I just picked up a Japanese Weatherby Mark V (Southgate address) in .270 WBY. It has a 24" barrel with matte blue, an oil-finished walnut stock with no monte carlo and rosewood fore end tip that is rounded and has a 90 degree straight upright (not 45 degree slant) junction with the stock wood. Also, a plastic grip cap rather than wood. In other words, it is a "classic" rather than "California" style stock. What was this model called?

I also got a .257 WBY in the same deal. It is U.S.A. produced with the Atascadero address. Has a 26" heavy sporter barrel with matte blue. The walnut stock is the long-time Weatherby style with the pronounced monte carlo, but it is oil-finished rather than glossy varnish. Which model do I have here?

THANKS! (I'm a Sako guy and don't know beans about Weatherby's!)

Stonecreek, I bought a rifle matching your description - perhaps mid-90'ties or so? I believe it went under the "Classic" label. Mine was a .300 Wby - pretty light barrel contour. At the time I bought it, Weatherby offered a free (tupperware) plastic stock with the rifle - in addition to the wooden stock.

Something like this:


Picture pilfered from:

Gunsinternational.com

- mike

Yes, Mike, that's dead-ringer for the .270 I have. I thought it might have been labeled "Classic", but I haven't been able to find reference to that model.

How did you like the one you had?

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
How did you like the one you had?

In a word, I was not particularly impressed. It never really shot all that consistently. Perhaps it was the thin barrel, perhaps it was the floppy tupperware stock (which I used instead of the wood), perhaps the .300 was just a tad much for me - or perhaps a combination of all of the above...

Currently, the MkV action - which I like: very smooth, short bolt lift, positive safety - has been rebarreled to .375 H&H. It is a large, heavy action, so I considered it suitable for a bigger caliber. We are still waiting for the McMillan stock...

Btw, I noticed you had also obtained a heavy barrel MkV in an oil finished Monte Carlo stock. I always had a hankering for one of those. I personally like the Weatherby stocks - they seem to fit me well. I think Weatherby has marketed oil finished stocks under several names, but there used to be a "Euro Mark" model which fits your description. I'm not sure if Weatherby currently offers an oil finished stock - "Deluxe" or something. or perhaps the "Sporter"??

These days, I have 2 Weatherby calibers left in my line-up (I got rid of my .300's): a .257 and a .270. IMHO, they are the best of the Weatherbys, if the .300 happens to be a bit much for you. Fast, flat but without much recoil. Sweet!

- mike

Stonecreek, your 270 is a Classic Mark while your 257 is a Sporter.

Ken....

Thanks for the clarification, Heat.

That's what I get for being a Weatherby nut.

The Japanese made rifles came in 24 inch barrels for some years as well as 26 inch. The German made ones were predominently 26 inch with some 24 inch. I don't think the newer American made come in anything but 26 inch though the custom shop will put one together any way you want it. All I know is the two that I own, a 338-378 Accumark and a Vanguard 257, have been great shooters right out of the box. The 338-378 is a riot to shoot, especially without the brake .

Ken....