Weatherby Ultralight info
- Thread starter bigvon
- Start date
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I looked at one, thinking about a 7mm-08. At $1,100, I figured I could wait a while. Seems like a good-handling rifle, at least with my lanky build.
They're not intended for shooting long strings off a benchrest. If you can get a decent three-shot group, that's the most you could ask of a "buggy whip" barrel. If the first shot from a cold barrel *always* goes to the intended point of aim, great! Even a tight two-shot group is acceptable for your purpose.
FWIW, Art
They're not intended for shooting long strings off a benchrest. If you can get a decent three-shot group, that's the most you could ask of a "buggy whip" barrel. If the first shot from a cold barrel *always* goes to the intended point of aim, great! Even a tight two-shot group is acceptable for your purpose.
FWIW, Art
You know, I have owned a LOT of thin barreled rifles. Mostly Win 70 featherweights, one with a custom Douglas featherweight barrel, 2 Remington Mountain Rifles, and 2 Browning A-Bolt micro-medallions. My experience is that heating is not really a problem until you shoot MORE than 5 shots. I have found that they are almost always just as accurate as heavy barrels, they are just extremely finicky about what they will shoot.
You have to find just the right load, and just the right bullet seating depth. I believe that Rick Jamison is correct in his recent article that we should spend more time experimenting with seating depth.
I have been able to shoot many, many 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" 5 shot groups with these rifles and have even shot occasional 3/4" 5 shot groups (VERY occasional).
Am I alone in this experience? I am not trying to dispute your knowledge, Mr. Eatman. I know that my experience is contrary to conventional thinking.
You have to find just the right load, and just the right bullet seating depth. I believe that Rick Jamison is correct in his recent article that we should spend more time experimenting with seating depth.
I have been able to shoot many, many 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" 5 shot groups with these rifles and have even shot occasional 3/4" 5 shot groups (VERY occasional).
Am I alone in this experience? I am not trying to dispute your knowledge, Mr. Eatman. I know that my experience is contrary to conventional thinking.
Bigvon,
I own a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight in 30-06, it is a very good rifle.... although mine is on its way back from a trip to Weatherby as I write.
I was getting 2 inch groups with 165gr Sierra Gameking, 180gr opened up to 2 1/2. Weatherby has put a new stock on it and they have been printing 1 inch groups according to the service rep. I'll know this weekend if I can duplicate their results. BTW: I only sent it in on 1/8 (2 weeks ago) & they took immediate action. Also, they have kept me posted all the way through the process, Very Professional. Could it be that sometimes you get what you pay for????
Anyway, I hunted with this rifle this last season and it is a dream to carry in the field. Plus, inspite of the 6 pound weight (including a Leupold 1.5-5 VXIII) this rifle doesn't kick at all bad, not even from a bench. The rifle was very well thought out and looks good as well. k
I own a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight in 30-06, it is a very good rifle.... although mine is on its way back from a trip to Weatherby as I write.
I was getting 2 inch groups with 165gr Sierra Gameking, 180gr opened up to 2 1/2. Weatherby has put a new stock on it and they have been printing 1 inch groups according to the service rep. I'll know this weekend if I can duplicate their results. BTW: I only sent it in on 1/8 (2 weeks ago) & they took immediate action. Also, they have kept me posted all the way through the process, Very Professional. Could it be that sometimes you get what you pay for????
Anyway, I hunted with this rifle this last season and it is a dream to carry in the field. Plus, inspite of the 6 pound weight (including a Leupold 1.5-5 VXIII) this rifle doesn't kick at all bad, not even from a bench. The rifle was very well thought out and looks good as well. k
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Mike50, there's light, as in Winchester, and then there's Weatherby. Even their standard barrels are as thin-walled as a Win Featherweight.
Now, I fully agree that if one is a handloader, and tweaks and tunes his loads, Good Things can happen. My reply was based on the average fella who buys the rifle, buys a box of ammo as suggested by the salesman and goes out and "has at it". If it will shoot a good five-shot group, great! Howsomever, I have seen too many guys go to the range with their new pet and be sorely disappointed.
I think the Wby UltraLight would be a great walking-hunting and high-country rifle. I just wouldn't be surprised if it took some effort to get it to shoot tight groups of five or more, is all...
Regards, Art
Now, I fully agree that if one is a handloader, and tweaks and tunes his loads, Good Things can happen. My reply was based on the average fella who buys the rifle, buys a box of ammo as suggested by the salesman and goes out and "has at it". If it will shoot a good five-shot group, great! Howsomever, I have seen too many guys go to the range with their new pet and be sorely disappointed.
I think the Wby UltraLight would be a great walking-hunting and high-country rifle. I just wouldn't be surprised if it took some effort to get it to shoot tight groups of five or more, is all...
Regards, Art
I have my eye on a accumark right now,it will be mine when funds allow. I have a vanguard in .300 WBY Mag and with the weatherby factory ammo: 180gr. Barnes-X I get sub-MOA.
A friend of mine just got an ultralight in .300 and was going out of state for a hunt,havent talked to him since he's been back but I bet he liked it.
Safe shooting
A friend of mine just got an ultralight in .300 and was going out of state for a hunt,havent talked to him since he's been back but I bet he liked it.
Safe shooting
bigvon,
They changed the stock out because of a cosmetic error in the hand laid fiberglass. No big deal but they wanted to make it right so after hunting season I allowed them to take care of it.
The best accuracy with factory ammo was with Federal 165gr Sierra Gameking loads. Even though first shot was always "in the box" I was having a time getting a string to hold anything less than 2 inches. Since they already had the rifle they checked the accuracy as well. After the new stock was fitted the Weatherby tech was recording right at 1 inch 3 shot groups. Of course, they shoot from a mechanical rest and it will be interesting to see what I can do from sand bags.
It is a great rifle, but as with any "lightweight" rifle of any brand, ammo selection is really critical. You probably need to buy an assortment & try different ones until you find the one that works "just right". Of course Reloading opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
They changed the stock out because of a cosmetic error in the hand laid fiberglass. No big deal but they wanted to make it right so after hunting season I allowed them to take care of it.
The best accuracy with factory ammo was with Federal 165gr Sierra Gameking loads. Even though first shot was always "in the box" I was having a time getting a string to hold anything less than 2 inches. Since they already had the rifle they checked the accuracy as well. After the new stock was fitted the Weatherby tech was recording right at 1 inch 3 shot groups. Of course, they shoot from a mechanical rest and it will be interesting to see what I can do from sand bags.
It is a great rifle, but as with any "lightweight" rifle of any brand, ammo selection is really critical. You probably need to buy an assortment & try different ones until you find the one that works "just right". Of course Reloading opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
Uncle Art,
I had a buggy whip Steyr Mannlicher mountain carbine 243 Win that you could rapid fire and stay within an inch for 5 shots. No point of impact move no matter how hot the bbl got.
The bbl was whispy and short plus it had the full mannlicher stock.
So I agree with you mostly, but that gun sure was an anomaly!
I had a buggy whip Steyr Mannlicher mountain carbine 243 Win that you could rapid fire and stay within an inch for 5 shots. No point of impact move no matter how hot the bbl got.
The bbl was whispy and short plus it had the full mannlicher stock.
So I agree with you mostly, but that gun sure was an anomaly!