One rifle I don't see much or see much discussion about is the Weatherby Mark V. Anyone have a big bore Weatherby? If so, how do you like it, how does it shoot, and what kinds of things made you select the Weatherby. I think the Mark V Deluxe is a very nice gun.

Dave, I've had quite a few...solid, accurate rifles. I presently have a custom in 378 Wby in a McMillan Express stock that shoots 1/2". The Outfitter model from the Custom Shop with Teflon metalwork and camo stock is one of my favorite iterations. Most models are available in non-Weatherby calibers if you don't like high velocity in a hunting rifle.

I have a Mark V Deluxe in 378 Weatherby and a 416 weatherby in Mark V Deluxe. Both have been restocked with HS Precision stocks. In the 378, I am shooting a max load of H4831 with 270gr Barnes TSX's at 3100fps and groups average under 1" at 100yds. In the 416, I am shooting a max load of RL22 with 400gr Swift A-Frames at 2700fps and groups average under 1" at 100yds. I started picking up Weatherby's in the early 90's and they all shot very well, except for one I rebarreled, and now I have eleven Weatherby rifles and a sporting clays over/under shotgun.

Some models come with a muzzle break. Are the breaks effective at taming the recoil and can the break be removed for hunting?

Dave, The brakes are very effective and can be removed for hunting. I would not want to shoot either without the brake however.

Dave,

I have two Mark V's in 378 and one in a 460 WM. Both 378's will shoot under a inch (clover leaf) @ 100 yards. My first 378 was made in Japan and didn't come with a muzzle break. After years of shooting it I had one installed and it did tame the recoil down to around a 375 H&H. However, I don't like breaks so I had it removed and shoot both 378 and the 460 without muzzle breaks.

The 378 recoil is fast and sharp and feels like it kicks harder than the 460. The 460 feels more like a push.

Just my opinion but Weatherby got a bad name in Africa due to the velocity of the bullets and the bullets are much better today. If you stick with a Nosler Partition, Barnes TSX, North Fork, Swift-A-Frame etc.

Steve

While I generally despise Wby guns, the .460 wby is a decent cartridge. The excellent basis for one of my favorite big bores, the 500a2.
I have a 460 which I've reworked to hold 4 down and its a good shooter. I never ever was able to achieve the factory rated velocity without an uncomfortable amount of belt expansion. Best was 2650 fps with a 500 gr bullet. With a F990 pad, its a pretty soft gun to shoot well.
The factory break is removable. Be very careful of off-center threading on wby muzzle breaks. There have been reports of a number of guns with accuracy problems due to the breaks. My gun had poor threads and I had to fix them, then install a better, more efficient break.-Rob

I have an older Mk V Deluxe (Jap model with pendleton brake) with a Leupold 1-4x20.

Took it out to the range last monday to run it over the chrony.

The load was 115grs of IMR4350 and the 500gr Hornady RN.

I fired at 50yds from the bench and the 2 shots registered just under an inch at 2550fps and 2535fps.

I too have a Jap 460 with a fixed brake on it.
I've had it for years,and have not shot it too much, because for whatever reason, it really takes a toll on me. It's got an awefully long length of pull on it. I've shot 458 WM off the bench with great accuracy. Had access to a 416 wby with a 1x4 Leo on it that was one sweet shooter too. I've shot numerous 375's, and grew up shooting 12 gauge slug guns, because rifles were not legal in our part of NY.
But when it comes to the 460, i've thought about having the LOP shortened, to see if it makes it alittle more manageable.
But, to the OP, the MK 5 is a beautiful rifle, and in my opinion, very reliable.
In the early days of technology, everything seemed a bit flawed, but I dare say, the bugs have been worked out on just about everything that shooots, today, with the newest powders, and quality bullets avainlable.
Mike73

Dave,
I've had plenty and still do. Excellent in every respect and accurate beyond what I'm capable of. Never had a problem with any and I have German built, Japanese built and American built versions.

