Weatherby®'s 2010 line features a pump shotgun and two new precision rifles for threat response situations as well as recreational shooting.

The PA-459 pump shotgun has an ergonomic pistol grip-style buttstock and short 13 1/2-inch length of pull to enhance its effectiveness in close-range threat response situations such as home defense. Designed specifically for shooting that requires pinpoint accuracy at a distance, the custom Mark V® SUB-MOA TRR (Threat Response Rifle) and the Vanguard® SUB-MOA TR are guaranteed to yield a three-shot group of .99-inch or less when used with Weatherby factory or premium (non-Weatherby calibers) ammunition. The Mark V SUB-MOA TRR is also available in a package that includes a Leupold Mark 4 scope, mounts, bi-pod and aluminum rifle case.

"Our new pump shotgun is named after Penal Code 459, which covers 'burglary in progress,'" said Brad Ruddell, Weatherby's vice president of sales and marketing. "For this reason, we've been careful to do our homework in designing this firearm with features that deliver top-flight performance in threat response situations. For example, the PA-459's short length of pull and the comfortable, rubber-textured grip are a direct result of our research with end users in the home-defense market. In addition, the

PA-459 has gone through our rigorous testing and endurance trials to ensure its dependability. And of course, the two SUB-MOA Threat Response rifles meet or exceed all the accuracy and performance standards that have made our Mark V and Vanguard lines successful over the years."

PA-459 Pump Shotgun

Weatherby's PA-459 pump shotgun comes in 12 gauge, weighs 6.5 pounds and measures 40 inches in overall length. Its short length of pull allows quick shoulder mounting and fast target acquisition.

Other key features include a black lightweight injection-molded stock, and a matte black finish on all metalwork to reduce glare. The rubber-textured grip area and a low-density recoil pad help minimize felt recoil. An extended forend and slide release allows quick and easy function of the action. The forend has an integral Picatinny rail for accessories such as lights.

Constructed of aircraft-grade alloys to reduce overall weight without compromising strength, the CNC-machined receiver is designed to improve the balance of the shotgun for better handling. A mil-spec Picatinny rail is installed on the action for mounting sights and lights. The rail has a rugged clamp-style LPA ghost ring rear sight that is adjustable for windage and elevation. Magazine capacity is four 3-inch rounds or five 2 3/4-inch rounds.

The shotgun's 19-inch barrel is chrome lined to withstand years of high-volume shooting. It is fitted with a .810-inch-1mm extended and ported cylinder choke tube for application-specific patterning. The barrel has a blade front sight with a fiber optic pin for quick target acquisition.

Manufacturer's suggested retail price for the PA-459 is $469.

Mark V SUB-MOA TRR

As part of the SUB-MOA guarantee, each barreled action of a Mark V SUB-MOA TRR rifle is hand-selected and test-fired at Weatherby's range. Each rifle comes with a factory-shot target using the Oehler 83 Ballistic Imaging System.

Accuracy-enhancing features of this custom rifle include a hand-laminated desert camo composite stock (constructed of Aramid, graphite unidirectional fibers and fiberglass) with CNC 6061 T-6 aluminum bedding system. The three-position buttstock is adjustable for length of pull, drop at heel and cant of the pad, allowing a "custom-fit" to shooter size and shape to provide greater comfort, control and accuracy. In addition, the stock has a #6 slide for bi-pod attachment.

Another key accuracy-enhancing feature is a Krieger custom-cut 26-inch 410 Series stainless steel #3 contour barrel (.750 muzzle diameter). It includes a Weatherby-designed muzzle break that reduces felt recoil by up to 48 percent. Constructed of stress-proof steel, the muzzle brake features high discharge ports with 90-degree lateral gas dispersion to eliminate dust blow-up.

The rifle's hand-honed Mark V action assures complete lug contact with the receiver. Another important feature for precision shooting is the hand-tuned, fully adjustable trigger, which is factory set at three pounds with sear engagement factory set at .008 to .014. The D.D. Ross-designed bolt knob, made of matte-finish blued steel for added durability, is longer and heavier than the norm to improve grasp and cycling.

The Mark V SUB-MOA TRR package includes a Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm Long Range/Tactical (LR/T) M1 scope with an illuminated Tactical Milling Reticle and bullet drop compensation (BDC) dials. Weatherby bore sights and tests each scope for accuracy at its range. The package also features Talley mil-spec Picatinny rings and bases for scope mounting, a Harris Model L bi-pod and a Weatherby Magnum rifle case.

Available calibers for the Mark V SUB-MOA TRR: .300 Win. Mag., .300 Wby. Mag., .30-378 Wby. Mag. and .338-378 Wby. Mag. Right hand only. The rifle has a drop box magazine with a capacity of three cartidges plus one in the chamber. Rifle weight is 9.25 pounds. Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $3,999 for the rifle itself, $6,292 for the package.

Vanguard SUB-MOA TR

Each barreled action of a Vanguard SUB-MOA TR rifle is hand-selected and test-fired at Weatherby's range. Each rifle comes with a factory-shot target using the Oehler 83 Ballistic Imaging System.

The Vanguard SUB-MOA TR sports a specially-designed, hand-laminated Monte Carlo black composite stock (constructed of Aramid, graphite unidirectional fibers and fiberglass) by Bell & Carlson. A CNC-machined aircraft-grade 6061 T-6 aluminum bedding plate stiffens the receiver area, providing a stable and rigid platform for securing the barreled action to the stock. Precisely inletted, the bedding plate ensures repeatable accuracy.

The stock has a beavertail forearm, flat on the bottom for easier shooting from a rest. To reduce felt recoil, the stock is fitted with a Pachmayr® Decelerator® pad. Dual swivel studs allow use of a bi-pod or sling.

Weatherby hand-beds the recoil lug area to ensure 100 percent contact with the receiver. Other accuracy-enhancing features include a fully adjustable, factory-tuned trigger (factory set at three pounds with sear engagement factory set at .008 to .014), and a 22-inch #3 contour barrel (.740 muzzle diameter). Rifle weight is 8.75 pounds.

The Vanguard SUB-MOA TR is available in .223 Remington and .308 Winchester. Right hand only. Magazine capacity is five cartridges plus one in the chamber.

Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $999.

For more information, contact a local Weatherby dealer, call the company at (805) 227-2600 or visit www.weatherby.com.

Founded in 1945, Weatherby, Inc.'s line features the popular Vanguard® and legendary Mark V® rifles (production and custom), over/under and side-by-side shotguns in the classic Athena® and Orion® lines, semi-auto and pump shotguns, premium ammunition and security/shooting accessories. The company is based in Paso Robles, Calif., and invites all hunters and shooters to visit and join its free online community at www.weatherbynation.com.