The Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Guide 280 Ackley Improved 22"+2" Muzzle Brake Right Hand (MGS01N280AR4B, UPC 747115457410) is a purpose-built lightweight mountain hunting rifle designed for serious backcountry hunters who demand precision, durability, and recoil control in extreme terrain. Chambered in the versatile .280 Ackley Improved and built on the legendary Mark V action, this Backcountry Guide model combines a BSF carbon fiber-tensioned barrel, Peak 44 Blacktooth carbon fiber stock, and Accubrake ST muzzle brake to deliver sub-MOA accuracy in a package that’s easy to carry all day above tree line. GunBroker+3Weatherby+3GrabAGun+3
If you’re looking for a premium 280 AI bolt-action hunting rifle that is ready for long shots in steep country and rough weather, the Mark V Backcountry Guide MGS01N280AR4B is built for exactly that mission.
Key Specs – Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Guide 280 Ackley Improved
Caliber: .280 Ackley Improved (.280 AI) GrabAGun+1
Capacity: 4+1 rounds, internal box magazine GrabAGun+2Buds Gun Shop+2
Barrel: 22" BSF carbon fiber tensioned barrel with an additional 2" Accubrake ST muzzle brake (overall ~24" with brake) Classic Firearms+3Weatherby+3GrabAGun+3
Twist Rate: 1:9" (optimized for popular 7mm/.284 hunting bullets) GrabAGun
Thread Pattern: 5/8x24, suppressor ready GrabAGun+2Weatherby+2
Action: Weatherby Mark V bolt action, right hand, 54° bolt lift, deep spiral-fluted bolt Weatherby+2Shoot On+2
Stock: Peak 44 Blacktooth carbon fiber stock, exposed carbon with olive green & backpack-style sponge pattern, 3DHex recoil pad, Spartan Precision gunsmith adapters Weatherby+2GrabAGun+2
Finish: Graphite Black Cerakote on barrel, receiver, bolt, bolt knob, and safety Weatherby+1
Overall Length: Approx. 42" GrabAGun+1
Weight: About 5.6 lbs (bare rifle) GrabAGun+1
Trigger: External adjustable TriggerTech trigger
Safety: 2-position bolt-mounted safety Weatherby+1
Accuracy Guarantee: Weatherby Sub-MOA guarantee (3-shot group ≤ 0.99" at 100 yards with premium ammo) Weatherby+1
MPN: MGS01N280AR4B
UPC: 747115457410 GrabAGun+2Gun Made+2
Built on the Legendary Mark V Action
At the core of this rifle is the time-tested Weatherby Mark V action, known for its strength, smooth cycling, and short bolt lift.
54° bolt throw – much shorter than the traditional 90°, giving faster follow-up shots and better scope clearance. Weatherby+2Shoot On+2
Deep spiral-fluted bolt – trims weight and reduces bearing surface for an ultra-smooth, reliable bolt cycle even in grit and bad weather. Weatherby
Multi-lug locking design (non-magnum pattern for 280 AI) delivers the strength Weatherby is famous for, while keeping the action compact and light. Shoot On+1
This combination gives mountain hunters a bolt-action that is strong enough for hard use, yet refined enough to cycle effortlessly from awkward shooting positions on steep slopes.
BSF Carbon Fiber-Tensioned 22" Barrel – Lightweight & Consistent
The Backcountry Guide series uses BSF carbon fiber barrels, which are built differently than most wrapped barrels on the market. Weatherby+2Sportsman's Warehouse+2
Key barrel tech:
416R stainless steel match barrel turned down and then sleeved in carbon fiber, loaded under tension. Weatherby
Tensioned design keeps the rifling straighter as the barrel heats, increasing rigidity and consistency shot to shot. Weatherby+1
BSF’s method leaves air gaps so 95% of the carbon doesn’t contact the steel, allowing faster cooling and reduced heat mirage. Weatherby
In .280 Ackley Improved, the 22" length balances velocity, weight, and maneuverability. Pair that with the BSF carbon construction and you get a barrel that’s light, stiff, and capable of tight groups even over long shot strings—perfect for big country mule deer, elk, or sheep.
22"+2" Titanium Accubrake ST – Recoil Tamed
This model features a 22" threaded barrel capped with a 2" titanium Accubrake ST muzzle brake, giving you a total brake length of about 24" without the weight of a full steel tube. Weatherby+2Classic Firearms+2
The Accubrake ST is engineered to reduce felt recoil by up to ~53%, turning the snap of a mountain-weight rifle into a manageable shove. Weatherby+1
Standard 5/8x24 threads let you remove the brake and install a suppressor or alternative device as needed. Weatherby+2GrabAGun+2
If you’re taking steep-angle shots in thin air, where stable form and fast follow-ups matter, this brake plus the 3DHex pad (more on that next) make the Backcountry Guide surprisingly comfortable to shoot.
