Al Weber 6ppc - Vintage BR

[slm9s]

I bought and am waiting to pick up a vintage benchrest rifle. It's built on an Al Weber action and is chambered in 6ppc. It has a 27" barrel, sits in a huge wood stock, and weighs 17 pounds. It will just be a fun range target rifle. I already have another Weber rifle, whose original barrel was a slow twist 219 D Wasp rechambered to 22br. I added a fast twist 22br barrel and really enjoy the smooth action.

This new to me rifle is chambered in 6ppc and that's about all I know. Oh, it has the same great Canjar trigger as my other Weber. I have a set of dies and some usable brass that I will see if I can make work. I need to figure out how to see what neck the barrel has (cerrosafe? other methods?)
I've got some old 68gr BR bullets and some 70 SMKs. A few powders to choose from.
One thing that I noticed and gave me pause is that this rifle's bolt has an exterior claw extractor unlike my other Weber rifle.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting this rifle some use and shooting some small groups with it.

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[Will Henry]

That is an exceptional old rifle. Any idea, who was the stockmaker? WH

 

[Fast14riot]

Sorry, not relevant to you post but kind of is, but Al Weber apparently was very local to me and a name I haven't heard of. When was he active in building BR guns? I have a decent knowledge of reputable smiths from Stockton, Lodi, Modesto, and surrounding areas as I'm at least 4th generation local to the area. Seems to be active from 50's to 70's?

 

[jackieschmidt]

That bolt looks like a pre ‘64 Winchester design with a non safety shroud.
It might surprise you how well it shoots, depending on the condition of the barrel.

I would live to see the action body out of the stock.

 

[Chappy]

PM sent

 

[Will Henry]

Weber actions were highly regarded BR actions in the 60's. I believe Al Mirdoch, a Calgary, Alberta shooter and bulletmaker, had one on a heavy bench rifle. I don't know how many actions Weber made but

 

[AlNyhus]

What a beautiful, classic rig. In it's day, it may have been a 'Cruiser' gun...a bag gun made to compete in the Unlimited class.

A good way to check the neck diameter is with a pin gauge. Popular neck sizes in that era were .261-.263. Chamber length can be checked with a Sinclair chamber length guage or by bore scope.

Very cool! -Al

 

[OMW57]

Beautiful old treasure for sure!
Look forward to hearing how she shoots

 

[slm9s]

That is an exceptional old rifle. Any idea, who was the stockmaker? WH

No idea, unfortunately.

Here is a thread I made way back in 2014 when I acquired my first Al Weber rifle:

Anyone remember Weber actions?

Picked this up at the fun show couple weeks ago. Weber action made in Lodi, CA in the 60s or 70s? Apparently was built by Seitz (sp?) out of Pendleton...

www.24hourcampfire.com

 

[STS]

Walt Berger had a Weber actioned unlimited gun. I shot that rifle at the Super Shoot in 1978 or 79. That action was as smooth as silk.

 

[slm9s]

There is more info regarding Al Weber in this little article and comments about a similar rifle to the one I just bought.

Rare Vintage BR Rifle for Sale « Daily Bulletin

Eight years into the 21st century, it's easy for us to assume that our latest and greatest gun stock designs truly represent the cutting edge of technology and innovation. We forget that some of the founding fathers of benchrest devised some pretty interesting designs decades ago.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

 

[Chappy]

There is more info regarding Al Weber in this little article and comments about a similar rifle to the one I just bought.

Rare Vintage BR Rifle for Sale « Daily Bulletin

Eight years into the 21st century, it's easy for us to assume that our latest and greatest gun stock designs truly represent the cutting edge of technology and innovation. We forget that some of the founding fathers of benchrest devised some pretty interesting designs decades ago.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

Check your PM, I've got a contact for you to get more information on these Weber rifles.

 

[slm9s]

First time out just fire-forming used brass with some unknown maker old 68 grain bullets off a carpeted board rest and bag-squeezing the rear with powder somewhere in the neighborhood of h335. I had to dust off my neck turner, 262. Shows some promise.
If the action has just a slight angle downward the bolt just slowly slides forward on its own. Smooth!

 

[slm9s]

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The stock is 3.5" wide so it doesn't fit in my shade tree rest.

 

[slm9s]

With the wide "platform" built into the bottom of the buttstock, what type of rest/support was used back in the day in competitions?