MJB said:
So do tell what has changed over the years?
What happend to Weatherby? I thought the Mark V was on par with the Sako 85?
I'm in the market for a new rifle that has a safety that won't move going thru thick brush like the mod 70 so I'm all ears......
I have been a Weatherby fan for many years. As a kid all I wanted was a Browning Auto 5 and a .257 Weatherby.
As you know Weatherby was an iconic rifle maker for many years. Predominantly known for his cartridges but also for his well made rifles (basically "custom" factory rifles) and certainly ahead of their time. The rifles were built on many different actions, and over the years built in many different factories. Roy was also the first to make a civilian action that could withstand 100,000 psi. He was all about velocity. Roy Weatherby, Bob Nosler and P.O. Ackley are the heroes of the modern rifle. They did for us what Henry Ford for did for the automotive industry (and manufacturing industry).
Roy Weatherby started the business in Paso Robles in 1946. The original guns were built on FN Mausers (and are now highly collectable). These were the "South Gate" guns and have the barrel stamping of South Gate. Sometime in the mid 1950's Sako was actually contracted to produce their rifles while the custom guns were still being made in "South Gate". When we get a South Gate Weatherby in the store, they last literally a day or two if they even make it to the sales floor (usually a phone call and poof their gone)
Over the years they have had Schultz and Larson and J.P. Sauer help with manufacturing and in some cases design change. Pacific Founders, Inc also did some manufacturing in the US for Roy and his head engineer Fred Jennie (who should be noted regarding innovative gun and cartridge deign and development - the unsung hero behind the scenes). And just like a lot of U.S. manufacturers they were looking to cut costs for the American consumers so they started having Howa out of Japan build there guns. This did not go well for Weatherby. Similar cost reductions were tried by Winchester (total failure going to the push feed mod 70) and now you are seeing Remington implode as well (more financial issues which are effecting manufacturing processes).
Roy Weatherby died in 1988 but his son Ed took over as acting CEO in 1983. He took the helm and has brought most of the production back to Paso Robles. I have spoken with him several times over the past two years and believe he is dedicated to getting the company back on track. With that said, they still have several products made in Turkey and that certainly is not what Weatherby stands for. And cost reductions continue to hamper their ability to compete with certain rifle makers. Manufacturing schedules and production targets are something they need to work on as well. This all effects quality, something Weatherby has been trying to gain back regarding their once legendary reputation
They make a nice rifle, and a few really nice rifles but again, Weatherby has a long road ahead of them both from a manufacturing standpoint and a financial standpoint. To even be considered as good as a Sako model 85 is a bit of a stretch. Also consider the model 85 as the lightest control round feed made. And it comes with an amazing double stack all stainless welded flush magazine. It has a short bolt throw, a two position safety that does everything the 3 position safety does on the Win mod 70. And it's trigger is possibly the best, most adjustable crisp match trigger offered on a factory hunting rifle. I could go on and on but I will spare you the agony.
If you have time Mark, come on down and take a look at the 85's at Fine Firearms. They are arguably the finest production rifle on earth. And if you ask some of my long time hunting partners (Snake Charmer etc) they will tell you I was a die hard Winchester Mod 70 fan. I have owned a bunch. I do not have any now!
I will say that when Weatherby went from 9 locking lugs down to two locking lugs in the Mark V, he produced one of the strongest actions ever mass produced. Theres one for Weatherby!
Hope this helps...
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