338-378 weatherby?

[Lonewolf74]

I got a buddy that just bought a new weatherby rifle in 338-378 that I may do some reloading for.
My first question is what is a good powder to first look at? Being stable is paramount because it will be a set and forget setup, 2 shots a yr for zero check is about all it will get shot besides at game.

The next question is i read that the weatherby rifles are set up to have a bit of freebore and you can't seat too close to the lands without excessive pressure. So how far off lands should a guy start with load development?

 

[Dosh]

74, loaded the Berger 250gr Hybrid which was very easy to find accuracy for my inlaw's 338/378. The most accurate powder was H1000 using 215M primers. We seated to mag length and that seems to be where it liked it. This rifle shot the 225gr Partition well also since he is drawn for elk in some heavily treed units with his friend where close shots are common. No two rifles will like the exact same load, yours might shoot a different bullet better. Good luck

 

[el matador]

Yeah, don't worry about where the lands are. Just load to magazine length and go for it. Should be around 3.800". Mine shoots the 250 grain Accubond really well with 107.0 grains H1000. Still playing with the 285 Hornady and 300 Berger with RL33. Great velocity with this powder but a little higher pressure than I'd like. I found good accuracy at 118.0 grains with both bullets, and velocity around 3000 fps, but I'm getting ejector marks. Which bullet are you wanting to shoot?

 

[Lonewolf74]

The 250 Berger is what I would recommend to him but the factory ammo that he shoots uses 250 partitions and they shoot well so ultimately I don't know what he'll decide.

I just can't hardly believe that it's $150 for a box of weatherby brand ammo in this cartridge!