Weatherby’s New Mark V Backcountry Ti Brian Pearce Weatherby cartridge designs, the 6.5 Weatherby Rebated Precision Magnum eatherby has been busy in (RPM) offers practical performance, the past couple of years, respectable barrel life and the accu- which has resulted in a racy sought after by many hunters and W trim new Mark V Back- shooters. With the company under the country Ti rifle that weighs less than 5 direction Adam Weatherby, grandson pounds, and when combined with the of Roy Weatherby, operations have company’s new 6.5-caliber cartridge been moved from Paso Robles, Cali- it is a great combination for open fornia, to Sheridan, Wyoming, a much country hunting. In addition to being friendlier environment for manufac- a complete departure from previous turing firearms and ammunition. 34 www.riflemagazine.com Rifle 309 The 6.5 Weatherby RPM case (right) has slightly less powder capacity than the .264 Winchester The Mark V six-lug Magnum titanium action features (left). Note a receiver ring that the 35.25- measures around 1.149 degree inches, while the Mark V shoulder nine-lug action measures angle of the around 1.331 inches. 6.5 RPM. The 6.5 Weatherby RPM (right) is based on a “stretched” 6.5-284 Norma case (left). Weatherby is currently offering the Mark V in nine-lug (left) and six-lug (right) variations, with the 6.5 Weatherby RPM being built on the latter. During World War II, Roy Weatherby (1910-1988) mounted safety and many other features. One of its began experimenting with wildcat cartridges in an virtues was its outstanding strength, and it was soon effort to reach greater velocities than provided by advertised as “The World’s Strongest Action.” ordinary sporting cartridges. Most of his cartridges Early manufacture was in California, but produc- were based on the .300/.375 H&H Magnum belted tion was soon moved to West Germany, with J.P. Sauer case and necked accordingly. Each featured a rather & Sohn producing rifles from 1959 through 1971, unique double-radius shoulder design that is contro- with some being imported as late as 1973. From 1971 versial; however, all cartridges offered significant through 1995, Howa Machinery in Japan produced the powder capacity and reached new levels of velocity. Mark V. By 1945 Weatherby borrowed a large sum of money Beginning in 1995, production was moved to the and began building custom rifles and producing ammu- state of Maine. However, soon after moving headquar- nition on a full-time basis. While early rifles were built ters from Atascadero to Paso Robles, California, Mark on 1903 Springfield, Winchester Model 70, FN commer- V production was moved back to that state. As in- cial Mauser 98 and other actions, by 1957/58 Weatherby dicated, today the Mark V is produced in Wyoming. had designed his own action known as the Mark V. It While Weatherby collectors love early Mark V rifles, was unique and featured nine locking lugs, 56-degree the fact is that with each of the above production bolt lift (now 54-degrees), a countersunk bolt face, ro- moves, the rifles were improved in design and qual- tating extractor (push feed system), two position bolt ity, making them more reliable and accurate. Shooting the 6.5 RPM Cartridge March-April 2020 www.riflemagazine.com 35 Weatherby’s New Mark V Backcountry Ti have a “nice rifle.” However, Ed moved forward with his ideas, and the Mark V Fibermark appeared in 1983 and became an instant suc- cess. In the decades since, the product line has been expanded extensively to include many syn- The Backcountry Ti features a thetic stock variants, stainless hinged floorplate with an etched steel, etc., that serve to satisfy to- topographical map. day’s hunters and rifleman. This brings us to the new Mark parts rejection. To help prevent V Backcountry Ti that features coining, a condition wherein ti- a six-lug action with a notably tanium peens from head thrust smaller receiver ring than the tra- and high pressure and can cause The safety is a two-position design. ditional nine-lug Mark V. For com- headspace to become excessive, parison, the six-lug receiver ring the bolt assembly and locking lugs Roy Weatherby preferred what measures 1.149 inches in diameter are constructed of high tensile he referred to as a “handsome” and while most nine-lug versions mea- chrome-moly steel that is CERA- “nice rifle,” and this was the foun- sure around 1.330 inches. The six- KOTE finished. dation of his business and was ap- lug action also features a notably The Backcountry stock profile pealing to many hunters, shooters smaller bolt body while the coun- is a distinct departure from tradi- and collectors. By his definition, tersunk bolt face