WEATHERBY.

Adam Weatherby personally called me last night. The narrative below pretty much explains the reason and his personal guarantee to me he's going to make it right. It pays to write a good letter and good companies respond in kind:

SYNOPSIS: I never thought the day would come, but here we are. I recently purchased one of the new "Wyoming Guns" in 7 Mag. This was my third in that caliber, all shot well under MOA. This one however, was a DOG.

So I wrote them a note (below) and followed up with a phone call to their customer service. First they told me there would be a charge of 198 bucks for a "range fee" in order to test the gun. To which I responded, so I'm paying for something you guarantee in writing"? not happening.

Never heard from them so I called them about six weeks ago and they said the gun had been "safety checked" and was awaiting range time. Last week I called back and some irreverant and condescending employee, after first chastising (or trying to) for my "impatience" he proceeded to tell me the gun passed their range test of .89 and .99 using 120gr Barnes TSX ammo. So the gun apparently ONLY shoots with that ammo (see my notes below). Personally, a 120gr is total horseshit in a 7 mag (in my opinion), but had I known this, I would have never even considered it. Suffice it to say, I planned to out them with every publication I know as well as several gun scribes whom I have a personal relationship with, as well as Dallas Safari Club etc. but I figured before I did any of this, I'd Adam Weatherby a note

My letter below:

Mr. Adam Weatherby,
1550 Yellowtail Drive
Sheridan, Wyoming 82801

Dear Mr. Weatherby:

Pursuant to my conversations with customer service, I sent my 7mm Weatherby magnum to you for inspection and evaluation as a result of poor grouping with factory ammo (targets enclosed with rifle). I have been a Weatherby owner since the early 80s. I purchased my first rifle from your old store on Firestone Boulevard in South Gate from your grandfather himself and since then have owned dozens, with my current inventory of six Weatherbys, all MKVs and with them I have taken over three dozen species of game world-wide from Africa to all over the United States. In December 2019, I purchased a pair of your Weathermarks, one in 340 (Paso Robles rifle) and the other a 7mm (Wyoming rifle). The 340 shoots like all other Weatherbys I've owned, well under MOA with most sub half MOA.

However, the 7mm simply does not shoot with any ammunition I tried, both factory Weatherby ammo and my time tested hand loads using the old Weatherby Guide (1985 and older) “Factory Equivalent loads" with Norma MRP. Those loads always grouped exactly like the factory ammo on every Weatherby caliber, including two previous 7mm Weatherbys. I tried 140 gr Barnes TTSXs, 160 gr Nosler Partitions, 154 and 175 grain Hornady Interlocks (both factory ammo and my own hand loads) and the best group was right at 2.5", clearly unsatisfactory and way outside your written .99" guarantee.

While I realize nothing is flawless and I expected your company would make this right, I have to admit I was taken aback when your Customer Service representative (Chip?) informed, me in a condescending way, the rifle was tested and met the accuracy standard using factory 120gr TSX ammunition, which to be honest, is a less than optimum bullet weight for that cartridge and had I known that, I would have never purchased that rifle. Granted, it’s my opinion based on experience, but that caliber is much better suited for 140-160gr bullet weights. Moreover, when he told me I would be charged a 198 dollar "range fee" to correct the problem, in addition to the shipping costs, frankly, I was flabbergasted.
In years past, you used to provide a factory target with each rifle and while I can appreciate and understand your "Range Certified" selling point to justify a higher price that now includes a target, I do not see how you can charge me, the customer to fix a rifle that should have never left your warehouse, not even close to your factory guarantee with REASONABLE bullets weights using your factory ammo. I have to be perfectly up front with you that if I have to pay for this range fee I will do so, but I will have purchased my last Weatherby.
 
Frankly, I hope that what I heard was in error. You are Weatherby! There is a reason I have purchased and enjoyed Weatherby Rifles over the past 40 years. I am the customer you want, i.e. the loyal repeat customer that sings the praises of America's finest rifles. Weatherby was started by a your grandfather, with a passion for perfection,, not a Wall Street Investment Capital Group. Performance matters. People like me will and do spend more to get more and that means more quality and top customer service, not more run around. You are Weatherby and I had every confidence that your folks would have worked with me on this, but now I was informed the rifle Is on its way back to me and once I received it, I will trade it in or sell it, with the caveat to the prospective buyer, this rifle only shoots with a bullet weight suitable for deer or smaller game. I ever thought the day would come, but here we are. If you would like further information or would like to discuss, I am available anytime

Sincerely,
Jorge

I will keep you guys posted on the outcome, but I know full well it will be fixed.

You pressed the issue. How many gave up when customer service gave them the runaround.

Dave

I have owned several Mark Vs and a couple Vanguards.

All of them have shot well.

Some have been spectacular.

I am not 100% sure you would have got the same response from Adam's father.

Adam seems to be one of the good ones.

Glad to hear they are making things right for you. I own a few and plan on owning a handful more. I really enjoy the Weatherby rifles that I own.

Hopefully he does indeed follow through. Good luck.

I would not be surprised if the initial reaction of Weatherby is designed to sort people out. An accuracy warranty is a difficult one because as we all know it could be scope or mounts or both and of course the shooter and how he tests the rifle himself.

That is a really well written letter Jorge.

Thank you, John. I really wanted Weatherby to make this right as it would have been akin to there is no Santa Claus with me. Been a fan since I was a kid and it was a "Bucket List" moment for me when I took a jet out to LA went to the old Weatherby store on Firestone BLVD and bought my first one from Roy himself ! UPS just showed, pre-paid next day air label with a follow up call from Weatherby saying they are expediting this for me. GREAT OUTFIT

Good to hear Jorge. I know there are some that take a lot of shots (pun) at Weatherby here on AR but I've always liked them. I currently only have 1, a synthetic Mark V in 340 WBY. It's a tack driver and hits like a mule kick on both ends. Took it on my first 3 trips to Africa, my only trip to Alaska, and numerous elk hunts. It's been flawless. Looking around my trophy room, easily 1/2 of the animals were taken with that rifle.

