First off, thanks to those that responded to my brass question. I am still deciding on whether to sacrifice a few toys to jump into the expensive world of Weatherby, but I did want to get everyone's opinions on a rifle currently available.

It is a new, never been fired late 80's made in Japan Lazermark in 378Wby. It does have the removable brake. It is the same price as a new current 378Wby Deluxe Mark V from Weatherby website.

This rifle, if/when I get it, will only ever be a range toy and will be babied it's entire life, so I really won't take into account any advantages one has over the other for safari hunting, etc.

So, I guess my question is whether a new made in Japan Lazermark is more rare, desirable, "better", accurate, etc. than a new production USA Deluxe?

Still learning about these Wby's, and for 2+ grand, I don't want to jump into something just cuz it's pretty, but I don't want to miss out on a unique opportunity either.

Thanks!

I've had three Jap. WBY's, those cat's can CNC some steel, wonderful quality.

The USA WBY guns "may" hold there value a little better, but I highly doubt they are any better made.

Gunner

I absolutely LOVE Lazermarks! If you can afford one and have it in the sights, grab it! Warning, though, the 378 is a vicious kicker. Some feel worse than the big 45's due to the recoil speed. I would handload it down some if it wre mine, but them Lazermarks are sure gorgeous guns.

ON PAPER....

It appears that an unbraked 10lb 378Wby firing a 300gr @ 3000fps has about 65ft-lbs recoil and a recoil velocity of 20.5fps.

My unbraked 11lbs Ruger #1 458 Lott fires a 500gr @ 2200fps for recoil energy of 64ft-lbs and recoil velocity of 19fps.

My 458 Lott has a Limbsaver, which completely eliminates any pain when firing from a standing position. Am I mistaken to think that the muzzle brake on the 378Wby will be as effective?

I also love the look of the Lazermark rifles, and the only way to get one new is to add another 1200 on to the price by going through the custom shop. At 3000+, I'll just wait and go with the Wby DGR version in 460 with iron sights.

I've had a 378 WBY, while the recoil is violent, its not unmanageable, a good grip and a nice long eye relief scope are very helpful with placing accurate shots into game with this caliber.

Not to hi-jack but could You run the recoil numbers on my 8-bore? its the hardest kicking rifle I have ever shot.

Gunner

The Lasermarks are just too fancy, for me, in an over-embellished-by-machine sort of way, so I don't find them the least bit attractive. Think of it like seeing a lovely woman in a simple black dress w/ a string of pearls. Then picture her adding a bunch of scarves, bracelets, beads, rings, tatoos, piercings, ... Ungapatchka!

Nothing like finely hand-cut checkering to whisper class.

Actually, I prefer them naked, but there's no way I'm setting off just the barreled action!

In my experience the 378's so called vicious recoil is and continues to be greatly exaggerated. Presently I have 7 Mark V rifles chambered in 378 Weatherby from all vintages: German, Jap and USA in various models and have shot them exstensively over the past 30 years or so and have yet to find a single man or woman who has fired any of the 378s at the range along side a 460 to believe the 378 generated more recoil. Not one, though I have read about it many many times over the years.

Good Luck with that new 378!

OH...I do prefer the metal work on the USA guns to the other Mark V's and the wood stocks from those made in Japan. The USA bottom metal is superior as well.

Gunner, just Google search "recoil calculator"

Occationally I have posted something about my .375-.416 Rem Mag. It weighs a little less than 9 1/2 pounds without a scope. With an old duplex load I could hit 3,000 feet per second with a Sierra 300 grainer pushed by 100 grains of a stack of two powders. It was brutal. Now it has a brake and a hydrolic shock absorber with half inch of travel in the stock. When I fire it I hold it like a BB gun; very loosely to let the shock and brake do their thing. I can fire it till the cows come home with no discomfort.

I had a friend fire it with the brake off and asked him to hold it tightly against the decelerator like I used to. He said it was abusive.

Now the opinion: You will be the one looking at it. I try not to please others but myself when it comes to rifles and scopes. Please you.

