What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

There seems to be somesort of bias against Weatherby products, I shoot them and liove them. However whenever I bring them up in conversation people either bash me for useing them, or tell me that other products are better. I understand that ammo is expensive but all premium ammo is expensive reagrdless of who makes it (Federal, Remington, Winchester etc.) Does anyone have any bad experiences or reasons why they don't care for Weatherby, or have people just not tried their products out?

Good luck to everyone this season!!

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

weatherby's are great. i have a vanguard in 300 wby and dad has a first vanguard 3 #ss in 243 that shoots like a champ. he also has a mark 5 in 257 wby one hole shooter.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

I would never bash someone for owning a weatherby but I don't really like their rifles chambered in Weatherby only cartridges. I wouldn't own one that is for sure. In a standard cartridge I wouldn't mind. They make a really nice rifle. Thier wood on there higher up models tends to be exceptional.

Tom

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

Both are Howa's and not Weatherbys.

I have sighted in a good number of Weatherby rifles for customers and they certainly aren't the most accurate rifles built. You pay a lot of money for a rifle that will get out shot by something else costing hundreds less.

I'm not going to bash someone for shooting a Weatherby but if they ask I will give my opinion about their rifles.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

I don't see them bashed.Most people I know think they makefine rifles.

Well there's expensive and then there's waaay expensive. Pointing out the cost of some of those Weatherby only cartridges to a person considering such a purchase is a legitamate issue and that's why you hear it mentioned so often. I mean some of those suckers are 50 dollars a box. That's not chicken feed to a working class Joe like myself.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

My bias is I have owned them and do not like the freebore of weatherby rounds. I don't like the weatherby action and all the lugs.

The freebore is not needed anymore and at one time was quite innovative with the powders available. Lastly, one can get better performance cheaper.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

so the primary complaints are lugs, and the guns not being very accurate. The lugs part I can't argue with, all I know is you pullthe trigger (which is adjustable) and the pin hits the primer and the gun is fired, the lugs affect it how? I just don't know. As far as the guns not being accurate, this is a first, mine shoot lights out and they are only vanguards. If some one can do it cheaper than 430$ then go right ahead. But how accurate do you need your shots to be? I shoot 1-inchgroups at 100 yds. useing sand bags. At 300yds they are all about the size of an orange. I guess i just don't understand, but I will say shoot what makes you happy, and I do appreciate the responces, please keep them coming!!!!

Good luck to everyone this season and stay safe out there!!!

P.S. I will be sighting in my new 257 Wby Mag next week fitted with a Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14X42 and can't wait I'll let ya'll know how it goes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

Now what is a freebore????

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

The distance from the front of the case til the bullet touches the rifling..when the bullet engages the land and grooves the pressures builds..they get alot of their extra velocity because the bullets travels longer until it does touch and cause the pressure to go up...they have more powder to burn in a larger area until the pressure goes up...

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

OH, so does weatherby have freebores? is it good to have or not???

All new info to me!!

thx

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

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RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

My dad just traded off his weatherby 257 mark 5 for an A-bolt in 25-06. The weatherby was fine, but he just doesn't need. Costs too much and the 25-06 is a little more usefull to him.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

Vanguards are a different beast, as they are not really what I consider a weatherby action. I still think they have only 2 lugs. But freebore is basically where the bullet has alot of room before it hits the rifling.

Back in the day, Roy's designs were great, as limited powder availability, and freebore enabled him to get alot of velocity. But with so many custom powders to market, its not needed anymore. Freebore can hinder accuracy. Not saying it always will. But can.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

The 3 issues that I hear most often about Wby.
1, is the $50 to $75 box of ammo,
2, the extra money doesn't translate into a real advantage over "normal magnums" either in terms of accuracy or terminal performance.
3, the biggest complaint that I hear is that people who use Wby's are perceived by average Joe hunter as elitest.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

I absolutely loved my Accumark 7mm WM until I carried up Pigeon Mtn. Too heavy and too long for my terrain. I would never bash them, though. I think they're fine rifles.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

Weatherby's are not CRF and many folks insist on that feature. Also (at least traditionally) the finish was so high-polish and glossy as to flash across the canyons for miles.

The finest Weatherbys today IMO are the Vanguards!

