.30-378 Loads

[effendude]

I know, I know. My wife bought this rifle for me last Christmas from friend's estate. I shot a few rounds through it but put it away as the scope was junk.

It is a Sako and I have a Huskemaw ready for it if I can get a load worked up for it. Grizzly next month in Alaska, otherwise I will use my trust .300RUM. I have 50 pieces of new Nosler brass and some time on my hands. Thinking about 180 Accubonds or heavier.

Anyone have any pet loads?
Scott

 

[wboggs]

A grizzly cannot tell the difference between a .30-.378 and a RUM. You need an accurately placed shot with a tough bullet. I used to use Nosler Part. but have switched to Barnes-X. The most important thing is shot placement with a high shouler througt the spinal cord being the best if you can get it. Heart, lung will work but don't expect the animal to always go down immediately. Try to get a reasonably close, well placed shot. Use the rifle that allows you to do this.

 

[mikegaiz]

Would not go less than 190 gr. We shoot 220 and 240 gr. in our 30-378 W. for prairie dogs out past 1500 yds., to make sure they go down fast. Nothing worse than a charging mad prairie dog. All kidding aside, check the energy at yardage in a good ballistic table. You might be surprised. Penetration is important but internal damage on something that can eat you is another key factor.

 

[effendude]

I agree with the accuracy comments. I use the 180 gr. MRX in my 300RUM with great results. My quest is to ultimately shoot something with every hunting rifle I own. That said, maybe I own too many rifles. I may try to get out tonight for some pressure tests. If the rifle doesn't shoot well, I won't take it. No muzzle break, light rifle, thin barrel all add up to a one use rifle!

These are spring grizzly, 500-600 pounds, not monster brown bears. I am well insured, but do want to return from the trip. I am a firm believer that you can never use too much gun. Quick, humane kills are the goal. Taxidermists get paid well to stitch up large holes.

Scott

 

[BigHorn WBY]

My go to load for the 30/378 in many, many of them (all Mark V's thou) has been 98grs H1000/wby brass/Fed 215match with 210gr Berger loaded as long as your magazine will handle. I always start here and rarely adjust much powder wise.

 

[wboggs]

How does your .30-.378 shoot in a light rifle without a muzzle brake? Just curious.

 

[effendude]

I just finished testing 8 rounds for pressure. 200 gr. Accubond and 200 gr TTSX. Ouch. Neither 200 grain bullet shot well. Just loaded some 180 Accubond and 180 MRX> off to shoot again. Nice that range is 10 min away. If these don't shoot, the .300RUM goes into service again.
Scott

 

[wboggs]

I've taken a lot of game with both 180 and 200 gr bullets and didn't see a lot of difference. Opt for accuracy and a well placed shot. The 180 Barnes will out penetrate the Accubond every time and you want penetration. A buddy and I were in Africa and he was shooting a .375 with 300 Trophy Bonded Bear Claws and I had a .338 RUM with 250 Barnes TSX. There was no comparison. We found a lot of his bullets but only a Barnes with a frontal shot on a large animal. Too bad Barnes has discontinued the MRX, too expensive I guess.
Good hunting. Be patient, get a close shot, place it well and your Barnes will do the work.

 

[Hetta]

I just finished testing 8 rounds for pressure. 200 gr. Accubond and 200 gr TTSX. Ouch. Neither 200 grain bullet shot well. Just loaded some 180 Accubond and 180 MRX> off to shoot again. Nice that range is 10 min away. If these don't shoot, the .300RUM goes into service again.
Scott

Scott -
A friend uses the 200 grain AB in his 300 rum Sendero with great groups. If you want, I can get his recipe. I know the powder is Retumbo, just not sure of the amount. Have you thought about a heavier bullet for the 30-378? I have some 220 grain partitions if you want to try them.

 

[wboggs]

A friend tried some 220 Nosler Part. and said the partition was the same as the 200gr but the bullet had more weight forward and was more of a round nose. He didn't find much difference in testing.

 

[effendude]

The rifle shot the 180 gr bullets better than the 200 gr bullets. I have not measured the twist rate, but suspect the rifle was built for the lighter bullets. The 180 Accubonds shot a little better than the MRX bullets. Both were around 1 MOA. That may be all I can coax out of a rifle that recoils like this one.

I am 6'3", 260# and recoil could best be described at putting a 2x4 into your shoulder like a rifle and having a buddy swing a 10# maul hard against the other end. After about 12 shots over the course of the day, I know I was starting to flinch despite all my dry-firing practice.

I am disappointed to learn that Barnes has discontinued the MRX bullet. It was shorter then their TTSX so it allowed for more powder space in these long cases. Performance on game was awesome.

I may load a few more and sneak out before F-class tonight to see how the Accubonds shoot at 300 yards off a pack and bipod. If I have any doubts at all, the .300RUM will get a plane ride to Alaska.

Scott

 

[mikegaiz]

For around $175 you can get a muzzle brake installed and take away the flinch and the pain of shooting it. Just a thought.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Scott,

Take the known Rum to AK and let Hetta use the 30-378 for F-Class.... ;D

Definitaly got an awesome wifey... Have a great time hunting AK and keep us posted. Make sure you take at least 1-xtra pair of undies.....

Rod

 

[viola2572]

Well I have just purchased 100 Nosler Custom Reloading Brass in 30-378 and 100 Berger Tactical Bullets 30 Caliber 230 Grain Hybrid Open Tip Match.

But I cannot find any load data! I am wishing for half a minute of angle at 1000yards so I can join the club!

I really need some help.

OAL ?
Powder?
Charge?
Crimp?
Do I size the new cases?
Primer's?
Clean barrel every how many shots?

Many thanks Christian

 

[wboggs]

Scott I wondered how you tolerated the recoil of a light, unbraked .30-.378, but with your size I understand a bit better. I'm only 165 and it is too much for me. I use a much heavier .338 and don't shoot from the bench. On game, you never feel the recoil. Keep us posted on your hunt and good luck.
Bill

 

[effendude]

I didn't tolerate the recoil well. That is my concern. I know you don't feel recoil during a hunt but still....
Scott

 

[viola2572]

Buy a Past pad it helps a lot, I did a running deer target, no brake they wont allow it inside, 36 rounds a 220grn bullet and 115grn of us869 for 3090fps
it is a more of a push than a whack with the past pad.
Buy one.

Very important get someone to watch you to make sure your not flinching.

 

[Codeman]

I recently aquired a 30-378 on a Hall action. I also use the past pad when doing load developement. I'm wanting to put a brake on it. I'm still looking for a good hunting load. I'm wanting to try the berger 210 and the sierra 200 gameking. I've have good luck with H50BMG powder, 215M primers and and 178 AMax's, but looking for a heavier bullet. Anyone using the Sierra 240 gr MK?

 

[viola2572]

Well this is a very active topic!