Any thoughts on which way to go here? It will be heading into sheep country and out to Kodiak for deer.

Accumark .257 = 8.75 lbs.
Ultra LWT .257 = 6.75 lbs.

One of my friends has the Accumark (270WIN 7.25 lbs.) and it is an excellent shooting rifle. I liked it. If I were buying an Accumark I'd get the .270 but I would rather buy the Ultra Lwt. in 7-08 for sure.

Also if your going to pay good money for lightweight I'd pass on the .257 and get one in the lightest offerings.

Ultra LWT .240WM, .270, 7-08, .308, .30-06 = 5.75 lbs.

Don't have that caliber in an Accumark, but a 30-378 Accu. is a real nail driver with no rifle tweaking.

Was wondering how well balanced they are. I've shouldered a 240 UL and it didn't point very well

I have two Ultra Lightweights. One in .30-06, one in 7mm-08.
The advantages in the field are significant. Very light (duh)and handy as hell.
Pointablity is very good, but you really have to learn how to shoot them. The lack of weight forward takes some getting used to from a standing or kneeling position.
Both of mine need fast bullets to print well. It took me forever to find a good load for my -06, and I finally figured out the speed thing. I came close to replicating Federal's Premium High Energy load and she now shoots MOA or slightly better with Hunter powder.
My 7mm-08 is an absolute blast to shoot. 50.0 gr of Big Game under a 120 NBT gives me 0.8" groups with minimal recoil.
The light weight can mean more recoil with a magnum chambering. I've heard great things about the 257 Roy but I'd want to shoot one before I bought it.

P

I wasn't aware Weatherby had Ultralights in those calibers.

I know this might be a buzzkill...but go with the Vanguard in .257 and carry the weight...haven't been impressed ( in the good way...) by Mark Vs...

Big time Amen to that Ingwe!

Dober

No buzzkill there Ingwe, I go back and forth on the 26"-24" barrel length with the 257.

I wouldn't want a 257 Weatherby in light weight format. The felt recoil would be more than most would be comfortable with. You can get light rifles these days but pick your caliber accordingly. Heavier is better when trying to tame the high velocity Weatherby calibers.

Mine are good shooters, as is my .300 Wby Mag Accumark.
I guess I got lucky.

P

I have shot 3 accumarks and all shot extremely well. I would never carry one on a sheep or goat hunt. I have owned 3 ultra lwts in 22-250, 270 win, and 338-06 and all 3 are a little finicky and hard to get good groups with. But they are very nice hunting rifles. The best one, I still own, is the 270 win., but I now have a Rem. titanium in 270 that I like a little better, so I am thinking of moving the 270 Ultra lwt too. I do like the new Vanguard 2 in 257 weatherby. Although they are pretty heavy, they balance and point well. Daryl.

I've had both the Ultra lightweight and the Accumark in .257 Wby. The lightweight shot 1.5" at 100 yds, the Accumark shoots under 3/4" at 100. I mainly use my Accumark for stand hunting in open farm country and like the extra weight for stability for long shots. It really isn't bad at all to do some moderate hiking with but If I was packing the rifle up and down mountains on a regular basis I'd go with the Ultra lightweight hands down. Recoil wasn't bothersome at all with either rifle.

I have never tried the UL but purchased the LH Accumark in 7mmSTW and it is a true 1/2 inch rifle with the Nosler 140 gr AB and Rel 22. My son liked it so i gave it to him and it is his favorite hunting rifle. If i have anything against the Accumark it is the weight. If i ever buy another Wby it will be the Ultra Lite.
Here is a nice Public Land Colorado Elk my son took with Accumark and the Nosler 140 gr AB.

Have an UL in 25-06. It's one of the 5.75 pounders putting it right around 7 lbs. even scoped & loaded.



I've not found it to be real finicky. But maybe I just happened on a load it liked from the get-go. It shoots 100 gr. TTSX neatly 5 shots under an inch @ 100 if you don't try to shoot them extremely rapidly. Recoil is not spiteful at all. And, to my hand, it points and balances MUCH better than other lightweight sporters.

