Anyone own a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight?

[KillerBee]

I did shoot 160 grain TSX bullets in this rifle . I had really good accuracy . I just did not get the on game performance like I want , or expect . I took three animals with this bullet and the results were all the same . I stopped using them . a lot of guys really like the barnes bullets . all you can do is give them a try .

I am curious, what do you mean by "I just did not get the on game performance like I want, or expect . I took three animals with this bullet and the results were all the same."

What were the results, did you take pictures? Thanks

 

[jimbires]

I am curious, what do you mean by "I just did not get the on game performance like I want, or expect . I took three animals with this bullet and the results were all the same."

What were the results, did you take pictures? Thanks

I don't like discussing bullets , it seems to always turn into a spitting contest . I'll just say what I've seen and let go at that .

no I don't have any pics of the animals wounds . I killed 3 animals with the TSX bullets . none were one shot kills . every one was still alive when I found them . they looked like they just bled out . no meat damage to speak of , just like they penciled through . this past season I hunted elk in Wy . the guy I was matched up with shot an elk . it was a long tracking job , and it was laying there with his head up watching us , he had to be finished . he was using a TTSX . guide said it was probably his longest tracking job that the elk was found . it was also a good behind the shoulder shot .

 

[KillerBee]

I don't like discussing bullets , it seems to always turn into a spitting contest . I'll just say what I've seen and let go at that .

no I don't have any pics of the animals wounds . I killed 3 animals with the TSX bullets . none were one shot kills . every one was still alive when I found them . they looked like they just bled out . no meat damage to speak of , just like they penciled through . this past season I hunted elk in Wy . the guy I was matched up with shot an elk . it was a long tracking job , and it was laying there with his head up watching us , he had to be finished . he was using a TTSX . guide said it was probably his longest tracking job that the elk was found . it was also a good behind the shoulder shot .

Thanks for the heads up jimbries, I certainly do not like the sound of that, not in the least!!!

Where I hunt, it's pretty thick, nothing like the open Aspen and Ponderosa Pine hills of Wyoming that's for sure. Tracking down wounded animals in this stuff is arduous to say the least! Not only that but there are a lot of grizzlies where I hunt and they do come to the sound of the gun, many a hunter has had to abandon their game in the field once the Grizz got to it. So once you shoot an animal you want to dress it and get the hell out of Dodge! lol

I am shipping my new rifle off to the boyz that have the Huskemaw franchise for Canada next week. They will do all of the data collection with many different loads they are going to shoot, this will include chronographing each load at the muzzle.

Then they will shoot each load at 100, 200, 500 and 800 yards to see which factory cartridge will offer the best groups short, medium and long range. I have instructed them to wait a minimum of 15 minutes before firing the next shot, or to wait until the barrel has cooled off. When they find the bullet the barrel likes the best then they will etch my Huskemaw turret with the sea level set at 2,201 ft. with a variable temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

As mentioned, my hope is that the barrel loves the Nosler Trophy Grade 190 Gr. ABLR's that will make me very happy as I have had nothing by success with the Trophy Grade Accubonds.

Thanks again for the heads up and wishing you a stellar 2016!

 

[jimbires]

that's neat , I didn't realize huskemaw did this type of service . let us know how this all works out for you . I'm interested to hear what bullet is best and the accuracy it gives . happy 2016 to you too .

 

[KillerBee]

that's neat , I didn't realize huskemaw did this type of service . let us know how this all works out for you . I'm interested to hear what bullet is best and the accuracy it gives . happy 2016 to you too .

They do at Corlane Sporting Goods in Dawson Cheek, BC. I think they have the exclusive rights for Huskemaw in Canada, could be wrong. Not only that but they have great gunsmiths on staff that can do most anything you need or want done to your rifle. They are also super friendly and extremely knowledgeable.

The reason why I am having them do the data collection is because they charge $300.00 to do the work and if I were to do it myself it would cost way more than that. They charge $50.00 to etch the turret once they discover the bullet your barrel like the best.

It will be interesting to see which bullet has the best performance, and after reading your post the other day I sure hope it is not the VOR-TX TTSX BT, I do not like bullets that "Ice Pick" animals and prefer a bullet that wreaks as much internal damage as possible.

I will definitely let you know how it goes, I am shipping my Ultra Light to them soon and already can't wait to get it back! lol

 

[KillerBee]

Was speaking with my gunsmith yesterday, he told me that the vast majority of Weatherby Ultra Lightweights fail his test to be an effective long range shooting rifle, that was depressing because I trust this guy a lot!

The good news is that he has had a lot of success in turning Ultra Lightweights into long range shooters by rechambering them.

Have anyone here ever had their Weatherby recambered, and if so do it improve the MOA and by how much? Thanks

 

[Dr. Vette]

he told me that the vast majority of Weatherby Ultra Lightweights fail his test to be an effective long range shooting rifle

And what is his test? Without knowing that, the statement doesn't mean much.

The good news is that he has had a lot of success in turning Ultra Lightweights into long range shooters by rechambering them.

Have anyone here ever had their Weatherby recambered, and if so do it improve the MOA and by how much? Thanks

Unless the original chambering was way off on all the rifles he sees, I fail to see how rechambering will do anything for the accuracy of the rifle. Bedding, floating, trigger tuning, handloading yes, but rechambering shouldn't have a drastic effect on accuracy provided it was done right the first time.

