2013 Sneak Peak: Weatherby Hits Next Generation With WBY X

Tired of shiny walnut for a gunstock? How about human skulls instead? Yes you heard us correctly, human skulls€¦as well as hog skulls and Kryptek Raid now adorn select Weatherby Vanguard rifles and shotguns.

We just got a sneak (and shocking) peak at Weatherby's plan for 2013. The program is entitled "WBY X" and it is a hip, cool attempt to become relevant with the next generation of shooters, guns owners and hunters. Simply put, it ain't your daddy's Weatherby.

"I remember when we introduced the Fibermark, our first synthetic stock, and my father said a plastic stock would never sell, especially on a Weatherby. Today the majority of our guns are synthetic," a smiling Ed Weatherby fondly recalls. "Yes the times are changing."

Roy would probably agree times are changing. Five new Vanguard models and three pump tactical shotguns are slated for 2013, specifically to target younger demographics with individual needs and tastes. The rifle line-up includes Whitetail Bonz and Whitetail Bonz Youth featuring deer antler and skull camo. The Whitetail Bonz youth model has a length-adjustable  stock, while the Hog Reaper is available in five calibers from .223 to.308 with a pretty radical looking hog skull camo pattern on the stock. Rounding out the lineup is the Black Reaper Heavy Barrel Vanguard featuring human skulls.

In an effort to seduce the exploding female market, Weatherby also announced the Tomboy Youth Vanguard with a length of pull of 12.5 inches the stock also can be lengthened to fit with spacers. While fit and function is paramount, where Weatherby really got it right was avoiding the often insulting trap of an all pink rifle. The Tomboy is black stocked with subtle pink spiderwebbing€¦it looks cool while not being brash.

In their shotgun line-up expect to see the PA-459 and PA-08 in Black Reaper (human skull camo) as well as Krytek Raid camo (a final contestant in the military's quest for a new camo pattern).

As for the details of calibers and other new offerings you, like us, will have to wait until around November to find out more.