What is everyone's opinion of the Weatherby Vanguard rifle.

My brother had one for a while in 30-06, it was an Ok gun for hunting, but kicked a lot more than my model 70 did with identical bullets. It was accurate, no more but no less so than our other bolt guns. He did trade it off for something eventually though.

It was one of the more prettier guns when in the gun rach though...

Seems to be a real value in the budget firearm department. Where else can you get a .300 weatherby for $389??? You are looking at considerably over that for a Mark V.
I do not own one, but have some experience shooting one. It seemed as accurate as any other production gun. Fit & finish OK also.
JMHO regards swede

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WyomingSwede

FYI, all the vanguards in circulation are subject to a safety recall. Visit the wby hompage for details.

I like mine a lot, but it's not like the ones sold today. It has a really nice wood stock and fully adjustable trigger. I haven't got to take a close look at the new ones sold today. They have all had synthetic stocks and a much heaver barrel then mine.
Fuzz

Buy a Howa its the same basic gun for much less coin

My Dad took a Weatherby Vanguard in 7mm Rem Mag to Namibia in May. He loved it. The rifle consistently shoots MOA and better. The fit and finish is very nice. It is hard to beat for $388 at Wal-Mart. It is a Weatherby, and the price is right.

Joel

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Slate & Associates, LLC
The Safari Specialists
http://www.slatesafaris.com

New Vanguards are only available from Kmart at the present time. The only other Wby available from dealers are either older Vanguards or the Mark V based models.

They are sold through Wal Mart, not K mart.

They are Howa actions. They are probably the very best buy in a big game rifle available today. I picked up a 30-06 for $355 or 365 on sale. I bedded the rifle, tuned the trigger, and took it out.

Shoots 1.25 groups with various factory loads. Shoots the light mag load into sub .900, that's 6, three shoot groups, all between .788 and .894. Shoots sub .75 groups with H4350 at 57.7 grains and a Hornady 165 FB Interlock and Fed 210M primers.

I have many fancy rifles, expensive rifles and custom rifles, but throw a Leupold Vari X-II on this and how can you beat it for banging around the woods of PA?

Call it a cheap shooter, a deer killer, or just call it an ugly rifle, but it works damn well.

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Live Free! Madison, Jefferson and all the boys paid for it, and so did our very own fathers.

This is an adition to the above post.

Bill, the Weatherby Vanguard re-call is for rifles made prior to 1993. No current production is included in the re-call.

The easiest way around this is to buy a "new" firearm through Wal Mart, or check the "serial numbers" listed at the Weatherby site before purchasing a used rifle.

I own two Weatherby Vanguards. One vintage 1972 the other vintage 2001. The 1972 Vanguard has a wood stock with a six groove bore. The 2001 has a Butler Creek composite stock with a four groove bore. Both rifles shoot extremely well.
Both Weatherby Vanguards have a Remington style action with a Sako style extractor. To bad Remington does not use the same style extractor on their actions. For the reasonable price they are a fine hunting rifle.

[This message has been edited by Reloader66 (edited 08-29-2001).]

I've always had at least one Weatherby Mk V for 35 years. When I wanted something to make a .280 Rem out of last year, I bought a used vintage Vanguard in 06. The .280 Rem project is on hold while I enjoy the 06, my first one. I learned of the bolt shroud recall, sent an email, within just a couple days rec'd envelope and shipping instructions, within two weeks the bolt was back in the rifle. Very happy with this little 06. good shooting