Any input on the Weatherby Ultra Lightweight versus the other "off the shelf" rifles. I am looking at the sub-custom (~$2000). I have looked at the Browning/Rem TI's. Kimber Montana, and Sako Finn light. Caliber is .270 winchester, the classic sheep rifle, without a sheep tag.

Thanks

I am a hardcore Sako fan but didn't like the tupperware stock on my model 75, I don't know what kind of stock they're putting on the new 85s, but I really like the quality and feel of the Montana's stock. I have had several Weatherbys including an Ultralight in 257 and liked the stock, but not the huge action. I would pick a another Montana in a heart beat. I am actually thinking about one in 25-06. Lou

I would go with the Weatherby ULW. Hard to beat a rifle that comes in at 5 3/4 lbs with Weatherbys accuracy guarantee.

I've had a Wby Ultralight for several years. Seems very similar to what they are now calling the Ultra Lightweight. I cannot think of any problems I've had. Used it on many hunts. It shoots very well with handloads, in the .7 neighborhood.

I can't comment on the Weatherby but I definitely know I'd never enter the "Kimber Krap Shoot". Too much chance on getting a bummer - been there & done it. If I wanted a .270 Win., I'd go for a Cooper hands down-I think it's their Mod. 52-not sure tho. I've NEVER heard of a bad Cooper & you'd be able to get one in your price range.
Just my 2 cents & probably not worth that. Bear in Fairbanks

I too am a sako fan. I have a .270 finnlight that I put in a mcmillan edge(i don't like the factory syn.stocks either) I topped it off with a leupy 3x9x40. Ready to go it comes in at a hair over 7 1/2 lbs.It balances perfectly for me and puts 140 factory accubonds into tiny groups and it's very comfortable to shoot. A strong vote for the sako!

id go for the weatherby, I just love the look of the actions on them although i've never used one befor. other than that go for the rem Ti or the sako 85 finnlight. all a similar price really.

It doesnt really mater what anyone else says, just get the rifle you want and you'll be happy because you couldnt go wrong with any of those rifles.

- the X-mark trigger on the Rem 700's suck.

Hi!
I have an Ultralightweight MkV in 300WBY (with Kahles 2,5-10x50 ill ret)and it works very well and is very accurate.

FWIW---I've got one ofthe early wby ultralights in 300 wby mag. It's been a terrible gun to get to shoot decent. I understand there were lots of issues with the early ones and the later ones seem better. It was the worst $1200 I ever spent.
On the other hand. Last year picked up at tikka t3 300 win mag. Shoots most anything well and most bullets to the same point of impact even at 300 yds. Best group to date is .9"////300yds///5 shot. THIS GUN WEIGHS 7#2oz on my postage scale complete with factory rings and 3-9 burrs bp scope.....THE BEST $550 I EVER SPENT!

I have 2 of the Weatherby Ultralightweights, a 30-06 and a 338-06 and both shoot very tiny groups with my handloads. While the hump on the stock looks a bit weird, old Roy knew what he was doing because it supports your face and aids in accurate shooting. It serves that purpose very well. I too thought about a Kimber, but just too much money to spend to get one that was made on a Monday. The Weatherbys are a treat to carry and look like a high dollar custom...but can be had for less than a grand if you look around.

Take a look at a Cooper mod 52 rifle. 1/2 MOA accuarcy and they make a synthetic stock model for less the the $2000 named.
http://cooperfirearms.com/

For around $1950 plus action, you can have Kevin Weaver build a under 6 lb rifle that will out shoot any factory rifle that you named. I have four of his rifles with two more ordered. Kevin build me a 300 WSM that weighs under 6 lb with a VXIII 2x8, it shoots bugholes at 100 yd (.3MOA). Give him a call he is one of the nicest guys I know.

DR B

Weaver Rifles

DR B's Rifle

For an off the shelf they are a good rifle. I have or have had, one of every model mentioned except the Tikka, have plenty of Sako's though, and a best bud with the Tikka in lefty.

If you're willing to tweak it just a fuzz, Handwerk has the deal, I've got several of my Sako's in the Edge from McMillan, and damn are they sweet.

Bone stock they Wby is 50 /50 on accuracy out of the box without a lot of work. Have dialed in 3 of them, exactly what you're talking about, the UL in .270 Win. Only one shot really great without some pretty serious load development. The factory synthetic stock is good though, I even like the slightly uncommon color pattern.

The Cooper is damn sure a shooter, but it is NOT lightweight relative to a Sako, Tikka or the Wby. at least a couple pounds more--part of which is a 25" barrel standard on them. The stock on them is damn good too.

Good shooting--Don

I have shy'd away from custom rifles because there are so many choices and I am not that familiar with any of them. The reason the Weatherby is high on the list cause its a 5 3/4 rifle in a long action (270 win) Most of the customs mentioned and others that I have looked at are 6.5 and up in the LA. Real high on the list is the Sako 85 restocked with the MacMillan. It may get down around 6 or slightly less, but I cannot find a local smith that is willing to help, I live in Salt Lake, UT, and I am not sure about the recoil lug.

Back to the Weatherby, the one that I am looking at is the black stock with SS (not the tan one). It was made in 1999. I have heard that the older Ultra Lightweights had problems but not sure how old.


Its all fun till someone gets hurt, then its real funny

For an off the shelf they are a good rifle. I have or have had, one of every model mentioned except the Tikka, have plenty of Sako's though, and a best bud with the Tikka in lefty.

If you're willing to tweak it just a fuzz, Handwerk has the deal, I've got several of my Sako's in the Edge from McMillan, and damn are they sweet.

Bone stock they Wby is 50 /50 on accuracy out of the box without a lot of work. Have dialed in 3 of them, exactly what you're talking about, the UL in .270 Win. Only one shot really great without some pretty serious load development. The factory synthetic stock is good though, I even like the slightly uncommon color pattern.

The Cooper is damn sure a shooter, but it is NOT lightweight relative to a Sako, Tikka or the Wby. at least a couple pounds more--part of which is a 25" barrel standard on them. The stock on them is damn good too.

Good shooting--Don

I've got an Ultra Lightweight in .270 Wby; it's been a great rifle, shoots into 1/2" with 150 NP's and 140 X's, and I'm no range-rat... weighs 6.75# without scope. I'd recommend it, although I'll likely be selling mine as I'm having a custom .270 Wby built

Regards,
Craig Nolan

John,

You're probably not going to go wrong with either a Weatherby or a Sako. Pick the one that feels the best. I've always been partial to Weatherbys for several reasons: it's an American product, has an accuracy guarantee, tames heavy recoil better than anything else on the market ( at least for me ), & seems to have more highly polished rifling. This last item results in faster cleaning with fewer patches than any other brand in my gun room.

I think many of us would benefit from using the same criteria employed when buying a rifle that we use when choosing a scattergun. We all insist on a shotgun that fits & points naturally, yet are willing to endure a rifle that requires unatural positioning. As I suggested in the beginning, buy the one that feels the best.