Hunting season has begun on September 17th 2023. Sunday GunDay: Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 Ultralights. Around the country, hunters are preparing for fall deer hunting. Reduced carry weight is important for hunters who make long treks through the backcountry. We’ve seen a growing trend among rifle makers to introduce rifles with significantly lower weights. This is achieved by using carbon fiber stocks, barrels that are carbon-wrapped, fluted, or even titanium actions. These lightweight components are used in the Weatherby rifles that are being showcased today. The Weatherby Backcountry 4.0 Ti (Titanium), for example, weighs only 4.7 pounds without optics. This is a remarkably light hunting rifle.Weatherby Backcountry II Carbon-Foam Stock, Lightweight, 4.7 lbs. Weatherby’s Backcountry II carbon-stocked hunting guns weigh under 6 pounds without optics. One titanium action series weighs only 4.7 pounds. The 2.0 series offers standard steel receivers as well as lighter titanium receivers. Backcountry 2.0 models feature a carbon fiber stock, the lightest in industry. Standard actions weigh only 20 ounces. Some models have a carbon fiber barrel that is wrapped in tension. This can help to reduce weight. The Titanium action with carbon-wrapped bar model costs $3849.00. Ultralight Carbon Stock — Weatherby’s new Blacktooth stock has a Carbon Link (TM) bedding system that engages the recoil lug, and distributes recoil through the stock without the added weight of a traditional aluminium bedding block. The overall stock becomes lighter and stiffer. The Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon is a combination of a tensioned Carbon Fiber barrel with the ultralightweight Titanium Weatherby Mark V Action. This barrel system is a great choice for long-range hunters because it has excellent accuracy. The Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon, with a starting weight of only 5.3 lbs, combines a titanium barrel system with the Peak 44 Blacktooth Stock — which Weatherby claims to be the “lightest carbon fiber stock in production on the market.” These Weatherbys also feature premium Mark V features, including a 54-degree bolt for fast cycling, fluted Bolts, TriggerTech Triggers, and Cerakote finishes on metal parts. All Backcountry 2.0 rifles are guaranteed to be accurate within a MOA. CLICK HERE to view the Weatherby Backcountry II Field Test by Peterson’s Hunting.
Light is Right — Weatherby’s Backcountry 2.0 rifles weigh as little as 4.7 pounds (before optics).Weights for Backcountry 2.0 Models range with chamberings:Backcountry 2.0 – 5.3 lbs (.308 Win) to 6.2 lbs (.257 WBY MAG) (MSRP $2499.00)
Backcountry 2.0 Ti (4.7 lbs /.308 Win /.257 WBY Mag) (MSRP $3449.00).
Backcountry 2.0 Carbon – 5.8 lbs to 6.6 pounds (.257 WBY Mag) (MSRP $3299.00).
Weight Saving Secrets – How Weatherby Achieved such light weights
GunsAmerica Digest states: “A large portion of the weight reduction is due to the updated Blacktooth carbon fiber stock by Peak 44. This stock uses a system called Rock Solid Carbon Link, which eliminates the requirement for a metal bedding block. The Blacktooth stock is less than 20 ounces. Backcountry 2.0 [series] adds a carbon fibre stock and either fluted 1 MOD-profile or 2 MOD-profile carbon steel or 4 MOD-profile BSF-carbon fiber-tensioned barrels to achieve these lightweights.” To reduce recoil, Weatherby developed the 3DHEX recoil pads – the first 3D-printed pad in the gun industry. The 3DHEX’s honeycomb design in three dimensions extends the duration and intensity of the recoil, reducing the kick. Weatherby explains that “the same amount of recoil is spread over a longer period of time, resulting in a greatly reduced felt recoil [.]” Accubrakes contoured to match barrel profiles are also fitted as standard on Backcountry 2.0 rifles.
Todd Helms, a hunter from Weatherby, reviews the Backcountry T1 rifle 6.5-300 Weatherby magnum. This rifle is designed for light and fast travel in the backcountry. A titanium action and carbon fiber stock reduce weight. Todd says that the 3DHEX pad is effective in taming the magnum kick. This model features a new muzzle brake that is streamlined. Preparations before the hunt1. Map Your Hunt and Tell Others — Before you go hunting, make a plan. Inform your friends and family about your destination and intended return time. Print out a Google Satellite Map and locate landmarks and trails. Mark the location where you will park your vehicle, and give a map to a friend or family member. A hunter can injure themselves by falling off of a rock or tumbling into a creek bed. A hunter who has suffered such an injury may become confused or unable walk. You want to make sure that trusted people know where you are if you become stranded. Before you go on a trip give a map to your friend or family member. Show them where you plan to leave your vehicle and where you’ll be each day during your hunting trip. Licenses and permits — Make sure that you have all the necessary tags and a valid hunting permit. Start this process well in advance of your intended hunt. The NSSF says: “If you’re crossing state or country borders, you should be aware of any special considerations that you must take. Border crossings may require you to be aware of firearm transport laws and Chronic Wasting Disease regulations. Train Your Fitness — You may be walking many miles on a multi-day hunting trip. You must be in good physical shape. You may put yourself in a dangerous situation if you are not in shape, especially if you underestimate how difficult the terrain is. The NSSF states: “Not being able handle the conditions can reduce your chances of succeeding, can turn a wonderful experience into an agonizing experience and can even endanger your own health.”4. Do your homework — Research the area where you will be hunting. Speak to other hunters. Satellite photos are a great way to get a feel for the terrain. You can get a good idea of the terrain and walking challenges. Make a plan for a multi-day hunting trip. The NSSF says: “Eliminate surprise.” You should know as much as possible about the place you are going to stay, the area where you will hunt, the weather and what you’ll need to pack [.]”5. Rifle and ammo – Make sure that your rifle is sighted in and your ammunition is tested. Use the ammo that you plan to use for your hunt to sight-in your gun. CLICK HERE to learn the 4-Shot Method of Sighting-in. After sighting in from the bench, confirm zero by shooting from a typical hunting position (kneeling with forearm on a rock or pillar).6. Communication and GPS — If you’re in a wilderness far from civilization, bring a GPS. You should bring your cell phone with you, but coverage may be limited if you are far from populated areas. Smart-phones can also be used as digital cameras to capture your trophies. Garmin inReach Explorer+ is a great option for navigation and safety. This high-tech handheld device features interactive SOS that connects you to GEOS 24/7 Search-and-Rescue Monitoring Center. You can also send and receive texts, no matter where they are, using advanced inReach satellite technologies. Yes you can communicate even if you are miles from the nearest cell tower.Visit WhereToHunt.orgThere’s a great online resource for hunters that will help you find game locations in your state and ensure you have all the proper permits and game tags. WheretoHunt.org has an interactive map of the United States. The NSSF has compiled a list of information for all 50 states about hunting licenses and permits, where you can hunt, hunter training classes, laws and regulation and more. You’ll find links to the required license and application forms for each state.
Tags: 3DHEX, Backcountry 2.0, Carbon Fiber Stock, Carbon Wrap Barrel, Hunting Rifle, Mark V, Sunday Gunday, Titanium Action, Ultralight Rifle, Weatherby
