Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Weatherby Camilla

Did you look at the Savage Lady Hunter also?

I am currently working with a WBY 6.5 Creedmoor in a Range Certified Vanguard with a 24" barrel.

The all day shoot, clean, repeat barrel seasoning went well. I bought three boxes of Federal American Eagle ammo (really just to fire form brass). The last 20 rounds fired including clean and dirty barrel conditioning was a 1.25" group with only a few outside the (shot away... missing) center of the target.

Since then I have tried hand loads with Varget, H4350, H414 Superformance and yesterday IMR 7828. Only the 7828 produced groups over an inch. Bullets tried are 129 ABLR, 127 LRX and 140 Nosler Ballistic tips. My gun shot best with 4350/LRX, but not by much...a 5/8"' five shot group.

My rifle has a nice habit of shooting the first two shots from a clean dry bore into a touching or oval single hole on the target.

What off the shelf ammo have you tried?

What were the results?

Exactly my goal with the Camilla. I tried a couple of my 6'2" husband's rifles in larger calibers (than my squirrel rifle) but they didn't fit well and I was starting to flinch. Plus, I've always struggled with eye relief on more standardized stocks so I end up "crawling up and over" the stock if that makes sense. Now that I know what good rifle fit is, I'm ordering custom cheek pads for my other rifles.

SquirrelGirl what scope do you have on your Camilla and what base/rings are you running? Welcome aboard! I have 3 daughters so I have run the gamut on trying to cobble guns to fit them.

Due to various problems the rifle arrived less than a week before heading out for the hunt. Therefore, I used Hornady Amer Whitetail with 129 grn Interlock for break-in and then immediately switched to Barnes Vor-tex as the landowner had requested I use lead-free. The Barnes produced initial groups under an inch and I'm an inexperienced bench shooter. That's as much as I can tell you for now. I have several boxes of additional factory loads to test in warmer weather.

I have Leopold VX-3i 2.5-8x36mm and I'm using Weatherby rings (made by Talley). I don't remember the height except that I followed the recommendations given by Weatherby.

I bought the rifle sight unseen but have no regrets.

Just as you are relating, I had to order sight unseen. All I could do was scour the internet for reviews and pictures. The Camilla appealed more to me aesthetically plus I could find more information about it including others' experiences. Okay, and I grew up not far away, and the history. "Camilla" brings a touch of history where "Lady Hunter" makes me look to see where they added pink. Seriously, would anyone label a rifle "The Male Hunter"? How's that for good rationale? I've spent my entire life making do with products designed for men, and literally have stood in a fly shop waving my credit card commenting that it works as well as the guys. Because products that fit women are rarely stocked in stores, I have to take financial risks and order anyway with sometimes poor results that I re-sell when I can. The Camilla has been a raving success story.

I love the comment from Mike Schwiebert to other men criticizing the barrel length that "It was designed by women and if you think I'm gonna tell them they got it wrong you all are crazy!!!!!" Only this month did I read Mule Deer's article on rifle fit using Roy Weatherby as an example. He spoke my language.

http://weatherbynation.com/index.php?topic=14918.msg142132#msg142132

Thanks SG for chiming in on this. Like you my daughter has " made do " with what I had or what was readily available for a number of years. She'll be 21 this year. Shot her first deer at age nine and by age 13 was hunting by her self in her own climbing tree stand. I just want to get her something that she can truly enjoy and be proud of for years to come. My dad gave me a Remington 700 30-06 in 1975 when I was 13 years old. I still have it and it is special when I pick it up to take to the woods.

I would think using the lowest possible ring/base height is the way to go here. I would love them to come out with a Long Action model. A .270 would be awesome!!! I think for now a 7mm-08 is the best compromise.

Just found the order. The rings are Weatherby's Vanguard Lightweight Scope Mounts in 1" low.

Aw, you're a good and thoughtful dad. I feel the same way about some gifts from my father.

I love beautiful functional tools. I can't imagine using a laminate stock though never say never, right? When I decided to try hunting my husband bought me an 1885 Winchester Low Wall in .17 Mach 2 for squirrels. It doesn't fit me properly but off sticks with extended scope rings it works because, damn, it's gorgeous. He sure set the wrong benchmark now that I'm buying my own rifles. The Camilla doesn't match up but it's still very, very nice. I think she'll treasure it.

Weatherby Camilla? With a name like that, I had to look it up. I can see why they gave it the name.

They are both ugly humps, and the prospective owner would have been best served with taking better care of what he had previously, so he wouldn't need a new one.

I think you need to work on your research skills. We've covered this already.

http://wby-tv.com/videos/i-am-camilla/

Squirrelgirl Welcome to the fire. I wonder about the handle until I read your comment about the Win. 1885 and then it became clear. Enjoy your stay and don't let the dips ruffle your feathers. Happy hunting. Cheers NC

Thank you very much! I mostly came to the forums looking for air rifle info but thought I could contribute my personal experience with the Camilla.

Are you affiliated with Weatherby in any way, shape or form?

" I've spent my entire life making do with products designed for men, and literally have stood in a fly shop waving my credit card commenting that it works as well as the guys. Because products that fit women are rarely stocked in stores, I have to take financial risks and order anyway with sometimes poor results that I re-sell when I can. "
^^^^^^^^^^^
This, more than anything, should tell manufacturers and retailers that just stocking a 'reduced length' long gun is NOT the way to go. Folks, getting more women and kids involved in shooting sports and hunting will guarantee the future for us all. I, for one, applaud Weatherby for doing their due diligence in the creation of a rifle for women.
SquirrelGirl is proof of the pudding.

And welcome, welcome, welcome to the 'fire, SquirrelGirl.

Thanks for the welcome and the recognition of the challenges for women in this sport. This past winter I told a hunting pack manufacturer that "adding teal trim did not make a women's pack" and that they obviously hadn't done any research with women. They actually responded that I had a good point and would address it.

Currently, I'm banging my head against the wall trying to find good insulated hunting boots. My husband can walk into a store and try on several options. I have to order and then pay return shipping on those that don't work out. Don't even get me started on clothing. Fortunately, the companies are starting to make the products. The retailers just won't stock for the fastest growing demographic in hunting.

Oh my gawd, you caught me. They sent me a free hat in one order.