Is Action Blue Printing Worth It

[762x51]

i dont see the point in paying that much for a rifle that doesnt already have a blue printed or trued receiver. it has a sub MOA guarantee, but i'm sure that's only at 100 yards.

 

[skipglo]

Hey Everyone,

I'm about to order a Weatherby Carbonmark in 300 Wby. and I noticed action blueprinting as an option in their custom shop. This will be my "Out West" rifle, strictly used for hunting. Right now, I am comfortable taking shots up to 500 yards at game. I know what action blueprinting is, but everything I read associates it with target rifles, or something that needs to be done after changing barrels. Is it worth the $250 to have Weatherby blueprint the action? Thanks in advance.

Good choice!

 

[Gamesniper19]

i dont see the point in paying that much for a rifle that doesnt already have a blue printed or trued receiver. it has a sub MOA guarantee, but i'm sure that's only at 100 yards.

Weatherby does what most other makers do to guarantee sub MOA - They build it using a "standardized" weatherby reamer to ensure they have a Saami qualifying chamber that will shoot what they have proven over time. This is fine for a OTC manufacturer and pretty normal in the industry
They then put the rifle in a jig to ensure that they remove all variances that come from a human shooting them. The jig is firm and rifle is strapped to the jig so that it cannot move at all. They then try multiple types of ammo until they get it to shoot sub MOA and then send it out for sale.
The new owner may or may not ever see that same group again. But they showed it would so they have some great marketing.
As far as their barrels, they advertise match grade barrels but dont list what they define as match grade....there are 20 different kinds of 416r and 100 kinds of carbon available.
Dont even get me started on the carbon barrel make up - to use a pun "so many holes to be shot in that"

 

[adam32+P]

What data do you have to support this premise?

BSF makes great barrels.

What data do you have to support otherwise?

 

[Gamesniper19]

BSF makes great barrels.

What data do you have to support other

Lets be clear, you stated that the Weatherby barrel is as good or better than any aftermarket barrel. I never said the BSF barrel was bad, It is up to you to prove your premise that the WBY barrel is better, not up to me to disprove something I havent stated.

 

[pedwards]

You should expect that the actions Weatherby put on their rifles already be tuned up as a stock item. Maybe think of another rifle maker that will give you a min of 0.5 MOA.

I'm more than happy to consider another manufacturer. Any suggestions for a $2500 rifle with a 0.5 MOA guarantee?

 

[adam32+P]

Lets be clear, you stated that the Weatherby barrel is as good or better than any aftermarket barrel. I never said the BSF barrel was bad, It is up to you to prove your premise that the WBY barrel is better, not up to me to disprove something I havent stated.

Let's be clear. It's not up to me to prove or disprove anything to you

 

[Gamesniper19]

Let's be clear. It's not up to me to prove or disprove anything to you

Most people would agree that when someone makes a bold statement that something is better than something else, interested people will want to know why and how they can prove that is true. I am a scientist, data and math supports fact - no data, no math, no fact.
Yup, peace out

 

[pedwards]

Recommend shooting the rifle first and before you pay for blueprinting, see what it shoots. If its a 500 yard rifle and it shoots sub MOA with factory ammo, probably not needed.

Future forward. Most people who buy a fine rifle and come out west will eventually want to shoot farther. If not on animals, at least for fun and to test and hone your skills. If you do find that takes place then truing and even perhaps replacing the barrel would be warranted only if:

• You plan on hand loading. Factory ammo is pretty good but still cannot provide the consistency of hand loading. I have personally seen actions blueprinted using factory ammo that didn't shoot any better
• Changing the barrel - Weatherby makes a pretty darn good factory barrel but if your going to reach out past 500 you may want to add some twist and better specs for big bullets, if you plan on hand loading
• It is completely fine to treat your hunting rifle like a target rifle. I do, and most of the friends that I have that shoot comps, ELR, and just want to see what they and their rifle are capable of set them up like target guns and hunt with them. If you plan this - blueprint it

Hope that helps

That does help. Thank you for taking the time to send a detailed and constructive response.

 

[FEENIX]

It's a global economy; the raw materials are probably imported, and maybe the equipment as well --including computer chips.

This! Most of us would love to support an all made in the US product but it is not going to happen, at least not for a while. Heck, we are all communicating with at least 80% made in China.

My sincere apology to @pedwards for getting off track.

 

[Chamberman]

You were not 100% wrong if we consider the history of weatherby as a whole. Most of the first rifles came from Germany, and was moved to Japan for 20+ yrs.
In the mid 90's production of the higher priced rifles was moved to the US. I still think their barrels are made in Japan though. So you were right the first time, not a 100% US product.

Weatherby uses Criterion barrels.

About - Criterion Barrels

criterionbarrels.com

 

[Gamesniper19]

This! Most of us would love to support an all made in the US product but it is not going to happen, at least not for a while. Heck, we are all communicating with at least 80% made in China.

My sincere apology to @pedwards for getting off track.

The bulk of really excellent carbon fiber is made in Japan e.g. Toray - some is made in U.S. for mil contracts, China, Taiwan, and Europe. No idea where Weatherby gets their materials but my sense is, it is not US made to meet a 2500 price point.

Most excellent 416r barrel steel is made in the US - at least it is for aftermarket barrels so again, no idea where WBY gets theres.

IF anyone is up on this data, please share!!

 

[xsn10s]

That does help. Thank you for taking the time to send a detailed and constructive response.

Shooting the rifle first and then sending it back will add shipping costs. So roughly what 75-90 bucks? This is why I said best to call Weatherby, or any manufacturer for clarity. Anyone on a web forum can make a bunch of claims. I've worked in the firearms industry and learn it's best to get the information straight from the horses mouth. Then see if the customer reviews matches the manufacturer's statements.

 

[pedwards]

This! Most of us would love to support an all made in the US product but it is not going to happen, at least not for a while. Heck, we are all communicating with at least 80% made in China.

My sincere apology to @pedwards for getting off track.

Life is good. No apology needed.