Taming the 378 weatherby

[Keelebilly]

The 378 weatherby seems to be a rather unpopular caliber on here due to the excessive recoil. It would appear to have some significant advantages over some of the other 375 calibers if the recoil could be mitigated. I was considering trying to build one with Edward’s recoil reducers and/ or a falcon strike recoil pad. I’d like to avoid a muzzle break if possible. Has anyone tried these products on a 378? Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[RedTag]

A couple friends of mine have had .338-378 Weatherby rifles and those guns absolutely needed to be braked. Impressive power but it comes at a price. That’s probably fair to say for all members of the .378 family.

 

[AustinM]

Let me know how you enjoy the FalconStrike recoil pad. I'm thinking about using it on my 510 Kodiak Express and some first hand knowledge would be great!

 

[1972RedNeck]

Weight. Add a couple pounds and it will be tolerable. Add 5 more and it will be pleasant to shoot.

 

[Luvthunt]

An ugly recoiling cartridge.

 

[Beck]

Let me know how you enjoy the FalconStrike recoil pad. I'm thinking about using it on my 510 Kodiak Express and some first hand knowledge would be great!

I am also interested to hear how the Falconstrike recoil pad works for you

 

[glblanchard]

I installed a Falcon Strike on my Ruger No1, 375 H&H. Works as advertized, seems to have a significant amount of reduction in recoil.

 

[pilar]

A couple friends of mine have had .338-378 Weatherby rifles and those guns absolutely needed to be braked. Impressive power but it comes at a price. That’s probably fair to say for all members of the .378 family.

I’m not a fan of that family myself. Have a mate who shoots a 30-378 and it’s braked
The recoil and noise are unbearable, I am clueless about the usefulness of that family myself

 

[analog_peninsula]

I have one on a magnum Mauser action with a properly designed stock, and the recoil isn’t really that bad. Nothing compared to my Lott or .500 A2.

 

[meigsbucks]

Eons ago when I was in my late 20’s, a range member returned from safari and wan was selling his .378. In those days, they didn’t come from the factory with a brake. I fired a couple of rounds and although I thought it was a beast, I thought I could handle it. WRONG! Even dropping the load didn’t reduce recoil appreciably. I don’t think I fired 100 rounds thru it. Every shot was like being in a car wreck.
I don’t remember what the rifle weighed, but I know it was in excess of 10#. If I still owned that rifle, I’d add recoil reducers in the stock and lead in the forearm and butt. A brake would be the best at reducing the recoil, but I hate brakes with a passion.
Its unfortunate recoil is so brutal as otherwise it has all positive attributes. I recently added a .375 Wby and found I don’t give up a lot to the .378 and is much more manageable.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Not a fan of anything Weatherby, especially their bruiser calibers. Besides brutal recoil, it's hard to find ammo or components. The one and only pro is longer range. But why does anyone need to reach out into the next zipcode with a bullet that big? I mean 100 yards is way out there for dangerous game. Shoot something close range and it gets blown to pieces. Weatherby has always specialized in too much gun.

 

[BeeMaa]

If you want to feel 378WBY recoil, I’d recommend getting a 458LOTT that will at least afford you the flexibility of shooting much heavier bullets at a more reasonable speed for DG.

There is no need to send a 300 grain bullet at 2900-3000 fps when those bullets work much better at 2300-2500 fps.

Keep the speed at or below 2500 fps for all DG cartridges for the most effective results at less than 50 yards. FYI - Dangerous game isn’t dangerous at 100 yards.

 

[BryceM]

When I was a kid, my dad came home one day with a new magnaported .378 Wby Mk V. It was a beautiful rifle. It came with a box of 19 rounds and one empty. When he sold it a few years later, the new owner got a box of 18 rounds and one empty. Dad kept a loaded one for the bookshelf.

 

[Red Leg]

I am not sure I understand the advantage - significant or otherwise - where a .375 caliber of any type makes sense. Most dangerous game will be taken within 100 yards probably closer to fifty. Most bullets for dangerous game are designed to perform best at something less than 2500 feet per second. Extended range is also not an issue where a .375 makes sense. The longest shot I have ever made with a .375 was a bit over 250. That is well within the point blank range of the H&H. Finally, if the thing requires a muzzle brake, your PH and tracker will hate you and your rifle as it fulfills their every expectation of a Weatherby. These guys, particularly DG PHs and their trackers, depend upon their hearing. They will be polite to you, but they will loathe the brake and that rifle.

 

[JimP]

A 378 Weatherby doesn't have to be a brute if you reload. Drop those loads down to 375 HH performance. The only component that would be hard to find would be cases but all the rest is quite common. But once you have the cases you can go up or down in power at your discretion.

But if you want to shoot factory rounds you are going to punish yourself at the range and just might develop a flinch that you might not be able to get rid of.

 

[BeeMaa]

A 378 Weatherby doesn't have to be a brute if you reload. Drop those loads down to 375 HH performance. The only component that would be hard to find would be cases but all the rest is quite common. But once you have the cases you can go up or down in power at your discretion.

But if you want to shoot factory rounds you are going to punish yourself at the range and just might develop a flinch that you might not be able to get rid of.

Exactly. So start out with a 375H&H and you won’t have to worry about the punishment, noise and possible brake from a 378WBY and can enjoy the ammo availability and incredible performance afforded by the 375H&H.

 

[analog_peninsula]

It’s really not that bad in a well designed rifle.

 

[JimP]

Exactly. So start out with a 375H&H and you won’t have to worry about the punishment, noise and possible brake from a 378WBY and can enjoy the ammo availability and incredible performance afforded by the 375H&H.

But I'd rather to be able to load down and still have the ability for full power loads.

I'll agree that the 378 Weatherby isn't for everyone but if you can handle it then why not. Even my. 340 Weatherby is a bit much shooting from the bench and I can only handle around 10 rounds without the brake on at the range, but the recoil has never bothered me when out hunting.

 

[Beck]

I installed a Falcon Strike on my Ruger No1, 375 H&H. Works as advertized, seems to have a significant amount of reduction in recoil.

Can you post a photo?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The 378 weatherby seems to be a rather unpopular caliber on here due to the excessive recoil. It would appear to have some significant advantages over some of the other 375 calibers if the recoil could be mitigated. I was considering trying to build one with Edward’s recoil reducers and/ or a falcon strike recoil pad. I’d like to avoid a muzzle break if possible. Has anyone tried these products on a 378? Any thoughts or suggestions?

@Keelebilly
Shot one a few times loaded with 235gn projectiles at full throttle. Recoil was very manageable and I can assure you it discombobulated pigs in a spectacular fashion.with the 300grainers it definitely got your attention and let you know it had gone off.
Definitely would feel it sighting in off the bench
Bob