Weatherby Rifles

[kennyboy]

What's the dealio with Weatherby rifles? Does anyone have any experience with them and how they compare to other bolt action rifles? Also, what are the differences between the Vanguard and Mark V and is the Mark V work the extra 300-500 dollars?

 

[M92FS]

hi !

checkout the link : http://www.weatherby.com/

weatherby official website.

 

[kennyboy]

You don't say.

 

[ghost squire]

I’ll start with my least favourite rifle:- the Weatherby. We don’t often see them out here, thank goodness. The one we had this year exhibited the usual Weatherby failing of going off when the safety catch was disengaged. Like all I’ve seen with this problem, they work fine on the range. It is only after they have been bounced, bumped or jolted whilst loaded and on safe that they do this. I’m sure the problem is correctable and not all do it, however, this one would also not extract at all after the eighth round. It showed decidedly sticky extraction after the first three shots and finally died on number eight. It gives me great pleasure than to dig out my 2lb hammer and beat the bolt of a new rifle open whilst giving the owner a lecture on the benefits of reloading. Weatherby factory ammo always gives extraction problems and needs to be down loaded for use in hot conditions. The .460 is notorious and this .416 proved no different.

http://www.african-hunter.com/lessons_learned.htm

They seem overrated... I believe Weatherby is only a marketing company.

 

[Sunray]

Much like any car part with the words "for a Cadillac.." on it, anything with the word Weatherby on it, costs more. Weatherby's are fine rifles, but paying extra for a name is daft. They don't do anything a Remington, Savage or Winchester won't do for less money. Savage rifles being the best bang for your buck.
Seem to me that the Vanguard is or was made by Howa in Japan. Not that that's a bad thing, Howa makes quality stuff, but they aren't worth a premium for the Weatherby name stamped on it.

 

[Merkin.Muffley]

I've had a few of them, a German .257 and a couple of 300's. I've still got a 300 in a lightweight - it's good when I'm going to be doing a lot of walking uphill. Never owned a Vanguard, I haven't looked at them inwhile but when I did I recall they didn't make them in the calibers I was interested in (no magnums). My lightweight will shoot 1 inch groups at 100 yds using Wby ammo - I haven't been able to duplicate it using reloads - the factory stuff shoots so good I didn't spend a lot of time on reloads - I figure a couple of boxes of factory ammo will last me the rest of my life. I like the short bolt throw too, follow up shots are very fast.

My complaints - long barrels. I'm not a fan of long barrels, I'd rather have 24 inches in place of their 26 inch tube. Too much freebore, the bullet has a bit to go before it touches the lands.

 

[jeff-10]

Howa makes quality stuff, but they aren't worth a premium for the Weatherby name stamped on it

A premium for a Vanguard? I see them in the Wal-Mart near my house for well under $400.

 

[hwp]

Vanguards sure don't sell for a premium in my experience considering the only place it seems to get one is wally mart.

Hardly a premium price for a quality deer rifle so maybe you are confusing the Vanguard series and the Mark V's?

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2685719

I know the Savage is the darling of cheap rifles but I would rather have a Howa made Weatherby than a Savage rifle.

 

[esheato]

My brother has two of them: both Mark Vs. One is an ultra-lightweight in 06 and the other is a Super Varmint Master in 223 Rem.

While I love the fit, finish and short bolt throw, I don't see the accuracy that should accompany a rifle of that quality and price.

The 30-06 is adequate for a hunting gun (at 1-1 1/2" @ 100) but the .223 leaves a lot to be desired. It prefers the heavier 22 caliber bullets and likes them driven slow. I like to see varmints turned inside out and that is difficult to achieve.

Ed