Weatherby Accumark or Ultralight

[stiggy]

I am looking into purchasing a new hunting rifle for deer (primarily) and elk (couple hunts a year). Caliber will be 7mm wby. I like the ballistics and characteristics of that caliber so I'm dead set on it. I've shot this round downrange as well.

I decided to build a custom/semi custom off of the weatherby website. When going though the options and selecting my preferences I came across a few options I had questions on.

1. Is saving the extra 1.5ish pound worth paying more for the ultralight rifle?

2. Is the the SUBMOA accuracy worth the $239 price tag? What is done for that money? Would it be better to take it to a gunsmith?

3. The teflon coating for $399. Is it more of a gimmick like an add on when buying a new car? Is there a better product available? Again, would a gunsmith (whos putting on the scope) do a better job?

4. Under the modifications tab, weatherby offers a Hand-honed Action and the accubrake for $85 and 169. Wouldnt the SUBMOA for $239 include the Hand-honed Action for better accuracy? What changes do they make for the SUBMOA accuracy? Are both options good investments or is one preferred over the other? I could justify the accubrake for the ultralight because of the reduced rifle weight but what are your thoughts for the accumark?

This is my first custom/semi-custom rifle so I'm asking tons of questions.

For both builds I kept the same options added:
*Adjust Trigger 3.25 lbs-$55
*11-Degree Concave Crown Stainless Steel Rifle-$70 for ultralight, $157 for accumark.
*Black w/ Grey Spider Web-$310 for accumark, Grey w/ Black Spider Web-$350 for ultralight (I like the looks of the Grey w/black better)
*Standard LOP: 13 5/8
*Plus with additional charges for the accubrake, SUBMOA, hand-honed action, and teflon coating (accumark)

Total for each rifle:
$3,161.00 for accumark and $2,526.00 for ultralight.

I understand its a pretty penny but options may be subtracted from the rifle purchased.

Thoughts, advice, words of wisdom? Thank you in advance!!

 

[pbrktrt]

If I was spending your money, it would be the Accumark. With a load it liked, it would probably submoa anyway.

 

[stiggy]

I did additional searches on other forums and found some good information. The accubrake has both pros and cons. The pro is that it reduces recoil. How much for a 7mm is up to the beholder. The con is that it can make the rifle fire deafening even when wearing hearing protection.
The teflon coating, is what it is. There are better products out there. Cerakote would be a fine example.

Remaining questions:
-What does the hand-honed action mean/do?
-What do they rework to create a SUBMOA accuracy?
-I remember reading somewhere the government did some large study on the crowning design and came to the conclusion that the 11 degree concave was the most accurate. Does that still apply today? What crown comes from the factory?

 

[LoonWulf]

I belive SUBMOA guarantee is just that, if the gun happens to shoot submoa during its test fire its marked and set aside. I could well be wrong, as ive never owned a WBY. A friend of mine has a Lasermark that shoots 1/2moa, as far as i know its a strait off the line gun.

 

[ants]

I go for accuracy. Be a shame not to.

Most Weatherbys are submoa. Means that some are not?

I would Hate to spend $2500 on a rifle, and get the one that isn't.
The extra money is cheap insurance, and it lasts the rest of your life.



What kind of hunting? Weight may or may not make a difference.
Out west where I hunt we walk for miles up and down mountains.
In Texas where my buddy hunts, they sit in a blind all day.
The 1.5 pounds might be a big deal, or it might not.
Depends upon you and the kind of hunting you do.
Is the Ultralight just a thinner barrel contour?
How would that affect accuracy?
I wouldn't reduce weight 1.5 pounds, and discover it suffers ccuracy.



I don't find that 7mm WM recoil requires a brake.
Wimpy weanies may not agree.
If you're a wimpy weanie, don't get a Wby magnum.



Teflon schmeflon. Hunt with the gun. Don't cook with it.



If it's already submoa, why do you need an expensive crown?
Will it go sub-submoa?



When I hand hone my own actions, it makes the bolt slide smoother in the receiver.
That won't make it more accurate, bud.
You should find out what that service includes.
Except the Vanguard, Weatherby already hand hones the bore.
That may be all you require, it's up to you.

 

[stiggy]

Great information ants. I think I'll give them a call tomorrow and see whats what!

 

[GooseGestapo]

I'd suggest that you just get the Ultra Light Sub-MOA. Anything else is eye-dressing and "fluff".

The 7mmWby doesn't kick any different than a 7mmRemMag. They are quite close in performance, with perhaps 75-100fps advantage to the WbyMag. Recoil is about in the '06 class, so even a LtWt rifle won't kick anything like a .300wby. Also, remember, Weatherby quotes velocities from a 26"bbl, whereas Remington, ect quote for a 24" bbl. Explains the difference in "claimed" performance vs. acutal differences.

Get the stainless/synthetic. The teflon is just a few microns thick. Think Aluminum cooking pan. Think what one looks like if you don't use plastic utensils..........

Remember, it's a HUNTING RIFLE. Carried a LOT, shot a little...... A business aquaintance had one in .270wby. He used it for elk hunting out west and he and his sons used it on E. Alabama deer. It wasn't a SUB-MOA (before they claimed such), but it would shoot sub-moa with the Norma bulleted ammo (cheaper than Weatherby branded ammo and hence better for our "little" deer. Expensive Nosler bullet not needed. But, he's a CEO type that makes "7 figures" (X,XXX,XXX.XX), so he could afford it, especially considering they only shot the rifle at game.......

My Weatherby is a Vanguard in .257wby. It isn't a Sub-MOA, but it does shoot sub-MOA. In fact, 1/2moa with Norma 100gr. (only factory ammo I've tried). It will also shoot sub-moa with most good 100gr bullets and decent powders. (it "likes" the 4350's, IMR7828, and especially Reloader 25). It's my reach way, way, out there and knock the snot out of it" airport, cutover, bean-field rifle".
I think you'll like the 7mmWby.

But, if you want just as much rifle for much, much less, go to a pawn shop and get you a Savage M110 in 7mmRemMag.... and reload.....just be sure to get the 26"bbl. Remember, very, very few shops carry the Weatherby ammo, but any Walmart or Mom 'n Pop corner store will likely have 7mmRemMag. For the 7mmWby, you'll have to go to one of the "big box" Sporting goods stores, (Cabelas, BassPro) or order it off the internet. Or, roll you own as I do.