Camo or No?

[John Gryphon]

Big difference between what people want and what actually works or is necessary.

What people want is really just a matter of fashion.

Rubbish, there is no 'fashion' in it for me, I use/wear camo. I dont wear it any where at all except for the bush, the only people that see me in cam are cammed also.
I have just under 2000 You tube wild deer videos that most would not have been obtainable if I was in civvies or drab.

 

[timbrayford]

We’ve seen a move towards disruptive patterned guns by tikka, Blaser, ourselves (Weatherby) etc… but what are everyone’s thoughts? Is this just an American/European fad or do subtle disruption patterns have a place?

Drab colours generally seem to work as well as camo, many would argue that movement is the main giveaway, but some have speculated that some deer species may see colour… we’re really interested to know what the U.K. market wants in terms of colour schemes on rifles? I'

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I'm not so sure that its how deer perceive threats anyway. Years ago I went on a guided stalk with a guy dressed in blue jeans and a white Tattersall shirt. We saw plenty of deer, shot 2 and apparently didn't spook any . But we kept down wind, moved carefully and quietly and kept our voices down.

 

[WeatherbyUK]

I think this has gone down a sidetrack - we were last discussing if Weatherby should be focusing on importing camo stocks or plains stocks- and if camo, any particular designs that sell best.

absolutely, that was our question - but it’s still been interesting reading the comments

 

[tarponhead]

I'm not so sure that its how deer perceive threats anyway. Years ago I went on a guided stalk with a guy dressed in blue jeans and a white Tattersall shirt. We saw plenty of deer, shot 2 and apparently didn't spook any . But we kept down wind, moved carefully and quietly and kept our voices down.

This. I do both camo and plain, but for me it’s about confidence in my kit - I dress for the weather and the terrain. Hence I am told I have far too many items of clothing - like I’m told I have too many fishing rods and reels. My detractors don’t understand that every bit has its task. My job is to go through endless combinations the night before. And the day after. Is it necessary? No. Is it fun and part of the occasion? Probably. It would be better if I didn’t lose bits, but still… I will be considering buying a Weatherby soon as I like 700 clones and the stock and barrel length will make my choice for me, as a good fit and a durable colour gives me confidence.

 

[Mungo]

I will be considering buying a Weatherby soon as I like 700 clones

I thought Weatherby were Howa 1500 clones, not Rem 700 clones?

 

[Hambone]

Howa are Remington clones.

 

[ejg]

Howa are Remington clones.

They are not, very little in common except maybe scope mounting. Howa's are more like old Sako actions.
edi

 

[WeatherbyUK]

Big difference between what people want and what actually works or is necessary.

What people want is really just a matter of fashion. Right now, tacticool is in, so camo sticks will sell well.

But you don’t need them. At all. Hundreds of thousands of deer have been shot by people with plain black plastic stocks or plain wood. The stock is small and irregular enough that it has a tiny visual signature. Added to which, deer really aren’t terribly sensitive to colour (other than blue). Provided you move slowly and don’t have anything high contrast, pretty much any colour or pattern works.

Of all the variables affecting hunt success, stock colour is so far down the list it really isn’t worth worrying about. Though you knew that, didn’t you…

Thanks for your reply. Yes the question was about what people wanted colour scheme wise in the UK, which has been fully answered in a roundabout and interesting way... It seems the general consensus is that it’s personal preference, leaning towards plainer patterns or no patterns at all

We cater for all tastes, but it’s very helpful to know from a stockholding perspective what the popular models are likely to be.

 

[WeatherbyUK]

I thought Weatherby were Howa 1500 clones, not Rem 700 clones?

Only the Vanguard is comparable to the Howa 1500 (the Weatherby Vanguard is made in the same factory as the Howa 1500) - both are oversized Remington clones (cylindrical action, M16 extractor), but do not share a footprint or mounts with a Remi 700.

