Astonishing precision: Weatherby's Threat Response Rifle

Guns Magazine, March, 2003 by Dave Anderson

The new Weatherby TRR (Threat Response Rifle) has many excellent features, not least is the fact that Weatherby managed to avoid calling it a "tactical" rifle, In recent years "tactical" has become one of the most ubiquitous and misused terms in the shooting world. We have tactical rifles, tactical scopes, tactical knives, and I expect tactical underwear to be announced any day now, if it isn't already here.

Unless Weatherby registers the term "Threat Response Rifle" as a trademark, it would be a much better term than "tactical" to describe this type of rifle. TRR might become, like SUV, an acceptable and recognizable acronym.

In the armed forces such rifles are intended to engage enemy targets at long range. Many police departments have accurate rifles available to use in a defensive role, for situations in which a criminal presents a deadly threat to police or the public, and is too far away to engage with other tools such as chemical spray, shotguns or sidearms. Such circumstances are fortunately quite rare, but when they do occur there really isn't any other good response.

Rifleman's Favorite

This type of rifle has proven surprisingly popular with regular shooters as well. Apocalyptic fantasies aside, there are few circumstances in which police are justified in using deadly force at long range, and even fewer for private citizens.

I suspect what intrigues many rifleman in this type of rifle is their accuracy and reliability. There was never a rifleman yet who didn't appreciate accuracy. Many shooters acquire such rifles simply because they love the challenge of shooting tiny groups.

Perhaps it is similar to the popularity of SUVs. Probably not one in 100 ever gets driven a mile off pavement, but those ads with SUVs tearing across the desert or clawing their way up a rock-strewn canyon have a powerful appeal. People like to feel they are rugged individualists who can cope with any emergency, even though they know the worst conditions they'll ever face are a few inches of snow until the plows arrive.

Target Rifle In Disguise?

Weatherby is best known for its high grade hunting rifles and shotguns. But if companies like Cadillac and Mercedes can make SUVs, then Weatherby should darn well be able to make TRRs. Even in the fancier Weatherby models, beneath the glitter and gleam, is an extremely capable rifle. Jin Carmichel, whose opinions I greatly respect, wrote:

"If you take a Weatherby Mark V mechanism out of the stock and give it a close inspection, you'll quickly discover that it is only a half step away from meeting the criteria for a really first-class target or benchrest varmint action...it is stiff, highly symmetrical, and locks like a vault." The Book of the Rifle, 1985.

The standard TRR, in calibers .223 Rem, and .308 Win., is built around the short Mark V action. In addition to being shorter and lighter, the action differs from the standard Mark V in having six locking lugs (three rows of two) instead of nine (three rows of three).

Otherwise, the features are identical, with a short, 54-degree bolt lift, one-piece forged bolt with fluted bolt body, forged and machined steel receiver, shrouded bolt sleeve with cocking indicator and an adjustable trigger.

Superior Quality Barrel

The TRR short action is fitted with a heavy, 22-inch barrel in what Weatherby calls its No. 4 contour, with a diameter at the muzzle of .850 inch. These button-rifled barrels are made by Criterion[TM], a division of Kreigerr[TM]. Each barrel is hand lapped to improve smoothness and reduce fouling. Muzzles are finished with a parabolic 11-degree target crown. Barrel and action are finished in a non-reflective matte black.

The stock is a black composite, much more rigid and stable than inexpensive injection-molded stocks. For even more stability, the stock carries a machined aluminum bedding-block in the receiver area. The sample rifle showed excellent fit of barreled action to the stock.

In keeping with benchrest design, the forearm is wide and flat, intended to sit squarely and stable on a sandbag or other rest. The buttstock is distinctively Weatherby, with a high Monte Carlo comb. Stock dimensions are: length of pull, 13 5/8 inches; drop at comb, 3/4 inch; drop at Monte Carlo, 3/8 inch; drop at heel, 1 1/2 inches.

The sample rifle was chambered in .308 Win., with five-shot magazine capacity and barrel twist of 1:12 inches. Weight as it came from the box was 8.5 pounds. The company had considerately fit the rifle with the optional Picatinney-style bases, designed by Dave Talley, and included a set of 30mm Talley rings.

The bases provide additional flexibility in positioning the scope. The machined steel Talley rings (made for Weatherby and carrying the Weatherby logo) are precisely made, extremely strong and reliable.

Good Glass, Good Ammo

A Leupold 8.5-25x50mm Long Range Target scope, a proven veteran, was fitted using the Talley rings. The only other preparation prior to shooting was to run several patches soaked with cleaning solvent through the bore, followed by dry patches to ensure the bore was clean.