When Weatherby turns 80, it doesn’t just release a commemorative patch or throw a party—it builds a rifle. The Wyoming-based firearms maker, founded in 1945 by ballistic innovator Roy Weatherby, is marking its milestone with a limited-edition Mark V Anniversary Rifle and a revival of classic ammunition box designs.
“These releases are about more than just products; they’re about celebrating the legacy my grandfather began 80 years ago,” said CEO Adam Weatherby. “The 80th Anniversary Commemorative Rifle and the return of our retro ammo boxes honor where we’ve been, while pointing to where we’re going. These products truly blend past, present and future.”
At the center of the anniversary release is the titanium Mark V—a precision-machined, ultralight action platform that dates back to 1958. Though the Mark V has remained visually consistent for decades, this version takes a leap with modern materials. The titanium receiver is a half-pound lighter than steel and naturally corrosion-resistant, paired with custom filigree engraving that nods to its heritage.
Other touches are just as deliberate. A BSF carbon-fiber barrel (a first for Weatherby on a wood-stocked rifle), engraved stainless steel trigger guard, and a zero-creep TriggerTech trigger position the rifle as both collector’s piece and functional tool. The stock is cut from exhibition-grade walnut, capped with rosewood and maple spacers, in the company’s classic Monte Carlo profile. Chambered in .300 WBY Magnum, it’s an homage to Roy Weatherby’s original high-velocity cartridge design.
Even the bolt has been dressed for the occasion, with a straight-fluted body, checkered bolt knob and Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating. Weatherby’s signature motto, “Tomorrow’s Rifles Today,” is laser-engraved into the bolt sleeve—a fitting phrase for a company still pushing boundaries after eight decades.
Beyond the rifle, Weatherby is tapping into nostalgia with a small-run revival of three retro ammunition box designs: the iconic Tiger, Whitetail and Fox boxes—each loaded with original Weatherby calibers like .300 WBY, .257 WBY and .224 WBY, respectively.
Only a limited number of these anniversary rifles will be produced, each individually serialized with a special “80-” prefix and housed in a custom-fitted hard case. The MSRP is set at $12,499, with shipments expected by late 2025.
For those who’ve followed the Weatherby name through generations—or simply appreciate thoughtful firearm design—this 80th anniversary release offers a rare blend of precision engineering and reverence for the past.
Learn more at weatherby.com.
Most Popular
