Just curious about The Weatherby Vanguards. I have several and really like them but don't see much about people customizing them. I always hear about 700's, Model 70's ect rebarelling, truing actions, bedding ect. Do Vanguards not benefit from these things as much? are Vanguards actions fairly true from new? Just wondering why I don't see many custom Vanguards, if anyone has any info regarding this I'd like to hear from ya.
Custom Weatherby Vanguard?
- Thread starter shorttrac
- Start date
Sask_Hunter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Probably because of a few things, not as many parts for them and the action is really heavy. I would build a medium/heavy off and vanguard but not a light weight rifle.
If you have a vanguard action and want to build on it go for it. They are good actions but are a little chunky.
If you have a vanguard action and want to build on it go for it. They are good actions but are a little chunky.
YUP ! What he said - i have 2 but there no lightweights ! Check out the new LW Howa's !
RJI put one in a McMillan sako Classic edge fill. It's a 300wsm I'm happy with how it feels and especially the fit of the stock. I wouldn't call it a lightweight rifle, but that's not really what I was going for with this one. I wish there was somewhere to get some nicer drop in bottom metal for them. If anyone knows please let me know.
I have a Vanguard II - scoped and with a full magazine it just touches 9 lbs on the scale - so no, they are not light.
Out of the box, after break in it will shoot 1/2" groups (if I clamp it in a gun vice - I'm a little shakier).
The barrels are NOT free floated - they have slight pressure in the forearm. If you free float them they will not shoot properly.
They "guarantee" sub-moa out of the box with factory ammunition - blue box federal to be exact.
Unlike the Vanguards, the Vanguard II's have a two stage trigger and an upgraded stock very similar to the Mark V's.
So with a really nice trigger (you love em or hate em, I love em), plus half inch groups with the cheapest Fed ammo on the market, what would you want to change?
Plus, the synthetic stocked ones are 200-300 bucks cheaper than a plastic Rem. A Walnut stocked one is still at least 150 bucks less. You can get a deluxe walnut stocked one for the "same" price as a 700 SPS (and with the SPS most figure you have to drop a few more hundred just to make it viable).
Don't get me wrong, I like out of the box Rem's as well (have a 700 SPS 7mm-08 that I see no need to "rework"), but you will not find a better value than a Vanguard from Weatherby.
Out of the box, after break in it will shoot 1/2" groups (if I clamp it in a gun vice - I'm a little shakier).
The barrels are NOT free floated - they have slight pressure in the forearm. If you free float them they will not shoot properly.
They "guarantee" sub-moa out of the box with factory ammunition - blue box federal to be exact.
Unlike the Vanguards, the Vanguard II's have a two stage trigger and an upgraded stock very similar to the Mark V's.
So with a really nice trigger (you love em or hate em, I love em), plus half inch groups with the cheapest Fed ammo on the market, what would you want to change?
Plus, the synthetic stocked ones are 200-300 bucks cheaper than a plastic Rem. A Walnut stocked one is still at least 150 bucks less. You can get a deluxe walnut stocked one for the "same" price as a 700 SPS (and with the SPS most figure you have to drop a few more hundred just to make it viable).
Don't get me wrong, I like out of the box Rem's as well (have a 700 SPS 7mm-08 that I see no need to "rework"), but you will not find a better value than a Vanguard from Weatherby.
I couldn't be happier with my Vanguard II.
Before I bought it I thought the accuracy guarantee was too good to be true.... wrong ! Its a tackdriver with nearly anything I try.
Considering how comfortable it fits and the smoothness I'll put up with the extra weight.
Before I bought it I thought the accuracy guarantee was too good to be true.... wrong ! Its a tackdriver with nearly anything I try.
Considering how comfortable it fits and the smoothness I'll put up with the extra weight.
