Mark 5 Weatherby - Japan vs German made

[briar rabbit]

My understanding is that the Mark 5 Weatherby's that were made in Japan are accurate and are as well made as the ones made in Germany, but the ones made in Germany are more collectible, does any one know of this is correct?
Thanks

 

[Broz]

I have owned many of each vintage. Germ, Jap and USA. The German are the most collectable and have more freebore. The Jap and US I have owned were more accurate. This could well have been that the older German ones had been shot more too. If you are going for collector value, go for a 26" barreled German. If for hunting you will be fine with either the Jap or US and I prefer the 26" version for the extra 50~60 fps velocity. I will add that the USA Accumarks I have owned (about 6 or so) have all been the most accurate factory rifles I have ever owned right out of the box.

Jeff

 

[J E Custom]

I have owned many of each vintage. Germ, Jap and USA. The German are the most collectable and have more freebore. The Jap and US I have owned were more accurate. This could well have been that the older German ones had been shot more too. If you are going for collector value, go for a 26" barreled German. If for hunting you will be fine with either the Jap or US and I prefer the 26" version for the extra 50~60 fps velocity. I will add that the USA Accumarks I have owned (about 6 or so) have all been the most accurate factory rifles I have ever owned right out of the box.

Jeff

+1

They are all very good rifles and Weatherby has kept a tight rein on Manufactures Quality
no matter who made them, The same goes for stocks; If the quality falls off they change
manufactures. I did not know about the free bore being greater on the German rifles But
you learn something new every day on this site.

I have never collected them just shot them and built custom rifles on the Mark 5 actions
and have never been dissapointed.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Broz]

+1

I did not know about the free bore being greater on the German rifles
I have never collected them just shot them and built custom rifles on the Mark 5 actions
and have never been dissapointed.

J E CUSTOM

I hope I was correct about that, but it may not be true to all Germans as things were changing alot with Roy and his company back then. Ever read the book " Weatherby, The Man The Gun The Ledgend" ?? Very good read if you are even remotely into Weatherby rifles. Also I spend quite a bit of time on this forum too Weatherby Rifles Forum - Weatherby Rifles Forum If you want to know something about a Weatherby, these boys are very into them and know. Good site to visit.

Jeff

 

[J E Custom]

I hope I was correct about that, but it may not be true to all Germans as things were changing alot with Roy and his company back then. Ever read the book " Weatherby, The Man The Gun The Ledgend" ?? Very good read if you are even remotely into Weatherby rifles. Also I spend quite a bit of time on this forum too Weatherby Rifles Forum - Weatherby Rifles Forum If you want to know something about a Weatherby, these boys are very into them and know. Good site to visit.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff.

I have never been afraid of free bore so the difference does not matter but it is nice to know.

I have read the book and he was an innovator in many areas.

Thanks again.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Oliveralan]

Slightly off topic, but what is the difference in price between them? Specifically i'm interested in a left hand mark V, don't care too much about where it was manufactured. Just asking about price and quality.

 

[Brandon Starkel]

I see this is a old thread. I'll see how this goes! My Dad has a old 300WBYMag. It left West Germany in March of 1972. I found that out by calling Weatherby, and giving them the P serial number. Dad was curious as to what it's worth, but so far I've struck out on getting a actual value. I'd say it's a 8 out of 10. give or take...

 

[Dosh]

The biggest difference between the German and all other origins is the vintage German barrels are 1:12 twist. For hunting, the 1:12 is accurate with a bit lighter bullet. A hunting partner of mine has a German made MK V 300 Wby which shoots sub MOA out to 500 with lighter bullets. Only visual inspection could narrow the value estimate along with upgrades and embellishments. Try the forum Weatherby Nation, they are quite helpful. Good luck