There are a lot of Remi 700 “clones” - cylindrical actions, identical footprint to the Remi 700, but usually with improvements that Remington didn’t manage in their own models. Bergara is a well-known Remi clone.

Weatherby now make a Remi clone called the 307 model. Made in the USA by Weatherby it features many improvements on the 700: WEATHERBY 307 - RANGE XP

The Weatherby MKV is our premium action also
made in our US factory, based on a Sauer 90 originally it has since evolved - 6-lug bolt, 54 degree bolt throw, etc: WEATHERBY MKV - BACKCOUNTRY 2.0 CARBON

 

[Scotty99]

Marketing is absolutely part of it - like fishing lures or cars, colour’s definitely sell… perhaps we all just like the way things look and if it does no harm then why not but do you like the way the newer colour schemes look or would you prefer a solid colour?

Personally I like the breakup camo patterns, I think they’re cool. Makes no difference to a hunters ability to kill a deer, but it’s a matter of personal preference just like some folks like wood stocks and can’t abide synthetic and vice versa. Keep on making them but offer wood and plain synthetic as alternatives, then you’ve got all bases covered. Your sales figures will tell you what folks want most.

 

[timbrayford]

This. I do both camo and plain, but for me it’s about confidence in my kit - I dress for the weather and the terrain. Hence I am told I have far too many items of clothing - like I’m told I have too many fishing rods and reels. My detractors don’t understand that every bit has its task. My job is to go through endless combinations the night before. And the day after. Is it necessary? No. Is it fun and part of the occasion? Probably. It would be better if I didn’t lose bits, but still… I will be considering buying a Weatherby soon as I like 700 clones and the stock and barrel length will make my choice for me, as a good fit and a durable colour gives me confidence.

My main priority with stalking clothing is wearing something practical that's comfortable to stalk in and keeps the weather out.

 

[Merlyn]

Floppy hat and beard does the job

Not if your beard is very long and pure white like mine and Father Christmas.

 

[KimE]

My winter suit keeps the snow out and blend in.

 

[KimE]

Thank you - it’s been really interesting getting feedback on this for us, and we heard the same in a recent trip to Germany.

The hex-pad is insanely good at reducing recoil, but this only really matters on our magnum calibers, so we’re considering switching to a standard pad to help with lead times.

We’re planning on offering this pattern as an addition to our line up, apart from the pad what are your thoughts?
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It would be nice if it were more greenish. I am only interested in lefthanded rifles and Weatherby doesn`t have so many options. Barrel lenght should be about 20-23" and in cartridges suited for them as 338-06 A sq.

 

[Everlong]

If camo makes so much difference then how do the Americans and some European countries wear bright orange without issue.
No need other than fashion.

Deer are colourblind so don’t see it as orange - to them it’ll look the same as solid green or green/black camo

 

[Husky]

Anyone brave enough to get their rifle and scope chrome plated and see it the deer notice ?

 

[Mungo]

Anyone brave enough to get their rifle and scope chrome plated and see it the deer notice ?

I got rifle re-barrelled a few years back, and foolishly kept it in the plain, polished, very shiny stainless steel it came with.

It definitely spooked deer a number of times when the sun caught it. As soon as I sprayed it with green Krylon, that stopped.

By contrast, I have another rifle with a standard matte finish stainless barrel. Never once had a problem with that one.

 

[Bo Diddley]

Foxes were seeing my face when I first got the thermal as the screen lit my face up so I put a shuttered eye piece
works a treat.

I wear a thin camo snood/face mask at night when I'm foxing, gloves over the hands as well because of the thermal glare... works for me... but I get funny looks if I walk into the supermarket sometimes

 

[WeatherbyUK]

It would be nice if it were more greenish. I am only interested in lefthanded rifles and Weatherby doesn`t have so many options. Barrel lenght should be about 20-23" and in cartridges suited for them as 338-06 A sq.

The Mark V’s are all available left handed - what are you after?

 

[KimE]

The Mark V’s are all available left handed - what are you after?

I cant find any lefthanded in Sweden