Weatherby Accumark Accuracy
I am considering a Weatherby Mark V Accumark in .257 Weatherby. With proper break-in, possibly working up a good handload, etc., what kind of accuracy can I expect from this platform?
Is it capable of .75 MOA or so? Perhaps better than that?
It would be used for longrange rockchucks primarily, at ranges 300 yards and up to 650 yards, so it needs to be able to shoot. If it would not shoot at least 1 MOA, and hopefully somewhat better, with handloads, it probably would not be interesting.
Is it capable of .75 MOA or so? Perhaps better than that?
It would be used for longrange rockchucks primarily, at ranges 300 yards and up to 650 yards, so it needs to be able to shoot. If it would not shoot at least 1 MOA, and hopefully somewhat better, with handloads, it probably would not be interesting.
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Has anyone had experience with the accuracy potential of the Weatherby Accumark? Would it be capable of .5 MOA? I am considering a 257 Accumark for a long range rockchuck rifle. 0 -
stevecrea,
I like the Weatherby Mark Vs and have several of them although not the Accumark versions. Also very much like the 257 Weatherby caliber. While I've found the Weatherbys plenty accurate for my purpposes the ones I have wouldn't consistently achieve the accuracy results you're looking for. I think I'd start with the Remington 700 platform, maybe a Sendero. Likely a little less cost and IMO a better place to start for the accuracy level you want.0 -
22:
I need a left-hand version, and have had many Weatherbys also. I fully acknowledge that the Weatherby cartridges do not always lend themselves to the highest accuracy. However, I do like the quality of the actions, good triggers, and in general, much better design and quality of workmanship than many other brands, including Remington, Ruger, Savage, etc. In general, I am willing to pay more for quality, and have Sakos, Weatherbys, and others, in preference to the low buck Savages, Rugers, Remys, and others that proliferate the gunshops, gunshows, and general landscape. I am disappointed that many of these manufacturers have chosen to cut quality, design, workmanship, ergonomics, and other areas in the interests of low cost, but I know that they have to survive.
Perhaps I should just bite the bullet and buy a custom, or a semi-custom such as a Cooper. Several Coopers are already on my wishlist. However, the story that Dan Cooper (who is not now involved in the Company I am told), actually contributed money to YoBama does give me pause.0 -
The issue of 9 locking lugs makes truing the bolt to the receiver troublesome. It is a strong design, but not one necessarily inherent to accuracy. I have a MK V action that will be sent out soon to have a factory barrel installed. I bought it for a match grade PacNor barrel and dies that were part of the build. WE tried several different barrels,breaks,followers,etc to make it something totally different, but it has been a 5yr excersize in futility. I have an ultralight fluted barrel that I will have installed and bedded in 257wthby to see if it can be used as a hunting rig.
I would second the idea of starting with a 700rem action for a build, or if this is out of the price range you wish to remain in, I highly recommend their Sendero or VSSF or even a VLS or VS model. A skim bedding and some trigger work, and these things are amazing for out of the box rifles.
The accumarks use Kreiger criterion barrels, these are button rifled, not cut rifled like the match grade Kreigers, so don't fall for any of that hype either.
However, I shot that exact rifle you are speaking of, for a guy who wanted to know how good it was, and with the factory ammo using NBT's, I cut a ragged hole at 100yds, so there are exceptions to every rule.0 -
stevecrea,
I was reloaded for a friend who had one. Typical of what I had always felt about the Weatherby design, it is as accurate as they say, 1-1/2". You may get one that's better. When I lucked into a better shooting one it was as much because it was in an M70 action. Even thought the chamber was cut with the Wby throat.
Bottom line: They will hold 1 1/2" or better. No guarantees beyond the one they give. But I now know they can really surprise you sometimes. I've never seen benchrest accuracy from one though. Most of their barrels would go for 'tomato stakes'.0 -
Thank you Sandwarrior and JustC for the intelligent information.
I have had many Weatherbys over the years, and would generally concur with your thoughts.
I am a lefty, so my choices are a bit more limited as a result. Further, though I know the popularity of the 700 action, and its utility, it is too clunky for my tastes. I prefer the lower degree bolt lift actions, and the Mauser types, in this regard. Sakos are slick, in my little pea brain.
JustC, I appreciate your observation about the Krieger barrels, and the difference between the grades. That is very informative.
I note that in the Sports Afield article that has a link on this website, that a Weatherby Vanguard Sub MOA Model in 30-06 averaged .398 groups with factory ammo. I fully acknowledge, that this is only one rifle, and it is chambered in a non-Weatherby cartridge, and it is the Vanguard action. In my book, those kind of groups are more than acceptable, especially with factory ammo.
I spend almost no time paperpunching, expect to sight in and establish accuracy levels. I shoot varmints, including longrange chucks, jacks, and in the real world, versus paperpunching, .75 MOA is usually more than acceptable for this purpose. Further, in the real world of varying ranges, lots of indeterminate and changing wind, no rangefinders, wind, beating hearts, heaving lungs, moving targets, etc., repeaters, high velocity, quick follow up shots, fast actions, and acceptable accuracy, rule the day.
