Spike Camp
Hunting with Weatherby => Elk => Topic started by: Elkjared on January 08, 2015, 10:32:22 PM
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I just purchased a 30-378 wby mag and I'm going to put a Huskemaw 5-20x50 scope on my rifle and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what powder to use and bullet brand and grain, I am thinking of Hodgdons rutumbo powder with Berger VLD 210 gr good match or no?
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Welcome to the Nation! I tend to try several bullet weights with a new or "new to me" rifle to decide what is most accurate. Then, I look at different loads and powders to improve on what the particular rifle "likes" :)
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Retumbo and 180 and 200 accubonds are my goto combo. My 30-378 loved Retumbo and 200 accubonds 3 shot group is .6 and 3300 on the chrono.
LT
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Here is a load that has been great for me:
Nosler custom brass.
Fed 215 match primers
H50BMG 120gr
Swift Scirocco II 180gr bullets
seating depth 3.666
3342fps
This is a max load and a seating depth a little over max COL, so please work up from lighter loads and check clearance from lands as appropriate. Instant magic. Curt.
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I was pretty set on getting another 270 wby until I ran up on a good priced 30-378 accumark w/a leupold vxIII 3.5x10x50 on it. Now I'm scratching my head. I knew the 270 wby was a flat shooter but when I compared the two on Weatherby's site I was amazed by the 30-378. That being said how much can one save by reloading? I thought the 270 was expensive to shoot & bout crapped a cow when I saw how much the 378 ammo was.
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If you can find some brass it's not to bad to handload. I've been shooting 185 VLD's with very good results using Retumbo. Had to reduce the load to 105 grains. I have some 210 Berger Match that I'm going to try with H1000 as soon as my new rings come in (switched scopes). I haven't found any H50BMG in my area but I understand that is what it craves. Be careful with the 30-378. It is my favorite Wby caliber and it is very addicting. The rest of the "B"s are slowly being pushed to the back of the safe. I'm letting my friends plink a 12 inch AR500 plate at 300 yards just for the fun of it. Even at that range I have cut little chunks of steel off the plate. And not a problem at 500 either. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll have to buy a new barrel before I'm done. :o
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Both my .270 WBY and my .338 Win Mag love Vihtouri N 160 powder. As for bullets, I favor the Nosler Partion 250 grain, but you can't go wrong with the Barnes and A frames either. The only bullet failures I have ever had were with the A Square, but you don't see them around any more.
The 338 WBY is an really flat shooting hard hitting round that will take just about any critter that walks the earth, but I would seriously consider a muzzle brake if you haven't already. Recoil is not just foot pounds. I am not generally recoil sensitive, but found the .338 WBY hurt more than the .460 WBY. Don't get me wrong, the .460 WBY has more recoil, but I would describe it as a hard push, while the .338 WBY was a sharper almost stabbing pain. I am told that a muzzle brake cures the painful recoil and i believe it, but I would try that out before buying one.
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I've loaded 97.0gr of IMR-7828 under 180gr Nosler Partitions and Protected Point Partitions in the .30-378 Wby for use on whitetail, muleys, and elk. At ranges out to 600yds, this load is the hammer of Thor on elk, usually dropping in their tracks or within just a few yards if you do your part right.
Was hunting with the buddy of mine that owned the rifle and he had a cow tag. We spotted one bedded down against some rocks and we couldn't get any closer than 600 yds. We set up and waited for her to stand. About 30 to 40 min later, he just happened to be looking at her through the scope when she stood up. He pulled the trigger almost instantly, she flopped right back down, and then we heard the KA-WHOP of the bullet hitting. She was a BIG cow.
Also have loaded up to 93.0gr of VV N165 with the 220gr Partition, but you dang sure better have a muzzle break because this load is a kickin' essobee.