Just got a new fall catalog from my local sporting goods store.Low and behold flipped it open to rifles and there it was.
A Japanese produced Weatherby.Butler Creek composite stock and touted to share features with the Mark V.Mostly available in non Weatherby calibers
How could this happen?

Also known as a Howa 1500 and also once sold as a Smith&Wesson 1500. Same animal!!!!

bowhuntr

Howa's beem making Vanguards in Japan for Weatherby for many years. They also made them for Smith & Wesson and now they import them into the US under their own name also. Where you been?

The Howa 1500 is a serious quality piece and an outright steal at $399 for the stainless/synthetic.

I dumped the tupperware stock on mine and replaced it with a fiberglass/carbon fiber/kevlar Bell & Carlson with an aluminum bedding block, and it is sweet. It groups 150 grainers into about 7/8" and 180s into just over an inch. The trigger is easily adjustable (they often don't need it). The receiver and the bolt are one piece forgings. The bolt has an M16-type (Sako type for you black rifle haters) extractor. And the barrel, while no Krieger, is decently rifled.

Kalbrecht.
I live in Canada.Have you ever seen the selection of firearms available here?The availability of the Vanguard is a new offering in my area. It is a little minimalist.On the other hand we managed to even it out a little bit when it comes to quality of hunting.

They also make a Vanguard deluxe with a pretty descent piece of walnut. Mines in 300 weatherby and is a real shooter. Most importantly is the pretty good adjustable trigger. Hard to find in a factory rifle. Overall I have been impressed with the gun

bama7x57

I have one of the old ones with a walnut stock, in 7mmRem. It shoots really well, and if you lay it bolt side up (says Vanguard on the left side) next to a MKV, you can't tell the difference, unless you're really into Weatherbys. Real good rifle for the money.

DGK

[ 10-16-2003, 07:19: Message edited by: 375hnh ]

I live in alberta too and I owned my first howa over 15 years ago.Wholesale sports has carried vanguards for many years.A very good rifle for the money and the only weatherby not overpriced.

[ 10-16-2003, 05:05: Message edited by: stubblejumper ]