Rechamber a 338-378 Weatherby?

[Sid Post]

I have a Weatherby 338-378 rifle that has a shot out barrel.

What can I rechamber the rifle to and get away from belted brass?

Is a 338 Edge or something similar an option? I would like to stay with something reasonably mainstream and not terribly exotic. Initially, I'm thinking a 28 inch barrel is the right length for me but, I could go longer.

Thanks!

 

[Hired Gun]

That is one heck of a lot of shooting to burn out a 338-378 barrel. How many rounds did it take?

I believe you will need a smaller bolt face to rebarrel down to an Edge. If your looking for performance rebarrel back to the 338-378 only with the longer barrel. The Edge is a modest step down in power.

 

[jwp475]

You could rebarrel to 338 Laupa or 338/416 Rigby as these 2 would fit your cuurent bolt face....The Laupa has the beeter brass and will get extremely close in performance to the 338-378 because of brass capable of withstanding close to 70,000 PSI...........

 

[Sid Post]

You could rebarrel to 338 Laupa or 338/416 Rigby as these 2 would fit your cuurent bolt face....The Laupa has the beeter brass and will get extremely close in performance to the 338-378 because of brass capable of withstanding close to 70,000 PSI...........

Thank you! I think I will rebarrel to 338LM since that eliminates the bolt issue and I have the option of factory ammo.

The Weatherby rifle in question has had a checkered past. I'm the third owner I know of. The barel is a little too thin and whippy and it has been shot to the point where it is really a 3MOA rifle so, it's not really any good for even 100 yard shots now. The total round count I think is in the ~800 to ~1200 range but, it is really unknown due to multiple previous owners who used it as a range gun.

 

[jwp475]

Check out this thread;

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23400

Shawn just completed a 338 Laupa for me with a 30" ABS Carbon wrapped barrel...

 

[Hired Gun]

That shouldn't be any where near burnt out. I'm betting with a good scope if you cleaned it proper and made sure the action screws were at 65 inch pounds it would still shoot sub MOA.

It is really is clean and tight and no one can hold it under 1 1/2" then I would let Weatherby fix it. That won't cost you nothing but mayby one way shipping.

 

[Sid Post]

The barrel that is on it right now isn't a factory barrel so, I won't bother Weatherby about it. They guy I bought it from sold it to me at a fair price because of the known barrel issue. I might borescope it before I rebarrel it though.

I don't think another good cleaning is going to fix problem though. The barrel is long and thin so, I suspect it's either heat or whip that is causing things to go to hell. But, I do have about 80 rounds left to burn up so, I might give it a real good scrubbin' and try one more time.

 

[hogwild]

Right now I'm having Fiftydriver build me a 338AX out of my 338-378 Weatherby using the Weatherby action/bolt. From what has be explained to me from Fiftydriver you can shoot factory 338 Lapua rounds or fireform to the 338AX. Once fire formed you have a 338 Lapua on steriods. Contact Fiftydriver about his 338AX I think it might just be what your looking for. I can't wait for mine to get finished.

 

[Hired Gun]

I hope it has a good brake on it. I don't know that I could shoot a 338-378 into less than 3 MOA without one, even if Kirby built it.

 

[hogwild]

I hope it has a good brake on it. I don't know that I could shoot a 338-378 into less than 3 MOA without one, even if Kirby built it.

If you are refering to my 338AX that is being built, yes it will have one of Kirbys removable brakes. The brakes are nice for the bench and working up loads but for me it comes off for hunting.