I need help...please discourage me from getting a 338-378...

[killzone]

Buy it since you can... 338 win should have prepared you to a point ( upper level recoil ) and you should notice respectable improvement on your groups at extended ranges.

 

[Offfhand]

I once had a .338/378, made by Champlin. I had it made for lion, but never hunted with it because of extractor problem. (Which you don't want when hunting African lion.) It was a lovely rifle and I don't remember recoil being that horrendous, especially compared to some of my other African rifles.
Champlin never resolved the extractor problem to my satisfaction so I traded it back for something else, but I still think the .338/378 would be a great lion stopper. If that's what you want it for.

 

[sage5907]

I know this guy that hunted whitetail deer with a 338/378. He was a long range affectionado and I used to give him a rough time about the number of cartridges he could load out of a pound of powder. With a 160 grain bullet he was getting 58 cartridges while I could load 122 with my 30-06.

Offhand, Champlin used to have a gunsmith with a firstname Bill that could fix any extractor. I can't believe they couldn't solve your problem. I had a primer burst on a pre 64 Model 70 and Bill took the extractor off, heated it up with a torch, bent it back into shape, hit the edge lightly with a file and I was back in operation. After watching that bit of brillience I learned how to fix my own extractor problems. BW

 

[Old Dog Man]

338/378 rifle

I built a 338/378 for a customer a few years back, he liked big recoiling rifles. Built it in a ruger #1 action. I shot it a couple of times from a bench my shoulder and right side of head have never forgiven me. His son-in law now ones the rifle, I don't think he likes his son-in-law very much. Al

 

[chute2thrill]

Don't buy it.. does that help?

 

[Kachok]

Next time I want to get kicked like that I'll just poke a rodeo bull with a sharp stick, just as painful and a heck of alot cheaper then a uber expensive rifle, and $120 a box ammo. When I want to fill the freezer I reach for my little 6.5x55, it kills tham just as dead just as qiuck as any 50BMG ever could, and ANY heathy adult (and most children) can handle that wimpy recoil.

 

[Float Pilot]

Had one for 6 months. Got it is part trade for a Jeep.
Just long enough to work up a bunch of hand-loads and knock half my tooth fillings loose.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

why do so many people on this forum want "to get talked out of something" kinda like standing next to a fire and asking your buddy to talk you out of sticking your hand in it

 

[Strongbad]

I suggest you locate a .338-.378, buy a 20-round box of ammo, and fire all twenty rounds off the bench at one sitting.

If that doesn't cure you, nothing will.

It's not that bad. Factory Accumarks with the Accubrake are pretty mild, especially considering the round. Mine hasn't had a brake on it in years but I remember it being along the lines of a 300 Win Mag, maybe less. Very manageable. I got sick of the blast and had mine rebarreled without a brake. The recoil is substantially worse, but the noise redirection and blast are a lot better... mostly. lol Seems to me that a fellow member here referred to me as a masochist. <shrug>

Being a 338/378 owner, if you don't handload, unless you just have piles of money to burn (and it sounds like you might if you're willing to buy one and scope it and then buy ammo for it) I'd pass. If you're going to buy a toy, buy one that you'll use. Also if you want a long range toy, and you do have that kind of money I'd probably look at a TRG-42 in 338 Lapua instead. It'll be a better long range rig (because it's built for it), and it'll be even more visually impressive so your friends will still be envious. Oh and factory ammo is also stupid expensive so your wallet will still take a big hit, if that makes you feel better.

My $.02

 

[xxxleafybugxxx]

Saturn, based on fl lbs energy, the lapua is superior.
I agree, just go with a .50bmg. that will get peoples attention.

 

[saturno_v]

Saturn, based on fl lbs energy, the lapua is superior.

Not according to Hodgdon reloading data and Vihtavuori reloading data...the case capacity advantage of the 338-378 over the Lapua is significant.

Obviously if you compare a 338 Lapua rifle with a 30+" barrel with a standard Accumark with a 26" pipe it may be the case, but with the same barrel length the 338-378 has the edge....reloaders may still prefer the Lapua also because they do not have to deal with the belt....

 

[X-Rap]

I doubt I will ever get rid of mine, it is not to heavy nor is it that objectionable to shoot. I have 100 rds of brass and shoot 200 gr Ballistic tips for hunting. A guy gave me a couple hundred 300 gr Matchkings that I need to try out.
Reading all these posts makes one think that the gun is some kind of Boogy man or something. Get it, I doubt you will be disappointed. The difference between it and the Lapua to me is that the Weatherby is still a hunting sized rifle and I can pack mine all day long, I pity those Snipers in Afghanistan who have to pack those big heavy Lapuas up those hills, both rounds are more accurate than the 50's from what I am told.

 

[Kachok]

For what it is worth, if I were ever to loose my mind and get a 338 larger then the win mag, I would get the Lapua. Standard loads with 250gr are 3,000 and 3,060fps respectivly, for the only 60fps difference I would side with the smaller Lapua burning alot less powder and having the international appeal of being an accepted military cartrage.

 

[lefteyedom]

Impulse control is the heart of the problem, not the pros or cons of the 338/378.

I have lusted for a Ruger #1B in 300 Weatherby for over 25 years now. I held one at the Rod and Gun Club at Bitburg AB in Germany an the want has never left me. Never mind I have a 300 Win Mag/338Win mag switch barrel Savage 116 at is more accurate than I am. Maybe this is the year...

Beware, like dating the homecoming queen, it is often better to be seen with her, than to be with her.

 

[benderx4]

So why not go with the 50 BMG. Nothing screams "look at me" better at a local range.

Exactly. Using your logic, I think this is your smartest alternative. For me, when I got the big caliber itch, I found a sweet 1895 in 45-70 - much less expensive for the rifle itself and the ammo than what you're contemplating. Good luck and happy shooting!

 

[cougar1717]

Please talk me away from it......

Well, if you're not conviced by the recoil or the ammo cost, the how about this:

Exhibit self control and don't give in to your feelings just because you feel like buying something else. Save the cash burning a hole in your pocket - or use it for something charitable - something that will have a positive impact on someone else's life. After all, if we're honest with ourselves, buying this gun or any other gun, while fun, won't ultimately satisfy. Placing our hope and happiness in physical objects is always a let down when they do not ultimately give happiness. Objects, while helpful, do not have the ability to give the peace of contentment. At some point, the new-ness wears off and what we already have is not appreciated, but taken for granted. A new rifle won't make us into the person we wish we were. We are who we are whether we have that object or not. -------- How about that? Any better?