Roy immediately contacted Howa. This Japanese factory had already proven to be a reliable source of Vanguard and Mark V rifles. Between 1984 and 1988 Howa supplied all Weatherby's .22 rifles. After that, Weatherby put its energies into centerfires, to the exclusion of any .22.

The signature Weatherby stock puts the author's eye right behind the Leupold scope.

While some shooters assumed Weatherby would never resurrect the Mark XXII, others kept faith. This year the Mark XXII re-appeared, but this time in bolt-action form and from a most unlikely source. Anschutz, the renowned German riflemaker, has partnered with the California company to join the accuracy of Anschutz match guns with the profile of a Weatherby.

The new Mark XXII incorporates the trim Anschutz Model 64 mechanism and is chambered in .17 HMR as well as .22 Long Rifle. The tubular receiver, grooved and drilled for scope mounts, features an easy-to-disassemble three-piece bolt with recessed face and oversize knob. A single-stage trigger can be adjusted from two to 4.4 pounds.

The two-position thumb safety works smoothly, as does the magazine release at the heel of a five-round box (four in .17 HMR). I like the steel bottom metal. A 23-inch, eight-groove, button-rifled barrel is contoured for proper balance, somewhere between medium and light in profile. Naturally, it has a target crown, though in truth the value of such refinements becomes apparent only when you use match-grade ammunition.

The rifle's stock is signature Weatherby, with high comb, flat-bottomed fore-end, rosewood grip cap and reverse-cut fore-end tip. The finish is glossy; Vanguard-style point patterns hold 18-lpi checkering. In the barrel channel, a forward bedding point supports the barrel--a refreshing departure from free-floating tubes that leave unsightly channel gaps.

OTHER WEATHERBY NEWS

Weatherby has moved headquarters from Atascadero, California, (its base for 12 years) to nearby Paso Robles. The new facility comprises 38,000 square feet under one roof--more space and convenience than at the old digs. A Weatherby showroom displays current products and historical items. A state-of-the-art firing range serves as a test facility (and, for the employees, no doubt a great place to zero their deer rifles). Two new bullets have appeared in Weatherby ammunition, loaded by Norma. The Barnes Triple-Shock X, a solid-copper hollowpoint, will appear in .240, .257, .270, 7mm, .300, .30-37, .340, .378, .416 and .460 Weatherby cartridges. The Nosler AccuBond, a bonded, polymer-tipped missile, is slated for the .257, .270, 7mm, .300 and .30-378 rounds. Both bullets are noted for deep penetration in heavy game such as elk and moose. Weatherby's centerfire ammo from Norma now features Barnes Triple-Shock and Nosler AccuBond bullets. The author took this Idaho whitetail at 300 yards with a Hornady bullet from a .257 Weatherby. Weatherby's popularly priced Vanguard rifles have been blessed with four additional chamberings in 2007. The Vanguard Deluxe now comes in 7mm Remington and .300 Winchester Magnum, the Varmint Special and SUB-MOA Varmint in .204 Ruger. Vanguard Synthetic, Sporter and SUB-MOA rifles can be had in .25-06. Handgun enthusiasts will be pleased to know that Weatherby is offering one-piece Talley scope mounts with each CFP, the short 5 1/4-pound, pillar-bedded, synthetic-stocked rifle that thinks it's a pistol. Now, you might assume CFP to be a convenient label for "centerfire pistol." Not so, say the folks at Weatherby, scuffing their toes in the dust and grinning weakly. "We don't make pistols. CFP stands for Compact Firing Platform." Each ring/base unit for this short gun is machined from a single block of alloy.

I've yet to hunt with this rifle; my introduction was a few rounds on a windy afternoon from an improvised rest. Colleagues spending time on the sandbags turned in some very tight groups with both the .22 and .17 HMR versions. Offhand, I found the new XXII balances well, and its trigger is a delight. The light takeup doesn't compromise a crisp, smooth sear release. You can fire this 6 1/2-pound rifle without pulling it off target.

The stock supports my cheek comfortably. The grip--a bit steep for my taste--positions the rear hand for good control standing. As with the Mark V, the long fore-end tip puts the front swivel stud too far back for practical use of a shooting sling.

No one can fault the fit and finish of this rifle. Both Anschutz and Weatherby turn out nicely blued metal. The stock, of better-than-average walnut, mates closely with it. Suggested retail of the .22 version is $899, while the .17 HMR is $949.

Most important, the new Weatherby Mark XII is great fun to shoot. Whether you hunt rabbits or fox squirrels or prairie dogs or just let daylight through soup cans, you'll find this rifle to be snappy, responsive and accurate. It's a tribute to German tradition, a fitting complement to America's snazziest rifles.