Weatherby Meat Eater Thoughts?

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skokie

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I'm looking for a 7mm Rem Mag now and I came across the new Meat Eater Rifle from Weatherby, wondering what everyone thinks of the gun and if anyone has had some trigger time on it. I like the barrel, coatings and magazine, the barrel doesn't look to be freefloated, but I'm not sure how much difference that will make. Never owned a Weatherby before. Current price is $1329.

Thanks.Weatherby_VMA300NR6T.jpgu
 

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there is a used weatherby S2 in that caliber

I looked at this version but I think the fluted barrel is either you like it or you don't with that caliber it will heat up quickly - my 240wby has pressure points near the front of the stock so it isn't free floated - it shoots .99 MOA or better at 100 yards about 1 1/2 inches at 200 yards (3 shots). I am not going to do anything with the way it is. If you do get one and want the barrel to be free floated buy another stock for it like a B&C or similiar - compare how it shoots free floated or not - and am pretty certain the aftermarket stock will be on EE at a discount.

By the way weatherby / howa rifles are way underated
 
These are based on the vanguard s2 right? Remember when you could get one of those at Wholesale Sports for like $300 in the ugliest flaming stock? I miss WSS for their crazy clearance prices....

I hate that these rifles aren't made in a lefty. I know, they don't make lefty vanguards, but FFS Steve Rinella is a God damn lefty!
 
My limited experience with Vanguards is that they are totally okay. Very functional, accurate, and decent aftermarket support, but about as exciting as Ford Windstar. I would compare the "Meateater" edition to be something akin to the "Limited" edition of the Ford Windstar. It is not to say they are bad, but for around 1300 you could get something quite a bit cooler and something that would hold its value a lot better. For example this push-feed, made in Japan, 7mm RM on the EE (https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2258857-NIKKO-7000-GOLDEN-EAGLE-in-7-Rem-Mag) is slightly cheaper and quite a bit more interesting because it is well finished and rare. If blued and walnut isn't your speed, there are a lot of boutique-esk modern rifles that seem to hold there value well enough that can be found used and would have something about them more interesting than a Howa. You might even be able to find a used Mark V in the range of 1300 and then you would at least have a Mark V action, which is unique in its own right. Clearly I buy guns that I am interested in, not for any practical reason, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Also, out of the last dozen or so guns I have owned, only one has had free-floated barrel. I wouldn't get to hung up on that aspect. Some guns shoot well with pressure on the barrel. You could even suggest that it is a benefit to having the barrel come not free-floated because you can shoot it see if works well and then if it doesn't you can free-floated yourself. It does not work the other way around.
 
I bought a used Vanguard with the snow camo stock for $600 a couple years ago, came with a Bushnell Elite 6-24 4500 scope, both in nearly new condition. Scope was not a good match for the rifle and sits on a target gun now, but the rifle is solid and accurate, they are a good match weight wise for long action and magnum cartridges.
The S2 stocks are an upgrade from the original S1's, but the base models still start around $700 or so. $1300 for a fluted lighter weight barrel (they come with #2 profile standard) and cerracote doesn't add up to $600 in my value book.
Personally I don't put a lot of value in paint coatings, I can take care of blued steel fine.
Howa 7mm mag is a little lighter, same rifle but in a Hogue stock, free floated if that floats your boat, $719 new.
https://store.prophetriver.com/howa-7mmremmag-1500-lightning-blksyn-bl-24-barrel-mfg-hwr63702/
 
Thanks for all your opinions. I would note that it also has a threaded muzzle with matching protector. I like the longer barrel and with it being fluted I figured it should shed heat pretty well. Still thinking about it, I really like my Savage and may look in that direction instead.
 
skokie said:
Thanks for all your opinions. I would note that it also has a threaded muzzle with matching protector. I like the longer barrel and with it being fluted I figured it should shed heat pretty well. Still thinking about it, I really like my Savage and may look in that direction instead.
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Threaded muzzles only matter if you're gonna use it. Personally I have no use for muzzle breaks on a hunting rifle.

