I got my first Weatherby rifle(a Mark V Deluxe in .300 Weatherby Magnum) at the age of 16. Won it in a Big Buck Derby(1st. prize). Ever since then I have had a thing for the workmanship, beauty and quality of Weatherby products. Been collecting them ever since. In my opinion, they are the very best mass produced factory firearms being made today.
I have owned a few weatherby's in my day and, while I don't have any Weatherby rifles anymore, I still have a custom in 30-378 Wby and a custom in 510 Wells Express (460 Wby necked up to .510").
As for the NEED for the velocity the areas I prefer to hunt and the method I hunt lends itself to cartridges of higher velocity. Shots can range from point blank to as far away as you are capable of shooting. The flatter trajectory of the magnums gives one a decided edge over standard cartridges. Less usage of Kentucky Windage & Elevation.
I completely understand this mindset...
I have spent many a winter chasing Coues Deer in Arizona, New Mexico and Old Mexico. I have shot a few of those deer at well over 400 yards.
I have spent a number of Labor Day weekends and early Septembers shooting Bears in the Pears in Arizona and the Res. I don't think that I have had a shot under 200 yards on this hunt. Ever.
I have spent alot of mid-Septembers chasing Mule Deer around their summer range at 11,000 feet in Wyoming. Shots range from 100 yards to 400 yards.
I don't think that I have missed a New Mexico Antelope season, last weekend in Sept or 1st weekend in Oct, in the last 12 years. I have killed them from 15 yards to 550 yards.
I understand that long shots happen. Also, I understand about using a rifle that has the horsepower to make those shots easier. My long range rig is a beautiful custom 30-378 Wby with a 32" barrel and a 6.5-20x Leupold (50mm obj w/ 30mm tube) shooting 240 gr BTHP. I am not worried about elevation, that is easily removed from the equation with a rangefinder, but wind drift is the killer. That is why the 240gr boattail. Wind drift is limited.
I think that my whole issue with the longer barrels on the 375 H&H is what are you shooting at over 300 yards that you need to maximize velocity???
And frankly, if velocity is such an issue... why not shoot a 375 RUM, 375 Wby or a 378 Wby?
Honestly, there are only 4 reasons to carry a 375 H&H into the field in North America.
1) Hunting Brown Bear
2) Hunting Grizzly Bear
3) Hunting Moose
4) Protection in Alaska
None of those four reasons require shots over 300 yards.
Actually, I have never met a guide that would allow a client to shoot a Brown or Griz at 200 yards or over. Most prefer the shot to be 50-100 yards and will allow a maximum shot of 150 yards.
So for me, I have only been to Africa twice, I gear my weapon stable towards North American game...
For me, that means 375 H&H rifles with barrels 24" or under...
I think that in honor of this thread, I am going to go buy this little Sako M995 in 375 H&H that I have recently run acrossed. Still new in the box w/ a fiberglass stock and a 20" barrel.
SA