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

I have an older (mid 60's) German made Mark V in 300 Weatherby Mag that shoots "lights out". It's a beautiful rifle and like I said it shoots fantastic. Can't comment on the newer Jap stuff as I have never shot those but I'd buy another German made Weatherby anyday.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

Weatherby Vanguard is a fantastic rifle.I had one in 30-06 and was
extremely accurate.Beautiful wood stock that would rival most any
gun manufactured today.For 550.00 it would shoot with any Remington
700 out there and I should know as I have had many of them and they
are also awesome guns.One person said they were only a Howa but
most American guns today have some part or either all parts made
over seas.Ruger is totally made in America but some people still bash
them any way.How about Browning?Parts made in Germany and then
assembled in Portugal then sold in America and we think Browning is a
good gun and so do I!Today I mainly hunt with a marlin 1895 Guide
gun in 45/70 and luv it.But I would buy a Weatherby Vanguard again
in a standard caliber in a minute.Lots of Vanguards now sold today
and not many other guns come with a 1 1/2 inch guaranteed accuracy
target nowadays and they ship the target with it.Great gun for the
money and I am still glad they are catching on better than ever.The
anti-gunners luv to see us argue among ourselves.I wont do that as
I like most any well Made gun that is manufactured today.For now I
have gone back to my roots and luv my Marlin lever guns in Big Bore
calibers for my mountain hunting but would feel just as comfortable
with another vanguard in a .270 if thats what I wanted.As long as what
ever I carry and it is accurate and reliable I say go for it! Mike :D

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

We live in the day of cutting edge technology. Weatherby at their inception was cutting edge technology. The second point was that Weatherby's were totally reliable, in a day when all firearms were not totally reliable. Weatherby made their name in dangerous game rifles, and that flowed over into the "magnum" craze market.

If you wanted anything "Hotter" than the standard cartridges then you had to go with Weatherby, it was the only game in town. That is not the fact any more, you can get magnum cartridges from all the manufacturers. Also if a rifle shot 1 to 1-1/2 inch groups that was acceptable-that is not the case anymore.

Roy's theory(I personally heard him say this at the SHOT show in the 80's) was a rifle should be hot and beautiful, but totally reliable-then someone would add just like a good woman. Hot being magnum performance and beautiful being good wood. IMO if Roy saw his rifles bastardized the way they have been, he would roll over in his grave.

I own and have owned several. Some were shooter's and some were not. With the exception of the "Ultralight"-(which wasn't that light)they were all works of art, and were 100% reliable. Tom.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

Dads mark v 257 is will out shoot my friends custom job. in 25/06 it is a remington 700 action and a shilen barrel and trigger. he payed way over 2k for it and dad payed less then $700 for his a couplreyears ago.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

the new weatherby's that are made in the USA are just as good as the old german WEATHERBY'S. the japan made ones are ok but is not as good as the USA or German made ones. my weatherby xxii made in itlay shoots good and looks good.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

A vanguard is not a Weatherby. It is a Howa with minor cosmetic changes so as to not look exactly like a Howa, made in Japan, and they stamp the Weatherby name on the rifle for them.

IMHO the Howa/ vanguard is a better rifle than thereal Weatherby rifles of today.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

I don't like the styling- they look fat and gaudy, I prefer something more trim and subtle like a Win Mod 70.
Price- Is way too high, unless you like the styling and speed.
Speed- The weatherby cartridge ballistics are itneresting, but not necessarily practical considering the cost.

I'd take a weatherby/Howa in 30-06 any day.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

As for Weatherby shotguns (Athena and Orion), they are very nice shotguns for the price, but once again those are Japanese made by SKB.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

I'm going to comment on the Mark 5's, as i've owned a few of them over the years but no longer own one... I always thought of them as a dangerous game rifle, as that's what Roy said they were, and that's what i bought them for...

What i don't like about them is, the action is heavy... The stocks are gaudy and although the wood may look fancy, it's almost always a poor grade of wood. I'veseen several broken stocks because they are laid out all wrong in the first place. They aren't as accurate as they should be for what they cost, and you never see one win any match at a shoot. The multi locking lugs can freeze up when snow or small sticks gets into them AND, it's the only rifle i ever carried into the field that failed on me! And, it was because of poorly designed bolt stop. I know of a guy that lost his bolt on a hunt because his bolt stop on his rifle also failed...

NOW, other than that, i like them... ha ha ha

Now, if you like your's, that's just fine with me, as that's what makes the world go around...

DM

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

I have also had a couple Mark V's. They were the most expensive rifles I ever owned and probably the two poorest overall performers that I ever had. The triggers were very poor and accuracy was nowhere near where it should have been. There is no way I would ever spend another dime on them.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

In bolt action rifles, I own a Rugar M77, A Remington BDL, A Winchester Model 70 with the pre 64 Bolt, and three Weatherby Vangurards (one Standard, and one SMOA). All of the the rifles are in "standard calibers", and I love the Vanguards. In fact, they are the only rifles I shoot anymore.

I would not purchase a Weatherby Mark because you have do come chambered only in Weatherby chambered calibers;and they are expensive to shoot.

