Photos of the New 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum Cartridge and AccuMark Rifle

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  Weatherby is introducing its first new cartridge in decades, the 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum, which is the fastest 6.5mm commercially available cartridge. The Mark V Accumark is one of three models that Weatherby is offering the 6.5-300 in for 2016.

   

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  The Mark Vs are made in the U.S. and are assembled at Weatherby’s headquarters in Paso Robles, California.

   

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  The 9-lug bolt is the hallmark of the Mark V action. It has a short, 60-degree bolt throw, a plunger-style ejector and a Sako-style extractor. Over the decades it has earned a reputation for strength and reliability.

   

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  I have been shooting some pre-production ammunition in my Mark V. They are loaded with 127-grain Barnes LRX bullets and Weatherby is claiming a muzzle velocity of 3,531 fps for this particular load. Weatherby is going to have two other loads available: a 130-grain Swift Scirocco and a 140-grain Swift A-Frame. All are excellent hunting loads.

   

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  The 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum is going to unseat the 26 Nosler as the fastest commercially available 6.5mm round. From left to right, here are some other 6.5mm cartridges for comparison: 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington, 6.5-284 Norma, 26 Nosler, 6.5-300 Weatherby.

   

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  The trigger on my sample had an average pull weight of 2 pounds 15 ounces, which is just about ideal for a hunting rifle. Anything less can become a safety issue when the shooters hands are numb from cold or when he’s shaking from fatigue or excitement. Anything more is needlessly heavy.

   

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  I topped the rifle with Leupold’s new VX-6 2-12x42mm CDS-ZL. The magnification range covers any hunting situation, from taking animals up close in brush to reaching out for long-distance shots, which is what the 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum was designed for.

   

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  One handy feature on the Leupold VX-6 2-12x42mm CDS-ZL is the elevation turret, which has a push-button tab that pops out when the scope is returned to zero. The easy-to-read numbers indicate the amount of MOA the shooter has dialed into the scope for elevation on longer shots.

   

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  Like all Mark Vs, the Accumark has a generously sized two-position safety that toggles up 90 degrees, revealing a red dot, when it is ready to fire. This image also gives a glimpse of the magazine release, which is located inside the trigger guard.

   

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  The stock on the Accumark is built for right-handed shooters. The raised cheek piece gives the shooter a solid cheek weld when the rifle is shouldered. The stock has a spiderweb texture on it that provides a solid, secure grip.

   

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  The grip has a noticeable palm swell on the right side that fills the shooter’s hand, providing lots of grip and control. Even though the bolt handle is round and smooth, it is large enough to provide solid contact to easily cycle the action.

   

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  There it is in writing: 6.5-300 WBY MAG on the rifle’s stainless steel barrel. All models of the 6.5-300 will have 26-inch barrels that have been hand-lapped. I expect this new offering to appeal to hunters and shooting who like their rifles to push bullets downrange fast. 

   

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  Weatherby plans to start shipping the new 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. rifles in January 2016. There will be three models offred. The Accumark pictured here; an Accumark RC, which stands for range certified, meaning it comes with a better accuracy guarantee; and an Ultra Lightweight model.