I was not really looking to do any work, just looking for info on how good they are from factory really. Just hear people talking about 700's actions not being true for example, thought id ask how true the vanguards are? I have a Lazermark, Backcountry, and s2 composite. I have sold a lot of expensive rifles and ended up with these as my go to rifles. Weight doesn't bother me and I absolutely love the two stage trigger.
On another note Why wouldn't they shoot with the barrels floated? Seems strange
On another note Why wouldn't they shoot with the barrels floated? Seems strange
I just picked up a Vanguard VGX to customize into a 234 Penguin. I don't care about the weight as I want a fairly stiff sporter weight 26" tube anyway. I'll let ya know how it goes when I finally get my reamer from Dave. I have the rifle now and am quite impressed with the quality of wood in the stock and everything else is steel, no pot metal, aluminum or plastic on this girl.
Weatherby explains it as follows:
"We have found through our testing that barrels having a smaller outside diameter than our #3 contour require upward pressure to help stabilize the barrel for increased accuracy. Our free floated barrels have enough rigidity in the barrel for them to be free floated."
The Vanguard's and Vanguard II's have a #2 contour.
I figure if their testing shows it needs the pressure point on the forearm, and I get these results (shooting front supported which is how I hunt this rifle) I am personally not going to question their engineering or try to improve on it.
Unlike other mfg's which make statements like "You can EXPECT to get MOA blah blah" Weatherby guarantees it.
I guess the moral of the story is, if you want to "mess" with a rifle, right out of the box to make it shoot "like it should in the first place", don't buy a Weatherby....
Howa's by any name have always been one of the best rifles out there. They borrow heavily from the old Sako L61R.
Flat bottomed stiff receiver, good extractor and an easy to field strip bolt, exactly like the older Sakos.
Good finish on the metal, good one piece bottom metal. And, NO PLASTIC......What's not to like?
The Japanese can machine steel, that's for sure.
Flat bottomed stiff receiver, good extractor and an easy to field strip bolt, exactly like the older Sakos.
Good finish on the metal, good one piece bottom metal. And, NO PLASTIC......What's not to like?
The Japanese can machine steel, that's for sure.
Very interesting galamb. I have recently acquired a vs1 and was going to put a Boyd on it as the stock wasn't the worst I've felt but not great and I noticed the barrel making contact Against the stock. Other rifles I've only noticed improvement from a ff.
I bought a Vanguard from Rembo a while back that is going to become a 300 H&H....or perhaps a 340 Wby. Weight will be an advantage if the Wby gets the nod.
C-FBMI Doug's son rechambered a 338 Howa, which is the same action, to 340 Wby last year, and he doesn't pussyfoot around with loads either.
Ted
C-FBMI Doug's son rechambered a 338 Howa, which is the same action, to 340 Wby last year, and he doesn't pussyfoot around with loads either.
Ted
Big_red_truck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Labrador , the big land
I've often wondered about the vanguards , just can't seem to make the leap. Maybe once my tikka t-3 in 6.5x55 comes in. I love that the vanguard isn't a " fantastic plastic" gun. From the reviews I've read it seems to be a rugged hunting platform ... Which is what I need
I have never understood the obsession for needing aftermarket parts.
It's the cult of planned obsolescence. Same culture of marketing that openly brags about selling a product that contains nothing...ie coke zero. And some flock to it. Rem and 10/22 might as well offer blank actions...saves on shipping cost of everything that will be replaced anyway.
Nothing wrong with tinkering but having to is another matter.
Build the damn rifle properly the first time.
Methinks the Vanguard 2 fits that bill nicely.
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I have never understood the obsession for needing aftermarket parts.
It's the cult of planned obsolescence. Same culture of marketing that openly brags about selling a product that contains nothing...ie coke zero. And some flock to it. Rem and 10/22 might as well offer blank actions...saves on shipping cost of everything that will be replaced anyway.
Nothing wrong with tinkering but having to is another matter.
Build the damn rifle properly the first time.
Methinks the Vanguard 2 fits that bill nicely.
Mine fits the bill very nicely for me, totally agree...
