Vanguard S2 vs Tikka t3
- Thread starter mike t
- Start date
I have a couple Vanguard S2's, 308 and 708, very happy with them. Accurate, solid rifle at a good price point. They are maybe a little on the heavy side if that is a concern to you. The extra pound doesn't bother me at all but if you are hiking up mountains to hunt it might. I don't own a T3 but my hunting buddies have them and really like them. Accurate as well and pretty light weight. T3x is the current production model I believe? The Tikka's are more expensive than the Weatherby Vanguard.
I don't think you can go wrong with either it just depends on which feels better to you in yours hands. Go check them out at your local gun shop and pick the one that speaks to you!
I don't think you can go wrong with either it just depends on which feels better to you in yours hands. Go check them out at your local gun shop and pick the one that speaks to you!
I have both, and I like them both. Surprisingly, the vanguard is a bit more accurate than my tikka, but they both shoot very well. The tikka is a step up in regards to fit and finish, and the stock is much better, but if you can catch a vanguard on sale (like when wholesale blows them out for 400 bucks because the stock is covered with fire and antlers and looks ridiculous) grab one and don't look back.
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- Steel Town
I like them both, and fit and finish is excellent on both. My Howa 1500 in 6.5x55 (same thing as a Vanguard?) has above average deep semi-gloss bluing, but the stock was kind of crap, so I replaced it with a B&C sporter stock (on the advice of Hitzy), and I'm now smitten with that rifle. They are probably as close to battle rifle durable as any modern bolt action. My Tikka T3 Battue in 30-06 sports a nice factory oiled walnut stock and a handy 20 inch barrel. It shoots lights out and is so smooth to operate, a tad smoother than my Howa, but not by much. They are the only modern hunting rifles that have remained in my locker and I've had many rifles of various price-points and configurations. Oh, and both are topped with Leupold 1-4x20 glass. 
yes, the Howa is about a 1lb heavier. I don't notice the weight difference, but maybe when I'm 80 I'll worry about that.
yes, the Howa is about a 1lb heavier. I don't notice the weight difference, but maybe when I'm 80 I'll worry about that.
I like them both, and fit and finish is excellent on both. My Howa 1500 in 6.5x55 (same thing as a Vanguard?) has above average deep semi-gloss bluing, but the stock was kind of crap, so I replaced it with a B&C sporter stock (on the advice of Hitzy), and I'm now smitten with that rifle. They are probably as close to battle rifle durable as any modern bolt action. My Tikka T3 Battue in 30-06 sports a nice factory oiled walnut stock and a handy 20 inch barrel. It shoots lights out and is so smooth to operate, a tad smoother than my Howa, but not by much. They are the only modern hunting rifles that have remained in my locker and I've had many rifles of various price-points and configurations. Oh, and both are topped with Leupold 1-4x20 glass.
yes, the Howa is about a 1lb heavier. I don't notice the weight difference, but maybe when I'm 80 I'll worry about that.
Your input goes a long way Kurgan seeing as how you are a die hard tikka fan. I also have a Battue but am looking to trade it out for something with a longer barrel as I'm planning a caribou hunt
I have owned both, still own two Tikkas, my Wife has the Ladies Vanguard in 243, my only complaint about the Vanguards is the weight, they are a little heavy for me to comfortably carry for a day of walking. You can shave a little weight off the Vanguard with a detachable magazine kit or by buying a compact model. If you are keeping the synthetic stock they are a bit different I prefer the Vanguard's raised comb but I normally restock in laminate or wood both of my Tikka's have the Forest model stock with a raised comb and all the Vanguards I have had were restocked in a Boyd's laminate. If you like the fit, You probably can't go wrong with either.
I was at the range yesterday with my Ross and two Vanguards: A S1 in 270, and a Lazerguard [S2] in 30-06.
The Ross, with it's new barrel, did not disappoint, shooting right around .75 moa with 2 different 180 grain bullets, and 3 different powders.