My .416 is among my very favorites and I've had three in different versions. It will be coming to Namibia in a few weeks and has taken Cape buffalo,blue wildebeest, two impala simultaneously, a 383" elk, deer, woodchucks, rabbits, and squirrels.

I really like my Weatherbys.

I wouldn't go on a serious hunt without one. While the biggest one I own is a 340 (two of them) my 300 is my "go to" rifle and all are half MOA shooters. jorge

I just picked up a Mark v custom 458 lott.
SHould be here this week. It has a break on it, so I'll see how it shoots with it.
I'll let you know what I think.
W.

My daughter shoots a Mark V in 7mm Weatherby. It is a tack driver and the muzzle brake is very effective and can be removed. On her first Montana hunt she made one shot kill on a mule deer at 400 yards. Her guide ran over a mile to tell me she could really shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by crshelton:
My daughter shoots a Mark V in 7mm Weatherby. It is a tack driver and the muzzle brake is very effective and can be removed. On her first Montana hunt she made one shot kill on a mule deer at 400 yards. Her guide ran over a mile to tell me she could really shoot.

I just picked up a Mk V 7mm Wby. Can't wait to get her out to the range for some load development.

Interesting thread for me, since I have been seeing several attractive Mark Vs on Gunbroker and I have been wondering the very same thing: how do they shoot? I am particularly interested in the 340. Thanks.

I had some fun at the range today with my Mark V 460.

The one thing I have to say about it though is that it's a very beautiful rifle. Mine is a Japanese built custom shop gun with a magna ported barrel. The bluing is just amazing on it as well as the wood, and the fit and finish in general.

My only complaint is that it shoots low. The express sights may have just been regulated for a different load than I'm using.



460 Weatherby

I have owned 2 WBY Mark V Deluxe rifles: a 300 WBY (sold this rifle years ago when I needed money) and a 460 WBY.

When I used factory ammo, the 300 WBY regularily shot 1.25" groups. But, I could never get my hand loads under about 2". It was a very nice rifle that I would love to replace with a new Mark V. This time, I will buy one with a muzzle break.

I still have the 460 and have put at least 400 rounds through it. The rifle shoots best with a "mild" load of 112 grs of IMR 4350 with a 500 gr bullet. I typically shoot 1.5-2" groups at 100 yds. My max loads with 600 gr bullets are 8000 ft lbs and a little less with 500 gr- so factory energy claims can be safely achieved in my rifle w/o issue. What I have found is that factory ammo produces a sharper kick than my ammo, but slower bullet muzzle velocities- which I attest to different powder burn rates. Factory ammo is more accurate in my rifle, especially at maximum velocities.

I don't think anyone who has actually handled and shot Weatherby Mark V rifles can say much negative about them. They are well made and nicely finished. I don't have any, but a good friend has several, and I can say from personal experience that they are very nice.

Wait, oh no!, I just realized ... they are --- GASP --- PUSH FEED!

LWD

I owned a 378 with the 24" #2 barrel and she was a handfull. I shot a buddies new USA 378 and it has a #3 barrel and it was nicer to the point of being comphy to shoot. I had a 460 and sold it. I miss it but the owner now is putting it to good use. I could get 2" 5 shot groups with it off the bench. I think that is what I can do with a big gun so the 460 may shoot better yet. I sold it to fund my 510 Wells Weatherby. I just had this one out again after not shooting anything for a while. I love this gun. I'm workin up in loads as it has no break. I would love to make a 550 express on another MKV but will have to wait for the donor to show itself

Anjin and Shawn,
A Weatherby certified dealer/gunshop installed the Weatherby muzzle brake for me several years ago and advised me on how to "tune" the Mark V for best accuracy.
1. Always clean the copper from the barrel every 12 rounds. This worked like a charm with factory ammo; I have never reloaded for this rifle.
2. If the barrel is ever removed from the stock, reinstall with screws tightened to factory specs; he told me the pounds of torque to put on the action screws, but I do not remember the specs and have never removed the barreled action from the stock.