Accordingly, while I will always listen to those who poo-poo the Weatherbys for a host of reasons, I have my reasons as well, which have been confirmed over 40 years of real world game and varmint hunting.
I rebarreled a .240 Weatherby Mark V Deluxe many years ago with a Shilen custom barrel, bedded it, and worked up a load with a Sierra 85 BTHP at about 3400 fps. It would shoot .6 MOA, consistently, and reliably. I was elated, and this rifle killed over 1000 chucks, some at ranges many people cannot even see a rockchuck. And, most of them were in the wind, and with no rangefinder.
No Weatherby has ever failed to fire, extract a case, jammed, broken, failed to feed, or otherwise malfunctioned for me in any way. I cannot say the same for some other brands.
Anyway, long story is that for these and other reasons, I am a Weatherby fan, but I do understand their limitations.
Can a good smith align the nine locking lugs reliably, or is it a task in futility? And, how good is Weatherby in doing this from the start? I realize that this is critical in obtaining high accuracy.0 -
the locking lugs is a tall order, although I have heard of several gunsmiths who do that work. I beleive one was in PA (Guns&Glass) turned me onto the name a few years back, but he hasn't been around much the past few years.
The shilen barrel you used was a part of the improvement, the lack of freebore in the chamber the gunsmith cut, was another part. I just don't like long jumps to the lands,..MHO.
I hope this rig of mine will shoot .75moa, if so, I'll keep it. It is bedded in a borden rimrock stock, so with proper barrel instalation, it should do well.0 -
JustC:
Yes, the freebore in the Weatherbys .257 and up, is an issue with regard to accuracy. I am told that the .240 is not freebored, but the other cartridges are. So, in general, the freeboring permits a bit hotter charge, but tends to reduce accuracy.0 -
With very limited experience(2x257wby vs.4x25/06), I would choose the 25/06 for accuracy reasons. Although I've not spent lots of time reloading these two, sub MOA accuracy was far easier with the 25/06 than the 257 Wby. There are several choices of lefty rifles in 25/06. 0 -
Mobuck:
I would tend to agree with you. I already have two 25-06s, and like them: a Sako 75 and a Sako AV.
What kind of accuracy are you getting, and with what load, and in what rifle, may I ask?
Thanks.0 -
Steve,
I have to say, that along with JustC, Truing all nine lugs is pretty tough. We have a gunsmith here in town that says he can do it but prefers not to. He charges triple to true up a Weatherby. He also said that's why he doesn't have hair on his head anymore. (I don't believe him) He has also said that he's never seen any more than five of nine of the lugs touching on a factory rifle. That may just be an arbitrary statement but it says what he feels about the rifles. They still shoot within their expected accuracy. I reiterate the theory behind Roy Weatherby's philosophy in that he was trying to get all the velocity he could and keep the rifle within hunting accuracy. He never tried for accuracy and get velocity to follow along.
My comment about the barrels being tomato stakes is more of a benchrest thing. The statement "If it won't shoot .2 MOA benchresters use them for tomato stakes." I think that's a JustC quote. Weatherby actually provides some pretty good barrels. They have to be to put up with the things that are done to them and still shoot. First, the freebore. That right there takes you pretty much out of the sub .5 MOA class. It still gives great hunting and even varmint accuracy. But, combine that with a double radiused shoulder where there isn't really a finite point at which the cases like to all settle at in the chamber and you lose a bunch more. In some cases things work out, though. By settling in the chamber I mean like a 7mm Rem or .300 WM that both headspace off the belt, like the Wby's. But, when you reload them you can neck size only for a few loads and then they headspace off the shoulder. That gives the case a more solid point of reference, IMO, to come to each time you resize cases and, in the chamber, fire them.
I can understand your liking of the Weatherby rifles. And, as you pointed out they have their limitations. You seem to be wanting to go in the direction where their limitations won't take them. So, I'll recommend Browning A-bolts/X-bolts. Very light strong actions with a 60* bolt throw. I've shot a few and they hold good accuracy. I haven't shot enough to say I would hold it up against a Savage or Remington 700 for out of the box accuracy. Just about everyone I know has said they like them. I will assume that like just about any other bolt action they can be rebarreled and trued to make an outstanding accuracy platform.
Now, even if clunky isn't your thing, the two most accurate platforms out there for accuracy are the Remington 700 and the Savage 110/precision actions. I'm also starting to see a lot of the better aftermarket stocks coming out for Savages, i.e. choate style, Tacital, varmint. Some big names on the stock side like McMillan, Manners, Bell & Carlson, and H-S Precision. I feel a Savage is more accurate out of the box, but once you put an outstanding barrel on an action all bets are off. Either can be amazing. A good accuracy gunsmith is a must though.
Anyhow, I hope that helps a little bit.0
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