the 408CT vs the 338-378 watherby

[dgr416]

Is the 408 CT worth fooling with ,and will it ever be in a cheaper rifle than now.I think cheapest is about $6100 now.How much is brass and the bullets.I am happy with my 338-378 accumark .If it ever wears out the barrel I will replace it with a 30"with a weatherby break on the end.I like this Weatherby I have a Nikon 6.5x20 power scope on it.It weighs 9.5 pounds loaded about as much as I want to carry around.I guess a 408 could be mounted to a 4 wheeler some way to carry it.

[DANTEC]

408 need real big action / strong to be SAFE with hight number of round

338/378 WEA with target throat is nice ans easy to realod with no costly dies there is a nice article on 338/378 on Lilja website

avoid REM bolt face opening on 338/378 project fatigue of receiver steel can KILL YOU

good shooting

DAN TEC

[Randy in Va]

I am guessing that the $6100 you mention is for a military version. You could do much better than that to build a good .408 sporter. See the web pages for Prarie Gun Works in Canada for lots of workable options. Included is a Titanium action, A5 stock, etc.

[mindcrime]

Originally Posted by Randy in Va

I am guessing that the $6100 you mention is for a military version. You could do much better than that to build a good .408 sporter. See the web pages for Prarie Gun Works in Canada for lots of workable options. Included is a Titanium action, A5 stock, etc.

Don't forget about Viersco and their Black Diamond rifles!!! Cheaper, and far sexier!!! >>> VIERSCO.COM <<<

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Accurate info from Dantec. Use the mk-5 action, or a custom. The 378 case is a big powerfull sob. There is really no comparison. I have never worked with the 408 case and can only speak for the 338-378 which I have been doing since the 1970's and currently own 7 of them. I have done quite a bit of research on the 338-408 wildcats and they just can't be built on a hunting weight rifle that I can carry all day. From the velocities reported on here many times there is about 200 fps difference between the 338-408 imp and the 338-378 wby with a 300 matchking. In other words about the difference between a 338-378 and a 338-300 ultramag with the same bullet. The accuracy loads in my 7 run between 3000 fps and 3100 fps depending on the gun with the 300 matchking. Some closer to 3000 and some right at 3100. The accuracy loads in the 338-300 ultramag are going to run between 2750 and 2850 fps for comparison. From what I have seen stated on here many times the 338-408 wildcats average right around 3250 with the 300 matchking. I doubt an elk would ever notice the difference between the 200 fps but you sure would trying to haul the CT around. I am basing that on the fact that I have killed numerous elk/caribou size game with my 338-378, 338 Lapuas and my 338-300 ultramags. All of them died pretty good so I can't imagine them dying any better with the CT. The flatter trajectory would be nice but everyone seems to like the 338-300 ultra at 200 fps slower than the 338-378 so it must be a wash.

[jmason]

Originally Posted by Long Time Long Ranger

everyone seems to like the 338-300 ultra at 200 fps slower than the 338-378 so it must be a wash.

I think this may have more to do with the cost of loading. 300 RUM brass is cheaper and the 338-300 uses less powder than the 338-378.

[Long Time Long Ranger]

jmason, My point exactly, that is why I said there is no comparison. To the average hunting guy is it worth going from a 10 pound rifle to a 16 pound rifle and costing a fortune to load it with brass that is not easily available for 200 fps. I will stick with my 338-378 or like you say 338-300 ultramag.