What model of SKB O/U did Weatherby use for their line-up a few years back? This had the Prince of Wales grip, not the current ones with a grip cap. And where could a guy go about finding either one of these Weatherby's or the SKB branded guns? Seems nobody imports the SKB guns and they are hard to locate. The older Weatherby .20 gauges pointed like a natural extension of my eye for me, but are hard to find now. I really liked the blued receiver field guns with the round knob open grip. Any help would be appreciated.

SKB is imported by Guns Unlimited in Omaha Nebraska.

To be a dealer one must make the first purchase by buying two but may buy one at a time there after.

Thanks for that information. I wonder if they could tell me of any stocking dealers? May be worth my time to give them a call.

I'm sure they can.. 402-339-0771.

Nice folks to deal with...

Thanks Redneck, I haven't called yet, but did look them up on the net. You don't happen to know what model SKB the older Weatherby Orion was do you?

Not really.. Most were based on the M600 series or similar.. Narrow rib vs. the wider rib on the 700 series. The GU guys will know for sure..

They're very good shotguns.. Internal parts on a par with the Brownings.. No Achilles heel issues, and a better lock-up than the Browning..

I've replaced very few parts on mine over the years and only had a few in the shop for repairs - repairs that 95% of the time are for minor issues like trigger return springs, firing pins, hammer springs etc...

I shoot them really well, better than the Browning. I was aware they had a good reputation for reliability and appreciate your experiences with them. Thanks again...

I think the lower grade Orion was a 535 and the higher grades a 585 SKB. I live pretty close to Omaha and GU has a ton of SKB's. Some of them right now are on discount too. They also have some models you don't see very often such as quail specials, etc.

Me too.. I simply cannot hit dick with a Browning.. I'd have to remove at least 1/4" of wood in order to get my eyes down the rib.. (and yeah, I tried the adj. stocks too) Any time..

The 585 series is just above their entry-level grade, the M505. I hate to use that term because there's nothing at all wrong with a 585.. My only beef is the narrow rib.. I have a M685 3-barrel skeet set - the only one I own with a narrow rib.. The rest of mine are all 700 series or higher which have the wide ribs. My main trap gun is the M85TSS unsingle combo 32/34 with adjustable rib and stock cheekpiece. I've not seen the newer models (GC7s) in person so I cannot comment on them at all..

I particularly like the barrel selector system better than the Brownings..

Lookin' for a new gun there, MOGC??

Yep, I am...

Well, you're in good territory with SKBs.. Now, you just gotta show us the pix of your new toy upon arrival..

I was under the impression that the 800 series guns were what was comparable to the Athena Grade Weatherbys.

The Athenas are comparable to the 885 series.. The 800s were a highly scrolled item with very good wood and fine checkering..

Here's a fine example of a M800:




Then, a bump up from that is the M880:



The M885 series also had the sideplates like the M880 above, but the receiver design on the sides was different - more like a flat plate area rather than the upswept lines you see on the older SKBs (and pictured on the bottom receiver).

Damn fine looking scatter guns!

Have seen quite a few 500's and 600's and have owned a few as well. Have seen a few 700's, typically in a trap configuration, but have never owned one. An 800? Never seen one until your pictures. Very nice! The checkering and drop points really set it off. Is the engraving hand done or acid etched?
dan

I can't swear by it, but IIRC these are all hand done..

The M800 is somewhat rare - not sure how many were produced but I've only seen one in my life and it's MINE.. The 'book' says they were imported from '69-75 but I know the numbers were small. They were pretty spendy considering the years..

The M880 is the rarest of all - only 60 were built in trap configuration (12 ga), half with 30" barrels, the other half were 32".. Mine's a 30".. I bought it new in 1980 and it's still 98% or better..

I have a Weatherby Orion Grade III and a SKB 585 Waterfowler. Other than a few cosmetic differences, they're the exact same gun.

Sports Authority in Denver closed out their Weatherby 12 gauge over and unders about 3 years ago. I picked one up with good wood for $600. My lefthanded son quickly adopted it and it seems to be quite nice. I'd think you could find a 20 on Gunsamerica if you stay patient.

$600 dollars? I'd love to find a deal like that right now!!! I found several, but they are all .12's and I'm full up on .12 gauges. I'd really like a .20 with 28" barrels.

I believe that CDNN has exactly what you are looking for. They still have both the Orions and the Athenas, some are 20ga w/28" barrels. Go to cdnninvestments.com and download their catalogue. Good luck.

Did SKB make the Weatherbys that CDNN are carrying?

I guess I would call them to confirm, but the timing of CDNN receiving these guns is consistent with them being the SKB closeouts.

I bought one yesterday! I began calling around gunshops within a four hour drive of my house and found a shop fairly close by that had exactly ONE .20 ga. Weatherby/SKB Orion left over. It has 26" barrels, not my first choice in length, but the wood is very pretty, the fit and finish is fine, blue is even and deep, the trigger breaks nicely enough. All in all a nice looking (to my eye), and good handling gun. He had the old price of $1,050.00 on it but I found a shop within thirty minutes of him that had just began carrying SKB's and offered a similar model for $999.00. This guy sold me the "Weatherby" SKB for the same price. Maybe not a "bargain" but I don't think I got hurt too badly considering other guns in the same quality range are $1,500.00+ and even the CZ's seem to be bring around a grand at new prices in the local shops.

Good job! You got a nice shotgun at the right price..

Now (and forgive me if you already know this) just ensure you smear a small bit of grease on the sidewalls of the monoblock and on the barrel pivots.. Do NOT let those areas get dry or it can result in galling.. This is especially important in hot weather when you're shooting several rounds and the gun heats up..

The barrels will be stiff upon opening/closing for the first 500 shells or so, then it will loosen up.. Just pay close attention to ensuring that coating of grease is maintained while it's breaking in, and throughout thereafter.. Clean it after every shooting session and wipe down the metal..

After loading, close the action gently - do not slam it shut - and it will last you a lifetime..

Congrats on obtaining a fine shotgun.. If you ever have questions on it or concerns about some part of the operation, never hesitate to give me a yell...

Redneck,
That was my plan, but I am all ears and appreciate any info and experience you have to pass on. I'm not too old or stubborn to learn new tricks!

Edit: I have been looking at some Briley X2 extended chokes for it. As I said earlier, I really wanted 28" barrels, though I will appreciate the 26" tubes when busting brush this fall/winter. The flush mounted chokes may be fine for hunting in the thicker cover. But as a way of getting a little more weight out front I thought of the Briley extended chokes for a little informal skeet shooting and dove hunting. Thoughts on the Briley tubes?

The extended tubes offered by SKB are also made by Briley.. But as with any new choke tube, take it outside immediately and pattern it.. You'd be surprised how many tubes will toss your pattern off center by tons.. It's why many competition shooters in trap/skeet now use shotguns with fixed chokes..

Enjoy!!!