Fluting a barrel has a pretty negligible increase in heating/cooling. The increase in surface area helps, but not in a significant way. You'd be far better off investing in a fan like the riflekuhl: https://magnetospeed.com/products/riflekuhl

If you have to have these features so be it, but IMO it's a heavy premium to pay for em considering the price for a Howa at Prophet River.
 
7mm Rem is pretty mild shooting in these heavy Vanguard actions, I wouldn't put a brake on one for hunting use.
I have some 308's that are more punishing then my 7mm Vanguard.
 
I am a big fan of Vanguard or Howa rifles but not that rifle at that price. Good Vanguards can be had in stainless used, for under a $1000, Some with laminate or Bell and Carlson stocks. As others have stated a brake for me is not something I want on a rifle and the recoil of a 7mm is not too bad on a heavier rifle. I have Vanguards from 257 Wby to 375 Ruger none have brakes. Correct me if I am mistaken I think that stock, is just a synthetic with an interesting pattern.
 
They are usually a bit heavy, soak up recoil well, are pretty accurate, and my .257 came from the factory with a pressure point in the stock. It's there intentionally. They tend to shoot more consistently with a bit of pressure at the fore end. The Meat Eater looks cool and I like Rinella, it would depend on intended purpose. To carry all day long I would probably choose something lighter. They can be pretty hefty rifles when kitted out for a hunt.
 
It's a Howa with a Weatherby name tag on it. Howa rifles are economical and function well, often with great accuracy.
As has been pointed out, there are ones that will hold their value, for less money.
 
Weatherby Vanguards are a great rifle for the price, usually fairly accurate, have a decent trigger,
Try and buy a spiral fluted barrel, it will cost you a $1000 itself, and the barrel comes threaded for a brake.

One drawback is they are heavy, I’ve owned several Vanguards and all have shot under MOA with factory ammo, a cpl much better.
 
Yeah it seems steep for a Vanguard with Ceracote and a threaded muzzle. I am sure it shoots good, but as said above there are similar as good options for cheaper. Let us know what you decide
 
I think I'm gonna think about it a bit more, keep my eyes on the EE for a while longer and see what comes up before spending the cash. I appreciate all the input, I know very little about Weatherby and Howa for that matter. Thanks all!

If anyone buys one or gets to shoot one, please let me know what you think!

Cheers!
 
Milt Dale said:
I am a big fan of Vanguard or Howa rifles but not that rifle at that price. Good Vanguards can be had in stainless used, for under a $1000, Some with laminate or Bell and Carlson stocks. As others have stated a brake for me is not something I want on a rifle and the recoil of a 7mm is not too bad on a heavier rifle. I have Vanguards from 257 Wby to 375 Ruger none have brakes. Correct me if I am mistaken I think that stock, is just a synthetic with an interesting pattern.
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You are correct Sir, the stock on the meateater is the same as the S2, just has a pattern on it.
 
I have seen the Weatherby meat eater rifles. they are nice. skokie have you looked at a tikka stainless in the caliber your after.
 
Suther said:
Threaded muzzles only matter if you're gonna use it. Personally I have no use for muzzle breaks on a hunting rifle.
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I'd be willing to bet your groups would tighten up even with your M700 7-08 with a brake on it, and you'd be more likely to see your hits or misses :)
 
hawk-i said:
I'd be willing to bet your groups would tighten up even with your M700 7-08 with a brake on it, and you'd be more likely to see your hits or misses :)
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Perhaps. But it shoots just fine, for hearing safety reasons I don't want one while hunting (I typically wear ear pro but #### happens in the heat of the moment and me or a friend might forget) and I hate being beside a guy shooting a braked rifle at the range so I don't want to make others put up with me doing it.

I just don't have much love for brakes. If I was shooting PRS, or was trying to work up a load for something with a bunch of recoil then yeah sure, but they're very much the exception rather than the rule for me. YMMV.
 
There are better rifles for that price. Nothing wrong with the Howa/Vanguard platform, but with this you're paying for the Meateater name. That used to be an attractive feature, but since Meateater is now owned by an anti-gun owner (Peter Chernin, owner of The Chernin Group) I won't be buying any of their branded gear or subsidiary company gear (First Lite, Phelps Game Calls, FHF Gear, Wild and Whole) or anything promoting them.
 
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