Weatherby PA-08 Upland Pump Action

Over in the Land of the Free the Weatherby name holds some serious sway especially when it comes to rifles. However, over on these shores Weatherby has still to gain the following it richly deserves, the brand, courtesy of UK importer Sportsman Gun Centre is one of the best value for money big names to be had. But whilst Weatherby’s rifles are relatively well known the shotguns that bear the name have still to gain a wider degree of acceptance, the fact the guns are Turkish having a positive and negative effect. As to why it still remains something of a mystery, these shotguns country of origin having little or no effect on how American they are when it comes to looks and handling.

Basically forget where they come from and revel in their Americanism. But unlike the other well know American brand that made its name with pump-actions, at £385-99p for the wood furniture Upland as tested or £355-99p for the synthetic version, both of the Weatherby PA-08 pumps weight in at just over £1,400 less than the other maker’s product! And always remember that literally they do the exact same thing even down to the fact that until you see the Weatherby name along the right hand side of the receiver, everything about the PA-08 is exactly the same as the more famous version even down to the action’s twin slides.

Keep It Simple

In keeping with the ethos of the basic hunting pump gun Weatherby’s PA-08 is a straightforward and simple as it gets. In the case of the laminated walnut Upland, a glossy game style stock complete with thick, soft rubber recoil pad keeps the gun anchored firmly against the shooter’s shoulder whilst a matching, well rounded action slide completes the look whilst providing a good, substantial grip for the leading hand. Add in distinct, precisely cut old-style checkering and the Upland’s furniture means this Weatherby looks the business even before you’ve taken the metalwork into account.

A plain, semi-matte steel receiver, the durable surface broken only by the Weatherby gold script that sits just below the ejection port, is typical of the traditional pump-action. A polymer trigger-guard houses the gold plated trigger whilst the cross-bolt safety sits inside the guard’s rear span, the short bolt release lever just to the left of the front span. The shell lifter is well sized and offers minimal resistance when loading the second and third rounds into the magazine tube whilst the action’s double-slide ensures cycling the gun is with negligible flex.

Internally, a simple, single claw bolt sits on the rear of the slide mechanism, the entire mechanism sliding free of the gun once the barrel has been removed. Fitted with a 28” matte finish barrel complete with a 3” chamber, vented 7mm cross-cut rib, three short flush-fit multi-chokes and small brass bead, the metalwork and woodwork together create the classic pump-action looks and feel, the Weatherby PA-08 exactly as it should be in every physical and mechanical aspect.

Choose Wisely

Bodily the PA-08 is a big gun tipping the scales at exactly 8lbs with an overall length of 48 1/8” although this could be reduced by fitting a more old-school style butt plate. Drops at comb and heel are of the good, old-fashioned, no nonsense variety namely 1½” and 2½” with a 14 1/8” length of pull although the 8lbs 4oz trigger weight does need addressing. A few moments with the Arrow Laser Shot confirmed that the PA-08 did shoot for me at least slightly high, although minor adjustment when mounting eliminated the trait.

Heading over to Bond & Bywater’s evening shoot with ¼ choke fitted and a selection of Eley’s 28 gram ammo, whilst the Weatherby shot reasonably well one small problem did arise. Like many new guns the PA-08’s chamber was rather tight which at times meant the bolt’s claw jumped off the rim of the cartridge head. By the application of some Ballistol Universal Oil using a phosphor bronze chamber brush, the problem whilst not eliminated was eased. Likewise, using longer brass head cartridges such as the VIP Sporting, the deeper head rim allowed the claw to extract with greater ease. The tightness of the chamber wasn’t anything to be particularly concerned about since many single-barrelled guns tend to start life like this, its use and regular lubrication that ultimately cures them.

Selecting a similar style game cartridge in my case Eley Grand Prix plus another application of oil, the Weatherby afforded me a pleasant evening’s Huntroyde Estate crow shooting, both outing confirming as to why I personally enjoy shooting with pump-actions. Like my own personal guns, the Weatherby means the shooter seems to be more involved with the shooting process as a whole, the fact it’s your own ability and familiarity with the gun that facilitates just how successful you are.

The gun mounts easily, the weight means it swings in a controlled manner whilst the twin slide system meant that once the initial newness had been pumped out of it, the PA-08 ran well. Like all true American shotguns irrespective of the fact they might have been built elsewhere, if the bare essentials and original design has been adhered to such as the PA-08, the gun will be enjoyable and rewarding to shoot. 

There You Have It

After having shot the PA-08 the question has to be asked ‘what more do you want?’ Apart from the slightly tight chamber, which until the gun has been run in will determine your choice of ammo, this Weatherby PA-08 personifies the American-style pump-action. Nothing is as reliable by virtue of the fact you are the motive power, you’ve no reliance on gas or lockwork changing over or barrel selection or any of the usual mechanical things that other shotguns are reliant on to allow them to operate.

Granted the pump-action is an old design but the fact a variety of manufacturers still make them is testament to the fact that this simplistic system works and works well. The Weatherby hit what it was aimed at, cycled the loads and once a suitable cartridge was found never missed a beat. So there you have it, a well made gun that looks, feels and shoots like it should all in for £385-99p. Whether you’re like me a confirmed pump-action enthusiast or are considering buying your first example, you’ll go a long way to find a pumper of this quality for anywhere near the price.

PRICE: £385-99p