Holy hellfire thanks TXpitdog, no wonder that thing kicks me like a wild jacka$$

Bullet weight.... 850 gns.
powder charge.... 300 gns.
bullet velocity.. 1400 fps.
Firearm weight... 10 lbs.


Recoil velocity.. 34.14 fps.
Free recoil energy.. 181.01 ft. lbs.

Thanks,
Gunner

Damn. Gunner, are you sure that thing isn't supposed to be mounted on wheels and towed behind a Humvee?

Thats funny TXpitdog, I keep shootin' that dang thing and they'll have a set of wheels under me towing my old arse to the horsepital

Gunner

Where's in Oklahoma is ya?

S.E. Okiehoma, next to the Are-kansas line

Gunner

Any chance you's near Van Buren?

Bout 65 mi. SW

Gunner

I have had 6 or 7 378 Bees. The Japanese are ton better in my opinion.

Currently I own
257--ultralight
270--ss synthetic
30-378--accumark
378--Lazermark
416--Classicmark
460--Custom shop
The last 3 are Japanese

I can name 2 blokes that have done it. Mike 378 and myself, though Mike has more .378 experience than I have. It is one of the very few Weatherby chamberings I have not owned.

Without the accubrake???? Not me. I have done it and have shot some amazing groups but prefer the brake on it.

I also believe the Japan guns are better than the current US made models. If you need a LH synthetic stock for one let me know. I have one that I no longer need.

Fotis,
I have got a Crown Custom in .340 from the 80's and even after owning 2 Rigby's, this is a rifle I cannot shoot or take into the bush. My first and possibly last queen. The quality, tree trunk used, hand work and metal work is museum quality. Far too stunning to soil on a rancid target or filthy animal in some hot or dusty climate.

I know how Elgin Gates used to feel now. Oh...he didn't?
John

AGW, good to hear from you. I know of Mike378 as well. Must just be shooters I've met I guess. Tried this experiment with my 72 year old, 150 pound, father yesterday at the range. Handed him my 378 Safari without the break and he fired 2 rounds thru it, then handed him my unbreaked 460 Euromark. One shot was enough. Even with the 460's increased weight it is a handful without the Accubrake. Now my father's passion is Ruger's #1 rifles and he routinly shoots the 458 Lott, 416 Remington and Rigbys...all of which by the way recoil for me much more than any 378 I've ever handeled...I'm just not built right for those #1's.

Anyway, happy shooting...

Which rifle did you decide upon?

I researched and researched, and after a LOT of hemming and hawing, I decided I am just not ready for this class of rifle. Especially with the cost of ammo and brass. No doubt I'll be able to afford one one day, so I just let the thought go.

Then I saw it again. Man, it would be awesome to have something like that one day, but I just went through an almost uncontrolled buying and trading frenzy. Need to just be happy with what I have, shoot my new ones, etc.

Then I saw it again. Like the emperor with no clothes, I sought out the "objective" opinion of people who would tell me what I want to hear and went to Weatherby Nation for a final few questions.

Predictably, a number of toys were sold, and the Lazermark is now enroute!

Congrats on the new rifle, hope its an excellent shooter for you, the power of a new rifle purchase is undeniable, i learned that moons ago

Gunner

We're going to need some pictures of the new addition!

The Weatherby website say they 378 shooting a 270 grian bullet produces 71.1 ft. lbs. of recoil energy without an accubrake and 33.4 ft. lbs. of recoil energy with the brake. This reduces felt recoil to around 300 Weatherby Magnum levels. I got this info from the Watherby website. Just Google "Weatherby Accubrake" for more info.

If that's the case, then I can't wait to shoot it. 33lbs recoil is in the neighborhood of my Guide Gun with stout loads.

Congratulations.

I have owned 4 Weatherby's, nothing larger than a .300 WBY.

The Japanese WBY's were/are fantastic.

My two favorite shotguns, a SKB 20-gauge, and a WBY Athena Grade III made by SKB for Weatherby.

I drive a Toyota Tacoma.(Built in TN)

Like it or not, the Japanese know what quality means.

I was in Japan a year ago, and they have a pride in quality that is rivalled by none.