I had a friend buy a Mk V 300 back in the 70's. He had me work up the loads. It was the lighter version with the 24" bbl. I made up some 150g loads. What a cannon at the bench. I ended up shooting near 100 rounds to get that load and verify it. I got part way thru the load development and started using a sandbag on my shoulder between the gun.
That gun changed hands from one friend to another and resides with a real elk and muley hunter friend now.
Question: Does anyone know how loud and 300 Weatherby is in the cab of a truck? I do.
I will caution you about the Mk V action (Japanese). The safety is a side mount on the aft of the action. When the safety is engaged, it blocks the striker from falling, but also has a pin that engages the bolt handle to prevent lifting/openning the bolt. This pin is small in diameter and is an investment casting as near as I can tell. The story goes... the current owner borrows it the gun from the second owner friend and takes it elk hunting in New Mex with me. I return to the truck early and sit in the passenger side and fall asleep. Friend returns later, opens driver door, stands between door and truck cab, trys to lift bolt handle and it won't open. Being big and dumb (read this as related to caveman), he sets butt of gun on thigh, muzzle up (thank you Lord), grabs bolt and gives it the old best effort...several times. Finally, the bolt handle flies up quickly, this allows the bolt to move aft slightly under the striker spring force bearing against the safety striker block, the cartridge is captive in the boltface with the extractor,...well the end result was that the gun fired with the bolt unlocked, blew the bolt open of course, split the case, and of course, the two of us shit our chonies. Amazingly, the bullet cleared the barrel and there was no damage to the gun. I was able to recreate the event with a primed case several times. Unfortunately, the gun owner of that time that wasn't present, but was informed of this, also recreated the event (by forcing the bolt handle again, but without wanting to and with a loaded cartridge. Weatherby replaced that safety part twice. Just a little story, but I was there, dirty chonies and all. If the bolt won't open on a Mk V, TAKE THE SAFETY OFF FIRST, then lift the bolt.
Last edited by Chuck H; 11/30/11 09:38 AM.