 

[KillerBee]

And what is his test? Without knowing that, the statement doesn't mean much.

Unless the original chambering was way off on all the rifles he sees, I fail to see how rechambering will do anything for the accuracy of the rifle. Bedding, floating, trigger tuning, handloading yes, but rechambering shouldn't have a drastic effect on accuracy provided it was done right the first time.

The shop I deal with make their own custom rifles and also have the fanchise right to Huskemaw in Canada and sets up 100's of rifles by doing the dada collection in order to etch the turrets correctly.

Their test is to shoot several rounds of multiple factory ammos at short, medium and long ranges in to determine if the gun will shoot a minimum of 1 moa, if not they fail the rifle as a long range shooter. He told me that the vast majority of non RC Weatherby's fail to make the grade, which is why they do not sale them.


I believe (and I am not a gunsmith) that he meant to rechambered into a different caliber as their chambers are not well designed. I am not exactly sure what he meant though. But he did say that after working on many Weatherby's he had them shooting Sub MOA.

I just hope that my Weatherby is one of the rare one that passes his tests, because I trust him completely. But I have come to the conclusion that if this rifle does not shoot a minumun of 1 MOA, that I will most likely replace the barrel that's in it with a custom barrel.

 

[Dr. Vette]

I'd then wonder how fast he shoots them. The ULWs are known to have barrels that heat quickly given their small diameter.

Remember, it's a repeatable first cold bore shot that makes the difference with any rifle.

 

[KillerBee]

I'd then wonder how fast he shoots them. The ULWs are known to have barrels that heat quickly given their small diameter.

Remember, it's a repeatable first cold bore shot that makes the difference with any rifle.

Agreed, when he will be shooting my rifle, he knows that. When he tests rifles he does them in lots so after a shot mine can cool off while he shoots others. Anyway I mine is a Sub MOA rifle, otherwise changes will be made effective immediately.

 

[KillerBee]

Hello Guys,

Well I have not been here for a while and wanted to give you a report on my Weatherby Ultra Lightweight 300 Win Mag. It have been quite the ordeal and that is for SURE!

I sent my rifle to my gunsmith who specializes in setting up long range rifles, he also makes his own custom made long range rigs, Known as the Rocky Mountain Rifle. I wanted him to test it at long range (750) yards and to set up my Huskemaw Blue Diamond scope and to etch the turret and this is where all the fun began.

First he shot my rifle @ 200 yards and reported that the rifle was not shooting sub MOA with the bullets I want to shoot out of it, which are the Nosler Accubond ABLR 190 Gr. The rifle was shoot 1.5 MOA at best, which is not acceptable for a long range rifle. Weatherby only guarantees that the rifle will shoot 1.5 MOA or better so I was not surprised.

Second we decided to Glass bed and free float the barrel, hoping that this would achieve sub MOA. Next report after shooting it is that @ 200 yards the rifle was shooting 7" groups @ 200 yards ***???? Well we came to the same conclusion that was discussed with Wild Rose and that was that the barrel contour was too light to shoot the load I wanted, this in turn was creating a whipping effect that when free floated completely destroyed the rifle accuracy.

Third since my gunsmith makes his own brand of rifle we decided to replace the barrel with a 3 contour Wilson barrel which they fluted and ceracoated. Off to the range! Well I just got the report back from my gunsmith yesterday. @ 200 yards the rounds are now touching and @ 750 yards the rifle is shooting under 5" groups, hallelujah!

So now I am hoppy to say that I have a long range lightweight rifle. The weight with the Huskemaw Blue diamond 5-20x50 and ready to hunt is now 9 lbs. and it is shooting sub MOA with the Nosler Accubond ABLR 190 Gr. I selected the ABLR's because @ 800 yards I am maintaining 1400 FPE, making this rifle a true lightweight and hard hitting long range rifle that fits me like a glove. Cost for my new rifle with all the improvments and better barrel $3,000.00.

In the end, spending $3,000.00 dollars to have a rifle that shoots sub MOA and only weighs 9 lbs. isn't that bad I guess???

My advice to anyone that is thinking of buying a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight 300 Win Mag and expecting it to be a long range shooting, lightweight rifle is not to do it unless you are prepared to replace the barrel and spend the same on the modifications as you did on the rifle in the first place!

 

[sns2]

Like I said jimbries that's pretty darn good shooting! Like you I am only a hunter and if I can get the same type of results using factory loads I will be pleased.

Typically when I am getting ready for the season I use the hood of my truck to lean on is all, I don't carry shooting sticks when I am hunting. With this rifle I will be breaking in the barrel and testing several different loads so I will break down and buy a Lead Sled and put in some range time . The loads I will be testing to start with are the following:

Nosler Trophy Grade ABLR 190 Gr.
Nosler Custom Hand Loaded 200 Gr.
Barnes VOR-TX - TTSX BT 180 Gr.
Hornady Superformance SST 180 Gr.

But you can hit a pie plate at 500 yards offhand 80% of the time. I have the quotes. Why you worried about this foolishness?

 

[KillerBee]

But you can hit a pie plate at 500 yards offhand 80% of the time. I have the quotes. Why you worried about this foolishness?

It's springtime sir or mam, if you need to stalk something go outside and stalk a bear. Leave me alone, get it?

 

[WildRose]

It's springtime sir or mam, if you need to stalk something go outside and stalk a bear. Leave me alone, get it?

Some are best ignored.