Weatherby Vanguard 2 review
- Thread starter archie126
- Start date
Biased on the internet? That's crazy talk! I don't own one, a friend does. Shoots like everyone says, seems to like most factory rounds too. Fit and finish is what you expect/heard. Great bang for buck but it is a entry level firearm. You want quality for cheap go used. You want something fugly (imo) that shoots straight and a plastic entry level firearm is a good bet
mildcustom2
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Surrey, B.C.
I just picked up one in .338 Win Mag and the reaper skull camo. For 600$ rifle guaranteed to shoot sub MOA out of the box at 100 yards from Weatherby. I'm all for giving it a try.
As far as fit and finish goes it seems like a good tight rifle. I took mine apart right away to adjust trigger pull. The only thing I don't care for that much is the safety latch. It's kinda thin and hard on the finger. Like a cheap sheet metal piece.
As far as fit and finish goes it seems like a good tight rifle. I took mine apart right away to adjust trigger pull. The only thing I don't care for that much is the safety latch. It's kinda thin and hard on the finger. Like a cheap sheet metal piece.
I've got a couple S2s, both Cabela's edition Lazerguards which are basically a Vanguard Deluxe stuck in a Lazermark stock.
Someone had mentioned seeing one in .257 in Winnipeg, and I went from not knowing they existed to suddenly needing one badly. I shot it with 100 grain NBT handloads that have proven to shoot well in a couple other rifles and it easily made the accuracy guarantee. Next I worked up a 80 TTSX load with old 7828 that cranks 3950 fps and makes stupidly small groups. It also has a six or seven bench appeal, which is the phenomena where you leave it against the bench and guys 6 benches down say "what in the hell is that" and come to look at it, ignoreing rifles that cost many times more. Some people like and some hate the Weatherby look, but apparently those that like it like it a lot.
Shortly after that I was in the local Cabellas and wouldn't you know it spotted another one. I thought I was in the clear when it was a 30-06, but a couple questions later it seemed that they had 2 .300s in the back. A couple minutes after that I was walking out with it. That one can cut some cloverleafs with the cheapest Weatherby factory ammo, as long as its cold. In this weather cold is not a problem. I suppose I should handload for it, but right now the factory ammo costs less than the brass. All in all, a lot of rifle for less than $1000 dollars.
The plastic stocked matte versions have got to be the biggest bargain around. I never really noticed that the safety looks cheap, but I suppose it does when you look at it. The bottom metal isn't exactly classic either, but seems to do the job. Trigger is great. Cartridges feed like the gun is empty.
Someone had mentioned seeing one in .257 in Winnipeg, and I went from not knowing they existed to suddenly needing one badly. I shot it with 100 grain NBT handloads that have proven to shoot well in a couple other rifles and it easily made the accuracy guarantee. Next I worked up a 80 TTSX load with old 7828 that cranks 3950 fps and makes stupidly small groups. It also has a six or seven bench appeal, which is the phenomena where you leave it against the bench and guys 6 benches down say "what in the hell is that" and come to look at it, ignoreing rifles that cost many times more. Some people like and some hate the Weatherby look, but apparently those that like it like it a lot.
Shortly after that I was in the local Cabellas and wouldn't you know it spotted another one. I thought I was in the clear when it was a 30-06, but a couple questions later it seemed that they had 2 .300s in the back. A couple minutes after that I was walking out with it. That one can cut some cloverleafs with the cheapest Weatherby factory ammo, as long as its cold. In this weather cold is not a problem. I suppose I should handload for it, but right now the factory ammo costs less than the brass. All in all, a lot of rifle for less than $1000 dollars.
The plastic stocked matte versions have got to be the biggest bargain around. I never really noticed that the safety looks cheap, but I suppose it does when you look at it. The bottom metal isn't exactly classic either, but seems to do the job. Trigger is great. Cartridges feed like the gun is empty.
mildcustom2
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Surrey, B.C.
I forgot to mention I love the fact you can get a box mag conversion in certain calibers for them at around 100$. Pretty sweet deal in my opinion.
I own an S2 Synthetic in 223. It is a sweet rifle.Working up loads for it now. Pretty consistent shooter. It is lighter than my Varminter and a tad less accurate. Right now it is grouping 50 gr Nosler and Vmax bullets at about .75". It has room too improve. Once I get the load right, I will post the results.
