hey guys I have found a local gunshop that has bought out a collection of guns from an estate and in it is a weatherby varmintmaster in 224 wby mag. I know ammo and brass is high when found, but does anyone have any feedback about these rifles or what they may be worth. I know they were made in west germany by jp sauer, but thats about it. thinking about getting it just to put away and admire its grace and beauty.
weatherby varmintmaster
- Thread starter jreedtn
- Start date
If I am not mistaken, the German built Weatherby's were only made for a year or two.. I had one in .300WM.... If that is the case, and I believe it is, they should be worth a pretty penny... How much I don't know>>BUT DON'T GIVE IT AWAY!! They were as close to Winslows as you could get without being a Winslow!..
I have a Weatherby Mark 5, Super Varmint Master in 223 Rem. I paid $1,500 for it new. It had a 26" fluted barrel.
Mine is an excellent rifle, shooting in .25 moa with tailored reloads. It also has an excellent trigger. My only complaint is that it does not feed cartridges smoothly from the magazine. No big deal for me since I single load for varmint and predator hunting anyway to avoid bullet deformation.
Mine is an excellent rifle, shooting in .25 moa with tailored reloads. It also has an excellent trigger. My only complaint is that it does not feed cartridges smoothly from the magazine. No big deal for me since I single load for varmint and predator hunting anyway to avoid bullet deformation.
well I got it, I just couldnt resist. may be the last one in this condition I see. its pretty old I think. made in west germany with early serial #S2579. super shape with very nicely figured walnut stock. trying to round up some ammo/reloading supplies for it. cant wait to get some glass on it and hear her pop.
Congrats!!! I am very glad you picked it up... May I make a suggestion? Find a REALLY top-notch riflesmith who can "hide" his work really well... Then get it glass bedded, freefloat the barrel and get a trigger job done and re-crown the barrel.. If he does it well you will hardly notice it from the way it is now.. AND I know it will shoot very well.. You will have a REAL piece of Weatherby history. Guard it well>>> then enjoy!!
I have one of these, all though mine was made in Japan. Excellent rifle. Chambered in only 2 calibers, 224 Weath. and 22-250. Also made a pistol version like the XP100 chambered in 308 for silhouette shooting, was a special run only. The Super varmint master was later made with the same action, but was lengthened to use longer cartridges. Mine has a Single set trigger and a honed action from the custom shop, about $675.00 in 1972.
Geronimo Jim
Gold $$ Contributor
PICTURES..........WE NEED PICTURES!!
I would love to get ahold of that article. the more I read about this gun the more im very happy with the purchase. not to mention very happy with the price. gander mountain didnt realize what they had I dont think... 
I would love to post pics of it, but have no clue how as I work off my phone.
I would love to post pics of it, but have no clue how as I work off my phone.well, I finally got to shoot the old girl. I picked up some factory 224 wby ammo (55gr lead tips). I was hoping for sub 1" groups considering a thin sporter barrel (not free floated), 14 power weaver scope & factory ammo. Man was I surprised! at 100 yards this thing put 3 in a RAGGED HOLE! I couldnt believe it! ive ordered some 52 &55 gr bergers to try in it, but I dont know that I can load anything get much better!
Don't shoot it hot, as it won't take long for that pencil barrel to get really warm. And don't alter anything as almost any savvy collector will pick up on it. The Sauer version, unlike the Jap version, has an excellent trigger that will adjust to about a pound or less. It will probably like 4064 and 50g bullets even better than 55's. Weatherby had a lot of complaints about their 55g. loads back in the day. Brass is hard to come by but still available. I wouldn't sell mine for less than $3K, if you got it for less you got a bargain. And please don't say you got it at Gander in Minnesota. Enjoy !!!
well I made a trip back to the gunshop and as my luck would have it, guess what I find... my varmint masters big brother, a mark v in 240 wby mag. this one to is made in w. germany with a p48xxx serial #. I would rate it at 90-95% with a few handling marks nothing major. it has bases and luepold quick release rings on it. its priced at $999, a bit more than the varmintmaster was. do you guys think its worth it? it would be neat to have both of the "small" wby mags..
The .240WM is VERY, VERY hard on barrels.. Before I would consider it, I would want to look down it's barrel with a borescope. And then the detractors, how bad are they? Are they easily noticeable? I would look at this one with more of a discriminating eye! However, if all is well, make them an offer>>>nothing ventured, nothing gained!
civil82
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a theory on firearm purchasing...If it is clean, you can afford it, and it makes you happy pick it up.
Not sure what prices look like on that specific Weatherby, but a quick glance on Gunbroker would help you out. I'm hooked on MK V actions for hunting right now. I picked up a lightweight in 270 Win and followed up with an early Christmas gift of a Lazermark in 300Wby. They do make a beautiful rifle.
It took all the will power that I have not to pick up a MK V Deluxe in 300Win Mag a few days ago. It was a pretty clean rifle with the period Weatherby labeled scope. Price was 999. From recent digging, it looks like you did good on the Varmintmaster.
Not sure what prices look like on that specific Weatherby, but a quick glance on Gunbroker would help you out. I'm hooked on MK V actions for hunting right now. I picked up a lightweight in 270 Win and followed up with an early Christmas gift of a Lazermark in 300Wby. They do make a beautiful rifle.
It took all the will power that I have not to pick up a MK V Deluxe in 300Win Mag a few days ago. It was a pretty clean rifle with the period Weatherby labeled scope. Price was 999. From recent digging, it looks like you did good on the Varmintmaster.
Yep , a good eye on the bore on both the 240 and the 257. The west German versions are hard to come by in original condition with good bores. My motto is a " well cared firearm on the outside is a well cared firearm on the inside", but a " bore scope beats a bore light" ;D !
A $2000 rifle with a bad bore is worthless!
A $2000 rifle with a bad bore is worthless!
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