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weatherby vanguard

DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
edited October 2001 in General Discussion
Was trying to decide if I want one in 308. Any comments?[:p]
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Comments

  • DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm looking for opinions on the Weatherby Vanguard line of bolt action rifles. I have no experience with them and the only thing I really know is they're the cheaper model of the Weatherby's. I have a bead on what I think is probably a good deal for a .300 Win Mag, but it might not be worth it. Thanks in advance.
    JWhite2399@cs.com
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  • drawndrawn Member Posts: 544 ✭
    edited November -1
    From www.weatherby.com pop up windowIMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE VANGUARDrBY WEATHERBY RIFLEWeatherby, Inc. of Atascadero, California, is performing a safety upgrade on all Vanguardr by Weatherby brand rifles manufactured between the years 1970 to 1993. WARNING: Use of Vanguardr rifles manufactured between 1970 and 1993 may result in an accident and severe injury.
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  • DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks. I saw that popup window from the Weatherby website and is part of the basis for my question. Undoubtedly, this sounds like a problem, but if I buy this rifle it will be sent to the manufacturer before I fire it.
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  • buddybbuddyb Member Posts: 5,366 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think a Vanguard is made by Howa but thats not a bad thing.
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  • truckershaverightstootruckershaverightstoo Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Vanguard in .300 wtby mag, it's not a bad rifle except the stock design sucks for heavy recoiling cartridges and it has a sloppy bolt much like savage. For a cheap gun that says weatherby it's not a bad deal. Also if you are a total accuracy nut like me stay away from wtby chamberings because Roy weatherby can get fast velocity at the sacrifice of accuracy by throating the chamber long to balance the pressure of all that powder. You can get the same velocities and %100 better accuracy with other .300 chambers. You cannot get a weatherby to cut holes at 100 yards and if anybody says different I will call them a story teller because I have not seen any wtby cut holes at any range and I have had several wtby chambered guns, even a custom built 7mm wtby mag and it got promply rechambered in 7mm stw
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Vanguard was indeed built for Weatherby by Howa. It is now sold as the Howa 1500. It is a reasonably well designed action (at least the new ones are, I am not sure how much change there has been) with some desirable features. If it is not in a Weatherby caliber it should do pretty well for you.
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  • Guns & GlassGuns & Glass Member Posts: 864 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Let's mechanically compare the Rem 700 vs Vanguard. Which one has: + Larger locking lugs + Sako style extractor + EZ left side bolt release + No under trigger fumble bolt release + More positive bolt stop + Shrouded rear bolt- gas protection + 3 gas relief holes + Solid integeral reciever recoil lug + NO lawsuits over escaping gas in the shooters face. The new Remington 700 Improved...!...?No, it's a Weatherby Vanguard-built by Howa, but designed by Weatherby,...years ago.Howa's are much less expensive due to lower market share, almost no advertising compared to the big ole boys, and dealers for the most part(I said, "the most part"), are not good on product knowledge. Therefore they don't investigate, sell, or promote other good brands. They are becomming more and more ordertakers. You're telling them what not only what they should be stocking & selling, but many customers are having to educate dealers more & more. Sadly.
    Happy Bullet Holes!
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  • Andrew AdamsAndrew Adams Member Posts: 227 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Guns and Glass,There is also about a two hundred dollar price difference between the Vanguard and the 700. I realize that the 700 is an outstanding rifle, but not everyone has the budget to swing a six hundred dollar deer rifle.For the same six hundred bucks, you can buy the vanguard and put a Leopold on top of it!!
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  • DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    So, what do you guys think these Vanguards should go for? I'm looking at about a $300 price tag on a 300 Weatherby Mag (from a private seller) that's in about 95% condition. I don't need another rifle like this, but it's intriguing to me. I can't pass up a good deal. They also have that recall on them that plays in the equation. I like the 700's, but variety is the spice of life. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong spice rack. I figured it the same way as Andrew Adams. I can get this Vanguard and put about a $300-$400 Leupold or Burris on it and call it a "backup" to my 300 UM. Then again, I could just buy it and sell it if I don't like it. I probably wouldn't be out any money after the resale.
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  • Andrew AdamsAndrew Adams Member Posts: 227 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Daroosta,I'm not a pricing expert, but I just looked at a Vanguard at Wal-Mart last week. In 7mm Rem Mag, with a synthetic stock and a cheap Simmons scope, the kit was $369.The scope is worth about $50, so I'd say $300 is in the right ball park, although it may not be a great deal, just a fair price.
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  • DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Andrew - Thanks for the reply. I've never seen one in a store, but then again I don't like to shop at Wal*Mart. However, I was in a couple today doing some business. It never crosses my mind to go look at that stuff just because I don't think any of their employees are exactly experts on anything. That's just my impression after dealing with them the past 3 years or so. I hope I don't offend anyone with that statement. I guess I'm better off not purchasing it at all and would be better off getting something I like rather than just a good deal.
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  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am leaving on a 750mi trip Saturday,To hunt hogs and coyotes.I will be taking three rifles,1 rem and 2 Howas.I have had Howas for fifteen years and love them.Roosta I think you need to read Guns & Glass one more time.
    A unarmed man is a subject.A armed man is a citizen.[This message has been edited by varmit hunter (edited 10-08-2001).]
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  • gunnutgunnut Member Posts: 724 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lets "compare" which rifle out of the box will hit a playing card at say 50yrds oh wait that only leaves the remington... guess you could buy alot of ammo with the money you saved on the vanguard or maybe even go on a nice trip.... then again im just stiring the proverbal pot, as I've been an owner of both rifles and like them both
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  • DaRoostaDaRoosta Member Posts: 270 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Man, this is confusing. First I think I have a good deal in my lap, then I don't, now maybe I do again. I guess I was a little confused about Guns & Glasses post. G & G, I think you are the man based on some of your other posts. They're all extremely knowledgable and I completely trust your judgement. At best, this would be my backup elk rifle. Maybe I'll just save a little money and buy that Browning Eclipse in 7mm I saw on their website. That would be a pretty sweet backup, though. I know I won't second guess myself about that purchase, though.
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  • Guns & GlassGuns & Glass Member Posts: 864 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    #1. ALL things being... equal.#2. Don't bet your life that a Rem 700 outshoots a Vanguard, and vice versa.#3. See #1 & #2.#4. If you do, please, will your guns to me.That price on the Vanguard is great, and fabulous. Buy the gun,...sell the scope! Last time in Maryland, I tried to buy some at a Wal Mart that was overstocked. Forgot my FFL. By the time I would have had them shipped...too much $$$. Storytime,...some time ago I stumbled, got banged up as I was walking across the room.It was late at night, no lights on. Dark.What I didn't know,...where that box was, hurt me. End of story.
    Happy Bullet Holes!
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Andrew, I think Guns and Glass was talking about the Vanguard and saying it is a great buy, nice features and essentially no costs for the name.Da Roosta, buy it! I bought a Howa 1500 barreled action and put it on a Boyds laminated stock. The barreled action cost just under $300 new.
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