Following on the heels of the highly successful Weatherby® Mark V® Backcountry™ and Backcountry Ti, the next generation of this rifle family will hit dealer shelves in fall 2021. The updated Backcountry 2.0 and the all-new Backcountry 2.0 Carbon models are equipped with a brand new carbon fiber stock that is the lightest in the industry. The Backcountry 2.0 Carbon adds a BSF® tensioned carbon fiber barrel as well as a hotter chambering previously not available in the Backcountry, the 30-378 WBY MAG — the fastest and flattest-shooting production .308 caliber cartridge.
An ultra-lightweight big game rifle, the Backcountry 2.0 Ti starts at just 4.7 lbs, and much of the credit is owed to the new Blacktooth™ carbon fiber stock from Peak 44™, the lightest version of which tips the scales at under 20 ounces. This new Blacktooth stock features the Rock Solid Carbon Link™ bedding system which engages the recoil lug and evenly distributes recoil throughout the stock without the weight of a traditional aluminum bedding block, making the overall stock both lighter and stiffer.
Weights for all models depend on chambering:
Backcountry 2.0 – 5.3 lbs (308 Win) to 6.2 lbs (257 WBY MAG)
Backcountry 2.0 Ti – 4.7 lbs (308 Win) to 5.6 lbs (257 WBY MAG)
Backcountry 2.0 Carbon – 5.8 lbs (6.5 CM) to 6.6 lbs (257 WBY MAG)
Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon – 5.3 lbs (6.5 CM) to 6.6 lbs (257 WBY MAG)
To mitigate recoil, years of development have resulted in a new generation of the revolutionary 3DHEX® recoil pad. This one-of-a-kind pad is the first in the industry to be 3D printed at a production level. Using a three-dimensional honeycomb pattern of collapsible voids, it draws out the time component of recoil — taking away the sharp kick. With the same amount of recoil spread out over a much greater time period, felt recoil is greatly reduced, even with some of the fastest cartridges on the market.
Also killing recoil is the highly effective Accubrake® ST. Contoured to match the barrel and equipped with 30 symmetrically-spaced ports, this signature Weatherby muzzle brake redirects gasses to eliminate a significant amount of recoil, enabling shooters to fire magnum rounds without the associated magnum recoil that might be experienced with other lightweight rifles.
Available in four configurations and a multitude of chamberings, the new Backcountry 2.0 comes with a steel receiver and the new Backcountry 2.0 Ti comes with a strong and lightweight titanium receiver. Depending on chambering, barrel contours are the super thin and lightweight fluted #1 MOD or #2 MOD carbon steel barrels or in the case of the Carbon variants, a #4 BSF tensioned carbon fiber barrel. Previously debuted on the Mark V Carbonmark, this barrel system set a new Weatherby company accuracy record in 2021, returning a 0.06” group at 100 yards with factory Weatherby Select Plus™ ammunition.
Backcountry 2.0 – MSRP $2499
Backcountry Ti 2.0 – MSRP $3349
Backcountry 2.0 Carbon – MSRP $2,999
Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon – MSRP $3749
Left-handers can also rejoice, as the Backcountry 2.0 can be had in magnum chamberings with a left-side bolt, a feature developed for the Mark V platform in 1959 and continued today.
Additional improvements include a deep spiral fluted bolt and a skeletonized bolt knob that threads onto the bolt handle. Titanium and steel versions get unique paint schemes, with metalwork protected by a hardy Cerakote® ceramic finish, excepting the receiver of Ti models, which are left in raw titanium to show the beautiful machine work. As with all Mark V rifles, the Backcountry 2.0 is fitted with a crisp, user-adjustable single-stage TriggerTech® trigger.
For those who wish to have a more personalized version of the Backcountry 2.0, these rifles will be able to be custom-built through the Weatherby Custom Shop configurator found at weatherby.com/custom-shop/.
With supremely lightweight, a feature-rich specifications chart and the craftsmanship and attention to detail that Weatherby is known for, the new Mark V Backcountry 2.0 family of rifles make for the perfect companion on any demanding hunt.
For purchasing information about the new Backcountry 2.0, visit weatherby.com.