Launched in 1957, Weatherby Mark V is one of some sporting rifles to have been repeatedly produced for over half a century and keep premier standing. The Mark V has been the flagship rifle for Weatherby since that point, and has a superb fame for accuracy, reliability, and for that includes an ultra-strong motion. Though the guts of the Mark V (its motion) is generally the identical, Weatherby has repeatedly up to date the platform. Current notable additions to the Mark V line are the Mark V Backcountry Ti and Backcountry 2.0 (that we featured in our 2022 rifles check). One other introduction (albeit decrease profile) in late 2021 was the Mark V Hunter. The Hunter is essentially the most reasonably priced rifle within the Mark V household and is a superb worth for a high-quality gun.
- Cartridge: .270 Win.
- Capability: 5+1 rounds
- Weight: 6 pound, 2 ounces (weighed)
- Receiver: Mark V six-lug receiver (nine-lug for magnum actions)
- Receiver End: Cobalt Cerakote
- Bolt: Six-lug, single plunger ejector, M-16-style extractor, fluted physique, over-sized bolt deal with, Graphite Black Cerakote end
- Barrel: 24-inch, 1:10 twist
- Muzzle: Recessed crown, threaded 1/2-inch x 28, thread protector included
- Optics Mounting: drillled and tapped receiver
- Inventory: New Mark V Superior Polymer Inventory, grey with city and black speckle end
- Total Size: 45 inches
- Set off: Set off Tech set off, curved shoe, 3 kilos, 2 ounces (measured)
- Value: $1,349
Nuts and Bolts of the Weatherby Mark V Hunter
Six and 9-Lug Actions
At its core, the Mark V Hunter is solely a Mark V. In the event you’ve bought a historical past with Weatherby rifles, what meaning. For everybody else, the Mark V motion is an extra-strong push-feed design that’s characterised by both six or 9 lugs (relying on motion measurement), and an ultra-short 54-degree bolt throw.
Not like another actions, the lugs on the Mark V are small. It’s widespread to see two- and three-lug push-feed actions, however the lugs normally protrude past the surface dimensions of the bolt and slide backward and forward in raceway channels lower into the receiver. The Mark V’s locking lugs are extra like sections of screw thread. Their outdoors diameter matches the general bolt diameter, and the entrance portion of the bolt is machined to a smaller diameter to permit for this. 9-lug actions have three rows of three lugs, and six-lug actions have two. The bolt face is recessed, cupping the case head, and when locked up, it’s a powerful connection.
The Mark V Hunter I acquired is chambered in .270 Win. and has a six-lug motion. The rifle is out there in nine-lug actions for .300 Weatherby Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum, 7mm Weatherby Magnum, and 7mm Remington Magnum. It’s obtainable in a wide range of Weatherby and commonplace cartridges within the six-lug motion.
Probably the most notable distinction between the 2 actions is the burden. The nine-lug motion is a beast. It’s constructed to deal with the high-pressure Weatherby Magnum cartridges, and the rifle weighs over a pound extra. The six-lug .270 I examined was comparatively mild, useful, and comfy to hold. It’s additionally wonderful in a cartridge just like the 6.5 Wby. RPM. The bolt is fluted, and the bolt physique and over-sized deal with are completed with black Cerakote. The motion physique and bottom-metal are completed in Cobalt Cerakote.
The Mark V hunter makes use of a TriggerTech set off that’s externally adjustable—however you in all probability received’t want to the touch it. Mine got here set at simply over three kilos and it breaks splendidly.
Barrel
My Mark V Hunter pattern in .270 has a 24-inch barrel that’s completed in Cobalt Cerakote. It’s a light-weight, No. 1 profile barrel with no fluting. It’s barely heavier than the Mark V Backcountry metal barrels. It has a 1:10-inch twist, and a properly protected, recessed goal crown. The muzzle is threaded in 1/2-inch x 28 pitch for the usage of a brake or suppressor and comes with a thread protector.
Weatherby does their very own coatings and thread protectors in-house. Weatherby thread protectors have a notably tight, seamless match. In actual fact, it’s straightforward to miss the truth that the muzzle is threaded within the first place.
A suppressor is commonly an incredible accent for looking however observe {that a} heavy suppressor will seemingly trigger a significant shift on this rifle’s level of affect—just because the barrel is so skinny. A dedicated-purpose light-weight suppressor just like the titanium AB Raptor could be splendid for this rifle.
Inventory
One departure that the Mark V Hunter makes from the standard Mark V line is with its inventory. The Mark V Hunter has what seems to be an injection-molded polymer inventory, reasonably than the foam-core composite shares that different fashions just like the Mark V Weathermark have. It’s snug and solid-feeling, with a stiff fore-end. Some molded polymer shares have a hole sound and really feel to them this one doesn’t. This inventory has good, molded texturing on each the grip and sides of the fore-end. It has a easy however good paint job. The grey inventory is dappled with pale grey and black droplets that I like—however it does look a bit just like the ironmongery shop “roll-and-sprinkle” storage ground end.
The inventory has the traditional Weatherby fore-end that terminates with a definite nook. The butt of the inventory, nevertheless, lacks the everyday Monte-Carlo-styled cheek piece. It’s formed just like the shares of the Mark V Backcountry rifles and incorporates a gently curved reverse comb. With this profile, the highest of the inventory isn’t slammed into the shooter’s cheek with heavy recoil.
