Interest in Weatherby Mark V actions?

S

std7mag

New member
While talking with a tech from Weatherby, i was surprised to find that thet do not sell their Mark V action or barreled action.

This was saddening, after thoughts of building a wildcat 7mm-378 ELR/ULR rifle on a Mark V action.

So i'm seeking input on any interest for the Mark V action on the 3 firearm related forums that i'm on.
If enough interest, then i plan on taking my results to Weatherby.

Thank You!
 
S

stagpanther

New member
For a number of reasons, Weatherby has always "gone their own way" when designing their rifles; the MK 5's typically are going to come with their own unique in-line 6 or 9 lug bolt which I believe the barrel has to be timed precisely to when fitted. Even their lower-end Vanguard (howa 1500 in drag) which has a more conventional bolt head lug arrangement is not made with the intention of end-user "easy on and off" barrel replacement. I've tried twice and failed both times. Mk 5's are great rifles IMO.

OH--I see what this is about--std7 wants a 7mm ICBM.:D You'll DEFINITELY want an action that allows easy barrel switch out since you'll likely be incinerating barrels pretty frequently. That's why I built a 7mmSTW on a savage action.
 
Last edited:
4

44 AMP

Staff
I don't think Weatherby ever sold actions or barreled actions. From the early days of a "garage shop" on, Roy Weatherby sold his RIFLES, as rifles, not parts.
Am not at all surprised to see Weatherby still continuing that tradition.

If you want a custom build on a Mk V Weatherby action, I strongly suspect you'll need to start by buying a used Weatherby Mk V rifle, and going from there.

As already mentioned, rebarreling a Weatherby Mk V is not something for the home hobby gunsmith.
 
M

MarkCO

New member
I have a Weatherby, and I really like it. I bought a wholesale barrel in my caliber when they discontinued my specific rifle.

But, like Posts 4 and 5 stated, not a great choice for a custom. There are SO many great custom actions out there that are better choices IMHO, than fiddling with a Mark V action. And no, if they were available, I'd not want one, nor buy one.
 
R

reynolds357

New member
stagpanther said:
For a number of reasons, Weatherby has always "gone their own way" when designing their rifles; the MK 5's typically are going to come with their own unique in-line 6 or 9 lug bolt which I believe the barrel has to be timed precisely to when fitted. Even their lower-end Vanguard (howa 1500 in drag) which has a more conventional bolt head lug arrangement is not made with the intention of end-user "easy on and off" barrel replacement. I've tried twice and failed both times. Mk 5's are great rifles IMO.

OH--I see what this is about--std7 wants a 7mm ICBM.:D You'll DEFINITELY want an action that allows easy barrel switch out since you'll likely be incinerating barrels pretty frequently. That's why I built a 7mmSTW on a savage action.
Click to expand...
Vanguard is easy to rebarrel as A 700 Rem. Mark V nothing special either.
The best way to get a Mark V action used to be to buy a weather warrior just for the action and stock. Now they are expensive too.
 
R

reynolds357

New member
std7mag said:
While talking with a tech from Weatherby, i was surprised to find that thet do not sell their Mark V action or barreled action.

This was saddening, after thoughts of building a wildcat 7mm-378 ELR/ULR rifle on a Mark V action.

So i'm seeking input on any interest for the Mark V action on the 3 firearm related forums that i'm on.
If enough interest, then i plan on taking my results to Weatherby.

Thank You!
Click to expand...
Do you have a 7 Rum? I have two. They are ultra barrel eaters. I can imagine the shortness of life a 7 378 would have.
If you want a barrel eater, a very easy way to build one is to buy a Savage 338 Lapua and build a 7-338 Lapua.
 
4

44 AMP

Staff
Vanguard is easy to rebarrel as A 700 Rem. Mark V nothing special either.
Click to expand...

The Weatherby Vanguard is a Howa two lug push feed action. It has cosmetic features that make it look a lot like a Wby Mk V, but it is a different action.

One might say that while a Vanguard is a Weatherby, the Mark V is the Weatherby...
 