Had the original owner of this rifle known and practiced these things, he would have known why his new rifle groups grew to six inches and we would never have been able to purchase such a beautiful and accurate (sub MOA ) rifle for such a low price.

A tip: - do not fire a muzzle braked Weatherby from an enclosed space (even a tree blind) unless you are wearing hearing protection!

quote:

1. Always clean the copper from the barrel every 12 rounds. This worked like a charm with factory ammo; I have never reloaded for this rifle.

No offense, But this is not NORMAL. If a barrel copper fouls to that extent, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. In my experience and I've owned 6 wby rifles ( Still own 2, and yes they do shoot well), most of the problems have been associated either with their barrels, crowns and/or muzzle Breaks. I bore scoped a 340 I had( AND DUMPED) which also copper fouled like crazy. The bore looked like a million ragged concentric rings from the throat to the muzzle. I wont even mention my 30-378 experience at this point, but again it was the barrel. Total CRAP!
Frankly, I'm not and never have been impressed with WBY rifles. As I said ,I like some of their calibers. 460, 257 and 300wby but will always pass on the guns. I've had great luck building wby calibers on other guns which I know will be superior because they all have good barrels on them.
If your happy with your WBY, thats great, dont mean to disparage anyone, but just wanted to voice a contrary opinion.-Rob

What I should have said is that I am able to match Wby fatory velocity/energy claims, but I cannot match their accuracy. I reload for my Swedish Mauser and Schmidt-Rubin Rifles and achieve far superior accuracy than factory ammo. To me, that is a lot of the enjoyment of reloading. I just find it irriating that when I reload for a rifle that uses very expensive ammo and I have tried every powder/bullet combo I can think of, I cannot achieve as good of results as the factory ammo.

Shawn

I have had several Weatherby Mark V's.
A 257, two 300's, a 340, and a 416.
I have shot several others including a 460 and a couple of 378's...
All of them worked perfect. They fed, extracted, and ejected 100%.
All were plenty acccurate.

I have a 340 WBY. It is absolutely one of my favorite rifles. I've never shot factory loads in it. Only handloads of TSX 225 gr bullets. It will clover leaf at 100 yards if I do my part. I can't imagine not having that rifle in my stable! It's one hell of an Elk and large plains game rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
I have a 340 WBY. It is absolutely one of my favorite rifles. I've never shot factory loads in it. Only handloads of TSX 225 gr bullets. It will clover leaf at 100 yards if I do my part. I can't imagine not having that rifle in my stable! It's one hell of an Elk and large plains game rifle.

Todd,

What load are you using with the 225gr TSX?

If anyone needs them, I have RCBS dies in 460, 416, and 378 Wby.

quote:

Originally posted by IanD:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
I have a 340 WBY. It is absolutely one of my favorite rifles. I've never shot factory loads in it. Only handloads of TSX 225 gr bullets. It will clover leaf at 100 yards if I do my part. I can't imagine not having that rifle in my stable! It's one hell of an Elk and large plains game rifle.

Todd,

What load are you using with the 225gr TSX?

I'm shooting 86 grns of IMR 4831 with Winchester WLRM primers. This is the max load shown in the Barnes #4 manual and it works great in my rifle giving 2915 fps.

Todd:

I think you may have talked me into a 340. I've never owned a Weatherby rifle and I think I would like to give one a try. Which do you like better, the Accumark or the Mark V Deluxe?

Dave, I forget what exact model designation mine is. It is the relatively lower grade MK-V in synthetic stock and matt blue finish. I wanted it that way so that I could really beat it up from hard hunting and not feel bad about the scratches. I think it's called the MK-V Synthetic. Here is a picture of it.


and another

The 340 is an awesome round. It used to be my "go to" for Black Bear hunts in BC. It will absolutely flatten a Bear, and I imagine a Brownie, Moose, Eland, and other large game. The last one I had was in a Lex Webernick (Rifles Inc) Strata lightweight....about 5 lbs. Even with a brake, that rifle damn near made you cry in 340 Wby !!!

