Need advise on deciding 338-378 vs 340 vs 375

[arctic_man700]

I'm looking into buying my first Weatherby. I have narrowed it down to three calibers. The two 338s will be on the Mark V Accumark platform. First is the 340, which my local gunsmith is praising its virtues. The second is another 338 caliber the 338-378. This I have learned is perhaps the biggest 338 on the market with more velocity and case capacity than the 338 Lapua which seems to be all the rage with long range shooters today. Possibly because of the tacticool aspect of owning a military sniper rifle cartridge. I know this cartridge is flat shooting and excellent for longer range shots on large game like elk and moose etc. the last is the 375 Weatherby. This I know can have a 375 H&H fired out of it in a pinch with less accuracy but it can be done if something happens to your ammo. My requirements are a rifle that is good for repeatable accurate long range shots on game to 1000 yards if needed. Cost per round to shoot will not be too much of a consideration because I will be reloading. I want something for all animals in North America and Plains game in Africa. I have no real interest in the big 5 dangerous game animals in Africa at this time and probably never will. Any experience and expertise with these calibers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[catskinner]

I have all three calibers your looking at, and personally for me I would choose the 375Wby, because you can with proper bullet choice use it for anything walking this planet, and the fact you can use 375 H&H ammo in it if you have to, which you can find just about anywhere,(the 340 and 338-378 a lot more difficult to find ammo in a pinch). It's also bullsh*t that shooting 375 H&H ammo is a 375 Wby is less accurate. I fireformed quite a few 375 H&H ammo into 375WBY and had no problems with being less accurate. If we could post pics into our trophy room anymore, I would show you a lot of targets proving that, here's one pic showing two 375 H&H loads I use in my 375 H&H shot in my 375 WBY compared to factory 375 WBY ammo      

That being said, since you want to shoot up to 1000 yards, and  no dangerous game, the 338-378 wby would be a good choice, with it's high speed, and choice of high B/C bullets.

Rob

[Marishka]

In those African countries where the requirement for dangerous game is in Joules or muzzle energy, all three can be used on dangerous game because they all generate more muzzle energy than a .375 H&H. If you are truly limiting yourself to very long range shooting the 338-378 would be my choice of the three. I would also look at the 30-378 which was developed as a test military long range sniping round.

Here are some published figures all w/ 200 yd 0:

30-378: drop -254.9  drift 79.1 (200 grain Partition)

340: drop -289  drift 100.9 (210 grain Nosler Partition)

338-378: drop -245.7  drift 88.9 (200 grain Accubond)

375 Wby:  drop -403.1  drift 125.2  (300 grain Nosler Partition)

[godscountry]

If you're wanting to shoot 1,000 yards the best choice here is the 338/378, especially since you reload. Next I would choose the 340. If you wouldn't reload I'd pick the 340 first and the 338/378 second, based on cost of ammo.

[arctic_man700]

Thank you all for the input. I just bought a 338-378 on gunbroker. Talked with my local dealer and he said the price listed was dealer cost and he couldn't match that. Add the free shipping and no sales tax and it sounded like quite a good deal. Once again thanks for the advice and knowledge.

[Blaze]

FYI, I have all except the 375 but I have a 378.  I really do not see the advantage of the 338-378.  I personally think that the 270 and 340 is the best overall weatherbys and if the 340 is not enough gun then you should step up to a 378 or 416.  The marginal difference in velocity and point blank range in the 338-378 over the 340 is just not worth it in my personal opinion.   

[godscountry]

When we're talking about 1,000 yard shots, 44" less bullet drop is not marginal. That's over 3 1/2 feet more bullet drop between the 340 & 338-378.

[badsection]

LOL, my typical game shots are under 50 yds. Changes everything!   

[wyominghunter]

There is such a small percentage of time a 1000 yard shot is presented...I wouldn't worry about it.

[badsection]

Targets at 1000 yds. yea! Game? WOW, how far can they move before the flight time of the bullet gets there?

[Chris338378]

Good luck with your .338-378 Weatherby Magnum, I'm sure you'll love it.  I have one of the first ever made and can't say enough good things about it.  It's an amazing caliber and rifle.  If you have any questions feel free to message me. 

If you compare the .340 and .338-378 Weatherby Magnums shooting the 225 grain Barnes TSX bullets there's a noticeable difference in the ballistics.  When shooting paper the ballistic differences may not make a difference or even matter much however the difference it can make on a living animal can be the difference between a humane kill, total miss, or a wounded animal suffering needlessly that may not be recovered. 

[Blaze]

if you need some ammo, I have 10 boxes of Weatherby factory ammo that I would sell for a fair price and below the current market price... I plan to sell my 338-378 also. Just never found the need for it.  I am perfectly fine with my 257, 270, 300, 340, and 378 (and maybe the 416) for anything I desire to hunt. The 270 and 340 are my favorites.  I just have no need for the 30-378 or 338-378 (both never fired), except to put them in my safe and collect them.  I just bought them to have one of every Weatherby caliber ... Maybe you are a much better marksman than me because I can't see myself shooting a game animal at 1000 yards... I have no problem shooting game at 300 yards and have made a few shots at 450 but that is about my limit on game.  There are way too many variable to shoot game at 1000 yards for me... now, I may shoot at predators at 1000 yard but not any game animal.  Maybe I am just not that good of a marksman, but I do shoot at the range up to 500 and 600 yards. 

[godscountry]

1,000 yards isn't close to a mile. It's only 360 feet past 1/2 mile. Sometimes there isn't the chance or the ability to stalk closer and have the animal still be there. Sometimes the shooter is confined to a wheelchair, or has a prosthetic leg. Try stalking with one of those. If you're confident with your rifle and have practiced with numerous rounds at that distance I say shoot the critter and take your time getting to it. I don't advocate someone that hasn't practiced at 1,000 yards to shoot that far, but if you've practiced at that distance and know where the bullet will hit, take the shot. That's how snipers are made.

[Chris338378]

Blaze and Godscountry make very good points.  I agree with Blaze in the fact that you need to know your limitations and stay within them when shooting at an animal.

Godscountry is correct in that you have to practice and become proficient with your rifle and some people have limitations and sometimes there are conditions that prevent them from stalking in closer. When I say practice I don't mean you practice at 100 yards and are grouping well or shoot at a certain distance a few times and expect to make shot at that distance or beyond it.  The keys are practice repeatedly and under different conditions at the ranges you want to shoot to because that's the only way you'll be able to make accurate shots at what ever distance you're shooting.  Another key is to go beyond your comfort zone because that will help you improve in the long run as long as you're honest in your assessment of your groups.  Sure it's easy to hit a bullseye off a bench with a rest but try doing it in different positions.  Maybe you don't hit it the first time or even many times but you'll learn what to expect when shooting in that position.

[224KING]

+1 to Ridgerunner's post.Sounds like sniping instead of hunting.