Nice elk and great rifle. I have also have an Accumark in 338/378 and it leaves some pretty impressive holes in black bears. Shot a deer right through the head at 200 yds-right between the eyes. Very accurate hard hitting rifle.

If you go Vanguard, find a Back Country.
From their poop sheet:

Designed for hunters trekking rough terrain in high altitudes, the Vanguard Back Country weighs in at a meager 6 3/4 pounds. The rifle�s stainless steel metalwork and fluted barrel are bead blast to a matte finish, eliminating game-spooking glare while helping to resist the ill effects of rain or snow.
Pillar bedded for improved accuracy, the Back Country features an Ultra light composite Bell & Carlson stock. To reduce felt recoil, the stock is butted with a Pachmayr Decelerator pad.
This model features Weatherby�s famous Monte Carlo design for quick eye-to-scope alignment and faster target acquisition.
The rifles are available in right-hand models and measure approximately 44 or 44 1/2 inches (depending on caliber) in overall length. They have a length of pull of 13 5/8 inches. The Back Country�s drop at comb, 3/4 inch; drop at heel, 1 1/2 inches.
Weatherby Vanguard Back Country 30/06. New In Box. 24" Stainless Fluted Barrel, Synthetic Stock Bolt. This rifle has it all, many features only found in a custom rifle. Weatherby quality at a very affordable price. Specs from Weatherby--Factory Tuned Fully Adjustable Trigger � Ultralight Raised Comb Monte Carlo Black Compo Stock with Grey Spiderweb Accents � 24" Cold Hammer Forged Pillar Bedded Stainless Steel Fluted Barrel � Pachmayr� Decelerator� Pad � Cocking Indicator � One-Piece Hinged Floorplate � Fluted Bolt Body with Gas Ports � Fully Enclosed Bolt Sleeve � One-Piece Machined Bolt � Integral Recoil Lug � Massive M-16 Style Claw Extractor � "Three Rings of Steel" Create an Extra Measure of Strength and Structural Integrity � Guaranteed From the Factory to Shoot a 1 1/2" or Better 3-Shot Group at 100yds.

Type:bolt-action rifle

Caliber:.257 Wby. Mag.; .270 Win.; .30-06 Spfld.; .300 Win. Mag.; .300 Wby. Mag. (tested)

Barrel:fluted, hammer-forged

Trigger:&fully adjustable, single-stage

Magazine:box; 5+1, standard calibers; 3+1, magnums

Sights:none; drilled and tapped

Safety:two-position

Stock:Monte Carlo; injection-molded composite; pillar bedding, LOP-13.625"

Overall Length:44.5"

Weight:6.75 lbs.

Metal Finish:stainless steel




P

That'd be a good option, or one could buy the $399 version and add a McMillan Edge fill handle to it. Then you'd have the weight out front, and yet it wouldn't be too heavy.

Just my opinion but at 6 3/4 naked, it's gonna go over 8 with ease "all up" especially the way the one in the pics set up.

Should be a lean mean shooting machine!

Dober

So many options! Thanks for the help guys. I'll add another. Have a 1959 Belgium Browning originally a '06 bored to 308 norma. Gun is light, probably due to the slim 22" barrel and has a great trigger. Could rebarrel it with a Stainless Shilen in 257Wby and add the McMillan, of course. Gunsmiths are tougher to find than legal moose here though.

I really don't understand this obsession with rifle weights. People strap on a 30-50 lbs bag of groceries on their backs to go hunting but gripe about a rifle that weights over 10 lbs????

You see all them skinny Muslim Jihatters packing 8.5 lbs AK 47 add on 2x 30 round clips and your way over 10 lbs. They pack them up mountains across deserts and do some real damage.
Then I see a 200 lbs healthy American who complains about a 7 lbs rifle. Give me a break????

I had the mk V super big game master "ultralight" now days.. in 7 RM and it was a very nice rifle but I had a hell of a time getting it to shoot

Brake or no brake? Weatherby have a factory quarantee, so should send back if not shooting right like on the factory supplied practise target.

Weatherby hasn't sent targets with there guns for years. They do have a 1.5" guarantee with factory ammo. For the price, they better do better than that or they go down the road. I have had better luck with the Vanguards than the mark Vs.

