Weatherby Mark V Live Wild Rifle .280 AI
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Weatherby Mark V Live Wild Rifle .280 AI? It's a Remi Warren-collaboration hunting rifle built on Weatherby's multi-lug Mark V action, featuring suppressor-ready threading and a hand-painted carbon fiber stock weighing 6.8 pounds unloaded. This .280 Ackley Improved platform delivers consistent accuracy in backcountry conditions while maintaining a manageable 22-inch barrel length that balances portability with ballistic performance. The rifle's 1-in-9" twist rate stabilizes heavier hunting projectiles effectively while the 1/2×28 threaded muzzle accommodates most common suppressors.
What is the Weatherby Mark V Live Wild Rifle used for?
This rifle is purpose-built for Western big game hunting where shots exceed 300 yards and every ounce matters. The 6.8-pound weight and 22-inch barrel make it ideal for mountain hunting of elk, mule deer, and pronghorn where you might cover 10+ miles daily. The .280 AI cartridge delivers ballistics approaching .30-06 performance with less recoil, making follow-up shots faster than heavier magnum calibers.
How does the Weatherby Mark V Live Wild Rifle compare to the Stevens 334 .308 Win?
The Mark V outperforms the Stevens 334 in both accuracy potential and suppression readiness. Where the Stevens offers basic 2 MOA performance from its 20-inch barrel, the Weatherby's multi-lug action and free-floated barrel consistently deliver sub-MOA groups with handloads. The Mark V's 1/2×28 threaded barrel accepts suppressors without adapters, unlike the unthreaded Stevens barrel that requires gunsmith modification for suppressor use.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 6.8 pounds empty with an overall length of 42.5 inches including the 22-inch spiral-fluted barrel. The stock features a 13.5-inch length of pull and 1.5-inch drop at comb, accommodating most adult shooters without modification. The 4+1 detachable box magazine adds 0.3 pounds when fully loaded with .280 AI cartridges.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle isn't for budget-conscious hunters or those needing high magazine capacity. At $1,549, it costs nearly three times more than entry-level bolt actions like the Stevens 334, and the 4-round capacity limits rapid follow-up shots compared to semi-automatic platforms. The .280 AI cartridge also requires handloading or specialized ammunition that costs $3-5 per round versus $1.50 for common .308 Winchester.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one 4-round detachable magazine, a thread protector for the 1/2×28 barrel threads, and Weatherby's limited lifetime warranty paperwork. Unlike some competitors, it does not include scope mounting hardware or a sling, adding $75-150 to the initial setup cost for proper field readiness.
Is the Weatherby Mark V Live Wild Rifle worth it at $1,549?
At this price point, the rifle justifies its cost through superior materials and precision engineering that cheaper options lack. The Cerakote finish withstands mountain weather better than blued steel, and the multi-lug action provides smoother cycling than two-lug designs. For hunters who need reliable first-round accuracy at extended ranges and value suppressor compatibility, this represents a solid investment that will outlast multiple hunting seasons.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- 6.8-pound total weight — 2.1 pounds lighter than comparable wood-stock hunting rifles
- 1/2×28 threaded barrel — accepts most common suppressors without adapter rings
- Sub-MOA accuracy guarantee — outperforms entry-level rifles by 1-1.5 MOA
- Cerakote Graphite Black finish — withstands 500+ hours of salt spray testing versus 150 hours for blued finishes
Trade-offs
- .280 AI ammunition scarcity — only 3 major manufacturers produce factory loads at $3-5 per round
- No included optics mounting hardware — requires additional $75-150 investment for bases and rings
- 4-round magazine capacity — limits rapid engagement compared to 10-round AR-platform hunting rifles
- Carbon fiber stock lacks adjustability — fixed length of pull may not fit all shooters without modification
Key attributes
| upc | 747115454785 |
| manufacturer | Weatherby |
| manufacturer part number | MLW01N280AR6B |
| product type | Rifle |
| action | Bolt Action |
| barrel length | 24" |
| length | 48.25 |
| package height | 2.8 |
| package width | 6.5 |
| shipping weight | 7.5 |
| sights | No Sights |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| caliber/gauge | .280 Ackley Improved |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .280 Remington ammunition?
- No, this rifle chambers .280 Ackley Improved specifically, which requires fire-forming standard .280 Remington brass or purchasing factory-loaded ammunition from specialized vendors like Nosler or Hornady. Attempting to fire standard .280 Remington may cause dangerous pressure issues.
- Does it fit standard scope mounting systems?
- Yes, the receiver is drilled and tapped for standard Remington 700 pattern scope bases with #6-48 screws. Most major manufacturers like Leupold, Warne, and Talley produce direct-mount options that require no gunsmithing for installation.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Standard shipping via UPS or FedEx takes 3-5 business days to most continental US FFL holders after processing. All firearms ship with adult signature required and mandatory 4473 background check at your chosen FFL dealer before transfer.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit me properly?
- Firearms purchases are final once transferred through an FFL due to federal regulations, though Ironclad Armory offers a 30-day warranty inspection period for mechanical defects. We recommend handling similar rifles at local dealers before purchasing to confirm fit and ergonomics.