I'm a Sako collector, and I am interested in this topic because the Weatherby Vanguards started off as a Japanese copy of the early Sakos:
http://www.weatherbynation.com/spikecamp/conversation/24/vanguard-history-part-i/0/?wap2
Given that history and Sako's reputation for accuracy, I am not surprised that Weatherby can offer a 1 MOA guarantee on these rifles.
What I am curious about is whether or not the Vanguards also have the smooth action and attention to detail that the early Sakos were justly famous for.
Perhaps a Vanguard owner can provide us with that information?
Because, if so, then I will consider buying one .. maybe a Vanguard Deluxe in .257 mag ..
http://www.weatherbynation.com/spikecamp/conversation/24/vanguard-history-part-i/0/?wap2
Given that history and Sako's reputation for accuracy, I am not surprised that Weatherby can offer a 1 MOA guarantee on these rifles.
What I am curious about is whether or not the Vanguards also have the smooth action and attention to detail that the early Sakos were justly famous for.
Perhaps a Vanguard owner can provide us with that information?
Because, if so, then I will consider buying one .. maybe a Vanguard Deluxe in .257 mag ..
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Yes, very smooth action, nice trigger. I wouldn't say attention to detail like an early Sako, but I was impressed.
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Any Weatherby is better than any Savage, just my opinion.
Just sold my vanguard (series one with Timney trigger) in .243 and replaced it with a savage 25 in .204. I absolutely loved the vanguard but I was looking for a caliber change. I got the vanguard to shoot sub moa a few times but off the bipod it was never really where I wanted it. Maybe it was just how the gun shot for me, but when I set up the little .204 (without any real load development at all) I managed to punch 5 right into the moa black dot.
For a deer rifle though, I believe there is few others that offer the same amount of bang for the buck. Especially since I got mine on sale for like $360
For a deer rifle though, I believe there is few others that offer the same amount of bang for the buck. Especially since I got mine on sale for like $360
mildcustom2
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Surrey, B.C.
+1
For anyone looking to buy a Weatherby I highly reccomend Prophet River at the top of the page Banners. Unbelievable service. I made four different orders with them the past two weeks and every single one was processed and shipped immediately. Two of these purchases were rifles.
I can not say enough good things about them.
I have two Weatherby Vanguard S2 rifles.
One in 30-06 [wood stock], One in 338 Win Mag [Synthetic stock]
For the buck, they are great rifles. Both mine shoot sub-moa with several loads.
The triggers are a big improvement from the S1 Vanguards.
I have 3 - S1's as well, one, a 300WSM, has a Timney installed, the other two [300 WinMag & 270 Win] have their factory triggers, but they responded not badly to adjustment.
The 270 and the 300 WSM are both sub-moa with loads they like, the 300 Win I have only shot with the 180 grain PRVI ammo that came with it.
The 4 groups were as follows: .78", 1,22", 1.05", .97"
I think, with a load it likes, it will average under moa as well.
While I am primarily a Remington 700 guy, I feel these are hard to beat for the money. [The wood stocked ones are quite attractive, as well]
Regards, Eagleye
One in 30-06 [wood stock], One in 338 Win Mag [Synthetic stock]
For the buck, they are great rifles. Both mine shoot sub-moa with several loads.
The triggers are a big improvement from the S1 Vanguards.
I have 3 - S1's as well, one, a 300WSM, has a Timney installed, the other two [300 WinMag & 270 Win] have their factory triggers, but they responded not badly to adjustment.
The 270 and the 300 WSM are both sub-moa with loads they like, the 300 Win I have only shot with the 180 grain PRVI ammo that came with it.
The 4 groups were as follows: .78", 1,22", 1.05", .97"
I think, with a load it likes, it will average under moa as well.
While I am primarily a Remington 700 guy, I feel these are hard to beat for the money. [The wood stocked ones are quite attractive, as well]
Regards, Eagleye
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calvados.boulard
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Victoria BC
My Weatherby in 30-06 is a tack driver. The adjustable trigger is a thing of beauty. Points very well, smooth bolt, and a pleasure to shoot. The wood stock is shaped perfectly for me, but is rather plain looking. That's fine by me. It's a keeper.
Cheers,
Cal.
Cheers,
Cal.
- Location
- Lower Mainland BC
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