.378 and .460 Weatherby - Beauty and Beast

jamest · Jan 11, 2021

Twin Mark V Deluxes in .378 and .460, both with Leicas. I was worried for a hot minute that the .460 might be more accurate, but I had impressive results with both during my last couple trips to the range. I've had my best success with 350 TSXs and Magnum in the .378, but the 350 SMK performs well with H1000 too (seated just off the lands, the load pictured chronied at 2,830 fps with no pressure signs). The .460 shoots everything well, and most loads extraordinarily. The group pictured at the bottom is a 500 grain TSX seated long at 2,640 FPS. All loads were tested at 100 yards.

bruce moulds · Jan 11, 2021

while i am not man enough for the 460, i see a place for the 378 in our australian deserts.
this would be mostly for donkeys, horses, and camels where the sandhills are far apart and the animals are near the sand hill you are not on.
for this type of hunting you don't often go a long way from a vehicle, allowing a heavier rifle to make the cartridge more shootable. without a brake.
such a rifle would allow a longer barrel to capitalize on case capacity.
bruce.

jamest · Jan 11, 2021

bruce moulds said:
while i am not man enough for the 460, i see a place for the 378 in our australian deserts.
this would be mostly for donkeys, horses, and camels where the sandhills are far apart and the animals are near the sand hill you are not on.
for this type of hunting you don't often go a long way from a vehicle, allowing a heavier rifle to make the cartridge more shootable. without a brake.
such a rifle would allow a longer barrel to capitalize on case capacity.
bruce.

I view the .378 as a great all around cartridge. While the power it offers at close range is probably unnecessary in most situations, it can really stretch its legs in a way the .375 H&H can't. Loaded with 350 SMKs, it's quite comparable to the .338 Lapua and some of the other popular LR numbers. Brass life could be better, but it's always been one of my favorite calibers. I got my first one, a 90s Euromark, when I was 16 or so. I sure did like that rifle, but the accuracy, fit, and finish are certainly better on the newer guns.

Viral_SIGness · Jan 11, 2021

The .378 is a belted .416 Rigby. Ole Roy wasn't the best at thinking up designs.

bruce moulds · Jan 11, 2021

if i had a 378, the matchking would not be on the list for anything but target shooting.
and i would not get one for target shooting.
bullet choice for hunting in such high speed rounds needs consideration.
such bullets and barnes and swift come to mind to avoid bullet destruction.
and guess what, just because you are using a long range cartridge does not mean you won't get a close shot.
most bullets are designed to perform terminally at 375 h&h velocities, and logically so.
some of them will just self destruct at 378 speeds.
bruce.

jamest · Jan 11, 2021

bruce moulds said:
if i had a 378, the matchking would not be on the list for anything but target shooting.
and i would not get one for target shooting.
bullet choice for hunting in such high speed rounds needs consideration.
such bullets and barnes and swift come to mind to avoid bullet destruction.
and guess what, just because you are using a long range cartridge does not mean you won't get a close shot.
most bullets are designed to perform terminally at 375 h&h velocities, and logically so.
some of them will just self destruct at 378 speeds.
bruce.

I have no intention of hunting with SMKs and never meant to imply otherwise (hence the Barnes load). Cheers.

Viral_SIGness · Jan 11, 2021

bruce moulds said:
if i had a 378, the matchking would not be on the list for anything but target shooting.
and i would not get one for target shooting.
bullet choice for hunting in such high speed rounds needs consideration.
such bullets and barnes and swift come to mind to avoid bullet destruction.
and guess what, just because you are using a long range cartridge does not mean you won't get a close shot.
most bullets are designed to perform terminally at 375 h&h velocities, and logically so.
some of them will just self destruct at 378 speeds.
bruce.

The .378 really is a beast, I dang sure want one,, but they're only popular with Americans. I don't believe they are very liked in Africa. Just completely overkill.

Wyatt Smith · Jan 11, 2021

Would the 375 RUM have better case life? The ballistics are similar aren’t they?

bruce moulds · Jan 11, 2021

wyatt, it might depend on who makes the brass, and who loads it.
loaded to similar pressure, they SHOULD have similar case life.
that said, norma (read also weatherby) brass has a reputation for being softer than some other brands.
there was a time when you could get more velocity out of a 25/06 ackley than a 257 weatherby for this reason.
you could not get the weatherby brass to take the pressure that say rem or winchester 30/06 or 270 brass would take.
not sure if norma have got their brass up to speed yet.
bruce.

flatwater bill · Jan 12, 2021

Jamest...........impressive groups. I have used and loaded for two 378's over the years...............never shot that well with either. I have often wondered if the 378 would have a better reputation if the bullets had been stronger 40 and 50 years ago. Anyway, the old 270 grain Spire Point at the speed of light was very impressive on deer and elk. Nice rifles, great shooting. Thanks for post............FWB

.378 and .460 Weatherby - Beauty and Beast

jamest

bruce moulds

jamest

Viral_SIGness

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