Weatherby Junior

About the Weatherby

In 1945, Roy Weatherby made it his mission to bring the idea of “one shot-kills are best achieved with high-speed and lightweight bullets” into the world of cartridge and rifle making. Ergo, he opened a Weatherby’s Sporting Goods shop in California. This was a humble beginning of the world’s prominent mark on the gun industry.

Travelling back in time, to 1940s, this is when Weatherby began his cartridge business. These paved the way for a vast development in ballistics. Some of his cartridges, including the .257 and .270 Weatherby Magnums, remain the fastest in their calibre class, and are still in production today.

While Weatherby’s cartridge business grew, there was also a need for a bolt-action capable of handling the magnum power. And this is how the legend – the strongest bolt-action rifle Mark V – was born. Soon after, others followed. In the 1960s the company added a line of shotguns called Orion and Athena, a Patrician pump, and Centurion semi-automatics.

Weatherby, Inc. was in for a crazy ride, as in May of 1961, Fred Jennie helped create a prototype model .22 rimfire rifle, which went by the name Mark XXII. The Vanguard rifles were then introduced for some of the world’s most popular big game and varmint cartridges. Weatherby’s son Ed was passed the torch and took over the company in 1983, but he held on to the rifle’s typical looks and the characteristics of being reliable and well-made.

Weatherby Junior

Figure 1: Weatherby Junior, chambered for .224 Wby. Mag. (Source: https://1eininc.com/product/weatherby-sauer-junior-224-scoped/)

Weatherby Junior Rifle Review

Although no longer in production, the Weatherby Junior rifle will always have a special place on the rifle market. The history of Weatherby dates back for over 75 years, and even though Roy and his crew continue to keep up with the trends and styles, they keep a part of their history alive. Previous rifle models, such as Weatherby Junior can still be found at various retailers, and online.

This bolt action rifle, manufactured by Sauer & Sohn in West Germany, is built on the famous Sauer-Weatherby 6-lug Mark V action. The length of the barrel measures 24” or 610 mm. Weatherby designed this rifle with the intention of making something rare, as Junior is also of a very low built number. The mini “Europa”, as some call it, is also intended for the European market. On the mounting surface, on the receiver, we can find four bores – two on the front mounting surface, and two on the rear mounting surface.

Junior uses sling loops, a Sauer butt plate, and a double set trigger: one sets the trigger and the other fires the weapon. This rifle is also similar to Weatherby Varmintmaster with an added previously mentioned double set trigger. Weatherby made sure that Junior owners most definitely hunt in style.

Weatherby Junior receiver

Figure 2: The receiver of Weatherby Junior, chambered for .224 Wby. Mag. (Source. https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/weatherby-rifles---german/weatherby-sauer-junior-224-weatherby-magnum.cfm?gun_id=100942104#sm-2)

A: 21.9 mm

B: /

C: 15.3 mm

BHU: 2 mm

Fi: 6-48

R1: FF Wjun

R2: R14.5

The Rifle is Chambered For:

.224 Wby. Mag.

Which Rifles Have Interchangeable Mounts?

Two-piece mounts

For two-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces must match in all dimensions except the B distance. B distance can vary because two-piece mounts can be installed and adjusted closer or further apart.

One-piece mounts

For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension.

Unfortunately, we currently lack information regarding interchangeable mounts for the Weatherby Junior rifle. Should you have any additional information regarding possible mount matches, please contact us. We would gladly accept your help and expand our database accordingly.

Our Recommendations for Mounts

Detachable Repeatable Mounts

This two-piece pivot mount is manufactured by the German company EAW and will fit the mounting dimensions of Weatherby Junior perfectly.

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: info@optics-trade.eu