I've long wanted a .300 Weatherby in one of Roy's rifles. THe problem is, the diversity of opinion regarding the different rifles made over the years. The new Accumark is supposed to be the most accurate Weatherby ever made - so how do you significantly beat rifles that guaranteed out-of-the-box 1-1/2" accuracy?

THe original Weatherby rifle was built on a Mauser 98 action (so I understand). These come available from time to time and I do like the M-98. Also available to me are some German-made (by Sauer I believe) Weatherby Mark V's. THe only thing I have not cared for of the ones I've seen was the thin barrel. Their owners bragged of excellent accuracy which I believe.

Upon building their rifles in Japan or Mexico, Weatherby developed some accuracy problems, or so I'm told.

It's tough to beat the fit & finish of a German rifle, but the modern aesthetics of the new Accumark would be acceptable if the rifle shoots into one hole.

All opinions would be apreciated, especially by those who have owned and shot these listed.

I try and give you a little run down on the Weatherby rifles!
First the 300 Weatherby magnum was more expesive than the Ruger, Remington, Winchester or Browning rifles by at least 40% to 60%. Today they are making the cheaper models to compete with the rest of the gun industry OK. Not to mention, one must shoot the Weatherby ammo, which is NOT cheap by comparison. It too is at least 40% more money.

The 300 Weatherby magnum gave about 8% more power or energy to the target, however it also gives the shooter some 15% more in felt recoil to the body. NOT A PLEASANT TRADE OFF BY ANY MEANS IN MY BOOK~!!! I don't think this is worth the added punishment for the hunter, nor is the price adjusted accordingly. I never did like those Weatherby stocks, which were referred to as the "California Style" stock. They were not practical for hunting in my opinion, it would cause the muzzle to rise up after the trigger was pulled. They did look very pretty but would cause that rifle to come up into your cheek bone.

Now as far as accuracy goes in a production rifle these days, I would have to say that most will shoot a group of 1.5 inches at 100 yards, once you found the factory ammo and bullet weight that gun likes best. I have to friends that have those Roy Weatherby fancy detailed rifles, they bought in the mid 70's one of them and the other in the 80's, both in the 300 Weatherby magnum. They both shoot factory ammo and can shoot anywhere from 1.5 inch groups to 2 inch groups. They think that is plenty accurate enough for them. Most all the animals they have taken were under 200 yards.

My 300 Winchester magnum in a "Belgium Browning" made on the Mauser 98 action back in 1964, did in fact with handloads shoot under a 1/2 group with 180 grain Sierra bullets! It shot 1 inch groups using the 180 grain Browning ammo that one was able to purchase back then. I could handle the recoil of that rifle back in the 60's and 70's.

However, I could NOT shoot the 300 Weatherby near as well, it hurt after 2 shots. The "Browning stock" was more to the liking of those that wanted a practical hunting rifle they could handle well. It looked more like a Safari type gun when bought new in 64. The wood stock resembled that of the now days Winchester wood stock on their Select Grade guns. It was made by folks, who knew what a hunting rifle should be made like and with quality to boot. Today I'll take a good Winchester model 70 with pre-64 action, and put my saved money towards the next hunt.

I've long wanted a .300 Weatherby in one of Roy's rifles. THe problem is, the diversity of opinion regarding the different rifles made over the years. The new Accumark is supposed to be the most accurate Weatherby ever made - so how do you significantly beat rifles that guaranteed out-of-the-box 1-1/2" accuracy?

THe original Weatherby rifle was built on a Mauser 98 action (so I understand). These come available from time to time and I do like the M-98. Also available to me are some German-made (by Sauer I believe) Weatherby Mark V's. THe only thing I have not cared for of the ones I've seen was the thin barrel. Their owners bragged of excellent accuracy which I believe.

Upon building their rifles in Japan or Mexico, Weatherby developed some accuracy problems, or so I'm told.

It's tough to beat the fit & finish of a German rifle, but the modern aesthetics of the new Accumark would be acceptable if the rifle shoots into one hole.

All opinions would be apreciated, especially by those who have owned and shot these listed.

CCA

I have had only three Weatherby rifles. I didn't buy any of them for the Weatherby super calibers. I bought them for that smooth Mark V action. They are the only guns that I can shoot, and work the bolt with two fingers while staying on target. Not that that is an everyday need but the action is super smooth.
The accuracy is good to excellent. They have a lot of free bore so if you reload, you can really improve the way they shoot by finding the right load. If I ever bought another, I would buy it in standard calibers only. They are stout enough for me.
In my opinion, they are worth the extra money. Stock to barrel fit, action fit, and overall smoothness of the action are excellent.
Best place I've seen to buy them is Carter Country in Houston Texas. They probably have a web site

I have a :

Super Varmintmaster in 308 Win that will do about 1" with factory ammo.

UltraLight in .270 Win that will do about .6 with reloads.

I had a Sporter in 7mm-08 that would do its best with cheap Remington ammo. About 3/4" It was a great deer rifle, but alas, it was stolen.

I better close or I'll talk myself into another one

Tom

I have two Weatherby rifles, a 300 Wea. and a 25-06. Both of mine are the lower priced models, matte blue with synthetic stocks. Newer used any factory ammo in either one, but had no trouble at all in getting 3-shot groups in an inch or less at 100 yards with my handloads. I really like the short bolt lift that I can work without bumping my ham hands on the scope. I like the stocks too. Did my own camo paint job with model airplane paints. The stocks fit my average build very well. The starting price of Weatherby rifles is only a hundred bucks or so more that a comparable Winchester or Remington, and if you reload then 300 Wea. ammo is only a little more expensive than other more common ammo. The brass costs a little more, but it's not too much for a small quantity. Somebody said only accurate guns are fun, well these are FUN, but not to the deer, elk or coyotes in front of 'em.

