The Latest at Weatherby
While new models continue to come and go from the brand’s venerable Mark V family of bolt actions, that’s not the focus in terms of “new” for 2024. In fact, since the move to gun-friendly Sheridan, Wyoming, Weatherby has launched an entirely new rifle design in the Model 307. So named for the area code in their WY home, the 307 family is a modular design for hunters.
It’s not just rifles, either. In fact, Weatherby’s shotgun offerings continue to expand. The scatterguns, like the company’s Vanguard rifle, fall under international manufacture. The Orion is made in Turkey, as are the no-frills repeaters SA-08 and Element, while the upgraded 18i hails from Italy. The 18i Limited was surely the most eye-catching of the shotgun gang, with its 24K gold inlay, engraving and wow-class walnut.
18i Limited
This one is a snappy looker. The 18i semi-automatic, inertia-driven shotgun genre gets a premium upgrade for 2024 with the Limited. The Exhibition-grade walnut stocks are sublime, while the receiver is hand-polished brushed nickel with custom engraving and 24-karat gold inlays.
The Limited will be available in both 12 and 20-gauge, each with a 28-inch, high-gloss barrel. There’s a 3-inch chamber, fiber-optic front sight, and set of five CrioPlus choke tubes. The 18i Limited retails from $3,099 and joins three other 18i variants, with this high grade clearly targeting a more discerning sporting and upland market.
Orion SxS
The world needs more accessible side-by-side shotguns, and it seems Weatherby agrees. New for 2024 is the Orion SxS, an addition to the company’s longstanding Orion family of O/U scatterguns. Bores include 12, 20, and the baby .410, each with 28-inch barrels and 3-inch chambers. There’s a mechanical double trigger, tang safety, and long-tang trigger guard.
Stocks are of the English straight style with a splinter forend, done in oil-rubbed walnut. Like most of the company’s other shotguns, the new SxS comes out of Turkey. The newbie, which ships with a set of five Yildiz extended tubes, retails from $1,099. Though first announced in late 2023, SCI in ’24 marked our first hands-on experience with the double.
Model 307
Last but certainly not least is the first new bolt-action centerfire from Weatherby in over 50 years. The Model 307 is making waves with its two-lug, fully cylindrical carbon steel design. It was engineered to take advantage of the expansive range of stocks, triggers, rails, mounts, and magazines.
It shows off tool-less bolt takedown, a Triggertech trigger, Rem 700 magazine and baseplate interchangeability, an M16 extractor, and a muzzle brake. The 307 is already shipping in three configurations: Alpine MDT, Range XP, and MeatEater.
Another option from the 307 family is what the company calls a Builder’s Action for those wishing to customize their own bolt guns with a Weatherby head start. Unlike the more budget-priced Vanguard family made in Japan, the fledgling 307 is being built in the USA. Complete 307 rifles start at $1,199, with the actions listed from $750.
Not Just Guns
While the rifles and shotguns take center stage, some of Weatherby’s latest news surrounds ammunition and accessories. There was an entire rack of Weatherby’s impressive – and incredibly light – rifle stocks, yet it’s the loaded ammo that’s generating buzz.
In addition to the company’s full and beefy line of proprietary chamberings (including such instantly recognizable gems as .300 Wby Mag, .257 Wby Mag, and .30-378 Wby Mag), Weatherby is now growing its centerfire ammunition menu. Once limited to Weatherby rounds, the company will now be loading some of the industry’s more serious long-range hunting options.
Related: Fast & Flat – All About the Underappreciated .257 Weatherby Magnum
These include 6.5 PRC, .280 Ackley Improved, 7mm PRC, 28 Nosler, and 300 PRC. Each uses the company’s brass before being tipped with premium projectiles from Berger, Hammer, and Swift. As of this writing, it looks like these non-Wby rounds will be available on the Select Plus line.
Whether rifles, shotguns, components or ammunition, the team at Weatherby is going strong. Though the focus remains on hunting, there’s also a clear move to catering to sporting, competition, and longer-range shooting markets as well.