Yeah your right, I just remembered I never got a target with my Accumark. Got one with my 378.

I have an SBGM in .300 WBY and love the ergonomics of the gun. One of the nicest handling 26" barreled magnums out there to me. In the .300, the muzzle jump is way more obnoxious than the recoil. I think in .257 it would be fine. No experience with an Accumark as the weight always pushed me away.

Lou

The obsession lies in that my sheep area is walk-in only. As in 21+ miles one way not quite flat ground either. About half-way in you want to abandon pack, rifle, and groceries which are usually freeze-dried

Don't you fellas have quads or horses? That would be the day I hike 21 miles to go hunting. I might stalk and walk 21 miles in a 3 day hunt period, but usually use horses or quads to get there or river boats.

Ya a friend has horses but there are quite a few rock slides on the way in. You could go around them but it would add another 10 miles.One guy had two Llamas all the way back which I think would be the best way to go. Here's a pic of buddy's moose last year. 2 1/2 days ride in to get into his draw area.

OK... I will chime in.

In the .257 wthby arena I have the Super Big Game Master as well and it is one of my best shooting rigs I have!!!! Its is 100% factory and it shoots wthby factory loadings extremely well, ..5--.7 groups routinely! Both the 115gr NBT and the 100 TSX.

It has shot well from teh start with no tickering, so maybe i got lucky. Here is another thought since others have mentioned putting one together.

I have another custom .257 wthby (700 action), mcmillina stock that was fluted and metal and trigger changed and wow... .LIGHT and will occasionally shoot one holers! Typically shoots in the .6 range as well when i do my part and WAIT to shoot the 3rd shot. The first two are alway scary how close they are togeher or half in each other. THat rig is LIGHTWEIGHT as well, as well as it under 7 lbs with a leupy 4-14x40 CDS scope.

As for WEIGHT.... THE OLDER I GET, and the more OUT OF SHAPE i get, WEIGHT has EVERYTHING do to my hunts. I can attest that over the last few yr/hunts that when i carry a 6.5-7 lbs rifle on my shoulder i dont feel much , but make it an 8.5 lbs rifle and my shoulder gets worn out. NEVER BELIEVED it or bought into the weight deal til age/conditioning caught up to me a few yrs back.

Good luck .... .257 bees rock!!! I have a .300 bee for the bigger stuff, but for those 300lb horn/antler critters on down, its tough to beat a .257 bee!!! Of course....that MY opinion!

Could I ask for some specifics on your build? What barrel and contour? Did I misread stock-fluted? Which McMillan? I've also been looking at a CDL. It weighs in at just over 7lbs with original wood stock. Wondering if that could be lightened?

Sure....

The build i have is what i would call "semi-custom". It is a Rem 700 SS action and bbl, fluted the bbl, McMillina EDGE stock, timmeny trigger, green-tan bottom metal. Fluted bolt and swiss cheese handle.

Sorry for saying stock was fluted, meant to say BBL was fluted. HA.

As for the CDL.... my buddy just sold his CDL in .257 bee. He shot the spire great, but did not like the Accubonds. I LOVE the looks of the wood/SS CDL. To lighten it, i would say you would start with a different stock for the biggest weight loss, and then its just lil by lil after that.

Have fun... i am sure you will buy or build a winner! Heck, maybe if you have lots of $$$ you can buy mine!

"Hello, my name is OldCenterChurch and I love the Mark V!"

It doesn't really matter why, does it??

I think the Accumark is a nice rifle, but it isn't something I would like to carry the distances mentioned.

Weatherby doesn't make a short action as far as I know, so you might as well grab the ULW in 270 or 30-06.

Looks like my 25-06 in the classifieds sold! Just wondering how much more I need?!

Nice moose, did you pack the horns out too?

My Mark V UL in 280 Remington is a dream rifle. As others have stated, it's light, accurate & a dream to carry. However, it took me three to find one that would shoot.

Ya, he was just under 70" and got stuck between trees a few times. Luckily the horse that had the horns didn't panic. There was one green horse in the string that caused numerous wrecks. It was a great trip. From one high spot we counted 23 black bears and 2 brown bears all feeding on berries.
Sounds like the Wby UL is a little finicky for the price.