By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2023
WEATHERBY
1945 – Roy Weatherby opened Weatherby’s Sporting Goods in California, where the legend began. With a mind as fast as the cartridges he designed, Roy Weatherby relied on his trusty dictating machine to document his fast-paced innovations. He was a stickler for detail with all his notes, memos, ballistic data, and photos.
1951 – Weatherby’s outgrew its space and relocated to Firestone Boulevard, just around the corner from the old store. It housed the store, gun shops, offices, and even a 100-yard underground rifle range. Sportsmen and women came from far and near to visit Weatherby’s.
1958 – Wanting a rifle that was a true extension of the shooter, Roy identified shortcomings in other bolt-action stocks. So, he designed his own for exceptional fit, balance, and identifiable style. With Weatherby’s hot cartridges, there came a need for a bolt-action capable of handling the magnum power, and the Mark V action was born. With up to nine locking lugs and “overbuilt” craftsmanship, the Mark V design remains the strongest bolt-action rifle today.
In May of 1961, Weatherby and Fred Jennie had completed work on a prototype model .22 rimfire rifle, which was to be called the Mark XXII. In December of ‘61 the rifle was displayed at the National Sporting Goods Dealer Show. More than 800 orders were placed for the Mark XXII.
1967 – When Weatherby enthusiasts asked for a fast-pointing, smooth-swinging shotgun, Roy delivered with the first Weatherby over/under. Weatherby shotguns are still revered for their dependability, fit, and balance.
1970 – For hunters loyal to non-Weatherby calibers, Roy didn’t want to leave them out of the family. So, he introduced the Vanguard rifles chambered for some of the world’s most popular big game and varmint cartridges.
The Sightmaster Spotting Scope (1972), Premier Scope (1973), and Roof-Prism Binoculars (1978) all continued the growth of the Weatherby brand in the 1970s.
1981 – Only 200 Weatherby Silhouette Pistols were manufactured, making this unique handgun a rare and treasured collector’s item.
In 1983, Roy passed the Weatherby torch to his son Ed. Under Ed’s leadership, Weatherby grew in both Mark V and Vanguard offerings, including the newest Vanguard rifles with guaranteed SUB-MOA accuracy.
2016 – Named aptly after Camilla Weatherby, the graceful lines are befitting of how the stock fits female shooters. The Camilla features a shortened 13” length of pull, a slender forearm, a slimmer grip with a gentle palm swell, and a higher comb for optimal scope-eye alignment. The recoil pad is fitted with an ergonomic cant to nest into the way a woman’s shoulder is built.
2017 – Weatherby has a distinguished history, and Adam Weatherby aimed to start the next chapter in Sheridan, surrounded by people and groups who protect our sporting heritage.
2019 – Weatherby moved manufacturing into the new building located in Sheridan, Wyoming.
2019 – A brand new line of Mark V rifles launches. After years of innovation and development, the Mark V® Backcountry Ti and 6.5 WBY RPM combination achieves weight savings, ballistic performance, and prices that cannot be found in a production rifle anywhere else.
2022 – The 338 WBY RPM (Rebated Precision Magnum) is based on the Weatherby 6.5 RPM necked up to accept a 338 caliber bullet. The 338 RPM was designed to take advantage of Weatherby 6-Lug action to get magnum performance in a 5lb rifle. The large body diameter, low body taper, and 35-degree shoulder mean that case capacity is significantly increased, leading to higher velocities.
2023 – The first NEW Weatherby bolt action centerfire rifle in over 50 years. Designed and tested in Sheridan, WY, the Model 307 was inspired by the people of the “307” area code. Model 307’s 2-lug, fully cylindrical design was purpose-built to accommodate the marketplace’s vast offerings of stocks, triggers, rails, mounts, and magazines. Hunters and shooters can expect the same precision craftsmanship that Weatherby has delivered since 1945.
WEATHERBY 307 ALPINE
The 307 Alpine is Weatherby’s first bolt-action rifle in 50 years. It’s available in 15 different calibers and equipped with a folding stock.
THE CHASSIS
The Alpine MDT sits on MDT’s lightweight HNT26 Chassis System, their first purpose-built hunting rifle chassis. This stock provides all the benefits one expects from a chassis system, such as v-block bedding, adjustable length of pull, adjustable comb, and AICS magazine compatibility. Weighing in at just 26oz, the chassis is constructed of a magnesium alloy stock, carbon fiber forend, pistol grip, and carbon fiber buttstock. The forend has an integral ARCA rail for easy attachment to a tripod and a foldable buttstock for compact storage.
The trigger tech trigger is externally adjustable down to 2.5 pounds and has a two-position safety.
THE BARREL & BOLT
The spiral fluted barrel cuts down weight while adding rigidity and aids in cooling. The barrel is threaded for a suppressor and comes with an Accubrake that disperses gas and dampens recoil up to 53%.
The bolt is a 2-lug cylindrical action equipped with an M16 style extractor for positive extraction and reliable ejection, features a 3-piece tool-less take down, and the bolt and barrel are Cerakoted to fend off wear and corrosion. It’s also available in standard short and long actions.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Bolt Action Rifle
Caliber: 15 different calibers! 240 WBY MAG, 243 WIN, 257 WBY MAG, 270 WBY MAG, 280 ACKLEY IMPROVED, 300 WBY MAG, 300 WIN, 308 WIN, 6.5 CREEDMOOR, 6.5 WBY RPM, 6.5-300 WBY MAG, 7MM REM, 28 NOSLER, 300 PRC, AND 7MM PRC
Magazine Capacity: 3 Rounds
Sights: Picatinny Rail
Barrel Length: 22-26 Inches, depending on caliber, with 2-inch muzzle brake
Overall Length: 31.25 – 48.25 Inches, depending on configuration
Weight: 6.8 – 6.9 Pounds, depending on the configuration
MSRP: $2,999
URL: www.weatherby.com
THE VERDICT
The Alpine MDT comes in 15 calibers and is compatible with most after-market 700® platform parts. The Alpine MDT is also guaranteed to shoot a Sub-MOA 3 round .99 inch group at 100 yards from a cold barrel when used with Weatherby factory or premium ammunition within two years of the verified purchase date by the original purchaser.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].