A characteristic that shooters would possibly like is the grip, which has a fats palm swell and features the hand up properly for finger placement on the set off. The flutes of the inventory (simply above the grip and in entrance of the comb) are deep, and permit the shooter to put their thumb comfortably alongside the highest of the wrist and alongside the tang. Grip profiles like this permit for a constant, relaxed set off pull, and faster entry to the bolt than wrapping the thumb across the again of the inventory. You’ll see grip profiles like this on looking rifle shares just like the Gunwerks, ClymR, and others.
Motion Match
Some Weatherby Mark Vs are totally bedded or characteristic bedding blocks. The Mark V Hunter doesn’t, however it does have aluminum bedding pillars and a few glass bedding across the recoil lug and entrance motion screw. The barrel on my pattern is floated nearly all the best way again to the motion. The barrel on my pattern favors to port and doesn’t sit fairly evenly within the inventory’s barrel channel, however it doesn’t make contact.
I’ve learn suggestions from prospects who’ve had the barrel contacting one facet or different of the inventory, however I feel it might merely be a problem of constructing certain it’s lined up appropriately earlier than torquing the entrance motion screw. It’s a element that Weatherby lays out of their consumer handbook, and it does appear to make a distinction.
Total, the metal-to-stock match is nice for a drop-in polymer inventory. There isn’t a seen hole or slop between the receiver and inventory on high, even across the tang. There’s a small little bit of extra house at a pair spots across the backside steel, however that’s only a nitpick.
Dealing with and Taking pictures the Weatherby Mark V Hunter
I discovered the Mark V Hunter to be snug to hold and snappy to shoot and function. I just like the ergonomics of the Backcountry 2.0’s inventory, and I feel they have been clever to imitate its ergonomics in a extra reasonably priced choice. The six-lug motion .270 is mild, however strong on the shoulder. I feel that’s the place this rifle actually shines, and it will be a superb discipline rifle on this class of cartridge. Primarily based on the texture of my bigger, heavier, nine-lug Mark V Weathermark, I feel that I’d suggest sticking with the six-lug. It strikes a candy stability between power and finesse.
The grip permits a relaxed and repeatable set off pull and I’m a fan of the reverse comb on the inventory. The throw on the bolt is brief, and it permits you to cycle rapidly and with authority. With the 2 Cerakote completed of the receiver and bolt bearing on each other, the bolt can really feel slightly sticky when it’s dry. A little bit of oil helps easy it out, however it’s not going to really feel like a well-worn steel-on-steel motion.
Accuracy
Like the remainder of its lineage, the Mark V Hunter comes with Weatherby’s three-shot MOA accuracy assure. I spent a variety of time capturing this rifle and recorded 34 five-shot teams. We now have a excessive commonplace with regards to accuracy testing for rifles with manufacturing facility ammo, and we use five-shot teams, not three. For accuracy scores, I’ve two numbers. First, the typical group measurement of the highest ten teams the rifle fired. This offers us a good suggestion what sort of accuracy the rifle is able to repeating. Second, the general common group measurement provides a practical image of the kind of accuracy you’ll be able to anticipate throughout a wide range of ammunition.
Common of Greatest Ten 5-Shot Teams: 1.17 inches
Common of All 5-Shot Teams: 1.78 inches
Though I didn’t particularly document three-shot teams, I did observe that with high-quality ammo, the rifle would normally print the primary three photographs at or beneath an inch at 100 yards. After that, the barrel could be sizzling sufficient to unfold impacts out a bit. Probably the most constantly correct ammo on this rifle was Hornady’s Precision Hunter 145-grain ELDX, adopted by Remington 130-grain Core-Lokt Tipped, and Federal Premium 130-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip.
The .270 Winchester isn’t precisely essentially the most correct chambering with regards to manufacturing facility ammo, however the Mark V Hunter shot it effectively—particularly for its barrel weight.
What the Weatherby Mark V Hunter Does Nicely
The Weatherby Mark V Hunter delivers a real Mark V motion, a great inventory with trendy ergonomics, sturdy coatings, and good accuracy—all at a worth that’s beneath some other Mark V. It’s a high-quality looking rifle that can outlast you.
What the Weatherby Mark V Hunter May Do Higher
I’d wish to see the barrel match slightly bit extra evenly within the barrel channel of the inventory. I additionally assume switching to hex or torx-head motion screws could be good. It might make it slightly simpler to torque them with out marring or damaging the screw heads.
Ultimate Ideas on the Weatherby Mark V Hunter
This can be a good rifle at a great worth. Though MSRP is $1,500, you will discover it retailing for $1,350. It almost made the $1,200 cutoff for the mid-priced rifles check that I carried out this fall and shot very effectively for a manufacturing facility .270. It out-shot every part in that check with looking ammo and comparable barrel weights.
Mark V rifles aren’t low-cost, however that is the most-attainable mannequin but. It’s not sacrificing any significant attributes for worth, and it’s an all-around nice looking rifle. It’s mild sufficient that I’d pack it sheep looking, and its coatings and supplies would climate the worst Kodiak rainstorms. In the event you’re taken with getting a Mark V, however don’t want a flashy one, this is a superb choice.
