Vanguard S2 vs Tikka t3

I have a Weatherby Vanguard S2 in 270wsm bedded in a B&C stock. It is the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. When I bought it, because of the price, I was not expecting the accuracy delivered. That being said, I do handload and with 61gn IMR 4350 @ 100yds there is only one hole and its pretty darn accurate at 600yds (that's the farthest I've been able to practice at). Overall great value for the money and I wouldn't trade it for any other rifle. I could not be happier!!
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I own a Vanguard and have done work on it and I have done work on a buddies T3 and from what I have seen there is little comparison...........the Vanguard is a much better made rifle. Accuracy is an individual firearm attribute, however the T3 exhibited poor accuracy and several Vanguards I know of have produced good to exceptional accuracy.
From my exposure to them I know I'll never buy a T3.
 
I've never owned a vanguard though I've read good things about them.
I love Tikka. My first was a 223. I wish I still owned it. Currently I own a T3 in 243. It's very accurate. Sub moa is normal. I like that it's light weight and the bolt is very slick and it has an easily adjustable good quality trigger. The magazines are too small but I like it enough to overlook that. Here is a link to my last 100 yard target with 5 shots on it. I just wish I could've made the fifth shot touch the other 4!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uk2oqfaqkrpytkc/2435Shots.jpg?dl=0
 
I own 6 Vanguard/Howa rifles. I bought a .223 Blaze vanguard ($399) and it has been THE most accurate rifle I have ever owned. I just put a 4-12x scope on it and am putting 5 shots in under 0.35" @100. Completely stock. Never even adjusted the trigger.
I have owned 2 Tikkas. They were both 1-1.5 MOA guns. Smooth actions. Nice triggers. All in all nice guns. Just not better than the Vanguards enough for me to keep them. Current stock of Vanguards/Howas 6 , tikkas 0
I will add that I always use a good sling to help with the felt weight of the rifle. I also am not a nancyboy who cant carry a rifle if it is over 6 lbs. Man up FFS. IMMEDIATE EXERCISE should come to mind if you pick up an 8lb rifle and think " boy, this extra POUND is just too much"
 
I bought an S2 in 30-06 from Wholesale for $499 last year. Yes it has the hideous Bonz camo pattern, but it shoots very well. I was trying to decide between T3 and S2 and that price made up my mind.
 
Underthegun said:
No, the Varmint rifle one. But everyone is claiming that the Vanguard is more accurate than the Tikka, and in these two lists there are 4 Tikkas and no Vanguards.
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Where's that at? Don't see the sticky...

And not everyone... I'll just quote myself here.

flashman2 said:
I'm very impressed with the S2 for the price, hard to fault much for well under a K. Accuracy isn't on par or even close to Tikka
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Underthegun said:
No, the Varmint rifle one. But everyone is claiming that the Vanguard is more accurate than the Tikka, and in these two lists there are 4 Tikkas and no Vanguards.
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I have 5 Howa/Vanguard's, 4 will clear that 3/4" sporting rifle test, one I haven't put enough rounds through yet to say for sure.
As for the target rifle forum, the Tikkas are only in one of the 3 stickies...the 10 rounds at 300m, none in the 1/2" at 100m, none in the 1/2moa at 300, and they are heavy barrel versions, which Vanguard didn't make until about 2 years ago so likely very few in country at this time.
Anyway, if you think they need some representation I'll get on it lol.
 
After hearing so much good things about the vanguard I decided to pick one up. Mine is in 300 weatherby and the very first range trip produced sub Moa 3 shot groups with regular hornandy 180 interlock sp. I am lookin forward to building up some loads for this one. I owned a few tikka t3s and they shot around 1" pretty consistently but I like this vanguard better. The weatherby stock design fits me a lot better and the 2 stage trigger is real nice imo.
 
Underthegun said:
It's in the Precision Rifle forum
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Ah, gotcha thanks.

Once I get my hansloads dialed in I'll give the one here a whirl. It was windy AF on the range today but still held MOA or slightly under. The 5 circles groups are the loads I was testing, the other shots were just Win PP getting the scope dialed in afterwards. More than good enough for hunting accuracy, anyway.

 
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flashman2 said:
Ah, gotcha thanks.

Once I get my hansloads dialed in I'll give the one here a whirl. It was windy AF on the range today but still held MOA or slightly under. The 5 circles groups are the loads I was testing, the other shots were just Win PP getting the scope dialed in afterwards. More than good enough for hunting accuracy, anyway.

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FYI the one in the precision rifle forum is 5 shots under .75" at 100, and the one in the hunting rifle forum is 3 shots under .75" at 100.
 
I cant speak to the Tikka having only held it, yes it's lighter. But I do have the Weatherby S2 in 30-06 and I get pretty fantastic accuracy with Barnes ttsx 150's... 3 shot group then adjusted to be just over an inch high at 100m took another two shots and called it good.

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Sumonda said:
I cant speak to the Tikka having only held it, yes it's lighter. But I do have the Weatherby S2 in 30-06 and I get pretty fantastic accuracy with Barnes ttsx 150's... 3 shot group then adjusted to be just over an inch high at 100m took another two shots and called it good.

22195697_10155223436416743_8776993246230966060_n.jpg
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Each rifle is different.

My V2 in 30-06 hates Barnes and reliably shoots sub MOA when using Fed Power Shock 180s.
 
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