Rebarrel on a Weatherby Vanguard

J

Jordan Weber

Member
Rating - 100%
22   0   0
Location
Elmira Ontario
Hello all,
Hoping you guys are able to give me a little help understanding what I may be getting myself into.

I have a Weatherby Vanguard in .270 win that I would like to get an Atlas Worx Bottom Metal for and have a varmint contour barrel installed (in .270 win again, just with a faster twist and heavier contour).
I know the bottom metal and magazine are probably going to set me back about $300, but how much should I budget realistically for a barrel and installation? (I'd end up reusing the factory stock more than likely).

I really like the .270 win for ammo availability and price. Plus I like the idea of a long range type rifle in a caliber that isn't quite as common for the application. Plus .270 actually stacks up not bad against 6.5 Creed and PRC in terms of energy and trajectory if you consider more premium bullets.

What I worry about is that I am basically thinking about turning this Weatherby into a Tikka CTR or Bergara HMR, but spending way more money to do it.

What do you guys think? Should I just buy a CTR or HMR in 6.5 Creed and be done with it? Or is there value in my idea?

TLDR:
Weatherby Vanguard II Long Action
- How much for a good varmint contour barrel and install? (Approx?)
- Is it worth my time?
 
A contoured stainless blank is going to cost in the vicinity of $600. Add at least $200 more for chambering and installation.
You have estimated the cost of the trigger guard/magazine system at $300.
Total so far is $1100. Would it be worth that much to you?
Will a varmint weight barrel fit the forend?
 
I had intended to reinlet the bottom metal and barrel channel myself. Both will need some material removed.
But my thoughts had been if I bugger it up I can always let the smith doing the work sell me and install a new stock.
Which will definitely drive the cost up.
Starting to get myself into the territory where I have $2500+ dollars into a rifle no one else will see as more valuable than $1500 to $2000 probably.
 
I had a Weatherby Vanguard 2 (.223 Rem) that started out in factory form. I installed a bottom metal kit and removed material from the forend of the stock to float the barrel and it shot 52gr SMK's well. I then put it into a MDT LSS Chassis, which didn't make it anymore accurate (80% of groups were sub-MOA). I then had it re-barreled, along with putting it into a MDT XRS Chassis, with the intention to develop an accurate 70-77gr bullet load (never happened). Honestly, it was not the best use of money, although I do enjoy building rifles. The rifle cost me $400 (second hand), $150 for the bottom metal kit, the MDT LSS about $400 (got it during their factory seconds sale), the barrel was about $1000 (including installation) and the MDT XRS was about $550. I had about $2500 into the rifle (not including base, rings, scope), and sold it last year for $1750 - which mirrors your statement above. I have a Tikka CTR in .223 now, and would suggest just buying the .270 you want, that comes with the barrel type and twist rate you desire, along with a detachable magazine.
 
jetfixer said:
I had a Weatherby Vanguard 2 (.223 Rem) that started out in factory form. I installed a bottom metal kit and removed material from the forend of the stock to float the barrel and it shot 52gr SMK's well. I then put it into a MDT LSS Chassis, which didn't make it anymore accurate (80% of groups were sub-MOA). I then had it re-barreled, along with putting it into a MDT XRS Chassis, with the intention to develop an accurate 70-77gr bullet load (never happened). Honestly, it was not the best use of money, although I do enjoy building rifles. The rifle cost me $400 (second hand), $150 for the bottom metal kit, the MDT LSS about $400 (got it during their factory seconds sale), the barrel was about $1000 (including installation) and the MDT XRS was about $550. I had about $2500 into the rifle (not including base, rings, scope), and sold it last year for $1750 - which mirrors your statement above. I have a Tikka CTR in .223 now, and would suggest just buying the .270 you want, that comes with the barrel type and twist rate you desire, along with a detachable magazine.
Click to expand...
*Edited to add thoughts
So it sounds like you went through the exact exercise I am considering and ended up swapping to a Tikka anyhow.
Maybe that's the route I should go.
The problem I struggle with is no one (that I know of) makes a heavy/varmint barrel in .270win that takes AICS magazines.
That's the unicorn I'm hunting for.
 
Last edited:
First question you’d need to ask yourself is…

How deep down the rabbit hole do you want to go in terms of funds spent?

Anything can built they way you want it or are looking for. You just need to remember some your wants or choices will dictate others ie; Varmint Contour and Atlas BDM are probably going to require a Stock change. B&C or HS Precision are the cheapest routes of the after-market stuff unless you find a Wby LA Varmint one for cheap. McMil or Manners will run ya some coin for sure, but can be ordered with various styles of BDM’s.

I went over the 6.5prc vs 270win tables thinking the same as you OP. Really saw nothing gained but faster barrel wear from the 6.5prc as they were pretty equal. The only drawback I saw to the 270 is limited choices of the new age VLD/ELDX/LRX style bullets with their high BC & SD qualities. Unless I didnt search as deep as I shouldve (??)
 
ShrtRnd said:
First question you’d need to ask yourself is…

How deep down the rabbit hole do you want to go in terms of funds spent?

Anything can built they way you want it or are looking for. You just need to remember some your wants or choices will dictate others ie; Varmint Contour and Atlas BDM are probably going to require a Stock change. B&C or HS Precision are the cheapest routes of the after-market stuff unless you find a Wby LA Varmint one for cheap. McMil or Manners will run ya some coin for sure, but can be ordered with various styles of BDM’s.

I went over the 6.5prc vs 270win tables thinking the same as you OP. Really saw nothing gained but faster barrel wear from the 6.5prc as they were pretty equal. The only drawback I saw to the 270 is limited choices of the new age VLD/ELDX/LRX style bullets with their high BC & SD qualities. Unless I didnt search as deep as I shouldve (??)
Click to expand...

Yup. I think you hit the nail on the head. I could spend a lot of money building what would basically be a 6.5 prc with slightly cheaper ammo but less long range bullet selection.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom