I have been noticing some price increases in the used Vanguard series one rifles, a few years ago when the Vanguard series two was coming out there were a lot of good deals on the series one [around $400], I am seeing used series ones going for the same price as the series two. Newer members may need some help distinguishing between the two.The series two has a 3 position safety and I think a better trigger. I recently bought a Howa Superlite and I think the bluing is inferior to my other Vanguards, maybe some Howa owners can comment on if this is true for other models. When I was buying my first series one Vanguards the other thing I noticed was most of the Vanguards were a 24 inch barrel and the Howas were 22 inches, now both Howa and Weatherby have added models with varying lengths and profiles. I am not speaking against the series one or the original Howas, I think all the variations of Howa rifles are decent and usually good value.I just thought a thread that explained some of the differences might help newer buyers make an informed choice. So please feel free to add your thoughts and observations to this.
Vanguard and Howa
- Thread starter Milt Dale
- Start date
Two seasons ago I bought a VG2 SS with a B&C Stock for $1k. I was happy with the deal and the member was great to deal with. Recently sold it for the same as I purchased it for with Dies and Brass I had bought separately. I never had a Weatherby before and was pleased overall and would buy another VG2.
Would I pay extra for a new VG2 variant with some fancy Camo Paint job, Cerakote and endorsed/stamped with a name from some cheesy Outdoor Influencers?
Hard No. It’s still a VG2
edited to add: i should mention those models above were original versions and not the current fluted barrel/braked ones currently. My bad there
Same goes for used versions of those.. It’s still used regardless of 1/2bx or 100+ rounds through it. Doesn’t mean it commands the same as you paid for it cause it has those above attributes and by such it has some “extra special sauce” to it, whereby it doesn’t lose its value after being shot..
Companies change over models so quick these days, it can be hard to keep up with all the what was and now is new lineup. Quick use of the search feature on here typically yields the results one is looking for in terms of reliability, cost etc..
Would I pay extra for a new VG2 variant with some fancy Camo Paint job, Cerakote and endorsed/stamped with a name from some cheesy Outdoor Influencers?
Hard No. It’s still a VG2
edited to add: i should mention those models above were original versions and not the current fluted barrel/braked ones currently. My bad there
Same goes for used versions of those.. It’s still used regardless of 1/2bx or 100+ rounds through it. Doesn’t mean it commands the same as you paid for it cause it has those above attributes and by such it has some “extra special sauce” to it, whereby it doesn’t lose its value after being shot..
Companies change over models so quick these days, it can be hard to keep up with all the what was and now is new lineup. Quick use of the search feature on here typically yields the results one is looking for in terms of reliability, cost etc..
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The Vanguards, Howa’s and other rebranded models of the Howa 1500 are all very good rifles.
Known for good value, reliability and accuracy albeit slightly heavy (with exception of the latest super lightweight models).
S1’s had a single stage trigger but the ones I’ve used have a considerable amount of creep and not what I’d call a clean break…overall a poor trigger.
S2’s have a two stage trigger that is excellent and breaks crisp.
One piece bolt bodies on both and neither have removable bolt knobs although a gunsmith can thread them if its wanted..however the factory knob is very good as is.
Earlier Vanguard VGL and Deluxe models had stellar wood stocks and highly polished deep blued metal that looks fantastic.
I’m not sure when they started offering stainless steel models, I have both S1 and S2 models but I believe they quit making stainless steel guns some time ago but I still see a few advertised at retailers.
Some models were sold with fluted barrels, different lengths are also common but the norm on the Vanguards advertising on a full length 24” barrel when many competitors had 22”. The new rage of suppressors I think has changed this marketing angle with more interest being given to shorter tubes.
They also had “RC” models called Range Certified which promised a 1 MOA warranty when this idea was pretty new.
The S1 synthetic stocks are basically the same shape and construction as the S2 synthetic stocks but are without the rubbery grip panels.
The platform has been around so long it is also pretty well supported by the aftermarket. Not to the extent of a 700 or T3 but lots of choices are available on just about everything.
B&C stocks are very common and well worth the upgrade over the plastic stock.
Hogue also offers several rubberized stocks for it; a factory version that has less structure built into it and a full length imbedded chassis version not offered in a factory rifle to my knowledge. They both look the same but the full version is very rigid and works excellent in inclement weather.
Most came with a floor plate but Weatherby offered a detachable magazine kit for limited cartridges that was single stack and utilized a plastic trigger guard. While it works excellent it is a step backwards as becomes the only plastic on the gun…still as long as it’s installed correctly and not over torqued they are reliable and feed excellent.
Other detachable metal bottom metal kits are also available that utilize a variety of AICS magazines such as Dave Waters in Australia, and also AtlasWorks in Australia. Note for LA they use different magazines (3.56” for DW & 3.715” for AtlasWorks).
Great guns, one of my favourites.
Known for good value, reliability and accuracy albeit slightly heavy (with exception of the latest super lightweight models).
S1’s had a single stage trigger but the ones I’ve used have a considerable amount of creep and not what I’d call a clean break…overall a poor trigger.
S2’s have a two stage trigger that is excellent and breaks crisp.
One piece bolt bodies on both and neither have removable bolt knobs although a gunsmith can thread them if its wanted..however the factory knob is very good as is.
Earlier Vanguard VGL and Deluxe models had stellar wood stocks and highly polished deep blued metal that looks fantastic.
I’m not sure when they started offering stainless steel models, I have both S1 and S2 models but I believe they quit making stainless steel guns some time ago but I still see a few advertised at retailers.
Some models were sold with fluted barrels, different lengths are also common but the norm on the Vanguards advertising on a full length 24” barrel when many competitors had 22”. The new rage of suppressors I think has changed this marketing angle with more interest being given to shorter tubes.
They also had “RC” models called Range Certified which promised a 1 MOA warranty when this idea was pretty new.
The S1 synthetic stocks are basically the same shape and construction as the S2 synthetic stocks but are without the rubbery grip panels.
The platform has been around so long it is also pretty well supported by the aftermarket. Not to the extent of a 700 or T3 but lots of choices are available on just about everything.
B&C stocks are very common and well worth the upgrade over the plastic stock.
Hogue also offers several rubberized stocks for it; a factory version that has less structure built into it and a full length imbedded chassis version not offered in a factory rifle to my knowledge. They both look the same but the full version is very rigid and works excellent in inclement weather.
Most came with a floor plate but Weatherby offered a detachable magazine kit for limited cartridges that was single stack and utilized a plastic trigger guard. While it works excellent it is a step backwards as becomes the only plastic on the gun…still as long as it’s installed correctly and not over torqued they are reliable and feed excellent.
Other detachable metal bottom metal kits are also available that utilize a variety of AICS magazines such as Dave Waters in Australia, and also AtlasWorks in Australia. Note for LA they use different magazines (3.56” for DW & 3.715” for AtlasWorks).
Great guns, one of my favourites.
