Weatherby

Weatherby Vanguard: The Workhorse Bolt-Action

The Weatherby Vanguard is the most accessible entry point in the Weatherby rifle lineup — a push-feed bolt-action built on a proven Howa action, available in more calibers than almost any other production rifle and backed by Weatherby’s Sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. Every Vanguard leaves the factory with a target showing three-shot groups of under 1 inch at 100 yards with Weatherby factory ammunition. The Vanguard Series 2 is available in standard and synthetic stock configurations across calibers from .223 Remington to .338 Winchester Magnum. For hunters who want a proven, accurate bolt rifle with a factory accuracy guarantee at a competitive price, the Vanguard is one of the strongest value propositions in the category.

Weatherby Mark V: The Flagship Rifle

The Mark V is Weatherby’s flagship bolt-action and the rifle that defined the brand — a nine-lug action design that Roy Weatherby developed to handle the extreme pressures of his proprietary magnum cartridges. The Mark V is available in Weatherby’s full proprietary cartridge lineup: .257 Weatherby Magnum, .300 Weatherby Magnum, .340 Weatherby Magnum, and others that push velocity significantly beyond standard cartridges. For hunters who want maximum velocity and flat trajectory on large or dangerous game at long range, the Mark V in a Weatherby Magnum caliber is purpose-built for that application. The .270 Weatherby Magnum in particular has a strong following for deer and elk hunting where flat trajectory matters.

Weatherby Element: The Semi-Auto Shotgun

The Weatherby Element is a gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun designed for upland and waterfowl hunting at a price point below the premium Italian semi-autos. Available in 12 and 20 gauge, the Element cycles both light field loads and heavy waterfowl steel reliably via its self-regulating gas system. The Element 2 is the current generation with improved ergonomics and an updated receiver. The Element Synthetic is the practical field configuration — weather-resistant stock and chrome-lined barrel for hunters who put their guns through hard use. For buyers who want a reliable semi-auto hunting shotgun without spending Beretta or Benelli money, the Element is a strong value option with Weatherby’s quality backing.

Weatherby Orion: The Over/Under

The Weatherby Orion is a boxlock over/under shotgun available in field and sporting configurations across 12 and 20 gauge. The Orion Sporting is designed for clay target sports — ported barrels, a wide ventilated rib, and adjustable comb for precise fit. It’s one of the most competitively priced sporting clays over/unders from a major American brand, making it a popular choice for shooters who want a dedicated clay gun without the premium price of Browning or Beretta. The Orion Field configurations serve upland hunters who prefer the traditional feel of a double gun over a semi-auto. All Orion models feature chrome-lined barrels and Weatherby’s multi-choke system.

Weatherby Calibers: Standard and Proprietary Options

Weatherby offers their Vanguard in standard calibers — .243, .270 Winchester, .308, .30-06, .300 Winchester Magnum — that use widely available factory ammunition. The Mark V is chambered in Weatherby’s proprietary calibers that offer significant velocity advantages over standard cartridges but require Weatherby factory ammunition or handloading. The .257 Weatherby Magnum is the flattest-shooting factory hunting cartridge available and a cult favorite for western deer and antelope hunting. The .300 Weatherby Magnum is a step up from .300 Winchester Magnum with higher velocity and energy. If you plan to hunt in areas where specialty ammunition may be hard to find, the Vanguard in standard calibers is the more practical choice over a proprietary Weatherby Magnum.

Choosing the Right Weatherby

For most hunters, the Vanguard in a standard caliber like .308 or .270 Winchester is the practical starting point — proven accuracy, affordable ammunition, and Weatherby’s quality at a competitive price. For hunters who want maximum long-range performance and handload or can source specialty ammo, the Mark V in .257 or .300 Weatherby Magnum is unmatched in its velocity class. For shotgun buyers, the Element is the semi-auto value pick and the Orion Sporting is the clay sports recommendation. Browse our full rifle selection, see all bolt-action rifles, or explore our shotgun catalog at Impact Guns.