Dave, I would consider an Accumark, as long as you don't plan on making it a mountain rifle. At about 8 1/2 lbs, the weight helps tone down the recoil. The Accumarks tend to be quite accurate as well.

Mine is a stainless Mk V with the factory tupperware stock

quote:

Originally posted by Anjin:
Interesting thread for me, since I have been seeing several attractive Mark Vs on Gunbroker and I have been wondering the very same thing: how do they shoot? I am particularly interested in the 340. Thanks.

Here you go, 340Weatherby Accumark, three shots, 100 yards 250gr Barnes TSX 85gr RL-22:



And here's my Lazermark:



Oh and the barrel cleans up just fine. One tratment with Wipeout, flowwoed by Shooter's choice to clean out the powder and it's done. My 340 Accumark's barrel is even easier to clean. Like I said, I wouldn't go on a serious hunt without one. jorge

I have a Weatherby Mark V in 375 H&H MAG. That's right; it's in 375 H&H, not one of the Weatherby calibers. It has a 24 inch blued barrel, with no sights no muzzle brake -- all of which please me because I do not like 26 inch barrels, iron sights, or muzzle brakes. It has a light-colored synthetic stock, and handles and feeds very well. It is USA made. I bought it used, from a dealer, just a few weeks ago, and so far I've taken it shooting only once.

I mounted a Redfield Revolution 2-7 x 33mm scope on it, using Weaver-type bases and Weaver matte medium rings. This scope is short, so I had to use an extended base (with the extension pointing backward) for the front base, otherwise the front ring would be too far forward and would be at the bell of the scope instead of the tube. Although the base of the mount I used extends back over the front opening of the action about 1/3 inch, this causes no problem with loading or extracting of loaded cartridges or empty brass.

I loaded 300 grain Sierra .375 SPBT bullets in new Remington 375 H&H brass, using a Winchester WLR primer (regular, not magnum) and 81.5 grains of Hodgdon 4350 powder, loaded to an overall cartridge length of 3.67 inches -- a load I had used with quite good results in another 375 H&H (a Remington 700 limited classic).

So far, the best result I've gotten with this load and this Mark V rifle is a 3-shot group at 200 yards (that's 200, not 100) of 1.58 inches. I haven't chronographed the result, but it should have a muzzle velocity of about 2645 f.p.s.

Where could I get just a bare Wea 378-460 action,
don't even need bottom metal , cheap..ED

If you find them cheap let me know. I have never seen just the action for sale.

Okay, I needed a new project and you guys sold me. A brand new 340 Weatherby Accumark is on the way. I will stick a 4X12 scope on it and have some fun.

Eight and a half pounds and a 26 inch stainless fluted barrel... Michael is going to think I am crazy

Dave, you are going to find that to be one AWESOME caliber to have in your stable! Enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Okay, I needed a new project and you guys sold me. A brand new 340 Weatherby Accumark is on the way. I will stick a 4X12 scope on it and have some fun.

Eight and a half pounds and a 26 inch stainless fluted barrel... Michael is going to think I am crazy

Dave

You Have now gone over the edge, your mind is gone! That smoke pole must be about 6-7 foot long overall? Just when I thought I had you trained!

Dave,
You are going down a long road now. Weatherby's and potato chips have a lot in common, you can't own just one. I have pared my colection down to 6 with the 270wby as my favorite. It is a one hole gun. An Accumark ultra lite in .280 Rem. is a close second. My .378 Wby is probably the best all round African rifle. I like the Mark V deluxe, but find that all models seem to shoot well. I bought a H-S Precision stock to use on them when I hunt with them. The factory stock is just too pretty to risk in the field. One of the few I have sold was the one you are buying. A good friend talked me out of it and now it is his go-to rifle and I miss it.

You won't regret your move.......Tom