Weatherby Vanguard

A

archie126

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Wondering if anyone who has one can comment on them? Are they any good, trigger, is the Savage lower ends better?

Read reviews on line from gun writers but I want some honest opinions from real users.

Thanks
 
I have one in .223 and replaced a Savage with it. Mine has a 1:12 twist and loves 53 grain V-max bullets.
Floorplate mag, decent profile on the stock and good trigger out of the box.
Japanese quality at a sensible price.
 
I have one in 270 with a Boyd's stock I also own a couple of Savages I prefer the Vanguard but it is about a 1/2 lb heavier.
 
vanguard

I recently posted a similar question, and following the advice given I went ahead and bought a Vanguard. For a value priced rifle,I couldn't be happier. I read some so so opinions on the triggers and weight. Mine has an excellent trigger crisp without creep and measured 2.75 lbs. Overall gun without scope was just over 7 lbs as I bought the synthetic with the detachable clip. So far with factory ammo it has grouped average of approx. 1.25" at 100 yds, hope to improve this with a little bit of load work, I was just using some older ammo I had to break in the barrel. I am also considering a Boyds stock for it. Again for the price they are a decent rifle.
 
I have a Vanguard S2 and I have also owned the earlier versions.The S2 IMHO is a better gun. The trigger is very nice for a rifle in its price range. Actually it is even better than my weatherby MkV and better than the older versions.

Dealers have been clearing out the older versions at some very good prices but I would spend the money on the S2
 
As for quality per $1 , probably the best out there.

Got my dad into a DM .270 , but a Boyd's on it and a Sightron.Under 1K for a pretty good rifle.Picked up a 25-06 going to be a coyote gun with a Boyd's as well.My buddy also picked up a .243 and a 300WM all are getting new stocks and decent glass.

We bought these for bang around rifles to abuse and they are turning out better than expected.
 
The new S2 is a better set up than the first vangards. Even if you can find a $350 vanguard the S2 is worth the $200 more. The finish is better the trigger is unreal for a factory unit, the stock is better and they are guaranteed to shoot MOA or better.

I have 2 vanguards on a backcountry in 257wby, SS 300wby in a B&C medilest and a S2 in 240wby. The S2 has been the most accurate out of the 5 I have had.
 
I own the Vanguard Weatherguard version, it was one of Weatherby's first departures from a wood stock after the Mark V Fibermark in 83 & the Fiberguard in 85. (think I have the history right) Along with myself, most the guys at the range who own or have tried the later Vanguard synthetic version really like the way the Weatherguard's stock feels in comparison. My Weatherguard is chambered in 223 and has only been feed my hand loads and is confirmed to shoot consistent sub moa by a couple bench rest shooters friends I know who have put it through it through it's paces. I got lucky with this rifle because at the time Weatherby's guarantee was 1.5" groups. With a bi pod I have shot sub moa but certainly not close to consistent sub moa like when it was tested a number of times with a bench rest setup.
(Paid a bit more attention this spring and am able to say I am able to shoot under an inch with the bipod much more consistently than I realized. Normally go to the range just to confirm I'm sighted in and zeroed ok then off to the field without spending much time shooting paper.)
This rifle has never shot factory ammo so I can't comment. Also I did luck out because I have the Weatherguard 7mm Rem.Mag stock with it's recoil pad. Don't need it but it's a nice touch. Have yet to check out the new S2 version, if I like it I am thinking the 243 in my future will be the S2
 
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RVG_Don said:
I own the Vanguard Weatherguard version, it was Weatherby's first departure from a wood stock. Along with myself, most the guys at the range who own or have tried the later Vanguard synthetic version really like the way the Weatherguard's stock feels in comparison. My Weatherguard is chambered in 223 and has only been feed my hand loads and is confirmed to shoot consistent sub moa by a couple bench rest shooters friends I know who have put it through it through it's paces. I got lucky with this rifle because at the time Weatherby's guarantee was 1.5" groups. With a bi pod I have shot sub moa but certainly not close to consistent sub moa like when it was tested a number of times with a bench rest setup. This rifle has never shot factory ammo so I can't comment. Also I did luck out because I have the Weatherguard 7mm Rem.Mag stock with it's recoil pad. Don't need it but it's a nice touch. Have yet to check out the new S2 version, if I like it I am thinking the 243 in my future will be the S2
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Sounds like you have the version I had. Bought mine in 1990 from Carter's Country in Houston Texas, Brand new for $333. It had a Ramline stock and a thinner barrel than the newer Vanguards. Mine was a 24" 270 Win.
I'll never forget the very first handloads I ever loaded, they were loaded for this rifle with a Lee dipper, 130 Hornadys, the first three shot group was .70" at 100 yards. The Vanguard is a sleeper in the bolt action rifle world.
After returning home I killed quite a few whitetails with it. I had it nickel plated about 1992 and put it into a walnut factory stock. Sold it about 1998,...it's out there somewhere....
 
I have 2 Vanguards, both are bedded in Boyds stocks and Timney triggers. I have a Heavy barrel .223, which has shot many sub 1/2" groups...and a regular in .257 that hasnt been shot as much, but in my limited time with it has shown real promise(a couple sub 3/4" 3 shot groups. Value for $ they are hard to beat, and I am thinking I might need another one in .22-250 or .243 as a dedicated Yote gun.
 
Have one in 30_06... love it! I shoot Hornady Superformance 165grain GMX.

Nothing against savage... they're my bread and butter. Just I've had this rifle for a few years now.

This was the last critter to hit the dirt back in may
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skull measured out at 18.5"... kinda smoked him in the side of the head. Lost some jaw bone, so I lost some inches. None the less. I'm getting this guy this spring.

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For the last number of years I was figuring the 243 I was planning on would have be the Vanguard synthetic. After such a positive experience with the Vanguard Weatherguard 223 the synthetic was an obvious choose even with all the other awesome rifle options out there. Now that the new S2 version is out there I suddenly am able to consider the .240 Wby. Mag.
With hand loading after the initial cost for dies and brass one would be good to go and except for using slightly more powder the 240 should cost roughly about the same to feed as a 243. A bit of a novelty that could only add to the fun. Also I do have a couple spots where extra long range shots present themselves and extra noise is not any sort of concern. That's why I am considering the 243 & now the 240 to complement the 223.
Any S2 .240 Wby. Mag. owners or any other .240 WBY. owners out there willing to share their opinions on the 240 or 240/S2 combo?
 
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