I looked at a Weatherby Vanguard at Wallmart this week. I was kind of impressed especially the price. What is the going opinion of these rifles? I will probably not buy it at Wallmart for various reasons.
EXCELLENT value for the money. I've been on the forums here for years and can tell you I can remember at least 50 positive posts from owners and narry a negative. I'm pretty sure they are made by Howa Rifles of Japan. I own some of the Mark v weatherbies that they made for weatherby back in the 90's and ALL have been tack drivers!! I'd be stupid to say you can't go wrong but I would give odds on a high dollar bet you will go "right"!!!!
Posts: 2002 | Location: central wi | Registered: 13 September 2002
I bought an older Vanguard VGX in .338 Win and had it rebarreled in .257 Wby. I've only shot it once so far, but I really like the workmanship on it and the way it feels.
Being a Weatherby owner (pre wal mart vanguard) I have not a negative thing to say about them at all, I love mine. I do not own a Vanguard but my friends that do love them and a few have purchased others in different calibers.
Doug
Posts: 696 | Location: Texas, Wash, DC | Registered: 24 April 2003
They are the best value in their price range. I was sort of torn between one of those and a Model 70 at Wally world. If I woulnt have decided to go a totally different route, I would have likley chose the Vanguard. I had one before, they are good rifles.
Posts: 10193 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001
Like mentioned above, I also bought one of the last VGX Wby Vanguard's that they made back in the 80's. Has and came with a #1 barrel, Dime sized groups and fancy wood stock just like the Mark 5 has. Still one of my most accurate Rifles and have one for my wife from wally world. Changed the cheapy Butler stock, but is an accurate gun also in a 7MM. If you do not buy it at wally world, you probably will not get it any where else. I think Wallys is the only place to get a Vanguard. MY boy has a Smith and Wesson 1500 made by and in a 06-and they also were in to Mossburg "Howa"
I've owned a couple. The first one I shot until I ruined the barrel. I picked up a Wally world 300 WBY three years ago, but it turned into a fair weather rifle. Would shoot 3/4 MOA in good weather, but would jump to 2 1/2 when it turned cold. After spending a year trying to re-bed it, I finally got rid of it. Good luck
Having owned two mark v's and a smith&wesson 1500(same rifle as the vanguard),My opinion is that the vanguard is the only weatherby that is a good value for the price.
Posts: 3104 | Location: alberta,canada | Registered: 28 January 2002
Quote: The Remington Model 700s are in the same price range and they are a far better rifle...
Uhhh...NO. You might be able to convince me that the 700 is better on a few minor points. But, "far better?" Ain't gonna happen.
Just one of the things the Vangurad/Howa has that sends it "far" past any 700 is that it actually has an extractor that's worthy of the name. Then there's the safety (advantage Vanguard, again). Etc., etc., and on an on.
RSY
Posts: 785 | Location: Central Texas | Registered: 01 October 2001
Have 2 of the vanguards, 308win and 338win.The triggers have been done by the smith, which i found is a must. The 338 best grp 3/4 inch @100 with 200gr speers. The 308 is similar and better when i do my part (3 shot grps).For the price, you can not go wrong. They are functional, sturdy and reliable in all climates.
cheers 338w
Posts: 57 | Location: vic, Aust | Registered: 19 May 2004
I know a bunch of folks that have 700s that shoot sub moa. I know just a few that have the Vangaurd and none of them achieve great accuracy like the 700s.
I didn't say they where not accurate, I just said the Model 700 factory rifles are hands-down more accurate off-the-shelf.
The 700 has a better safety, Better factory trigger, and they are a heck of alot better looking IMO. The Vangaurds look cheap. Cheap looks doesn't take away from performance but, when it looks cheap and it is a gamble of whether or not it will shoot great from the factory, It is not something I want in my safe.
They remind me of Remingtons 710 which, is just a cheap version of the 700. I belive that is what Weatherby was going for w/ the Vanguards, just a cheap version of the Mark V.
Good Luck!
Reloader
Posts: 4146 | Location: North Louisiana | Registered: 18 February 2004
I don't know how you can figure the Vanguard looks cheap when the outward appearance is nearly the same as a synthetic stocked ADL......and as for the 710 being just a cheaper version of the 700 , good grief ........the 710 is not even in the running compared to any other rifle that has been mentioned here........
Posts: 1660 | Location: Gary , SD | Registered: 05 March 2001
I don't see how the m700 safety is better than the Vanguard. The m700safety is the reason I (and a lot of other folks) don't like them. The m710 is indeed an economy m700 but the Vanguard is a completely different action than the Mark V. The only similarity between the two is the three holes in the bolt.
Posts: 3174 | Location: Warren, PA | Registered: 08 August 2002
Bought a new Vangard last year in 338 Win mag. First thing was to have a brake installed!!! Still kicked like a bitch. Then I had it put in a Boyd laminated stock with pillars and glass bedding plus a Kickease pad. The stock made it a pussycat to shoot. Now if I can ever get a Timney trigger It will be fun to shoot. The factory trigger can be set down to acceptable levels, but then the saftey will not engage. It has a great extractor. Lyle
Have not had to add a brake or change kick pad on my 338win, in fact it is one of the better rifles i have used in this calibre. You should just get your trigger worked by the smith, makes all the difference and will save you money. If you want recoil, try firing the browning a bolt in 338win, you will no about it.
cheers 338w
Posts: 57 | Location: vic, Aust | Registered: 19 May 2004
Quote: RSY, I know a bunch of folks that have 700s that shoot sub moa. I know just a few that have the Vangaurd and none of them achieve great accuracy like the 700s.
They remind me of Remingtons 710 which, is just a cheap version of the 700. I belive that is what Weatherby was going for w/ the Vanguards, just a cheap version of the Mark V.
I only have a sample of one that I've spent much time with. Got my .300 Weatherby Vanguard in January '99. It came with a 100 yard 3-shot target. Only had two holes in it, .8" apart. Close inspection revealed that one of the holes was slightly ovalized; it was a double. I've seldom shot that well with it, but I have shot lots of sub MOA groups with a variety of loads, it's not fussy at all. It does need a LONG cooldown between shots for best grouping. That light barrel gets HOT after shooting 3 rounds with 100 grains of surplus .50 BMG powder in them. I thought it looked cheap and tacky when I bought it, but so did all black stocked rifles. It looks as good to me as any Remington, Winchester, Savage, etc., and it's grown on me.
I doubt many people have confused Vanguards and Mark Vs. They're different rifles. Ed Weatherby initiated the Vanguard program to make available a Weatherby to those who couldn't afford a Mark V, and it still fills that niche. But it's a fine rifle with nothing to apologize for.
There's nothing wrong with Remingtons, Winchesters, Sakos, CZs, Savages... They're all fine rifles. Get what you like. These "My rifle brand's way better than yours!" arguments are silly and childish. (Personally, right now I'm way more interested in battle-scarred old milsurp Mausers, Mosins, etc.)
Posts: 1325 | Location: Bristol, Tennessee, USA | Registered: 24 December 2003
