Not saying that the groups you fired aren't good,just that you haven't duplicated the 3/4" group at 200 yards that you claimed.Lets see what your groups look like after the 2000 rounds that weatherby claims the barrel will hold it's accuracy for.I did briefly own a mark V in 30-378,but after being offered a substancial profit for the gun before I even fired it,I sold it and used the money to build my first 300 ultra mag.I felt that the extra cost and even shorter barrel life was not worth the small gain in velocity over the 300ultramag.Below are some 100 yardgroups fired with that 300 ultramag.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d128/stubblejumper11/300ultramaggroups.jpg

Last time I checked this was AMERICA and a man can buy any danged big game rifle he so chooses. I have a safe full of em including 270, 280, 2 7mags, 2 30/06s, a 300Wby (Mk V Deluxe) and a Lazzeroni 308Warbird (TRG-S Sako). When big game hunting in open areas my Lazz WILL get the nod 9x out of 10. I have been using it every season since 2000 and have put over 10 boxes through it. YES it makes ALOT of heat quickly on the range. For that reason I don't shoot but once every 15 minutes. It has a KDF brake on it and I use plugs AND muffs while on the range. While in the woods I have a Game Ear II in each ear. It still shoots 1/2" groups @ 100yds and 3.5" groups @ 400yds (150grn Lazerheads in the mid 3700fps range) just like it has since I went too the Lazerheads 3 seasons ago.

I LOVE the gun. It's nice not having to worry about trajectory and drop out too 450yds. Just "point and click" and the animals typically die RIGHT THEN AND THERE. I have shot probably over 50 whitetails and 1 muley and 1 antelope with it. It performed exceptionally well in WY just as it does in west TN.

I don't consider the "$5 trigger pulls" a downside. That's an accepted fact and it's not like I am shooting it all the time anyway. It is a "treestand rifle"yet stillcarries decently. It isn't heavy but with the brake and a 6x24x50PVS Swarovski on it, it aint a "mountain rifle" which I quickly learned in WY. But it didn't matter, most spotting was done in or near a truck on that hunt so carrying was never very much of the equation. I don't "wade brush" with it certainly, I have a 35 Marlin of my grandfathers that was made for such duty.

The same laws that says you can own a 500+hp Z06 Corvette if you want to, also say you can own a BADAZZ gun like the big 30-378Wby and for no other reason than THE greatest of American reasons... BECAUSE YOU WANT TO. It is fun to shoot, is something different and obviously gets alot of talk at the deercamp. I say "why not"? I find it interesting that the vast majority of those who badmouth supermags actually have never owned one!!!

Good luck and it's YOUR money afterall and if you are willing to accept the few downsides, you'll quickly see the "upsides" are well worth it when talking about super mags! 500yd shots are not the least bit hard with ANY 30 cal doin over 3500fps...

RA

And thatis theattitude that results in so many people buying the super mags and then taking shots that they don't have the shooting skills to make.

RA, you are exactly right.

I, and I don't think the others posting about this, were ever trying to tell him not to purchase one and it wasn't intended to bad mouth the 30-378. Rather giving him information about it. He is certainly welcome to own any dang cartridge/ rifle that he wants to. He wanted to know the pros and cons to owning such a beast of a cartridge. Sure I listed mostly cons but that's because unless you can actually use the cartridge for which it was intended then there are very few pros to actually owning one. Honestly the only pro is the extended range it provides an experiecned shooter. Outside of this one plus the list is pretty much against it for the average shooter/ hunter.

The $5 trigger pulls are a downside if you can't afford to shoot it. If you can't afford to shoot it then you will never be able to use it for what it is intended to be used for. If a person can afford to drop five bucks per trigger pull then fantastic. They would be one of the few that own such a cartridge that is able to routienly practice with it and realize its full potential.

I know that you have a super duper magnum or two and I think you would agree with what I just said.



I recently purchased my first super magnum a couple of months ago, a 338 ultra. I went out Sunday and shot it for the fourth time since purchasing it. Mine will not have a brake but I did install a Simms recoil pad on it today. I too like the bang, kick, and knowing that I can kill anything on this continent that I want to from a very long ways off after a good bit of range time with it. But I certainly would not reccomend one to everyone that asked about it. I would tell them pretty much what I said here about the 30-378.


I would have to disagree that a 500 yard shot is easy. It can be very dificult to make on an animal regardless of how fast the bullet is moving. Out West and on the plains a bullet can move a foot or three with the winds that blow up out there. There is a lot that goes into a shot at that distance. And no I am not good enough to take one at 500+ yards. I know my current limitations but will extend them to ever greater distances over time with practice.

Stubble,

Nice groups. How does it perform at 200 or longer? I stopped shooting at 100yds cuz all my groups were approx .5". If I get a beast within 100 yards I know I will have the choice to shoot it in the aorta or ventricle. I want to know what this cartridge and shooter aredoing at 200-500 yds.Thats the reason I bought it.I am putting my time in at thereloading bench and range to make killing shots at 500 yds. I am not readyyetbut will be by this fall.My 270 WSM is all the gun I need for under 300 yds. Thats about all I will push it. She groups real nice at 100. First shot was a fouler out of a five shot group.I am not an expert shooter but I think Ido alright.Both are hunting rifles not match rifles. I don't plan on shooting 2000 rounds anytime soon but I will surely keep you all posted.

You are right on BB> Everyone has the right to own anything they want. Also, when someone asks for opinions, everyone has the right to give it. I don't think anything that was said about this caliber was offbase. They have their good points and bad points. I jumped from the 300 Weatherby to the 338 which I didn't find very much more useful than the 300's. I then jumped to the 416 Rem mag. If you need a big gun for big game, this would be my first choice every darn time.. However, you better like recoil.

The original poster gave the impression that this would be his only rifle.

I don't have any longer rangetargets scanned,but my 400yard groups averagedright around 3".

AMEN RR, so in a few years I have to pay a few hundred to have my Sako rebarreled. I don't do drugs, I don't run around with women, I don't play much golf (only in "non-sweating" temps and if hunting/fishing isn't on the "to do list" that day) and my wife won't ride my Harley very much. A man HAS to have his vices. For me it's guns and boats.

You know my motto:

If I don't spend it my wife and kids WILL!!!
RA

Go ahead and get your 30-378......I sure don't mind. I hope it's ok with you if I hold onto my old 30-06.