfortunately, yes it is. That's what they made earplugs for. Beyond that, I know what I'm putting the other shooters through, have respect for those folks, and try to be conscious of that at all times.

Yes, the ammo is expensive, but if you know that going into the deal, then it's something you're prepared for. If you can't afford to feed it, then go with something else. FWIW, handloading for them isn't all that bad, but "bad" is relative.

I don't know, I guess I'm just surprised by all of the negativity. Everything de-evolves into a "is it necessary" discussion these days. Who gives a crap. If we were only kept the cartridges that were necessary, we'd all be shooting 45-70's, 30-30's, 375 H&H's etc. If the gentlemen is interested in the two cartridges then good for him. To each his own. As to the original quesiton, saturno v, you've pretty much got it figured out. The 300 Wby is good, the 30/378 is just a hair better (speaking in performance terms). Then you've got the aforementioned tradeoffs. Anyway, sorry for the rant gentlemen.

 

[pmeisel]

If we were only kept the cartridges that were necessary, we'd all be shooting 45-70's, 30-30's, 375 H&H's etc.

Right. And we should save money on manufacturing automobiles by restricting models, only Dodge pickups and Studebaker larks allowed.

 

[win71]

Probably not

300 Wby Vs 30-378 Wby...differences justified by the cost??

Out of those choices I'd stay with the 300 Wby.
Unless you start reloading I doubt most people would want to spend enough money to burn either barrel out. Off the bench the 300 is less than comfortable to shoot much and if the 30-378 is anything remotely close to the 300 RUM I shoot it will be a whole lot worse than uncomfortable.

 

[jester_s1]

I guess I'm just different than the recoil lovers. I see guns as filling a need. I look at the distance I need to shoot and find the tool that can do it the most efficiently. For any game smaller than elk, the .270 is effective at a greater distance than the vast majority of hunters are competent at.

 

[rundm]

I have one of the accumarks in the 30-378. It is expensive to feed but I do not shoot it that much. I reload my cases that I got for it some time back. Takes alot of powder to get it down range and muzzle blast with the brake on is unreal. Unfortunatly, shooting without the brake is something you do not want to do. Friend of mine did it once and would not shoot it again. It was kind of funny though because he was talking about there was nothing harder kicking then the guns he was used to. He lit it off and it about came out of his hands at the bench rest. I do not shoot more then 5 rounds at a time because the concussion from the blast will give you a headache pretty quick. Anyways, if it is what you want, don't let anybody talk you out of it. It is one of the most beautiful rifles out there besides maybe the lazor mark. RG

 

[saturno_v]

I see only the Lazzeroni cartridges reaching higher speed and energy in .30 cal
And actually their published ammo price is cheaper than the 30-378, but their rifles are quite more pricey than Weatherby...

 

[Strongbad]

[QUOI see only the Lazzeroni cartridges reaching higher speed and energy in .30 cal
And actually their published ammo price is cheaper than the 30-378, but their rifles are quite more pricey than Weatherby...TE][/QUOTE]

And the numbers are total crap because they're done out of a longer barrel than the Wby, and at a higher altitude. In short, you can make anything look good on paper, but in real life they don't stand up.

 

[ShadyScott999]

I shot pretty much every Wby from 270 -460 a few years back. I was about 35. I am 6'3 230 not recoil sensative at all...until. The first gun I ever shot in my life that made me say Holy %^$# over a bench was Wby 30-378. The 460 is just not reasonable for sholuder fire.

To give you an idea, I coinsidered a couple hundred 300 win mag and maybe 75-100 338's a fun day at the range.

But what the heck, get both. I would if I could.