.30-378 Weatherby Shooter

[longrangeschool]

I am new to the LRH site and I've seen a lot of talk about 300 ultras, but I can't find anybody else shooting a .30-378 Mark V. I've had this rifle for about 6 months and finally settled on a load for it after a lot of trial and error, from trying 5 different powders and bullet combos. There really isn't a lot of load data out there for a true long range load in this caliber.
My load is using Reloader-25 to push a Sierra MK 240 gr. at 3050 fps. This is very close to the pressure limit and I went as high as 3160 while "pressure testing" the recipe. The rifle is a Weatherby Mark V standard with the 28 inch barrel, plus the brake. I do not use the brake, and although it was very effective in reducing recoil, the inherrent loss of accuracy and the muzzle blast are not required (in my opinion) for what is still considered a "standard size" rifle. I know if I wanted to use the brake while out hunting with my buddies, I would soon find myself with much fewer friends. The scope is a Leupold VX-II 6-18x40mm with the long range varmint reticle. This load has proven to be slightly over a 0.6 MOA out past 1600 yards. I am compensating with 38 MOA adjustment to get out there.
I could find very little data for using RL-25 in this caliber. I think this powder shows a lot of improved performance in this "oversized" magnum cartridge.

Anyone else have any opinions on this caliber or shoot it regularly? I look forward to your replies!

Travis Kamps
(406) 580-9700
[email protected]

 

[ridge rider]

I could find very little data for using RL-25 in this caliber. I think this powder shows a lot of improved performance in this "oversized" magnum cartridge.

Anyone else have any opinions on this caliber or shoot it regularly? I look forward to your replies!

Travis Kamps
(406) 580-9700
[email protected]

Hi Travis,

I have a standard Wby Accumark in 30/378 Devcon bedded with Timney trigger set at at 2 lbs which shoots 1/4" MOA 3 shot groups.
My load is 102 grains of RE25 pushing a 210 VLD Berger at 3250 fps.
COAL is 3.910".
Hope this helps

 

[Broz]

.6 moa at 1600 yards is outstanding. Congrats! The problem associated with long range and RL or IMR powders is the velocity swing you get when temps change. That is why my 30-378's have always been loaded with Hodgdens propellents. Speciafically H-1000. If I understand your post correctly you are using a stock Mark V barrel. If so it is 26 " plus the brake, 28 with brake installed. Your velocity is right on the sweet spot I found for my Accumark with a stock barrel with 210 Bergers. I have shot this rifle to 1200 yards with about 1 moa on average and felt that was good for a factory rifle. I also found that when you add some barrel length to this rifle you get good velocity gains. This same load in a custom barreled 30-378 that is 30" long was close to 3150 fps and no pressure signs were visable. The long barreled rifle was not braked but the standard accumark was. I seen little or no accuracy loss when shooting the accumark with or with out the brake, in back to back tests. But I did notice a slight point of impact change. I shoot all my long range rigs with brakes. With ear plugs the noise is acceptable at the range and in the field in the open where only one shot is usually fired am ok with it. The brakes have proven to me to have the oposite affect that they did for you. Less recoil and being able to spot your own hits is something I like from the brakes and a rifle that jumps less is more accurate for me.

I host long range shoots in Townsend on the second Saturday of each month. Several members from here attend and we bang steel to 1000 yards. Please feel free to join us. It is great to meet the people on here that share similar shooting disciplines. Love to meet you, hope you can make it.

again Great shooting!

Jeff gun)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[pidge]

Gday from australia

Travis how much re25 did you use for the 240gr smk? was the twist 1 in 10 or 9? and was it a 26 or 28 inch without the brake?

Jeff how much h1000 did you use in your load and what velocity did you get with the 26 inch barrel

I looking forward to testing some loads with 220 & 240 gr smk! Im all ears to anyone that has already walked this track. I will tell you about some of the result i have had

all loads nosler blt and ADI or now Thales AR 2225 same as Retumbo

projectile gr powder gr velocity ftps

125 123 3850
125 125 3893

150 118 3648
150 120 3736

165 115 3584
165 117 3648

180 112 3427
180 114 3493

none of these loads had significant presure signs. Too bad youre on the other side hope to hear from you soon Cheers

 

[Broz]

Gday from australia

Travis how much re25 did you use for the 240gr smk? was the twist 1 in 10 or 9? and was it a 26 or 28 inch without the brake?

