Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 sale 43% off
- Thread starter Unknown303
- Start date
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Vanguard .243 Win 24" brl & Leupold VXII 3-9x40 LR reticle:
Vanguard .223 Rem 22" HB & Bushnell Elite 3200 4-12x40 AO DOA reticle:
Both scored recently from the LGS where they had been consigned.
Both "like new".
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NAA.
Hope ye didn't get skinned much on the prices. Some folks were stupid high on pricing this year.
Hope ye didn't get skinned much on the prices. Some folks were stupid high on pricing this year.
Given that both came with quality optics & mounts, lets just say I was very pleased on both recent deals.
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NAA.
Well I just had a Howa 1500 in 6.5x55 show up...nice to be able to compare them side by side.
1500 Hogue stock is lighter, stiffer, and fits me better then the Vanguard, points more natural for me. I'll probably get one now for the Vanguard.
Vanguard's 3 gas vents in the bolt are directed 90 degrees to the right, Howa is straight down into mag well and also 3 vents. Vanguard is a better idea IMHO.
Bolt knob is knurled on the Vanguard, smooth on the Howa, functionally the same as the knurling isn't exactly grippy.
Firing pin spring is much stiffer on Vanguard, there is quite a difference in the cocking effort, Howa is smoother due to this.
Finish on the Howa metal is polished blue and quite nice, much more traditional looking then what they do with the Vanguard.
Other then that they are the same gun....under $550 sale price I'd say the Vanguard is a pretty sweet deal (was amazing at $399) even with the low grade stock. Howa start around $650 which is a bit less then the regular price of many of the Vanguards and I'd be looking at those in that range.
1500 Hogue stock is lighter, stiffer, and fits me better then the Vanguard, points more natural for me. I'll probably get one now for the Vanguard.
Vanguard's 3 gas vents in the bolt are directed 90 degrees to the right, Howa is straight down into mag well and also 3 vents. Vanguard is a better idea IMHO.
Bolt knob is knurled on the Vanguard, smooth on the Howa, functionally the same as the knurling isn't exactly grippy.
Firing pin spring is much stiffer on Vanguard, there is quite a difference in the cocking effort, Howa is smoother due to this.
Finish on the Howa metal is polished blue and quite nice, much more traditional looking then what they do with the Vanguard.
Other then that they are the same gun....under $550 sale price I'd say the Vanguard is a pretty sweet deal (was amazing at $399) even with the low grade stock. Howa start around $650 which is a bit less then the regular price of many of the Vanguards and I'd be looking at those in that range.
For $100 more you can have the one with a better stock http://www.alflahertys.com/products/weatherby-vanguard-series-ii-synthetic?variant=9272285445
At $600 I'd start looking for a Howa in the Hogue stocks....all the Vanguard S2 stocks are kind of lame.
Frontier has the Howa on for $529 in .223 and .270.
http://frontierfirearms.ca/firearms/centerfire-rifles/howa-270-win-synthetic-22.html
http://frontierfirearms.ca/firearms/centerfire-rifles/howa-223-rem-synthetic-stock-22.html
Frontier has the Howa on for $529 in .223 and .270.
http://frontierfirearms.ca/firearms/centerfire-rifles/howa-270-win-synthetic-22.html
http://frontierfirearms.ca/firearms/centerfire-rifles/howa-223-rem-synthetic-stock-22.html
A lot of people aren't fussy about the Hogue stock, but the one on my Howa 1500 in 375 Ruger is a perfect fit for me and its staying on the rifle..
Not exactly the same as the 223 is only a 22" barrel in the Howa the S2 is 24"
It is for me.....I'll be replacing my flamer stock with Hogue as soon as I can find one. It's free floated, lighter, and stiffer then the S2 stocks.
I've had a pair of these Rem 700's (223/308 which were around $650 when our dollar was par) for a couple years now and no problems with the Hogue stocks.
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The weatherby isnt free floated on purpose. It actually voids the sub moa guarantee if you free float it. Also 20$ of paint and you can have any mat color you want. I think when they were 400$ it was the best rifle price point ive ever seen. Great rifles for 400-500 (depending on where you live and taxes) and maybe a 2 day project and 20$ of paint. I would take an s2 over a stock r700 any day. Next rifle I would consider going up in price that is actually better is when you get to the tikka t3's. The 600-800$ range is weak in canada. Weatherby is the clear winner.
No idea why, just passing on the info. Just guessing here but I am sure it is stock related and that a better stock is preferable.. but I have a bell and carlson that is also made and recommended to be fitted to the barrel on a vanguard s1 in 223. I just think their basic stocks arent good for free floating, but then again, I dont know why a bell and carlson wouldnt be free floated then. hell, if it shoots sub moa out of the box why would you change the stock though?
For me I'd swap it out for something lighter and stiffer that fits me better, personal preference. The Hogue isn't that expensive for the pillar bed version, $150 or a bit less. It's also very easy to add a pressure point if you need to with a FF stock, but with the way the Howa shoots I don't think it's probably needed.
I have 2 vanguards... I think the next bolt I pick up might be a howa. I want to try both. Probably heavy barrel 308 or 338lapua. You know if anyone makes chassis for the howa/vanguards? Best stocks I have seen personally are the bell and carlson.