Glad to hear the company is standing by you as a customer.

Love the 340, Todd. I think it's one of Weatherby's best offerings along with the 257 & 300. Jorge

Not to be derisive, but maybe this should have an addendum to the title that reads, "only if you write a good letter to the owner." I am glad they are going to make it right for you, but a bit disappointed that it took that much effort on your part. I have never owned a Weatherby,I am too much of a classic Mauser sporter fan, but I have developed loads for many friends that have them and was always impressed with the accuracy they displayed, especially with the pencil barrels! Hopefully they will be more responsive in the future.

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Hopefully they will be more responsive in the future.

I know they will be and previously, they always have. Adam Weatherby was more than receptive and indicated this served as a good test case to review their CS Model as they have an 80% personnel turnover with their move to WY.

I certainly hope they are taking care of business these days. My last experience with them was in the mid-70s when I bought Centurion I think, 12 G. automatic. Had trouble right out of the box. Finally sent it back + UPS "lost" it for a year but wouldn't pay the insurance claim. Shotgun turned up a year later, it had been fired but never cleaned + had a note saying they found nothing wrong. I went out that afternoon + traded it off + have never bought another Weatherby product since. I certainly hope they have improved their customer policy. One bad dealing can leave a bad taste in ones mouth.

If I ceased buying from a company because of one mishap then I would not be buying anything from anyone

Like Jorge my dealings with Weatherby are very long and go back to 1971 when I spoke to Roy on the phone about getting 460s. He was strong in point out that they would have to go through their agent in Australia and I was aware of that. Weatherby would be considered to most desirable guns and gun related company to have an agency with in Australia.

I have dealt with their custom shop. The importers are more than pleased for you do it yourself as the rifles will come through them.

Back in the early 1970s a friend of mine rang Roy about a 7mm and 224. Stuff was done with the import agent etc., however, the 224 went astray. A letter of apology was sent by Weatherby and another 224 was on its way and with the 224 Weatherby included for nothing due to the fuckup with the first 224, one of those Mark XXII semi auto 22s for zero cost.

Roy seem to have a keen interest in people who called from other countries. When you phone Roy, even though the rifle would come via the agent the wood was always better.

Measured over what would be about 50 years I think Weatherby is one of the best companies I have dealt with and I don't mean just gun companies. Another top place was Huntington.

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Measured over what would be about 50 years I think Weatherby is one of the best companies I have dealt with and I don't mean just gun companies.

Could not agree more. Adam was MORE than receptive and in fact said my call was a catalyst to improve their CS practices as they had lost about 80% of their staff with the WYOMING move.

I own a couple of Weatherby Orion SXS shotguns and one 257 Weatherby Custom Shop rifle. I have always been impressed with their firearms, but have never owned a stable of them like jorge or some of you others. I do hope that Adam Weatherby makes it right. Keep us posted for sure on this. One thing that they first need to do is fire their CS people that aren't customer oriented. One bad CS apple will ruin the Company's reputation in no time. Good luck my friend.

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Originally posted by jorge:

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Measured over what would be about 50 years I think Weatherby is one of the best companies I have dealt with and I don't mean just gun companies.

Could not agree more. Adam was MORE than receptive and in fact said my call was a catalyst to improve their CS practices as they had lost about 80% of their staff with the WYOMING move.

That’s a big loss for a CS department, institutional knowledge is hard to replace on short order. Hope they get back up to speed.

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Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I own a couple of Weatherby Orion SXS shotguns and one 257 Weatherby Custom Shop rifle. I have always been impressed with their firearms, but have never owned a stable of them like jorge or some of you others. I do hope that Adam Weatherby makes it right. Keep us posted for sure on this. One thing that they first need to do is fire their CS people that aren't customer oriented. One bad CS apple will ruin the Company's reputation in no time. Good luck my friend.

Thank you, sir and I'll keep you guys posted.

An update gents. Weatherby shop called yesterday and they agreed the rifle was not meeting specs with 140-154-160 grain bullets, so they are going to re-barrel it for me. I should have it back in a couple of weeks..

That's great news. Glad things worked out for you BUT that's what should have been done when you initially contacted them. A customer shouldn't have to go through what you did to get warranty service on a defective product.

I will admit I am a Weatherby fan. That said, it is tough to move the operation from Cali to Wyoming (where?)and not have some transition issues with personnel both in the office and the production floor. I own/have owned over 2 dozen Weatherby rifles and loaded for many more. They have been by far the most accurate production rifles in class. You have to go to HS Precision or Cooper, both at a higher price point to do better. I have never had a Weatherby that would not shoot sub-MOA that was not a Japan vintage wood gun and only a couple of those. Nothing I would consider sending back. It is too bad that "Chip" was an ass. The dealings I have with Weatherby CS on dating and validating guns has been second to none. It sound Like young Adam understands the world he lives in and respects the work previous generations put into the Weatherby reputation. Good for you Mr. Weatherby, please help "Chip" to understand he has a legacy to uphold and most of us want to continue to love the brand. It should not take a letter to Roys grandson to get, at least, respectful customer service.

Great story Jorge and you wrote a nice letter too.

Kudo's to Adam as well!That's a big gesture and you now have an "in" with the company.

Whatever happened to his father Ed? Seems pretty young to be retired