2019 Editor’s Choice Award – Weatherby Mark V Accumark Pro Rifle

Next level performance

The new Accumark Pro is built around the proven Mark 5 action with a 6-lug fluted bolt. Spiral-fluted bolt, bolt knob and safety selector are all coated in a tough black Cerakote. A Bushnell Forge 3-18x50mm riflescope was used for testing.

It all started in 1945 when Roy Weatherby, a wildcatter who believed that muzzle velocity was king, began designing a long list of double-radiused-shoulder cartridges that beat their nearest competitors by 200 feet per second or more. Weatherby’s Super-Magnum cartridges demanded strong actions, and the first production rifles were built by him at his shop in Southgate, California on FN Mauser commercial actions. In 1958 Weatherby introduced his super-strong, 9-lug Mark 5 action (6-lug in some non-Weatherby chambering’s), his first proprietary rifle design. The Mark 5 was built to withstand the hottest Weatherby experimental cartridges, which were exceeding 100,000 p.s.i.

The carbon fiber stock is not only light but incredibly stiff, aiding in downrange precision. The carbon weaves remain visible through the gray tones of the “sponge pattern” camo. We love the look.

Following his retirement, Roy’s son, Ed, took over the helm. During Ed’s tenure, Mark 5 rifles were built in both the U.S.A. and Japan by Howa, based on their excellent 1500 action. Following Ed’s retirement, grandson Adam took over management and built a factory and company headquarters in Sheridan, Wyoming, which opened last March. Today, Weatherby Mark V barreled actions are manufactured by ATEK in Brainerd, MN, and assembled and finished in Sheridan.

Both the 24-inch fluted barrel and action are coated in a durable, weather-resistant tungsten-gray Cerakote. The Accubrake ST muzzle brake is attached to the muzzle via 5/8” x 24 threads and all but kills felt-recoil.

The newest example of the legendary Mark 5 is the Accumark Pro with custom features driving it to the next level of performance. An AG Composites Visible Carbon Fiber stock, with a trick-looking gray and black, sponge-pattern camo finish, provides excellent stiffness and lightweight for the shooter looking to cut ounces. The Mark V Accumark Pro features a Tungsten Cerakote finish on its fluted barrel, trigger guard and receiver. The bolt, bolt knob and safety are finished in Graphite Black Cerakote.

Our evaluation rifle was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, with a 6-lug bolt and a 24-inch, #3 contour barrel rifled at a RH twist rate of 1:10 inches. Like all Mark V rifles, it features an industry-shortest 54-degree bolt throw and is guaranteed to shoot a 3-shot group of .99” or less at 100 yards from a cold barrel with Weatherby factory ammunition.

With no take-up, creep, stacking or over-travel, the TriggerTech trigger can be explained in one word: perfect. Capacity of the hinged-floorplate magazine is 3-rounds.

Other features include an externally adjustable (2.5- to 5-pound pull weight) TriggerTech trigger that is absolutely perfect—no take-up, creep, stacking or over-travel—just a glass-like break at an average pull weight of 3.5 pounds from the factory. The barrel is fitted with a removable Accubrake ST muzzle brake (threaded at 5/8” x 24 tpi), which reduces felt recoil up to 53%. We can’t attest to the actual percentage of felt-recoil reduction, but it certainly worked very well.

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