I have a few rifles with Krieger Barrels. Try a wide variety of ammunition to get the best accuracy. It might take a little while but it will let you know right away if it likes your ammunition.

Weatherby Super Predator Master .22-250REM
2.5" groups with REM Factory 55 PSP
.5" groups with FED V-SHOK 55gr Sierra Gameking BTHP*
.5" groups with Handload 55gr Sierra Blitzking (Varget)*

* Clean Barrel after 5 shots

Magnum Research Mountain Eagle 270 (SAKO L691 Custom)
.38" groups with Winchester 140gr Failsafe (Nuff Said)

Remington 700 222 REM
.4" groups handload Hrnady A-MAX 53gr (AA2015)

All shot from prone position with Harris bi-pod

Might take a little while but don't be angry if it doesn't like your favorite loaded ammo.


SPAD

Weatherby, nice topic, and room for all sorts of comments!!!!

I have an old "South Gate" FN Mauser Weatherby in .300 Weatherby, and yes, it does shoot very well for a 40+ year old rifle, and , as someone else has remarked, it hurts too (and I have arthritis in my neck, yuck!)

So I use lighter Weatherby calibers, a Mark V .240 and a Winslow .257, and both rounds perform very well with very acceptable aesthetics. No big game for the .240, although it is a laser weapon, and alas, all I have doen with the .257 has been to shoot Woodchucks (major case of overkill, even at 300-450 yards)

The Weatherby cartridges all have a place if you want the meanest, rompingest, stompingest of performance, just remember the cost of the ammo, if you do not handload. Luckily, there seems to be plenty of new brass on the market today and ample data. For myself, I am developing a love for the .240 Wby, my newest, the more I shoot it. Will probably use it for Hill Country deer this fall.

Larry :D

CCA,
Yes, the Weatherby's cost more and if you buy it in a Weatherby caliber and shoot a lot and don't reload, it can get expensive. If they are worth the extra cost, it all depends on your taste. If they are any more accurate than a Browning, Winchester, Remington, etc. I really doubt if you did a price to minute of angle comparision, it would be no.
HOWEVER!!! :p
They are beautiful, have excellent actions, are a blast too shoot, especially in the bigger calibers, but not for a whole afternoon of "plinking".
There's also a little "snob appeal" and I think eveyone with a Weatherby or three will secretly admit this to themselves. I know I do.
If you want one and don't need to rob a bank to afford it, by all means do so. Consider it an "investment" as the Weatherby will hold a little more return on the used gun market. (al least if I'm the buyer). One thing though is caliber choice. Trying to sell a .460 around me neck of the woods would be pretty tough. Not much call for elephant guns around me since I shot the last wooly mammoth in Maine a few years back.
I've got a few ranging from the .240 to 340-378. No "need" for any and have never used them for hunting, but nice to know I could if I wanted to.
My 30-378 is the Accumark, and not sure if it's really any better than the regular MKV, but I sure like the way it looks. No experiance with the Vanguards, but they're entry level into the Weatherby club and you can still wear the Weatherby T-shirts and hats without having to fake it.

I just joined this Forum and was going through postings and saw yours. I realize it is a bit dated, however, I can provide you my experience.

I have owned Remingtons, Winchester, Marlin, etc and Weatherby's. I have own German, Japanese, and USA made Weatherby's. in calibers 240, 257, 300, 30-378,338-378, and 378. All my Weatherby's have proven to be very accurate in factory loads or even better when I have hit on a good handload.

The Accumarks are the best shooting out of the box rifle I have seen (and you pay the price for them). They have most of the attributes of a custom rifle with the stock and barrel set-ups to provide accuracy. I handload for three differenct 30-378's in each rifle we get sub 1/2" groups at 100 yds depending upon who is shooting which rifle. The 338-378 will do the same. I also load some 300 weatherby's which produces exceptional accuracy as well. These rifles/cartridges/handloads will shoot sub minute of angle to 700 yds (the longest we shoot).

The Weatherby's are expensive to shoot, if you handload you can cut the cost significantly and improve on the performance. If you decide to buy a Weatherby I would purchase to Accumark...or possibly the Stainless Syn. model...

If you have a question, please let me know...Thanks JJS

Just adding my five cents worth. I'm 60 have a 340. I fell in love if you will, with the looks of the mk.v back in my 20's. couldn't afford one, but allways wanted one. About 6or7 yrs. ago i walked into a local sporting goods store just you know looking around,window shoping, i beleave my wife was spending "our money" that day. anyway i spotted a weatherby standing in the consignment rack it was a mk.v, enough said, the rest is history. price, expensive new,not bad used. as with everthing used buyer be ware. shells,out of site,anything with weatherby's name on it the price jumps. you have to reload to make shooting one of these bite less. If your'e touchy on recoil forget it, unless you do a muzzel brake,good recoil pad or somthing along that line, you could be introduced to the mule you always heard about. it's a personal thing for each individual. i love it, it would be the last gun i would sell, by the way at the time of purchase the gun was selling new for 15 to 1800 of those green paper things,my wife shows me. I forked over 850 of them for this one, no scope,no rings, no sling, i walked out with a grin like the grill on a 53 buick, oh ya then i met back up with the wife. After several minutes on my knees on the side walk, in front of god and 5,000,000 or so people we came to some trade off's, again this is a personal thing...... good luck!!

I own a 460 mark 5, a 460 dgr, and a 30-378. I like all of them. Obviously the accumark is the most accurate of the 3. The 460's are both good at 100 yards to shoot in a 3" circle. Thats good enough for me.I doubt I will ever use a 460 much further than 100 yards.