Jeff how much h1000 did you use in your load and what velocity did you get with the 26 inch barrel

The stock accumark is a 26" without a brake. My load was 98 gr of H-1000 and velocity from a 26" was 3050 with 210 Bergers. There was room left for higher velocity but accuracy diminished with velocity and pressure with this load. This load really gained velocity in a longer barrel too.

Jeff

 

[J E Custom]

One of the first custom rifles I built for my self was a 30/378 Weatherby (I still have it)
Specs=
Weatherby Mark 5 action, blue printed.
Shilen 27.3" #7 taper, 1 in 10 twist, select match stainless, 11o crown.
Accurate innovation laminated stock.
Leupold LPS 3.5x14x52.
Most accurate load = 180 XBT with 120grs H 50 BMG @ 3360 ft/sec and a SD of 6 for
5 shots. group size was .091 (Less than 1/10th of an inch).

Hottest load had 126grs and showed very little signs of pressure but accuracy fell of to
.193.

I have not tried it with any other powder because I was satisfied with the 50 BMG.

With the new powders it could improve but I'm not sure I could.

It realy likes the 200 gr partitions and I have pushed them to 3300 ft/sec with no pressure
signs.

NOTE: This chamber has the SAMMI free bore and can Handel heaver loads without pressure.
Do Not use this load data if you are seating bullets close to or on the lands.

It is a great long range round and will out shoot most shooters with good bullets and loads.

I dont use a break on this rifle ether.

J E CUSTOM

 

[eddybo]

How many grains of water will the 30/378 hold? Just wondering because I cannot find it in QL. The 300 lapua improved I am using is holding 120grs at overflow. I am just trying to get an idea as to how close to interchangeable the load data may be. I have a couple decent loads with some diferent powders that may could be used in the 30/378 as a starting point.

 

[B23]

QL shows the 30-378 as holding 133 water grains.

 

[B23]

With the horsepower the big 30cal cases such as the 30-378 and 300 Lapua Improved produce I would think the new Berger 230gr would be a natural. That is if the Berger 230gr can hold up to the launch speeds these 2 can produce especially in the 28-30in tubes.

 

[TX mountain hunter]

With the horsepower the big 30cal cases such as the 30-378 and 300 Lapua Improved produce I would think the new Berger 230gr would be a natural. That is if the Berger 230gr can hold up to the launch speeds these 2 can produce especially in the 28-30in tubes.

If only they had the 230 grain 30 cal hunting bullet out already... Has anyone tried the match or the tacticals on game?

 

[Broz]

If only they had the 230 grain 30 cal hunting bullet out already... Has anyone tried the match or the tacticals on game?

Yes, we have taken antelope out to 738 yards and a few closer. Good penetration, huge wound channel and always an exit so far. We will be taking a couple elk with them this week and I will report.

This was with the 230 Berger OTM's from a 300 win mag.

Jeff

 

[Orion2010]

30-378 weatherby is the best velocity of the 30 cals .
Its all case capacity period to get velocity then bbl legth.
Load the slowest powder in a drop tube to get max pressure .
Simple burn rate chart and lean to VV 500 powders if you can , IMR is temp sensitive , etc .
4350 fps from a 150gr bullet .
4100 fps 165 gr bullet
3950 fls for a 185 gr bullet
It can be done , drop tube , Fed 215M
Case neck inside and out , length. I had some nickel dipped to help life at a metal guy in town .

 

[Orion2010]

30-378 weatherby is the best velocity of the 30 cals .
Its all case capacity period to get velocity then bbl legth.
Load the slowest powder in a drop tube to get max pressure .
Simple burn rate chart and lean to vv 500 powders if you can , imr is temp sensitive , etc .
4350 fps from a 150gr bullet .
4100 fps 165 gr bullet
3950 fls for a 185 gr bullet
it can be done , drop tube , fed 215m
case neck inside and out , length. I had some nickel dipped to help life at a metal guy in town .

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Your loads are HOT I hope you don't like it lasting long with primers cratering and ejector marks as prominent as they are.