Custom Rifle built on Weatherby MK V action

[EddieT]

Has anyone used a Weatherby Mark V action for a competition "F" Class Rifle?

 

[K22]

I don't shoot "F" class competition but I do own a Mark V. I wouldn't think it would be the ideal choice because of the bolt lift which requires a two stage "unlocking" motion which can be cumbersome shooting in the prone position.

I like my 223 Supervarmint master but I used it as a hunting rifle. Accuracy wise it's a sub 1/2 moa rifle but for the reason stated above, I would think the action would make a good choice for competitive shooting especially in the prone position.

 

[EddieT]

Thanks for the advise. In regards to accuracy, can the MK V action compete against the 700 and clones with a good barrel and trigger?

 

[K22]

Thanks for the advise. In regards to accuracy, can the MK V action compete against the 700 and clones with a good barrel and trigger?

Never saw a benchrest rifle with a MK V action. Never heard of a preimer custom rifle maker using this action for their rifles. That should tell you something.

If I was building a competition target rifle I wouldn't choose the MK V action. In fact, if I was building custom hunting rifle I wouldn't choose this action either. It's just too cumbersome to unlock the bolt. However I do believe that the MK V extractor system (Sako style) is superior to the Remington design.

Where the MK V shines in my opinion is for the guy who wants a factory rifle for hunting that's very accurate and very reliable (out of the box without having to tinker with modifications) and of course who has the money. With factory rifles, it's like throwing the dice in Vegas - you never know what you're going to get. With the MK V, that risk is considerably reduced but at a price.

Mine shot outstanding (in the 1/4 moa range) out of the box without any modifications from day one and is still going strong. However my Remington 700 with modifications (a trigger job and bedding) comes very close to matching my MK V but at a considerable less cost even with the modifications.

Bottom line, I wouldn't choose the MK V action for a custom build rifle. My guess is that your gunsmith will tell you the same thing.

 

[littletoes]

Sure it could be done, but it would take a Master Machinist to tackle it.

I've always thought, if someone could get Weatherby to NOT cut 9 lugs, leave those as 3 large lugs, it would be much easier to True up, instead of all 9, BUT! Regardless of the number of lugs, if a 'Smith was willing, and Able, the Mark V action would make a great custom action. Oh, and if the weight didn't bother you!

Something else missed, Weatherby's have great recoil lugs, and their triggers are very smooth, at least in my experience, and there are some TERRIBLE factory triggers out there in many of all the other factory firearms available from such as Winchester, Remington, Ruger....etc.

The Weatherby Action was proof tested to 200,000 psi, I think.

The Japanese Arisaka (spelling?), is one tough action, although not something I would want to build a custom rifle on-just for example.

The 54* bolt lift, although stiff fresh out of the box, is a very short lift, and capable of being very quick.

I think it could be done...I also think most 'Smith's like things "Easy".

 

[Gary in MD]

I agree with the other guys, I wouldn't build a competition/target rifle with a Mark V.
However, with a good barrel installed by a good smith, bedded in a good stock...you can have a very accurate hunting rifle. My West German made Mark V 257 WBY was done by Hammonds with a Hart barrel and is very accurate and I have another in 270WBY done by Shilen that shoots extremely well.
Good luck with whatever you do with it,
Gary

 

[DOGCAPPER]

One of our club shooters bought Mark V to shoot in factory class..Was not competitive...When examined, one lug was not close to engaging when closed...Traded off...LT

 

[M14AMU]

There's enough difficulty in getting just TWO RECOIL LUGS to mesh right....much less 9!! :'(

 

[flatlander]

There are just so many good reasons NOT to use a Mk V - the first of which that comes to mind is that there are a large number of other actions that are better suited to the application, and because of that, there are a large number of parts & accessories readily available for them.

If a shooter already has a Mk V-based rifle, and wants to re-barrel and/or restock it - for use as a hunting rifle - I'd think that was a truly worth-while project. But otherwise, if you're looking to be competitive in just about any target shooting venue I can think of, you'd be better off using an action that's either designed from the ground up for the purpose, or easy to modify for same.

 

[EddieT]

Gentlemen,
Thank you very much for the advise.

 

[butchlambert]

Eddie,
You will not see them in the custom rifle arena either. I wouldn't take for my MK 5 in 300 Weatherby, but my custom rifles are not based on a Weatherby.