So the general consensus is the Vanguard S2 is the best of the budget rifles ?

Believe that they were originally called S & W 1500's. Same thing, a Howa 1500 with a Smith and Wesson name. Would think any S & W would be 15+ years old....

Dont get me wrong....there is no doubt that the Axis shoots, just would not be my first choice. I would also agree that the package scopes are pretty much.....probably a less than $20/ item when you are buying a million. Lots of good scopes in the $200-300 range......but that is another thread.
 
woodlotowner said:
The Axis (formerly the Edge) is awesome. Once you replace the stock, trigger, action, and barrel you have a decent $2,000 rifle. Axis all the way. ;)
Click to expand...

HA ! Not going to argue this one !

Axis doesn't work for me. I'd rather the Hog Hunter for a budget Savage.
 
I own four Vanguard II's in their different (levels) - 1 which used to be their bottom line configuration (synthetic stock) which I picked up for just on 600 bucks, a Sporter version (walnut stock) that ran about 800, a deluxe 70th Anniversary model (high grade walnut/gloss finish) that listed at $1450 and a Laminated stock in the high 900 buck range.

Aside from the synthetic version it's tough to call them an entry or budget priced rifle.

For 2016 they do have a lower cost "select" which is a basic black (plastic) stock that will (msrp) at $599 US, but with our buck in the tank these will probably make it to the shelf with a pricetag somewhere in the 700-750 dollar range - the griptonite synthetic version will run about 100 bucks more.

So while a couple hundred bucks less than a plastic stocked 700 SPS or T3 it's tough to group them in with an Axis, American, Patriot or 783 which you can often pick up at/near the 300 bucks mark for a bare rifle - add 100 bucks and you get entry level "mounted" glass as well.

You really have to "personally define" BUDGET rifle. In today's market an 800 to 1000 dollar rifle, without glass, is really just an "everyday" rifle - not anything special by any description (and just because someone can't afford to drop a grand on a rifle doesn't make it "deluxe").

I own the Wby's because I love the stock, fits me perfect - love the two stage trigger (many hate them) and I don't mind at all that all four of my rifles tip the scales at somewhat over 9 lb's with glass on them - they certainly are not for the "lightweight lovers" that think a bare rifle over 5 3/4 lbs is a non-starter.

But if you can find some of the (now discontinued) stock still on the shelves (the flame camo etc) at prices below 600 bucks you will be hard pressed to get a better built/better finished rifle "for the money" that you don't have to swap stocks, bed barrels/actions, swap triggers etc to get a guaranteed, out of the box, sub-moa rifle shooting Federal Blue box ammo.

When 2016 prices get fully in effect the Vanguard II will stand almost alone in the 700-800 dollar range as a quality rifle.
 
nomad 68 said:
As far as I am concerned, the Howa 1500 and weatherby vanguards are the absolute best bang for the buck on the market. I consider it one of the best under a grand actually.
Click to expand...

I have to agree concerning both and of all the new factory rifles that I have played with in recent years both the 1500 and all my Vanguards have been the easiest to find super-accurate hunting loads for..
 
madashell said:
Ok, so the action, barrel (besides length and caliber) and trigger are the same on the Howa 1500 and the Vangaurd S2 ? Just a matter of the option differences you listed ?

This info is a big help. Was not aware of this. Thank you.
Click to expand...

The Howa blued versions are a polished blue vs the Vanguard matte blue, and the cocking piece is a bit different, bolts are blued with no milled lines (I can't call it fluting...it's not) like on the Vanguard, on the Howa the gas escape holes are on the bottom of the bolt vs the side to try and look like the other Weatherby's.
The strange camo vanguards have a pretty lame stock...works fine, just looks and feels pretty cheaply made. The blaze were on for $399 originally so too hard to pass up. At $600+ reg price I'd be going Howa all the way.
 
True and I would go further to say that ANY rifle capable of MOA is dependent on the shooter.

I can clamp my Wby's and get MOA out of them. On a good day with a solid front support I can get MOA out them, but if I shoot them like I would in hunting situations an inch and a half is about as good as my "shaky" technique will produce.

But at least they let me shoot 1.5" @ 100. If they were "less accurate" all by themselves I would be, in turn, less accurate when I shot them - so there is still an advantage even if the rifle is better than I will ever be.

And when they do their accuracy testing, for all standard calibers, with Federal Blue Box ammo, which is close to the cheapest on the shelf, you can't ask for much more. It's not like they are telling you that you have to shoot 60 buck a box Nosler Premium to get moa.

Their test "off the shelf" ammo is listed here for each caliber: (does Weatherby recommend specific ammunition for each caliber to get the best accuracy?) http://www.weatherby.com/support/faqs.html
 
Hitzy said:
The Howa blued versions are a polished blue vs the Vanguard matte blue, and the cocking piece is a bit different, bolts are blued with no milled lines (I can't call it fluting...it's not) like on the Vanguard, on the Howa the gas escape holes are on the bottom of the bolt vs the side to try and look like the other Weatherby's.
The strange camo vanguards have a pretty lame stock...works fine, just looks and feels pretty cheaply made. The blaze were on for $399 originally so too hard to pass up. At $600+ reg price I'd be going Howa all the way.
Click to expand...

Ok, that helps a lot. Thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom