You have to give the British the credit for introducing belted magnum cartridges for dangerous game hunters, but it was Roy Weatherby who gave the high velocity, hard-hitting hunting cartridge a decidedly American flavor. To say the Weatherby company is going through a bit of a renaissance lately would be to imply it had a dark age, which isn’t true, but it’s impossible to deny that the company celebrating 80 years in business is exhibiting a renewed vigor since its move to Wyoming, introducing new products and reintroducing and updating classic ones.
The company's latest entry in the latter category are a pair of ultra-reliable, accurate and devastatingly powerful rifles designed to go after the nastiest creatures on four legs the world has to offer, rifles like the company built their reputation on—the Mark V Frontier and Mark V Dangerous Game Rifle (DGR).
The basis for Weatherby’s new dangerous game rifles is nothing less than the company’s iconic Mark V action, with its nine-lug bolt that yields a 54-degree bolt lift for fast cycling of the action. Its updated bolt is spiral fluted to save weight and for smoother operation, and has an oversized knob that is removable. The trigger is an adjustable unit by TriggerTech. To add an extra round of capacity with the fat magnum cartridges, the floorplate of the triggerguard is extended.
Barrels have their muzzles threaded and come with an Accubrake ST muzzlebrake installed, and have a classic barrel band front sling swivel. Conventional swivel studs are also placed in the traditional positions on the stock. The rifles come with open sights mounted on the barrel, which consist of a NECG Classic adjustable rear with express-type “V” and a ramped front sight with a hooded white bead. All metal components are given a business-like matte Graphite Black Cerakote finish.
Weatherby’s new big-bore hunters are offered in two models. The DGR is a no-nonsense working rifle. It has a fiberglass stock in the company's classic style, with a brown base color and a hand-painted tan and black web finish. Available chamberings include .378, .416, and .460 Weatherby, along with .375 H&H Magnum. Barrel length for all chamberings is 24 inches, plus the 2-inch muzzle brake.
From its Monte Carlo cheekpiece, to its contrasting rosewood inserts, the Frontier hearkens back to the original Weatherby magnums. Its stock is made in Italy of exhibition-grade walnut stock with a matte oil-rubbed finish and hand-cut checkering. The Frontier is available chambered in the classic Weatherby magnum cartridges, including the .257, 6.5-300, .300, .378, .416 and .460 Weatherby Magnums, along with the .300 Win. Mag. and .375 H&H. All models have a 24-inch barrel (plus a 2-inch muzzle brake), except the 6.5-300 Weatherby, which has a 26-inch barrel.
The Weatherby Dangerous Game Rifle has an MSRP of $3,999, and the Frontier rifle retails for $4,999. For more information, see the company’s website.
