anyone have any experience with the .300 weatherby ultralight weight (6 3/4 lbs.)

I have experience with 2 of the custom outfitter models in the 300wby, supposedly an upgrade from the standerd ultralight you mentioned. The first problem was the weight, 7 1/2 lbs instead of 6 3/4 advertised weight. Neither gun was very accurate but one of them would shoot the advertised group size of 1 1/2'' but that was with my handloads occasionally! The other rifle was sent back to the factory 3 times and they sent it back each time with a different and the claim that now it would shoot. Off to the range I would go to find out it would shoot a 6 or 7 in group with factory ammo. They were not willing to replace the rifle so we took it to our local gunsmith and had it glass bedded and that solved quite a few problems, not perfect but much more predictable. With only a layman's knowledge of gunsmithing I believe the real culprit is the relationship between the barrel and the action. Of course I do have a standard caliber ultralight rifle that does not have any problem shooting a 1 in group but I had to replace the barrel and the stock on that one. As you can see my experience has not been a positive one, but everyone will have their own POV. Good luck Shayne

I should of previewed my post. They sent it back with a different stock each time.
Shayne

I have not used the ultralight but I did own a synthetic stocked mark5 in 300wby.Accuracy was within the 1-1/2" guarantee but just barely even with handloads.Overall I was disapointed with the rifles accuracy considering the price.I replaced the rifle with a custom 300ultramag that did not cost a great deal more but is much more accurate.I am also happier with the 300ultramag cartridge compared to the 300wby.

I have an ultra light in 300 wby. The jury is still out on it. We are one of the larger Weatherby dealers and I had to use some inside connections to have some of the quality control problems remedied. Our .270 UL Weatherby shoots very well with several different loads. Currently I am not happy with my Ultra light Weatherby, nor with their attempt at dealer support.

Aleko

I must have got lucky with my old wood stocked Mk5 in 300Wby,either that or the quality was a lot better 15 years ago. derf

Aleko, The Custom outfitter we had so much trouble with was also a gun that my dealer had ordered for himself. He was very disappointed in the support he received from the factory. At one time they wanted to know how much torque we had used to tighten the stock screws, we replied 60 in/lbs. They wanted to know if we tried 59 or 61 or how about 62? I was thinking to myself that if 1 in/lb of pressure is keeping this gun from shooting then we really have a problem. Then when they sent it back and it would not shoot I tried to remove the stock and I had to put it in a vice to remove the screws they had tightened it down so hard. The original recommendation was 60 inch lbs and this was far from it! Anyway, the more I learn the less I know. Shayne

thanks everyone-looks like i'll be keeping my mk. 5 laser, cause it shoots 1 inch at 100 yds. just looking for something lighter for the field-getting older.

This morning Weatherby replaced my gun with a new replacement. They told me that there .257 UL hunters were the most accurate in current production. This is a good start. I will shoot the .257 this weekend.

Aleko

aleko-let me know how the 257 shoots--two canoes

I just mounted a scope on it at the shop. Going to the range tomorrow

Aleko

I used a 300 Wby Ultra Lightweight for 2 seasons. I thought accuracy off a bench was acceptable for a factory gun shooting factory ammo and having no modifications (~1.25"@ 100) and a was a pleasure to carry. If it would've been a 257 Wby, I'd still own it today.

My only complaint was that (for me) it was too much cartridge for that light of a gun, especially considering I was only using it for deer. It looked great on paper and I had dreams of it being my "one and only" but practice sessions were tough and as a result, I wasn't willing to put in the time needed in order to take advantage of that round's capability. Range sessions consisting of 40-60 rounds of 300 Wby in a 6.5 pound gun really took it out of me but you might have better luck.

Recoil issue aside, to me, the 300 Wby Ultra Lightweight is a gun ideally suited to someone hunting elk + sized game in an area where hiking/climbing are a major factor in the hunt. If that's you, you'll love it. If not, you might look to another cartridge/gun to avoid making the same mistake I made.

Hope that helps your decision.

I have used a 300WBY ultralight for elk hunting the last two years. I bought it for the weight (hiking around at 9,000 feet elevation) and it's flat shooting, hard hitting capability as we hunt in open country for elk. I can honestly say it works great, two large cow elk with two shots in two years.

I was glad that the gun I purchased had the Weatherby accubrake on it. I've tried shooting it without the break and the recoil is a bit stiff. With the brake it is very manageable, however ear protection must be worn at all times.

It's very accurate with the right load. I shoot the following load which is highly accurate (sub MOA) at all ranges and very consistent.

180 grain Nosler Partition
85 grains IMR 7828
Federal 215 primer
Remington Brass (that's right Remington, you can get them for $35 for 50 pieces)
3250 fps (chronographed 10' from barrel, 15 shot average)

two canoes

I have a 300 wby ultralight, bought it the first year they came out, can't remember when but had it a good while 4 or 5 years I guess. It's pretty accurate one of the more accurate off the shelf guns I've owned, and I have had my share. It shoots pretty much whatever I stick in it or at least so far. I did a trigger job and thats it.

It's been to Alaska twice, africa, Western US, all over texas. I've taken two Caribou, Audad, pigs, deer etc. I've havent had any problems with Weatherbys, had 5 or 6 and they all shot good. Its not the only gun I hunt with but I'm pleased with it.

My understanding Carter Country in Houston Sells more weatherbys than anybody in the country and the guys that work there tell they weatherbys are pretty accurate based on the feed back.

[ 07-13-2003, 02:55: Message edited by: Gringo Cazador ]

Rocky Mountain Hunter, If you paid 35.00 for 50 Remington brass for your 300Wby you were over charged big time.. I recently paid 38.00 for 100... Also, the load you use is exactly the same as I use..

Good Luck!

My mistake, it was $35 for 100. Best deal going by far.

Nice to hear someone else out there has had the same experience with the 300WBY and this load.

I took it out shooting this weekend to start getting the feel of it again before Elk season. Was at a range that only went to 100yds max. I gave up after five shots for a good reason, all five went in almost the same hole. Figured why waste the shells at 100yds. Am going to another range this weekend that goes out to 500metres.

Happy hunting.

Great caliber but in that weight it ought to really snap your twig....

I have a 300 wby ultralight. Has been a very unpredictable shooter. I took it to the local smith and he found the hole in the muzzle break was so small that the bullet could possibly rub on the way through it. He enlarged the hole and I went to the range. It seemed to be shooting pretty good and then the scope mts came loose. I've got everything ready to go but haven't done any shooting yet. Recoil with the muzzle break is amazingly mild--much less than my 30-06 but it still seems to loosen up scope mts. I'm trying some leupold QR's now.
I do have an old weatherby mark 5 jap built alaskan that will shoot 3" groups at 300 yds. I was so happy I HAD TO GET THE ULTRA LIGHT--maybe a big mistake.
One last comment--get yourself one of the new slings made of the "stretchy" material--it makes a 9# gun feel like a 6# and a 6# gun feel like a bb gun. If I visit my buddy in Alaska we carry back pack frames and you don't notice even the heavy guns up there on the frame.

RMH: What overall length are you using for your Nosler Partitions? jorge

Guys, I can't help admire your guts - heck I find the .300 Wby a tad much (actually make that a tad or TWO too much!) in my standard MkV - let alone in a 6-7 lbs gun . To each his own, I suppose...
- mike

KRAKY- what's this "strechy" sling you are talking about and who makes it?