My 270 turned in several sub-moa groups with 3 different loads. Smallest group right on .5moa. [avg. .68 moa]
The 30-06 was the same with 4 different loads. Smallest group .61moa. [avg .77moa]
They just feel so much better in my hands than do the Tikka T3 series rifles. But, as noted, a bit heavier to pack.
This is a non-issue to me, but some may feel differently. D.
The Ross, with it's new barrel, did not disappoint, shooting right around .75 moa with 2 different 180 grain bullets, and 3 different powders.
My 270 turned in several sub-moa groups with 3 different loads. Smallest group right on .5moa. [avg. .68 moa]
The 30-06 was the same with 4 different loads. Smallest group .61moa. [avg .77moa]
They just feel so much better in my hands than do the Tikka T3 series rifles. But, as noted, a bit heavier to pack.
This is a non-issue to me, but some may feel differently. D.
I have a Vanguard S2 223 with the 22 inch 1:9 heavy barrel. It came with the Kryptek camo stock, a bit different than the standard synthetic stock.
Accuracy was initially disappointing, but after I changed to a Boyd's thumbhole stock, any shots outside of one hole at 100 are my own fault.
I didn't really experement with the original stock as I didn't really like it anyway, but one thing to note is that in the Boyd's, the barrel is fully free floated, while in the factory stock there was firm contact on the barrel at the tip of the stock.
Accuracy was initially disappointing, but after I changed to a Boyd's thumbhole stock, any shots outside of one hole at 100 are my own fault.
I didn't really experement with the original stock as I didn't really like it anyway, but one thing to note is that in the Boyd's, the barrel is fully free floated, while in the factory stock there was firm contact on the barrel at the tip of the stock.
One thing I noticed with the hard molded funky camo stocks is they sometimes aren't folded over completely even. This creates uneven barrel contact in the barrel channel. Just a quick sand with a wood dowel and sand paper to even it out can improve things dramatically.
Did this with a few S2 stocks, I find them to be pretty decent stocks.
A good upgrade are the B&C stocks.... very solid and quite comfortable.
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I own three S2's and as others have noted they are on the heavy side - like 9 lbs heavy with glass on them and a couple rounds loaded.
If you absolutely have to have a detachable mag the "long action" calibers (but not the magnums - so 25.06, 270 and 30.06) come in a DBM version for a few bucks more than the floorplate models.
There is now probably a dozen S2 models - everything from the laserguard (fancy wood with leaves laser engraved), to the "select" which is their budget minded model. If weight is an issue then there is the "back country" which comes in at 6 3/4 lbs (bare) with cerekote, fluted barrel and a B&C stock, but that will set you back upwards of 2K once you get the taxes in and mounts on it.
I can't speak to the Tikka warranty availability in Canada but I do hate dealing with the importer - even when we are trying to buy stuff from them it sometimes takes weeks to get a reply. With Weatherby you can call right to them if you are getting di&%ed around and they will personally call the authorized repair place up here and get things moving.
If you absolutely have to have a detachable mag the "long action" calibers (but not the magnums - so 25.06, 270 and 30.06) come in a DBM version for a few bucks more than the floorplate models.
There is now probably a dozen S2 models - everything from the laserguard (fancy wood with leaves laser engraved), to the "select" which is their budget minded model. If weight is an issue then there is the "back country" which comes in at 6 3/4 lbs (bare) with cerekote, fluted barrel and a B&C stock, but that will set you back upwards of 2K once you get the taxes in and mounts on it.
I can't speak to the Tikka warranty availability in Canada but I do hate dealing with the importer - even when we are trying to buy stuff from them it sometimes takes weeks to get a reply. With Weatherby you can call right to them if you are getting di&%ed around and they will personally call the authorized repair place up here and get things moving.
I just sold my Howa 1500 223 (may end up regretting that) and while essentially the same, the Weatherby does have a few minor differences. Interestingly, the bolts would not interchange.