S

stagpanther

New member
Vanguard is easy to rebarrel as A 700 Rem. Mark V nothing special either.
Click to expand...
Weatherby has a job opening for you.:)
One might say that while a Vanguard is a Weatherby, the Mark V is the Weatherby...
Click to expand...
One could also say in the beginning the MK 5 wasn't really a Weatherby either since its manufacture was farmed out as well. All that said, I've seen a definite improvement in Weatherbys with their opening of their new factory where I think everything is now in-house manufacture (with perhaps the exception of the Vanguard). If you want custom work done--including blueprinting upon manufacture--they will do that for you, but that means getting on a waiting list. IMO, Weatherby still maintains its primary dedication to the professional hunter while still giving them an outstanding rifle--they know that hunter is likely not a customizer and instead want a custom-level gun right out of the box.
 
Last edited:
R

reynolds357

New member
stagpanther said:
Weatherby has a job opening for you.:)
One could also say in the beginning the MK 5 wasn't really a Weatherby either since its manufacture was farmed out as well. All that said, I've seen a definite improvement in Weatherbys with their opening of their new factory where I think everything is now in-house manufacture (with perhaps the exception of the Vanguard). If you want custom work done--including blueprinting upon manufacture--they will do that for you, but that means getting on a waiting list. IMO, Weatherby still maintains its primary dedication to the professional hunter while still giving them an outstanding rifle--they know that hunter is likely not a customizer and instead want a custom-level gun right out of the box.
Click to expand...
Please explain to me what makes a Vanguard harder than a 700 to rebarrel. Some people can't figure out how to get the old barrel off, but it's not hard once you figure it out once.
 
R

reynolds357

New member
44 AMP said:
The Weatherby Vanguard is a Howa two lug push feed action. It has cosmetic features that make it look a lot like a Wby Mk V, but it is a different action.

One might say that while a Vanguard is a Weatherby, the Mark V is the Weatherby...
Click to expand...
For clarification, Did I even remotely suggest the Vanguard and Mark V we're the same or similar actions? The Vanguard is actually a semi clone of a 700.
 
M

MarkCO

New member
I've seen a definite improvement in Weatherbys with their opening of their new factory where I think everything is now in-house manufacture (with perhaps the exception of the Vanguard).
Click to expand...

I agree on the quality. The Vanguard and their shotguns are imported, but the MarkVs are made in Sheridan, at least that is what I've been told by an employee.

Their shotgun line is downright impressive, and an often overlooked bargain all things considered.
 
4

44 AMP

Staff
One could also say in the beginning the MK 5 wasn't really a Weatherby either since its manufacture was farmed out as well.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that. In the beginning, Weatherby rifles were built on Mauser actions. Or customer supplied actions, and apparently a few of the first ones were done on Springfields or Win 70s. A bit later, Weatherby contracted with Sauer & Sohn and they built rifles on mauser actions or customer supplied actions, in Germany for Weatherby. After the design of the MK V action, Sauer built them as rifles. In (I believe) the 70s, Weatherby shifted that operation to Howa in Japan and are still using them today.

Other than his few first custom rifles, made in his CA shop, Weatherby rifles have always been "made" by some other manufacturer, to Weatherby specs.

Same with Weatherby ammo. Weatherby kept his cartridges essentially "proprietary" for a long, long time. Weatherby ammo was made by Norma, some used Nosler bullets all said "Weatherby" and Norma's name was in the fine print on the box.

IF you design a thing, own the rights to it, no matter who you contract with to actually produce it, its still "yours".
 
S

Shadow9mm

New member
Its too proprietary of a system imho. If you want their gun you buy it an use it as built. Stocks, chassis, barrels, you have very limited options.
 
S

Shadow9mm

New member
old roper said:
Shadow9mm, That's Wby custom shop.
Click to expand...
My point exactly. All through weatherby. No real aftermarket options. Its weatherby, or a gunsmith. Get a rem700... your options are practically unlimited straight off the shelf to your door in just a couple days.
 
S

Scorch

New member
There are a number of rifle makers who do not sell their actions. Weatherby, Winchester, Ruger, if you want to build a custom, you buy a rifle and then modify it. If you want to build a custom Weatherby rifle, you buy a Weatherby rifle and rebarrel it. There's no mystery to rebarreling Weatherby rifles, no timing of locking lugs, nothing special, they are easy to rebarrel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top