Question:

I have a Remington 700 ADL in 270 Win synthetic stock. I also have a Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06 wooden stock.

The plan is to have a rifle rebuilt into either a 338-06 or 9.3x62 26" barrel in a heavy contour (either a #5 sporter or light palma). Then give the other rifle to my little brother because he is presently with out a deer rifle. Ultimately, the rifle will wear a synthetic stock to go up and down treestands in Alabama for deer hunting. I have a very NICE 270 built on a Mauser action that is too good to get rope dragged up a treestand on a regular basis. Stomping gun is either my 870 Remington Express or Marlin 30-30.

Both rifles are in similar condition. The Weatherby bolt HAS been replaced by the factory. Given a choice between the two to build a good medium bore rifle off of, which one and why?

[ 06-28-2003, 21:42: Message edited by: wpm ]

I would use the 700 because it already has a synthetic stock as you desire.Either rifle will work well for this conversion.I actually prefer the vanguard which is actually a howa rifle with weatherby labelling to the other weatherby rifles.

wpm,

While the Weatherby Vanguard is a good rifle, I would keep the Remington. There are more accessories available for the Remington 700 than there is for the Weatherby. The Remington may come with a synthetic stock, but unless it is the HS precision stock, then you may end up wanting to replace the flimsy factory one with something a bit more stable. There are a number of relatively inexpensive synthetic stocks on the market for the Remington 700 that are much more suitable than the flimsy one that came with it. There is hardly anything offered for the Weatherby in the way of stocks or accessories in general.

Good luck,

Malm

WPM
The Weatherby Vanguard (Howa) has a 26.0x1.5mm metric thread. That puts a re-barrel in the league of a gunsmith that has the ability to cut a metric thread. It also closes the door on do it yourself with off the shelf finished barrels

Just sold my custom 338-06 (hart barrel, 700 action). Sticking with my custom 9.3x62 - great gun especially with the new Nosler bullets. Both have VERY impressive ballistic qualities, especially for a "big bore". I do everything I can with my 6.5s or my 7x57 and 284 - if I want more than that I want a bunch more, and the 9.3 is a bunch more. It will shoot a 250 gr ballistic tip about as flat as a 308 will shoot a 180 gr ballistic tip!

One thing, I'd go with a touch lighter and shorter barrel - my own wears #4 Pac-nor, and I think that is just about perfect for this round. Still enough weight to manage recoil, yet can still be dragged around with relative ease.

Hard to go wrong with the 700 action - just be sure your smith puts the lug back on square.