In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Weatherby Vanguard?

rewirerog2rewirerog2 Member Posts: 95 ✭✭
edited June 2002 in Ask the Experts
Exactly what is a Vanguard, are they worth considering? The Big W in my area has several nib 30-06, all black for $380. I heard they've been discontinued for some time. They feel pretty good, but haven't found anyone who owns one to try it out. Or should I pass? Thanks for your help.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In my opinion you have found an excellant gun at an unreal price.I wish I would run across one for that.I am not a big fan of the Weatherby cartridges, as I think they are over rated. But I have a few of their chamberings stuffed away in my safe.As for the guns they are among some of the most accurate available. I own a Vanguard and hae a Burris 4-12x50 scope on it and just like other WEatherbys it is accurate out of the box.The Vanguard was desighned to save money and still offer a quality rifle.And thats what they did. I dont think you will be sorry if you purchase that rifle,especialy at that price. And by the way the 30-06 in my opinion is one of the best most versatile cartridges ever made.

    Good Luck.

    Rugster
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TeamblueTeamblue Member Posts: 782 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is a question that comes up with some frequency. The Vanguard series of Weatherby rifles were made by Howa of Japan. Howa also made rifles for Smith and Wesson and Mossberg (possibly others) under contract. They have been regarded here as high quality rifles and a very good value for the money. Howa makes barrelled actions in several calibers today. They are imported by LSI (Legacy Sports Internationl) to the US, put in stocks and sold in this country. I had one in .308 and was very happy with its quality and performance. You could do far worse than buying the Vanguard.

    Justice through Valor 1*
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bullelkbullelk Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    rewireroj2,
    That's a hell of a buy for that rifle, especially NIB. It's a very good rifle if you don't mind the weight, still I would buy it.
    What the hell, at that price, why not buy two in different calibers if they have them. Do they have any other calibers? and where are they located?

    Gino

    "If All Else Fails, Read The Directions"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rewirerog2rewirerog2 Member Posts: 95 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's the Big W in Easton, Maryland. The only caliber they have is 30-06. When I checked they had two left. Not being able to shoot one first, I'd hate to take a chance. This one has a blind magazine (internal) Not a Weatherby-specific 30-06. Hope we're talkin about the same thing. I thought it was a great price, too.

    Roger
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rewirerog2rewirerog2 Member Posts: 95 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    PS---Sorry I didn't reply earlier, when I'm not shooting I go fishing. That's my other expensive hobby. Thanks to all that responded. Will definitely give that rifle a second look asap.

    Roger
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bullelkbullelk Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Roger,
    Seriously, I think you will like the rifle, and it is a good buy.
    Another thing, I like my rifles without a floor plate. I think you will find it feels better that way when you carry it.

    When I'm hunting, I like a nice smooth grip around the stock where I carry it. The only inconvenience is when you unload it, which is no big deal anyway.

    Gino
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treedawgtreedawg Member Posts: 321 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i have had a vanguard in .308 for over 10 years. it's a good little gun. you need to make sure that this is not one of the vanguards that's subject to the bolt re-call. if it is part of the re-call that's not a problem either, because weatherby handled the re-call like a champ. it was no hassle and didn't cost me a dime. i didn't even have to go to the post office. i made one toll free call and weatherby mailed me all the shipping supplies with postage pre-paid. i was very impressed.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AlerionAlerion Member Posts: 61 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Vanguard in .30-06 and I'm very happy with it.

    The bolt recall isn't a big deal. Weatherby makes it as painless as possible and at no expense to the owner. Not even postage! Most of the bolts have been corrected by now. The dealers were notified and, as a result, those were some of the first guns upgraded. It's easy to tell if the bolt upgrade has been done. The F(ire) and S(afe) letters on the upgraded bolt are filled with red and white paint. The original bolts have no color in the letters. If you're still concerned, you can call Weatherby's 800 number and they can look up the serial number and confirm it's been done.

    If I didn't already have one, I'd buy one at that price without thinking twice. BTW, the Vangaurds are chambered in conventional calibers unlike the Mark V's which are generally chambered for Weatherby rounds.

    Tom

    So, just how does rendering me defenseless protect you from violent criminals?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AlerionAlerion Member Posts: 61 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just re-read your post and realized what the "Big-W" was. Vanguards stopped being distributed several years ago but became a "Big-W" exclusive item. Weatherby stopped listing them in their catalog at that time. As far as I know they're still in production for Wally World. The bolt recall probably doesn't apply to it since it affects guns built through 1993. (Mine was built in 1981!)

    Tom

    So, just how does rendering me defenseless protect you from violent criminals?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.