Weatherby Mark V Live Wild Rifle .257 Weatherby Magnum
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Weatherby Mark V Live Wild Rifle in .257 Weatherby Magnum is a premium bolt-action hunting rifle engineered for mountain hunting, blending Weatherby's legendary Mark V action with modern lightweight materials and suppressor-ready features for extreme-distance big game applications.
What is the Weatherby Mark V Live Wild used for?
This rifle is designed specifically for long-range mountain hunting where every ounce matters. The .257 Weatherby Magnum drives 100-grain bullets at 3,400+ fps, making it lethal on mule deer and antelope out to 500+ yards. With a 24-inch spiral-fluted barrel and Accubrake ST muzzle device, it handles like a much lighter rifle while maintaining stability for difficult shots.
How does the Weatherby Mark V Live Wild compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Live Wild is significantly more specialized and expensive than the Stevens 334 Rifle. Where the Stevens 334 is a $600 utility rifle chambered in .308 Win with a 20-inch barrel, the Live Wild's .257 Weatherby Magnum cartridge generates 30% more muzzle energy and flatter trajectories. The Weatherby's carbon-fiber stock weighs 1.2 pounds less than the Stevens' synthetic stock, critical for high-altitude backpack hunts.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 6.8 pounds with a 24-inch barrel that measures 0.650 inches at the muzzle. Overall length is 44.5 inches with a 13.5-inch length of pull. The spiral fluting removes 4.5 ounces from the barrel while maintaining rigidity, and the carbon-fiber stock keeps total weight under 7 pounds for packability.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle isn't for budget-conscious hunters or those new to magnum cartridges. The $1,549 price point and specialized .257 Weatherby Magnum ammunition ($80+ per box) make it prohibitive for casual use. Recoil without the Accubrake ST installed reaches 28 foot-pounds, uncomfortable for extended range sessions compared to milder cartridges like the .243 Win found in the Stevens 334 .243 Win.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one 3-round hinged floorplate magazine, Accubrake ST muzzle device installed, and owner's manual. Unlike some competitors, it does not include scope bases or rings – you'll need to purchase Weatherby-specific mounts separately. The Cerakote finish requires no additional protection out of the box.
Is the Weatherby Mark V Live Wild worth it at $1,549?
At $1,549, this rifle delivers value for serious mountain hunters needing lightweight, long-range capability. The combination of Weatherby's 9-lug action and TriggerTech trigger provides sub-MOA accuracy that cheaper rifles like the Stevens 334 cannot match. For specialized applications where ounces equal opportunity, the premium is justified.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 6.8 lb – 1.2 lb lighter than comparable steel-stalked magnums
- TriggerTech trigger adjustable from 2.5 to 5 lb pull weight
- 24-inch spiral-fluted barrel removes 4.5 oz while maintaining rigidity
- Cerakote finish withstands 500+ hours salt spray testing
Trade-offs
- Proprietary action limits aftermarket stock options vs Remington 700 pattern
- .257 Weatherby Magnum ammunition costs $80+ per box – 3x .308 Win pricing
- No scope bases included – add $60-120 for quality mounts
- Recoil reaches 28 ft-lbs without Accubrake ST – harsh for new shooters
Key attributes
| upc | 747115454754 |
| manufacturer | Weatherby |
| manufacturer part number | MLW01N257WR8B |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | .257 Weatherby Magnum |
| capacity | 3 + 1 |
| color | GREY |
| length | 48.25 |
| package height | 2.7 |
| package width | 6.5 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Lever Action |
| shipping weight | 9.5 |
| sights | No Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard suppressor mounts?
- The barrel is threaded 1/2x28 TPI, compatible with most .30 caliber and smaller suppressors. For .257 Weatherby Magnum pressures, I recommend using a suppressor rated for magnum rifle cartridges like the SilencerCo Omega 300. Always confirm thread alignment with a suppressor alignment rod before firing.
- Does this work with aftermarket stocks?
- The Mark V Live Wild uses Weatherby's proprietary action footprint, limiting aftermarket stock options compared to Remington 700-pattern rifles. McMillan and Manners offer custom inlets starting at $600, but the included carbon-fiber stock is already premium-grade. Installation requires bedding for optimal accuracy.
- How long does shipping take?
- FFL shipments typically process within 2 business days and transit via UPS Ground (3-7 days depending on location). All firearms ship signature-required to your designated FFL holder. International orders require additional 10-14 days for export compliance paperwork.
- Can I return it if there are accuracy issues?
- Ironclad Armory accepts returns within 30 days for manufacturer defects verified by our gunsmiths. Weatherby guarantees sub-MOA accuracy with premium ammunition – if your rifle won't group under 1.5 inches at 100 yards with factory ammo, we'll handle the warranty process. Custom work voids return eligibility.
- Does this work with standard .257 Roberts ammunition?
- Absolutely not – the .257 Weatherby Magnum is a different cartridge with higher pressure specifications. Attempting to fire .257 Roberts ammunition could cause catastrophic failure. Only use ammunition specifically marked .257 Weatherby Magnum, available from Weatherby, Nosler, and HSM Bear Loads.