Peak 44 Blacktooth Carbon Fiber Stock & 3DHex Recoil Pad
The Peak 44 Blacktooth stock is one of the lightest aerospace-grade carbon fiber production stocks on the market, and it’s a major reason this rifle hits the scale around 5.6 pounds. Weatherby+2HuntingLife.com+2
Stock highlights:
Exposed carbon fiber with a hand-painted olive green and backpack sponge pattern – every rifle gets a one-of-a-kind finish. Weatherby+2Sportsman's Warehouse+2
Integrated Spartan Precision gunsmith adapters in the forend, compatible with Spartan’s ultra-light bipods and accessories using their MagnaSwitch system. Weatherby+1
3DHex recoil pad – a lattice-style pad that collapses internally to diffuse recoil energy and reduce muzzle rise. Weatherby+1
Advanced bedding and geometry tuned for rigidity and repeatable accuracy in harsh backcountry conditions. Weatherby+1
The result is a stock that’s incredibly light yet strong, with real recoil mitigation and field-ready functionality built right in.
TriggerTech Trigger & Sub-MOA Guarantee
The Mark V Backcountry Guide comes standard with an externally adjustable TriggerTech trigger, giving hunters a crisp, zero-creep break and minimal over-travel. Weatherby+1
Paired with that is Weatherby’s famous accuracy promise:
All Mark V rifles are guaranteed Sub-MOA – a 3-shot group of 0.99" or less at 100 yards with premium factory ammunition, from a cold barrel, within the first two years for the original owner. Weatherby+1
For a lightweight hunting rifle designed to be carried more than it’s shot, that type of precision guarantee is a big confidence booster when you finally get a shot at your once-a-season bull or buck.
Graphite Black Cerakote – Weather-Resistant & Low-Glare
The Backcountry Guide’s metalwork is fully treated with Graphite Black Cerakote, including the barrel, receiver, bolt, bolt knob, and safety. Weatherby+2GrabAGun+2
Cerakote advantages:
Increased corrosion resistance for wet, snowy, or salty environments
Enhanced abrasion resistance when the rifle rides in scabbards, packs, or on rocks
Low-glare finish that reduces reflection when you’re glassing or stalking wary game
Combined with the carbon stock’s earth-tone pattern, the rifle stays discreet in alpine, timberline, and brushy terrain alike.
280 Ackley Improved – Modern 7mm Performance for the Backcountry
The choice of .280 Ackley Improved is a sweet spot for serious mountain hunters:
Flat-shooting with high-BC .284 bullets, ideal for longer cross-canyon and ridge-to-ridge shots.
Manageable recoil, especially with the Accubrake ST and 3DHex pad, yet enough authority for elk, mule deer, caribou, and similar big game when loaded with quality hunting bullets. Athlon Untamed+1
With a 1:9" twist 22" barrel, this Backcountry Guide is optimized for a wide range of modern 7mm bullet weights commonly used in 280 AI hunting loads. GrabAGun+1
Ideal Use Cases – Where the Backcountry Guide Shines
The Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Guide 280 Ackley Improved is tailor-made for:
High-country mule deer and elk hunts, where long climbs and thin air punish heavy rifles.
Sheep, goat, and backcountry bear hunts, where reliability and weather resistance are critical.
Backpack hunts where every ounce counts but sub-MOA accuracy still matters.
Hunters who want a premium, ready-to-go mountain rifle with cutting-edge materials and a classic Weatherby action. Shoot On+2HuntingLife.com+2
If you’re planning a hunt where failure isn’t an option and weight, recoil, and accuracy all matter, this configuration checks all the boxes.
Technical Summary – Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Guide 280 AI MGS01N280AR4B
Model: Mark V Backcountry Guide
Manufacturer: Weatherby
Caliber: .280 Ackley Improved
Capacity: 4+1
Barrel: 22" BSF carbon fiber tensioned barrel, threaded 5/8x24
Muzzle Device: 2" titanium Accubrake ST muzzle brake (22"+2")
Action: Right-hand Mark V bolt action, 54° bolt lift, deep spiral-fluted bolt
Stock: Peak 44 Blacktooth carbon fiber, exposed carbon with olive green/backpack sponge pattern, 3DHex recoil pad, Spartan Precision gunsmith adapters
Finish: Graphite Black Cerakote on barrel, receiver, bolt, knob, and safety
Trigger: Externally adjustable TriggerTech
Safety: 2-position bolt-mounted
Overall Length: ~42"
Weight: ~5.6 lbs
Accuracy: Weatherby Sub-MOA guarantee
MPN: MGS01N280AR4B
UPC: 747115457410 Gun Made+3Weatherby+3GrabAGun+3
For hunters who want a top-tier 280 Ackley Improved mountain rifle with modern carbon-fiber technology, a proven action, and real recoil control in a featherweight platform, the Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Guide MGS01N280AR4B is built to go farther, climb higher, and hit harder—without weighing you down.
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