Shoot Before You Buy


.30-378 Weatherby Cartridge schematic - SAAMI
.30-378 Weatherby Cartridge schematic – SAAMI

Q: I am thinking about buying a Weatherby Mark V rifle in .30-378 Weatherby Magnum for long range deer hunting and later take it on a trip to Namibia for plains game. Shooting a 180gn Nosler BT bullet at 3420fps it should really reach out a long way to lay ’em low. I intend to mount a high range variable scope on it – something like a Nightforce SHV 5-20x56mm. What do you think of my choice?
William Lawson

A: Roy Weatherby experimented with the .30-378 back in the 1950s, but the lack of suitable ultra-slow-burning powders delayed it becoming a factory cartridge until 1996. It hasn’t achieved much popularity with the majority of hunters, only the minority who always want the biggest and fastest. Long range target-shooting enthusiasts in the U.S have embraced it. There’s no doubt that it is an outstanding performer and a poisonous big-game cartridge, IF the shooter can handle the recoil. My advice is: try and shoot a .30-378 before you buy one, and if you find you can shoot it well, make sure you get a scope with really long eye relief.

A highly embellished Weatherby Mk V - an intended vehicle for the hellacuious Weatherby .30-378 cartridge.
A highly embellished Weatherby Mk V – an intended vehicle for the hellacuious Weatherby .30-378 cartridge.

 

 

 


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Nick Harvey

The late Nick Harvey (1931-2024) was one of the world's most experienced and knowledgeable gun writers, a true legend of the business. He wrote about firearms and hunting for about 70 years, published many books and uncounted articles, and travelled the world to hunt and shoot. His reloading manuals are highly sought after, and his knowledge of the subject was unmatched. He was Sporting Shooter's Technical Editor for almost 50 years. His work lives on here as part of his legacy to us all.

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