The Mighty .30-378

[flatwater bill]

Loading for a friend's new 30-378 and looking at the fastest loads listed from two sources(180's only)
1. Barnes website 3256fps
2. Nosler web 3264fps...............both with 26" bbl

my 300 Win
1. Barnes 3095
2. Nosler 3160..................both with 24" bbl

I realize that this is a simple comparison, and doesn't tell the whole story. But dang, looking at that monster of a case, I thought I'd see more difference. Anybody getting super performance from the 30-378 with 180 grainers? Maybe it's like a Harley without the muffler....it just sounds faster. Don't think I'll be trading up...................FWB

 

[BourbonTrail]

Diminishing Returns

 

[Graham Hunter]

What about the 30 Nosler?

 

[TTundra]

I've seen on LRH where guys push the 180 to 3400, but I think that 30-378 starts shining a bit more with the 200gr+ crowd.

That said, my 22" 300 Win sends them 2900+...so I'm right there with you.

 

[flatwater bill]

30 Nosler listed at 3180 for same bullet wt (only one source)
ancient old 300 Wby introduced in 1944......3202 and 3198 with 24" tube......FWB

 

[wiltznucs]

Don’t own a 30-378; but, it’s a damned beast. Watched Mark Thompson put together a 12” 3 shot group at 1,200 yards with factory ammo back in 19’.

I was working up a 6.5-300; otherwise I’d of changed over to the 30-378 immediately.

 

[krish]

I had one. It is great rifle. Since I bought 340, and 338-378 I sold the 30-378. Regret it now. Between 500 to 1000 yrs nothing to match it with 180gr bullets. Just my experience.
Krish

 

[krish]

Going to re barrel the 340 to 375 wby. Luckily found a mark v 375 wby. My dream rifle. Directly from wby.
Krish

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I think the 30-378 shines at pushing 220 grain and up VLD bullets out of a 30 inch barrel. From what I’ve read the 300 Wheatherby will match it with hunting bullets out of standard barrel lengths.

 

[flatwater bill]

Wyatt.........that makes good sense. It wouldn't be so popular if it didn't do somethings very well.....perhaps big bullets and long bbl's are the shiny spots. Cause a 50 fps advantage over a shorter bbl 300 Weatherby with 180 grainers is nothing....................FWB

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Loading for a friend's new 30-378 and looking at the fastest loads listed from two sources(180's only)
1. Barnes website 3256fps
2. Nosler web 3264fps...............both with 26" bbl

my 300 Win
1. Barnes 3095
2. Nosler 3160..................both with 24" bbl

I realize that this is a simple comparison, and doesn't tell the whole story. But dang, looking at that monster of a case, I thought I'd see more difference. Anybody getting super performance from the 30-378 with 180 grainers? Maybe it's like a Harley without the muffler....it just sounds faster. Don't think I'll be trading up...................FWB

@flatwater bill
This is where the good ol 4 to 1 rule comes in .
A 4% increase in case capacity only give a 1% increase in velocity then you get to a point of diminishing returns where putting more coal on the fire can actually reduce velocity.
Is the 300 Weatherby any better than the 300 win mag or do you need the big 30/378. Only the hunter can decide in what they want/need. Under normal hunting ranges as y to 400 yards are any better than the other , not really.
When you get into sniping animals at 500yards plus then the bigger is better. Possible but then you are not hunting you are sniping.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I had one. It is great rifle. Since I bought 340, and 338-378 I sold the 30-378. Regret it now. Between 500 to 1000 yrs nothing to match it with 180gr bullets. Just my experience.
Krish

@krish
At those ranges you are getting into sniping and not hunting in my humble opinion. If'n you gotta shoot game @ 1000 yards then walk down and up hill to retrieve it is it worth it . To me NO.
Bob

 

[bruce moulds]

yes bob,
add to that the increased probability of wounding an animal, and if you are not a wanker you suddenly have a moral dilemma.
bruce.

 

[krish]

@krish
At those ranges you are getting into sniping and not hunting in my humble opinion. If'n you gotta shoot game @ 1000 yards then walk down and up hill to retrieve it is it worth it . To me NO.
Bob

My hunting is normaly less than 250 yds. When I say 500 to 1000 yes it is for target shooting for fun. That is what the 30-378 can do.
Krish

 

[ChrisG]

Adding more powder means you have accellerate all that extra gas as well. As Bourbon Trail mentioned. Diminishing returns. 15 grains more than a .30-06 and you have a 300 mag and gain 250+fps. Add 30 grains to the 300 mag, and you have a .30-378 case. Then try to force all that gas through that little tube, and for all that, gain 150-200 more fps with much more recoil. For what? 8" less drop at 500 yards? It certainly isnt going to kill better because at the end of the day, it is still only a .308 bullet. And I can hold 3.5" higher at 400 if I really needed to.

No, there isnt a huge difference PRACTICALLY speaking. Mathematically, they can be made to look however the manufacturer wants them to. But in real life, where they will be used, the difference is semantics, except on your shoulder and your eardrums.