[SHOT 2026] 4-Lb 308 Bolt Gun – The Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra

January 21, 2026
8:00 am

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Imagine hauling a bolt-action rifle through rugged backcountry terrain where every ounce counts, and you're packing just 4 pounds of pure precision in .308 Winchester. Weatherby's Mark V Backcountry Capra, unveiled at SHOT 2026, shatters expectations by claiming the title of the lightest production bolt gun ever—clocking in at a featherweight 1.81 kg with its 17-inch barrel configuration. This isn't some stripped-down gimmick; it's a full-fledged Mark V platform refined with carbon fiber components, a fluted barrel, and Weatherby's proprietary action that maintains sub-MOA accuracy. For hunters chasing elk in the high Sierras or sheep in Alaska's Brooks Range, this rifle redefines ultralight without sacrificing the terminal punch of the .308, a cartridge that's already a backcountry staple for its balance of recoil, ballistics, and ammo availability. What makes the Capra a game-changer for the 2A community? In an era of escalating ammo costs and supply chain headaches, its .308 chambering taps into the most ubiquitous precision round on the planet—NATO surplus, match-grade Hornady, or budget Federal, it's all there without the boutique pricing of 6.5 Creedmoor exotics. Critics might scoff at the short barrel's potential velocity dip (expect around 2,500-2,600 fps with 168-grain loads), but real-world data from similar short-barreled .308s shows negligible impact on ethical hunting ranges under 400 yards, where most big-game shots land anyway. This rifle democratizes high-end backcountry performance, stripping away weight barriers that previously confined ultralights to custom gunsmiths charging five figures. For 2A enthusiasts, it's a bold statement: innovation thrives when manufacturers prioritize practical freedom over regulatory red tape, proving that Second Amendment rights fuel engineering marvels that keep us in the field longer, safer, and more self-reliant. The implications ripple outward—expect copycats from Ruger, Tikka, and Bergara racing to sub-5-pound territory, pressuring the market to deliver more affordable, lightweight options for the everyman defender-turned-hunter. Paired with modern optics like a Vortex Razor 1-6x and a suppressor (hello, SOCOM profile compatibility), the Capra could tip the scales for SHTF preparedness kits, blending concealability with stopping power. Weatherby's move isn't just a product launch; it's a rallying cry for pro-2A innovation, reminding us that lighter guns mean more mobility, more hunts, and ultimately, more victories in the cultural fight to keep America armed and adventurous. Keep an eye on MSRP—rumored around $2,500—because if it delivers as promised, your next mountain rifle just got a serious upgrade.

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Imagine hauling a bolt-action rifle through rugged backcountry terrain where every ounce counts, and you’re packing just 4 pounds of pure precision in .308 Winchester. Weatherby’s Mark V Backcountry Capra, unveiled at SHOT 2026, shatters expectations by claiming the title of the lightest production bolt gun ever—clocking in at a featherweight 1.81 kg with its 17-inch barrel configuration. This isn’t some stripped-down gimmick; it’s a full-fledged Mark V platform refined with carbon fiber components, a fluted barrel, and Weatherby’s proprietary action that maintains sub-MOA accuracy. For hunters chasing elk in the high Sierras or sheep in Alaska’s Brooks Range, this rifle redefines ultralight without sacrificing the terminal punch of the .308, a cartridge that’s already a backcountry staple for its balance of recoil, ballistics, and ammo availability.

What makes the Capra a game-changer for the 2A community? In an era of escalating ammo costs and supply chain headaches, its .308 chambering taps into the most ubiquitous precision round on the planet—NATO surplus, match-grade Hornady, or budget Federal, it’s all there without the boutique pricing of 6.5 Creedmoor exotics. Critics might scoff at the short barrel’s potential velocity dip (expect around 2,500-2,600 fps with 168-grain loads), but real-world data from similar short-barreled .308s shows negligible impact on ethical hunting ranges under 400 yards, where most big-game shots land anyway. This rifle democratizes high-end backcountry performance, stripping away weight barriers that previously confined ultralights to custom gunsmiths charging five figures. For 2A enthusiasts, it’s a bold statement: innovation thrives when manufacturers prioritize practical freedom over regulatory red tape, proving that Second Amendment rights fuel engineering marvels that keep us in the field longer, safer, and more self-reliant.

The implications ripple outward—expect copycats from Ruger, Tikka, and Bergara racing to sub-5-pound territory, pressuring the market to deliver more affordable, lightweight options for the everyman defender-turned-hunter. Paired with modern optics like a Vortex Razor 1-6x and a suppressor (hello, SOCOM profile compatibility), the Capra could tip the scales for SHTF preparedness kits, blending concealability with stopping power. Weatherby’s move isn’t just a product launch; it’s a rallying cry for pro-2A innovation, reminding us that lighter guns mean more mobility, more hunts, and ultimately, more victories in the cultural fight to keep America armed and adventurous. Keep an eye on MSRP—rumored around $2,500—because if it delivers as promised, your next mountain rifle just got a serious upgrade.

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