New Rifle for 2003, Wby Vanguard !

07 January 2003, 23:08

<Dmacsimum Velocity>

I just thought I'd share W/my new rifle purchase to use for the year of 2003. It's a Howa made rifle IE: Weatherby in 300 Wby caliber. I topped it W/a Leupold VX II 6x18x40 AO scope. With only 2 range sessions I was able to print a .823 three shot group off the bench at 100 yards. It may not have the MK V action, but its a shooter.

So what's your new rifle lately ?

I'm new to trying to post a pic, I hope it works.
Dennis

07 January 2003, 23:10

<Dmacsimum Velocity>

Well,
Guess the pic idea didn't work, maybe if I just give the address for one to see if interested.

http://community.webshots.com/image4/5/11/80/59951180VQOCWm_ph.jpg

07 January 2003, 23:13

<Dmacsimum Velocity>

Sorry everyone, last try:

http://community.webshots.com/user/dmacsimum

07 January 2003, 23:22

<Dmacsimum Velocity>

Dag Nab it, I think this ones gonna get you right there..... hopefully...maybe......please...
Uhhhhggggg,
Dennis

http://community.webshots.com/photo/59948877/59951180VQOCWm

07 January 2003, 23:25

Brian M

That appears to be a Vanguard VGX with a Mark V action.Nice rifle.

Brian.

08 January 2003, 04:30

Orion 1

quote:
Originally posted by Brian M:
That appears to be a Vanguard VGX with a Mark V action.Nice rifle.

Brian.

No such thing exists. Vanguards do not have a Mark V action. Vanguards are cosmetic modifications of the Howa 1500 and share the exact same two-lug action with M-16 type extractor.

Great looking rifle.

08 January 2003, 04:38

Nitroman

After only 2 range sessions...you need to stop there and now just start shooting it for fun.

One of my younger brothers has a .300 Weatherby and loves it.

Nice acquisition!!

08 January 2003, 05:36

tsturm

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dmacsimum Velocity:
[QB]I just thought I'd share W/my new rifle purchase to use for the year of 2003. It's a Howa made rifle IE: Weatherby in 300 Wby caliber

Congratulations [Big Grin]

08 January 2003, 13:08

Brian M

Ksduckhunter,
Incorrect-they produced a model called the Vanguard VGX in 270 and 300 Weatherby Magnums which used the Mark V action.I know since a bud owns and hunts with one in 300 identical to D-Vs pictured here.

Look closely at the action-note the three gas ports on the bolt,which is only featured on Mark V actions.

This was the gun which inspired the Mark V Sporter.

True,other Vanguard's are just Howa's with a Weatherby stock.This is a Vanguard VGX which is a whole nuther animal.

Brian.

08 January 2003, 14:16

Mike375

Brian,

I had the feeling that some Vanguards had the holes in the bolt.

But I agree that action looks like a Mark V and because of the big diameter bolt.

Mike

08 January 2003, 16:34

Orion 1

quote:
Originally posted by Brian M:
Ksduckhunter,
Incorrect-they produced a model called the Vanguard VGX in 270 and 300 Weatherby Magnums which used the Mark V action.I know since a bud owns and hunts with one in 300 identical to D-Vs pictured here.

Look closely at the action-note the three gas ports on the bolt,which is only featured on Mark V actions.

This was the gun which inspired the Mark V Sporter.

True,other Vanguard's are just Howa's with a Weatherby stock.This is a Vanguard VGX which is a whole nuther animal.

Brian.

The gas ports you so triumphantly describe as proof of a Mark V action are in ALL Howas. Normally Howa drills them so that they are oriented down to the magazine when the bolt is closed. Howa just turned the bolt 90 degrees clockwise in the drill jig to have the vents appear facing to shooter's right with the bolt closed, as specified by their customer (Weatherby) to make the Vanguard be more visually similar to the Mark V.

Let me ask you a few other simple questions about your friend's Vanguard. How many locking lugs are there on the bolt? If you answer two (you will if you're honest) it isn't a Mark V. Mark Vs have six (three groups of two) in standard calibers and nine in magnums. What is the bolt life angle? Mark Vs have a 54 degree bolt lift because of the angular spread between its three sets of lugs. Howas and Vanguards have a 90 degree bolt lift, like all traditional Mauser-type actions with two lugs. Is the safety on the bolt shroud, or does it go down into the trigger group like a Remington? If it's the latter you don't have a Mark V (unless you have a very early Mark V).

