30-378 or 308 warbird
 

I was looking to buy a new rifle chambered in a rare but very powerful cartridge.I was going to buy a 30-378 weatherby but it cost around 60 dollars a box,then i was gonna get a 308 warbird but thats 100 dollars a box.Please somebody give me some ideas.I want a gun that not many people have.And im only 16 so i am limited on money.I might just have to end up getting a 300 ultra mag.
THANKS

RE: 30-378 or 308 warbird
 

Hi footballboy5571,

If you're willing to reload (can get started for about $100.) you can cut ammo costs considerably. You will still get "pinched" when you buy the first ammo or brass...but beyond that it wouldn't be much more expensive than the standard magnums. (A little more in powder and probably the cost of premium bullets to insure they hold up...but no where near the cost of factory.)

As for the rifle on a budget...I think Savage chambers for the Lazzeroni cartridge. But no matter how you trim costs...it will always be more than a more common caliber. The price of exclusivity!

Good luck!

RE: 30-378 or 308 warbird
 

Savage has there model 16LZ in the 7.82 Patriot, which is their short magnum. It is right on the heels of the 300 Weatherby, and more powerful than the .300 WM or any of the other short magnums on the market. That rifle is selling for $399 right now, but then there is the scope and ammo to consider also. It is a powerful enough cartridge for anything in North America.

RE: 30-378 or 308 warbird
 

Either cartridge will put you in "fast company" but they are both pricey to shoot. I chose the Lazzeroni because I practically stole it back in 99 (NIB dealer cost $450, that has nearly doubled since!). My step-brother is a Lazzeroni dealer and even he quit shooting a Warbird because he just could'nt mentally get over the fact that it cost him $5 to pull the trigger. As for the big WBY, its a fine rig as well but being a WBY (double radiused shoulder and belted case) it typically is'nt as accurate as the Sako/Warbird-Firebird rig (unless you are willing to spend twice the money on a custom Mark V and then shoot custom ammo!). The 'bird typically outshoots the big Wby by 100fps or more with most bullets, even a larger margin when talking about 180+ grain bullets.

On the negative side (Lazz wise), the Wby ammo is MUCH easier to get than Lazzeroni ammo as any firearms dealer can order Wby ammo from a multitude of wholesalers. Lazzeroni ammo is only available from Lazzeroni Arms Inc in Tucson, AZ and JoeBlow gun dealer likely will have to go thru the credit check, sign up avenue or prepay with credit card before anything is shipped to him.

One thing about it, both are THE king and crowned price in the 30caliber world and leave the rest of the "magnums" quaking in their brass! ;)
RA

ps
The Savage/Lazzeroni is'nt available in the Warbird, but in Lazz's shortaction mag the Patriot. A good buddy of mine bought one lastyear and it is a FINE rifle and is the ballistic equivalent of a 300Wby Mag but in a lighter and quicker handling shortaction gun... did I mention it kicks like an abused mule???

RE: 30-378 or 308 warbird
 

Just figured a price for personally loaded 7.82 Warbird would be about $3.15 a round the first go around, and then slightly less there after until you have to buy new brass. Thats with Barnes X bullets and figuring about a quarter a shot for powder!

RE: 30-378 or 308 warbird
 

What are you going to kill with these Anti Aircraft guns?

RE: 30-378 or 308 warbird
 

Hey James....why antiaircrafts of course!

RE: 30-378 or 308 warbird
 

Of course. Why didn't that occure to me. :D Thought maybe he lived next to Jurassic park.:)

RE: 30-378 or 308 warbird
 

Does Area 51 count?:) We could sit on a distant ridge and snipe some of those aliens that don't exist!:D;)

RE: 30-378 or 308 warbird
 

This boy must play offensive line.