Weatherby Vaguard 2016 new models.
- Thread starter Buster95
- Start date
Had a Mark V and a Vanguard, sold the Mark V.
The design of the Vanguard is much simpler and strength is more than adequate. Few things I didn't like about the Mark V: Trigger used a bolt stop (replacement triggers expensive and hard to find), much touted short bolt lift meant stiff bolt lift as it is ####-on-opening as are almost all bolt rifles and safety was in an awkward place. Parts on the Mark V were better finished, but other than that the Vanguard is good.
The design of the Vanguard is much simpler and strength is more than adequate. Few things I didn't like about the Mark V: Trigger used a bolt stop (replacement triggers expensive and hard to find), much touted short bolt lift meant stiff bolt lift as it is ####-on-opening as are almost all bolt rifles and safety was in an awkward place. Parts on the Mark V were better finished, but other than that the Vanguard is good.
Well there is a new MK5 for Canucks on the market.
It's called a North Mark 5 complete with a North Star symbol and a red maple leaf on the floor plate.
It has a 24" fluted stainless barrel, coated black to knock down the glare. A carbon fiber stock - black with grey spiderwebs going through it and the weight makes a Kimber sound heavy.
The standard caliber offerings (308 and 30.06 only) come in at a whopping 5 1/4 pounds - the Magnums go a whole 4 oz more.
I handled one at a buyers show last week and almost launched it when I lifted it off the table - it's that light in comparison to the "usually" heavy Weatherby rifles.
I had to order a couple for the showcase "just because" - based on the wholesale price I suspect they will be on the shelves somewhere in the 2700-2800 buck range.
I couldn't get a direct answer from Wby but it seems to be just a different coloured version of the new MK5 Ultra Light Weight (new for 2016) - they claimed it was a unique Canadian design.
There is also an "only in Canada" Vanguard II on the streets - it is a grey laminated (wood) stocked version of the Vanguard II, with Fleur de Lis checkering pattern - available in all the standard and mag calibers, in floorplate and DBM versions, and selling right around the $1000/1100 mark (give or take a little - floorplate/dbm)
It's called a North Mark 5 complete with a North Star symbol and a red maple leaf on the floor plate.
It has a 24" fluted stainless barrel, coated black to knock down the glare. A carbon fiber stock - black with grey spiderwebs going through it and the weight makes a Kimber sound heavy.
The standard caliber offerings (308 and 30.06 only) come in at a whopping 5 1/4 pounds - the Magnums go a whole 4 oz more.
I handled one at a buyers show last week and almost launched it when I lifted it off the table - it's that light in comparison to the "usually" heavy Weatherby rifles.
I had to order a couple for the showcase "just because" - based on the wholesale price I suspect they will be on the shelves somewhere in the 2700-2800 buck range.
I couldn't get a direct answer from Wby but it seems to be just a different coloured version of the new MK5 Ultra Light Weight (new for 2016) - they claimed it was a unique Canadian design.
There is also an "only in Canada" Vanguard II on the streets - it is a grey laminated (wood) stocked version of the Vanguard II, with Fleur de Lis checkering pattern - available in all the standard and mag calibers, in floorplate and DBM versions, and selling right around the $1000/1100 mark (give or take a little - floorplate/dbm)
Assuming that the prices are competitive, as they usually seem to be on the Vanguard line, I think the marketing department has done a great job with these new offerings. I'm not sure what is "new" about the Laserguard model, I've seen those for several years now. The "Dangerous Game" gun looks very interesting. Some of the others aren't really my taste, but I'm sure they will sell.
The Dangerous Game, in .375H&H, with that wonderfully comfortable Bell&Carlson stock, probably under $1000...that'll be difficult to resist.
The Dangerous Game, in .375H&H, with that wonderfully comfortable Bell&Carlson stock, probably under $1000...that'll be difficult to resist.
shooterschoice.ca or my local CDN tire.
Generally give or take the same. I prefer the wby stock. Not a huge fan of the houge stocked howa.
To each their own I guess. I prefered the Hogue Overmold to the Weatherby plastic, I like grip. As someone already stated though, they are not lightweight.
Here's three pics of the Vanguard II Laminated Fleur de Lis patterned rifle.
The one in the pic is a detachable mag model (can kinda sorta see the mag extending a bit) - I didn't put the bolt in it for the pics, but the action is identical to all of the VGII models (so the Howa 1500 action).
Anyhow, here are the pics - I don't have any of the North Mark 5 since these have not shipped yet - I do have a (factory produced) poster - will have to fiddle with it a bit to see if I can get a clear enough pic to post.
The one in the pic is a detachable mag model (can kinda sorta see the mag extending a bit) - I didn't put the bolt in it for the pics, but the action is identical to all of the VGII models (so the Howa 1500 action).
Anyhow, here are the pics - I don't have any of the North Mark 5 since these have not shipped yet - I do have a (factory produced) poster - will have to fiddle with it a bit to see if I can get a clear enough pic to post.
Yes. There is an aftermarket "kit" made by ATI and sold through Legacy Sports.
IRUN Guns, one of the site sponsors carries them and their prices are better than buying direct from Legacy (130 to 150 Canuck bucks for the kit - spare mags are around 70 bucks (I think, but don't remember for sure)
They will fit Vanguards, Vanguard II's, Howa 1500's and Mossberg and S&W model M-1500's (all Howa actions).
As of right now (last week according to Legacy) they are available for short action (308 family - 243/7.08/308), long action (30.06 family - 25.06/270/30.06), 6.5 Swede, 22-250, 204/223, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag/7MM Rem Mag - nothing for Wby mag calibers.
They can be ordered with either a 5 or 10 round mag and include a trigger guard - so you basically remove the old trigger guard and the internal mag "guts" and screw the new one in.
Since even the smaller mag holds 5 rounds it does stand "quite proud" of the bottom of the rifle, not the "close to flush" that you would get with a factory detachable mag set-up.
I have used the kit on two of my short action Vanguard II's - works great, takes all of 5 minutes to do the swap.
I do prefer the factory mag "if available", however, many of the Vanguard models never were available in DBM models, so this is the next best thing.
And for Rem 700 fans, ATI has just put out a full line of these kits for Rem 700's in the same caliber offerings as those for the Howa 1500's.
