Elk country is unforgiving. Long climbs, thin air, and miles from the truck make every ounce count. A lightweight rifle is not a luxury in that terrain, its an advantage. It keeps you moving efficiently, climbing stronger, and ready when a bull finally steps into range.

That mindset is exactly what drove the development of the Mark V Backcountry Capra. Starting at just 4 pounds, the Capra is the lightest production bolt action rifle available today.  It was designed with a purpose, to give elk hunters a true ultralight platform without sacrificing confidence when it is time to break the shot.

Built for Mountain Miles

At the core of the Capra are Weatherby’s 6 lug short and 6 lug standard Mark V actions, precision machined from titanium. Titanium offers an unmatched strength-to-weight ratio and is naturally corrosion resistant, making it ideal for extended hunts in harsh environments. Historically, the 6 lug short action was limited to the Varmintmaster Deluxe, but its relaunch in 2025 with compatibility for the 308 case family unlocked the foundation for a true ultralight mountain rifle.

The Capra trims weight everywhere it makes sense. The thin contour barrel features double spiral fluting to remove excess material while maintaining consistent accuracy. The Bridger stock, developed in partnership with Peak 44, eliminates the traditional hinged floorplate and introduces Weatherby’s first commercially available blind magazine Mark V. The result is a streamlined, pack friendly rifle built for vertical country.

The Real Challenge: Recoil

Here is the truth about ultralight rifles. If they are not engineered correctly, they can be brutal to shoot.  Reducing weight increases felt recoil, and in elk country, where many hunters favor cartridges with serious authority like a 280 AI, that can quickly become a problem. Excessive recoil leads to flinching, poor shot placement, and a lack of confidence when the moment of truth arrives. Weatherby knew that if the Capra was going to be more than just light, it had to be shootable. The 3D Hex recoil pad uses a honeycomb structure designed to absorb and disperse energy, reducing felt recoil in a meaningful way. The crisp TriggerTech trigger further enhances shootability, giving hunters a clean, consistent break that promotes precise shot execution.

For those who want even more recoil control, the barrel is threaded to accept a suppressor or the included Accubrake ST. That flexibility allows you to tune the rifle to your preference while maintaining its ultralight foundation.

Why It Is for You

The Backcountry Capra is built for the elk hunter who covers ground,he one who drops into the next drainage after a faint bugle. The one who climbs higher when others turn back. The one who understands the shot may come after hours of effort, when fatigue is real and focus matters most.

To Learn More about the Backcountry Capra Visit https://weatherby.com/store/mark-v-backcountry-capra/