So, having said very little ina long winded sentence; I not only like my Vanguards; any and all rifles I buy going forward will be Vanguards. For the money, they are one of the best rifles made -Nice trigger, they have a natural rise to my shoulder, they come with all the whistles and bells, and they shoot great hunting groups.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

As a former MKV owner I'd say the stock was a poor design because of the way the action/barrel married to the stock. Cracks would develope in the pistol grip. Both of my mine deloped this crack and personally seen others with cracks in the same place and spoke to a few others that had the same problem. This design flaw was finally corrected.
As far as accuracy all MK V's shot well. They didn't leave the factory without shooting under 1 1/2" groups and targets were provided with NIB purchase to show what the gun shot before shipping. Both of my300 mags gave 1" or better groups with Wby 180 noslers and 150 psp.All guns had good factory triggers comming in at 4 -4 1/2 lbs and broke crisp and clean. That was (Japan) guns made some 30+ years ago. Unless they changedsomething with MKV's over the years I can't see why the new ones don't perform as well as old one.
I agree with the "gaudy" finish but as far as function the design was good for managing recoil but I went to MacMillan stocks when they were first offered in the Mid 80's rather than replace the wood with wood. I also agree the ammo was pricey with nosler's running around $38 way back then. IMHO the other "drawbacks" posted are just so much B.S. and sour grapes.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

LOL. I always thought the 1 1/2" 3 -shot guarantee was the gayest thing ever. It might have been impressive 40 years ago but today it would be like trying to sell a BMW by highlighting that is has an AM/FM radio. :DIf I'm not mistaken, Tikka rifles which cost 1/2 as much or less guarantee 1" or less.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

Never had anything specifically against Weatherbys except that they were somewhat heavy. Myleft hand Weatherby MK V was accurate. Traded it square up for the best rifle Weatherby ever sold: A left handMathieu. Weatherby soldthe Mathieubefore they developed the MK V gun. It has a 28 inch Buhmiller barrel thati hadset back and re-chambered in .300 Win Mag.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

Bri , I only pointed that outbecause people here posted they don't shoot.
That is just plain b.s. That was thier standards with factory ammo which isn't too shabby considering and if you continued reading you'll see where mine did 1" or better with factory fodder.
If you want to compare apples and oranges the Tikka is 1/2 the price but if you talk about tp o' the line tikka is 1000+ list. Regular tikka should be compared to the vangaurd series.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

How about apples to apples theN? Compare a Cooper Arms classic to a weatherby MkV. Better looking? Yup. Better made? Yup, More accurrate? Oh yeah. More expensive? yes, but not by much.

BTW, the 'bottom-of-the-line' Tikka T-3s are guaranteed to shoot 1" or less;)

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

Sooo, broken stocks, actions freezeing up because of poor design, and bolt stops failing are sour grapes??? On rifles that are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY overpriced??? What you been smokeing????

DM

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

The Remington 788's out shot my Weatherby's and they cost 100 bucks new at the time the Weatherby cost 1000. That does make for sour somethings's.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

Im guessin they made the wife sour when she found out you spent a thousand bucks for those turds :D

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

I may have forgotten to mention the price.:DI did mostly trading but It still leave that sour taste. Most folks like to feel that a product was worth the money regardless of initial cost. These dogs didn't reach that level.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

I don't have a lot of money, never did.... but i assure you, IF they were heads and shoulders above the other brands, it's what i'd be shooting today even if they were more expensive than they are! I bought the 340 that failed to use as a crawl through the brush brown bear rifle.

They sure aren't junk, but they are just over priced and too much hype!

DM

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

I've got nothing against Weatherbys. I kinda wonder why they have the prices they do as I've never seen any of them that were deserving of the cost. Not any better than many other rifles. Seems that a fair amount of the Weatherby owners place themselves on the high pillars simply for owning one though. What is better is the Vanguard owners that put themselves on that same pillar when they have a mis-marked Howa - not Weatherby made. Would these same ppl be so high on themselves if they owned a Howa marked rifle? Doubt it. :D even thier new .22 isn't made by them. It's an Anshutz. Far better than a Howa but why not just buy an Anshutz to begin with. I know for a while even some US made weatherbys were outsourced and not really manufactured by them. :eek:

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

DM any gun will freeze up like you described it has nothing to do with the gun, that's just carelessness or stupidity of the shooter. I've never heard of bolt stop failue until you posted about it. I owned two and know other owners personally and have spoke to many others. You have firsts that I know of.
The only "frozen" bolt I've seen on a MK V was a guy who screwed up a his reloads and loaded so hot the bolt had to be beat with a mallet to open and the brass was fused into the chamber. Primer was blown but gun didn't blow up so I think it spoke volumes of the action's strength.

RE: What's with the bias against Weatherby??
 

You guys should remember one thing. Weatherby is just like Browning. They are trade names, not Manufacturers. The same goes for Charles Daly. These companies do not make anything. They buy from manufacturers and put their name on it. That is one reason Browning and Weatherby are more expensive. There is one more middle man involved that wants a slice of the pie.

There have been good ones and bad ones over the years. It just depended on their specs. for that year. I have seen it first hand, and know it is so. When they had bad years they lowered their standars, and the inferior stuff rolled in. Especially Charles Daly and Weatherby. Tom.