Weatherby: High Class, High Speed: The History of Weatherby

In 1945, Roy Weatherby founded his company. Three generations of Weatherby leadership have passed, but Roy’s vision has not slowed down. Just like the cartridges that he designed over 75 years ago. Roy E. Weatherby’s sporting goods company was founded by Roy after World War II. He built one rifle at a. Some may know that Roy was inspired to develop ballistic speed by a less than stellar Utah hunting experience early in his career (1942). He wanted to make a better cartridge so that the hunter could be successful and the game hunted would suffer less. So, Roy experimented. He innovated. He pushed successful ammunitions beyond their comfort zone. When his wildcat cartridges required a stronger firearm in 1958, he built a Mark V action. As Roy’s clientele grew, so did the demand for firearms. In 1967, Roy began adding shotguns to the arsenal. In 1970, he added the Vanguard line of rifles to cater to Weatherby fans who wanted his firearms in non-Weatherby cartridges.Weatherby’s outgrew its space, and, in 1951, relocated to Firestone Boulevard just around the corner from the original store. It was home to the store, offices, and even a 100 yard underground rifle range. Visitors came from all over to see Weatherby’s. (Photo credits: Weatherby).Philosophically, not much has changed since 1945, because the Weatherby family has mastered remaining the same while being different.”As I look at Weatherby today, there are three main things that set us apart,” said Adam Weatherby. “One: superior ballistics. Two: quality craftsmanship. Three: brand recognition. “These three things have largely gotten us to where are today. It appears that a desire for ballistic innovation, firearm craftsmanship and a thirst of velocity are hereditary.” The Weatherby way, first observed in Roy in 45, was also evident in Ed when he took over the company in 1983 and in Adam, his grandson who took the helm in 2017. “My grandfather founded Weatherby Inc. in 1946 as a result his passion for ballistic excellence and ultra-high speed,” Adam said. “His desire to provide quality craftsmanship and superior customer service has created a multigenerational firearm and ammo business that I have the pleasure of managing today. Roy Edward Weatherby founded Weatherby, Inc., back in 1945. I have shared many hunts and experiences over the years with some incredible people in the industry. Since I was raised in the family business, it was easy for me to rely on the industry professionals that I met along the way. Bruce Pettet, CEO of Leupold, has been one such guy for me. Bruce Pettet, who has been a CEO in the last two decades, has provided me with advice and insight from an outside perspective. This has been very helpful. “I wouldn’t trade those years back for anything. As I focused on people’s lives and the things they cared about, it prepared me to lead the company I am in today. I have a great passion for firearms, but it doesn’t compare with the importance of caring about people and seeing them pursue the things that are most important. “While Roy Weatherby was driven to develop cartridges based on speed, Adam Weatherby wanted to maximize speed in the smaller and lighter six-lug Mark V actions. Adam Weatherby said that customers can expect a high-quality firearm from a family-owned U.S. company that has been in business for several generations. “That heritage and its history are combined with a passion for innovation to deliver a unique and premium product line in the shooting and hunting industry.” Looking forward, Adam focuses his attention on what he hopes the Weatherby brand will be so that it lives on for generations to come. “The risks associated with relocating our business a few year ago were taken on in order to ensure that the brand can thrive as we look to the future.” One of Adam Weatherby’s innovations is the Mark V Backcountry Ti. This is the lightest of the Backcountry 2.0 line, weighing 4.7 pounds and 4.9 in magnum chamberings. While the Weatherbys are known for their well-built firearms and fast cartridges, Adam’s business success may not be a ballistic one, but a geographical one. “I have the incredible opportunity to build on that foundation.” Our move to Wyoming, in 2019, has helped propel us forward as we pursue innovation and vertical integration in a state that I would consider to be the most gun-friendly in the nation. We have built an incredible team of people in Sheridan Wyoming who not only love their work but also have the opportunity to live at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. “In 2019, Weatherby moved from Paso Robles California to Sheridan Wyoming, creating over 70 jobs. Adam’s Weatherby, however, isn’t free of its own challenges. The ongoing COVID-19 problems spared no-one–even firearms industry. “Whereas some businesses are highly affected by the boom/bust in political spikes, our brand is less affected because our product lines differ from many of these companies,” Adam said. The supply chain challenges that we faced this past year were the biggest external influence. Adam said that one example of Weatherby’s different direction is their decision to keep offering a premium rifle. “During the past decade there was a race for the bottom to offer the rifles at a low price,” Adam explained. “While some of our competitors did this and increased volumes successfully, we made a strategic choice to not go below certain price points. It was a great opportunity to ‘feature-up’ our products and add value. It has worked well for our brand.” Adam Weatherby with his first animal shot with the 6.5 RPM cartridge. What does the future hold, specifically, for Weatherby and the firearms community? “These last couple years have been crazy, and to answer this question requires some excellent crystal ball-reading skills. Weatherby will continue to build on its recent brand momentum, and focus on the future, with new product launches and innovation, while maintaining the quality and service upon which our company was founded. I would love to believe that Weatherby’s greatest years are yet to come.” Editor’s Note: The original version of this article appeared in the February 20, 2022 issue Gun Digest the Magazine.More Weatherby GunsNEXT STEP Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printing Target Pack62 Printable MOA targets with DOT drills – Rifle range in YARDSThis impressive pack from our friends at Storm Tactical includes 62 printable targets for rifle and handgun ranges. The target grids and bullseyes are in MOA. Subscribe to the Gun Digest newsletter and we will send you your print-at home target pack immediately. Enter your email below.