Old School Weatherby 378

[lange1]

I scored big time! I bought a German Weatherby Mark V Deluxe for $250.00!!! It's in good shape, but needs a mag follower spring. I would say the recoil is 'abrupt' with 1963 vintage 300 gr. round nose ammo. I also got an old school box of Nosler 300 gr. partitions. I think it was the best deal I've ever run into.

Called Weatherby, and they told me I could rebarrel to any of the big cals. It was made in 1959. Part of me doesn't want to change a thing, but thinking about sts bbl 416 or 338-378. No idea what I'm going to do with it.

[kaytod]

The 378 is a real hoss. I've always dreamed of one, for what reason I don't know other than the numbers it turns up, especially with the Sierra 300 grain BTSP.
Anyhow, Great buy! Enjoy it whatever you decide.

[bradshaw]

The .378 Weatherby is a genuine EARTHQUAKE cannon, perfectly unsentimental about doing harm on both ends, especially to the person whom holds it lightly. Don't know about the German Sauer MK V's, some of which had considerable freebore, but the Japanese rifles tended to serious accuracy. If there is one thing besides power the .378 Wby enjoys, it is ACCURACY. Accuracy at long range backed up WHEN when it gets there by a George Foreman punch.

Before rebarreling it, you might want to see how it shoots. And not with a cheap scope or weak mounts.
David Bradshaw

[zeus]

I'll give you your money back

[lange1]

It has old Buehler mounts, no scope. I shot it with the iron sights, and HAMMERED rocks at about 250 yards; 2.5 gallon DEF jugs splattered water 100 feet in the air. I can shoot my 338 win all day but I got a headache with the first 20 round box of 300 grainers @ 2920 fps. And yeah, Bradshaw, I want to test it off the bench with Leupold mounts and scope to see what's up, it has an old world artisanship trigger, but I have to say it is intimidating!

[Kurt]

Be careful with Leopold type rings unless they are double dovetail and even then they are likely to pull out. The only rings I have found that will hold a scope in place are Burris posi-align dual dovetail rings. This is my experience on two MK V. 378's with 3-9x Leupold scopes.

[bradshaw]

Believe the old Buehler mounts had a shoulder caught the back of the receiver ring on the front mount. The trick with Buehler rings was to remove enough shims to the top of the ring to properly clamp the scope tube. Having said that, I am not experienced with Buehler rings on the .378 Wby.

A heavy scope and high rings magnify scope inertia at recoil. Interesting note on Burris Posi-Align rings, which I hold in high regard----except for the "Weaver" cross screws, which should be heavier.

On a rifle of substantial recoil, I like to seat the turret or rear bell (if of solid type) against a ring. Loctite 360 between mount and ring and bridge help hold things in place. Learned that trick from smith Mike Brazda in Arnaudville, Louisiana. Very strong.
David Bradshaw

[Ken O'Neill]

I'm an old geezer, but I have never forgotten reading a test of the .378 Weatherby Mag. in an American Rifleman about 1959 or so. The writer tested the rifle PRONE and reported that he broke his collarbone!

[450ak]

Conetrol rings and bases are what held the scope on the one I've fooled with

[whitworth]

I really like the .378! One of the most violent of the Weatherbys -- kind of the .454 Casull of the rifle world..... ;D

[warhawk]

Your pics aren't loading ;D

Back around 1990 I picked up a Schultz & Larson actioned 378 Weatherby. A pawn shop that I frequented bought it and it sat on the shelf for six months with the price going down a little every month. I think I finally paid $450 for it.

Never even fired the thing, I had a trade deal already lined up with a real gunshop in a town about 75 miles away. I swapped the Weatherby for TWO Ruger77 Internationals, in 243 and 308, a Ruger #1 in 45-70, and an SKB Model 100 side by side. The SKB is the only one I still have.

[nolongcolt]

I imagine when you get weary of the pounding you wont have any trouble doubling if not tripling your investment.

[bradshaw]

Years ago, when we were shooting 7/10-mile with SAKO .338 Win Mags loaded with the superbly accurate Sierra 250 SBT, a Weatherby MK V .378 came in close to the .338, while the light circular breeze wafting the valley played hob on smaller rifles. My handload consisted of Hornady .375 270 grain Spire Point seated over a small keg of H4831 in the strong Weatherby case with Federal 215 primer, for 3100+ fps. Astoundingly consistent. Proving once again the stability of a well balanced big bullet. And demonstrating the accuracy of the old Hornady Spire Points----far from a match bullet----so thoroughly proven on game.

Reckon IMR 7828 or a slow Reloder might duplicate accuracy of H4831, while boosting velocity a bit.
David Bradshaw

[Lee Martin]

As we discussed last night David, the wheels are turning. I may be looking for a long magnum action after reading (and re-reading) this thread.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"

[bradshaw]

Lee.... screw on a moderately stiff 30" or 32" barrel the .378 Weatherby will think itself a Light Fifty. Bore evacuator type muzzle brake with a set-back sideways deflector.

It is a thrill to sway on recoil and roll back in time to watch the impact of your bullet at long range. Spot your own shots.
David Bradshaw