I know that Weatherby has made guns on many different action types. I remember seeing a magazine article several years ago, about their new factory in California. I assume that they make the Mark V's there.

What about the Vanguards? Are they still made in Japan by Howa? Or are they maufactured in the U.S.A.? What about their shotguns?

quote:

Originally posted by wingnut:
I know that Weatherby has made guns on many different action types. I remember seeing a magazine article several years ago, about their new factory in California. I assume that they make the Mark V's there.

What about the Vanguards? Are they still made in Japan by Howa? Or are they maufactured in the U.S.A.? What about their shotguns?

As far as I know the Vangaard is still a Howa from Japan, the MarkV is made in Japan also and the shotguns are from SKB also in Japan.

Weatherby had guns made in a plant in Brainerd Minnesota at least for a time....IIRC it was the six lug ultralite. I'm not sure what the status is of that plant...not sure it was actually owned by Weatherby but when I was there it was up and running and appeared to be a contracted facility.

If Weatherby has a plant in California this is a surprise to me.....but it's possible.

The first 5000 or so (I think) Mark Vs were made in the US then manufacture shifted to Sauer in Germany. From about 1968 through about 1971 manufacture of the Mark V was moved to Howa in Japan.

In about 1995 manufacture of the Mark V shifted back to the US. For a period of time the smaller 6 locking lug action, for the 30/06 head size calibres were made by a different company to the one (Saco defence) which made the 9 lug action. Some time ago the company making the 6 lug action also took over the manufacture of the 9 lug action.

I think the stocks for the Wby Deluxe are now made in Italy. On standard Wbys barrels are button rifled and made by a company owned by Kreiger barrels. Once you move to their Custom Shop you can have the Kreiger cut rifling match grade barrels.

The Vanguard and Howa rifles are basically one and the same but the Wby version is done up a little differently. The Howa action has also been used for other rifles such as the Smith and Wesson and probably others.

The custom shop basically has variations or levels. One is a product upgrade. Another is what you migh call standard rifles but at a higher level such as the Safari and Crown Custom. Then you have another level and what you do there depends on your cheque book

To my knowledge, HS Precision is the only major manufacturer where the whole rifle is made "in house".

Mike

Also the Wby plant in Southgate calif, was just a warranty statiion as well as building only custom orders,and ispection of firearms recieved from Howa plants. The reason Wby went from German made to Howa,was that the Germans wanted more money,and the Japanese made ones were of better quality of workmanship! The vanguard ORGINALLY was designed off of he Sako actions,then has projected to what it is nowdays. Back in the 1968-71 years the Wby over and unders were made by Zoli in italy. van

Thank you all for the info.

Howa is doing a hell of a job!!

I have recently worked with an old (1970's or early 80's) S&W, a fairly recent (@ 10 yrs. old) Howa branded action, and a brand new Weatherby Vanguard. All are tack-drivers!!!!!