A few weeks ago I spotted at a gunsmith in Paris a second-hand LH Mark V in 460 wby for sale. Rare enough to get my attention. It has been built in Japan, and I have heard that the rifles Weatherby made there have problems, I don't know which ones though. Can somebody tell me more about that? Should or shouldn't I buy this toy?

I've got 4 Jap made Weatherbys and none has so much as hiccuped.Buy it!Lefty 460s from that era are rare and worth some serious dough in the US.

[ 11-21-2002, 12:57: Message edited by: Brian M ]

OK, thanks. It comes with a red dot which I find somewhat inappropriate for this kind of rifle, so my question is, if I buy her and scope her with Zeiss 1.5-6X42, will I ruin a good scope or will it hold the recoil (the gun is braked but I would remove it if one day I take it along with me to Africa, don't want to hunt with a muzzle-brake anymore)?

King Baboon,

I have a made-in-Japan LH Weatherby Mk.V .300Wby. and it's a good, accurate rifle. After 25 years, it is going to have the barrel replaced shortly (erosion in the bore about 8" from the muzzle).

The electronic red dot actually makes sense to me: it offers unlimited eye relief, so you don't have to worry about "Weatherby brow"; target acquisition is lightning fast; parallaz is non-existent, so no matter where the dot is in your field-of-view, that's where the bullet will strike. If it is an Aimpoint, it will hold up very well.

Regarding the Zeiss: I have a Zeiss Diavari-ZA 1.5x-6x42mm, and I asked Zeiss if it would withstand the recoil from my .470 Capstick (~74ft.-lbs.). Zeiss assured me that it would.

Zeiss has an excellent warranty and service, so I would not fear for the scope. Just make certain it has enough eye-relief, or you will join the "Half-Moon Club".

So, do you have good hunting in France? I've always wanted to visit your country, but never had a good 'excuse'.

George

Thanks George for your feedback. Well, I haven't bought the rifle yet, soon there will be some changes in my professional life and I want to know how things will go before spending the 2750 euros. But I hope there won't be many demanders for the monster and that it will wait for me a couple of months more .
Yes, hunting is good in France, but expensive if you go for trophy animals (especially red stag...). Good variety and quantity of game here, and particularly pure strain wild boars can provide beautiful and exciting driven hunts. I was on a 3-days drive 2 weeks ago, and got 2 roes and a nice pig (the 300 wby drew big holes through the tiny cervids though ). I will go again at the beginning of december, will take the double 7X65R that time, wish me good luck for a big pig .

You're welcome.

2750 Euros is FAR too much for that rifle. They cost about 1000 Euros less here, and even that is too much for them! Pass on it, and buy yourself something else, like a Zastava lefthand rifle and re-barrel to something 'vigorous'.

Please check your Private Messages.

Bon chasse!

George

I have said this before in this forum, and I hope no one minds me mentioning it again. I know a gunsmith who used to work at Weatherby in California and he said that they had feeding problems with the 460's and 478's because the magazine lips (sheet metal) would get bent. I have not owned a Mark V so I cannot comment other than to repeat the experience of another.

500gr.,

Did your friend say whether the lips get bent due to recoil, or is the sheet metal just 'flimsy'?

I have never seen this on my Mk. V .300Wby. or heard this from anyone I know with a Weatherby, from .257 through .378.

If true, there's got to be an 'easy' fix, like heat-treating the magazine lips or going to a thicker sheet metal.

George

George,

What is a "Zastava" action? Have not seen or heard of the Co. You mentioned left handed, are they true left handed actions or Smithed over?

Thanks,

Roger QSL

Roger,

Zastava is a large conglomerate in Yugoslavia (kind of like Mitsubishi; they make everything from appliances to cars (remember the Yugo??) to arms).

They are true left-hand Mausers, and have been available elsewhere for a while.

Charles Daly plans to import them. There are pictures of them at:Zastava Mausers

George

George,

Thanks. Went to the site you noted and saw some very nice Mausers. Only 30-06 for lefties at the moment. Prices are very low for such attractive rifles. Controlled feed no less.

Again, thanks.

Roger QSL

500grains,
I wouldn't exactly call it common.My old man put several hundred rounds,probibly closer to 1,000,through his Jap made 460 before selling it and he claimed it never gave him a lick of trouble other than breaking two stocks.

FWIW.

I have a Jap made 340 and a US made 338/378 the 340 is smooth as silk and very nicely blued the US made is rough and flat black.
The Jap wins.

Regards Martin