If your friend does indeed have a rifle engraved "Weatherby Vanguard" with a matching Mark V action, please post pictures, and I'll retract everything I've said.

08 January 2003, 18:53

Brian M

Well well well,who pissed in your Wheaties this morning?

Yes,I know Howa's have the three gas ports.Look at the picture of D-V's rifle-action is closed,all three ports showing.Standard Vanguards do not show the ports-only the Vanguard VGX,because it is a MARK V ACTION.Standard Vanguards have a standard Howa action which doesn't show the ports,despite your claims of the "bolt being rotated".

My friend's rifle has a Mark V action,with 9 locking lugs,Weatherby shroud and saftey and three gas ports on the side of the bolt.It is stamped "VANGUARD VGX" on the side.

I don't have to show you pictures of anything.I own seven Weatherby Mark Vs,ranging in caliber from 224 through 378.I certainly know what I'm talking about,but obviously you don't.

Brian.

[ 01-08-2003, 09:58: Message edited by: Brian M ]

08 January 2003, 19:02

Brian M

Class,let us open our books to page 1005,in the 1998 Standard Catalog of Firearms,8th Edition.Below "Vanguard VGX" is a very clear picture of a rifle with a Mark V action,with three gas ports and a Weatherby shroud.

Brian.

10 January 2003, 00:24

<Dmacsimum Velocity>

Fellers,
I was very tired when I posted the original post, and I appologize for not putting it where it belonged IE: "Med Bores".

I would like to thank everyone for the replies, and compliments. I would still like to hear more of what's being bought rifle/calibers etc..

BrianM, I'm afraid ksduckhunter is correct in that it is not a MK V action. If it were, and I was able to leave Walmart W/it only costing me around 555.00 OTD, including 1 box of factory Remington-300Wby ammo, I would have bought two in a heart beat!

It only has 2 locking lugs, and has a 90 degree throw of the bolt and so on. It is the Walmart-Weatherby that contracted Howa of Japan to manufacture a rifle at about half the price for what Mk V's action/synthetic rifles are going for.

It might not have the mark V action, but it shoots, and looks darn good!

As far as your friends VGX Weatherby, it sounds as if you know that it is a MX V action. I do know that Walmart does carry the full line of Weatherby, so maybe so. I do know that Howa was making Weatherby MK V's for Weatherby for a while.

Dennis

10 January 2003, 13:45

Brian M

D-V,
Then I guess you don't have the Vanguard VGX-it'd be marked on the side of the action if it was,very plainly.It looked to be one,from your picture.

My friend's is most definetly a Mark V action,marked Vanguard VGX on the side of the action.It's a very nice rifle.

Brian.

11 January 2003, 09:25

<Dmacsimum Velocity>

Right on BrianM. Sometimes pictures can be deceiving big time. I'm glad though my rifle "Looks like the expensive ones", hell it sure does shoot like one. Went to the range today and shot it (Only third time out W/it).

With the follwing load: (Caution, Near MAX load in my rifle, maybe over pressure for yours) Rem 165 CoreLokt/Rem-Wby Case/H4350@73.0/Fed 215 Pri/Hvy Crimp to chanelure, I shot a five shot group. It measured 1.514" including a flyer, and .548" W/O including the flyer. I do however believe the flyer was my fault, for it was the last five shots from shooting 26 rounds from the bench. My shoulder was begening to feel it....smile
Good shooting to all,
Dennis

[ 01-10-2003, 12:28: Message edited by: Dmacsimum Velocity ]

10 January 2003, 23:05

Brian M

D-V,
You've got a darn accurate,out of the box rifle there bud.That's what is great about Weatherbys-they usually shoot great,right out of the box.I haven't tweaked any of mine,and they're all superbly accurate,short of the 378 which I haven't shot yet,so I can't say.

Brian.

13 January 2003, 19:18

markus

I am quite certain that my Dads 2 weatherby Vangaurds both have 3 vents out of the side of the bolt to the shooters right. Both only have 2 locking lugs.

Mark

13 January 2003, 19:41

Brian M

Markus,
The Vanguard VGX,was a slightly dulled down Mark V Deluxe.When I first saw my friends,I said "Oh,you got a Mark V!".Apon close examination,I saw that it was marked Vanguard VGX on the side of the action.

This was something of a predessessor to the Mark V Sporter-all your favorite Mark V features,at a lower price.

I KNOW I can tell a Howa action,from a Weatherby action.Not brain science,espically when you have seven Mark Vs sitting in the safe.

Brian.