is suitable for tional Weatherby configuration. this translated into a rifle with a cartridges featuring a rim diame- For example, from the very begin- wood stock, preferably with beau- ter of .473 inch, such as the .30-06 ning Weatherby rifles have been tiful grain and high luster finish, and others, but it cannot accom- primarily fitted with Monte Carlo cut checkering patterns, contrast- modate cartridges on the larger style stocks, although there have ing forend caps and pistol grips belted magnum case. The bolt lift been a few variants fitted with tra- (usually from rosewood), white remains 54 degrees. ditional classic style stocks. The line spacers, high polish blue fin- As its name indicates, the Backcountry stock is a classic de- ish, etc. For anyone wanting a true Mark V Backcountry Ti features sign without a cheekpiece. How- custom rifle, the Weatherby Cus- a titanium receiver mated to a ever, like so many modern hunting tom Shop could accommodate any spiral-fluted steel bolt body; a rifles designed to be fired from a practical feature from highly fig- combination that results in the variety of positions, including ured walnut with ivory inlays to action and complete bolt assem- prone, the stock features a slightly engraving with silver, gold and bly weighing a mere 1.125 pounds negative comb, and rather than a even diamond inlays. As Roy’s son (without trigger assembly). For Weatherby pattern square forend Ed Weatherby joined the business, comparison, the standard steel tip, it is rounded. My only real crit- he brought new ideas, including Mark V nine-lug action weighs icism of the stock includes the 3D rifles with a synthetic stock. Roy 2.18 pounds. The fluted barrel is Hex recoil pad that seems overly opposed the idea, as he considered 24 inches long and is threaded, hard; however, since the recoil of them homely and felt that their with both a “thread protector” the 6.5 Weatherby RPM is modest, customer base would much rather and “brake” furnished as stan- this is something of a moot point. dard. Outside barrel diameter at the muzzle is .548 inch. Total rifle The rifle features a threaded barrel The stock profile is a departure from that comes standard with a recoil- weight is 4.9 pounds when cham- traditional Weatherby patterns. It reducing brake and thread protector. bered for the 6.5 Weatherby RPM. is a classic design with a slightly In addition to the Backcountry Ti, negative comb. a steel version is also offered at less cost. As standard equipment, a TriggerTech trigger is installed and broke cleanly at 3.1 pounds right out of the box. While titanium has a reputa- tion of being difficult to machine, modern techniques and tooling allow much more precise cuts and minimize galling and high 36 www.riflemagazine.com Rifle 309 Overall, the stock is trim, light- weight, comfortable and features 5 a 13 ⁄8-inch length of pull. The lightweight stock is re- ported to be manufactured by AG Composites and is constructed of carbon fiber using manufactur- ing methods that result in a desir- able combination of strength and weight. It is finished in a unique gray, distinguishing sponge pat- tern. The barrel channel provides Factory 6.5 Weatherby RPM ammunition free floating of the barrel. chronographed just under 3,000 fps Several years ago, while hunt- using Nosler 140-grain AccuBond ing with Adam Weatherby and an- bullets. other employee, I suggested they Brian used a Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x develop a new 6.5 cartridge. We chester Model 88 lever-action and 50mm scope to test the new rifle and discussed my ideas, including Model 100 autoloading rifles. It cartridge. ballistics and if the new cartridge was intended to duplicate the bal- should fit a short action length listics of the .270 Winchester and to the Commission Internationale (2.810 inches), standard length .280 Remington cartridges. How- Permanente (CIP) and began pro- (3.340 inches) or the long action ever, it had an overall length of ducing loaded ammunition. Its (3.600 inches). I could tell by the 2.800 inches and was a short-ac- version, intended mostly for tar- conversation that they were hold- tion cartridge. It featured a .500- get work, has an overall length ing their cards closely, so to speak. inch head diameter, but the rim of 3.228 inches to achieve greater Soon thereafter, the fast 6.5-300 was rebated and measured .473 powder capacity and allow bullets Weatherby Magnum was intro- inch to permit correct function to be seated out for top accuracy. duced and is advertised to push a in the above rifles, which was the As indicated, the 6.5 RPM is based Barnes 127-grain LRX at 3,531 fps, same as the .30-06.