I am looking to purchase a nice big game hunting rifle. I will be hunting anywhere from whitetails to elk and maybe a moose. I was looking at the Weatherby 30-378. The ballistics were amazing on this gun. I was also looking at a Leupold Var X III. What do you think about the rifle first? Scope?

well it is a great gun and my favorite scope but you may find yourself overguned. there's alot of recoil that comes with those ballistics. but it would make a great setup if you can handle the punishment it deals out.

i would look into the 300 win mag or a 338 win mag

I would stay with a standard magnum or a newer short magnum.

Game animals could care less about the charts of data shooters concern themselves with. A gun of adequate caliber, proper bullet construction, and shot placement is what kills the heck out of game.

I have limited experience, but from all my reading, hearing accounts of others, etc. it seems to me that the 378 would be overkill. As for the optics, check www.opticstalk.com for good information.

The 30-378 is a nasty round to shoot. Around double the recoil of a 30-06. Also the shells cost about 4 times what a standard chambering would cost. If you handload then its not so much a problem. I would look at a 7mm or 300 mag. They will kill anything you hunt easily. Also you can find ammunition everywhere with the standard mags, not so with a weatherby round.

Have you checked the prices for a box of 30-378's? My bet is when you see it, you will probably change your mind. If you are hung up on getting a .308 cal. gun, check the ballistics of the 300 ultra mag. Factory ammo for that is about $28. If thats too salty, check out a 300 wim mag.

Other than the Vanguard, You coukld not even pay me to own a weatherby rifle. I had one and would never own another. It was a Piece of crap. If you like the big boomers I would lookmat a 300 Win Mag or 300 WSM. Either will knock the socks off anything in North America.

I agree with the others. If you need a magnum look the the 300 Winchester magnum or the 300 WSM. Very nice rifles are chambered for these rounds. They are plenty flat shooting and much more manageable than the 30-378. Also, you can handle these round without the need for a muzzlebrake.

308win great big game caliber capable of takin down the biggest of game in North America

Your right 308. But it seems it must wear the magnum name or have 5000 lbs ME to do the job on today's much tougher big game.