Weatherby Vanguard 2 vs. Remington 700

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CanadianMarksman

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Couldn't dig anything up through the search function so I thought I'd ask the experts :)

Given my recent bad experiences with Remington's 700 line, I was checking out some other bolt action offerings and the Vanguard 2 caught my eye, particularly the .30-06 synthetic model. I am curious as to how this rifle compares with a <$1000 synthetic remington 700 in terms of accuracy, craftsmanship, and reliability.

So which of the two rifles gets your vote and why?
 
Remington, because of the extremely long history of reliability and accuracy with millions of 700's. The recent lawyer-ed up recalls are of no consequence to me.
 
CanadianMarksman said:
Couldn't dig anything up through the search function so I thought I'd ask the experts :)

Given my recent bad experiences with Remington's 700 line, I was checking out some other bolt action offerings and the Vanguard 2 caught my eye, particularly the .30-06 synthetic model. I am curious as to how this rifle compares with a <$1000 synthetic remington 700 in terms of accuracy, craftsmanship, and reliability.

So which of the two rifles gets your vote and why?
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What is it's intended use?

If it's for hunting then this may be better suited for the Hunting and Sporting Arms section.

If it's for precision shooting, you don't see many 30-06's in the ring. If you're buying it to build on the action then Remington would be the wise choice.
 
Vanguard, they are a dead simple design, tough and functional. I prefer the Howas myself, but could live with the Vanguard.
 
This is a toss up for me, I've owned a couple of both. Base model 700s need some work to be good, my Vanguards were good out of the box. But when you get a 700 where they should be, they're awesome rifles. Remingtons also have way more available for aftermarket goodies. All depends on your intended use I guess.
 
it'd be both for drilling holes in paper and hunting. I would be more than willing to get away from the .30-06 caliber if theres more accuracy offered with another (readily available) caliber.

In addition I'm not really looking to build on the rifle, just want a good "out of the box" shooter than can reach out a good amount :)
 
I cant speak on the S2 but I have a Weatherby vanguard sub-moa varmint in .308 (series 1) and when hunting season roles around you can be sure its the one coming with me. Don't get me wrong 700s are good but something feels better about this gun. I have 2 700s and so do millions of other people....are the good or is that just what people tend to buy....? Im sure at one point they might have been the best but times change. Also its nice to have something different than all your buds. IMO
 
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I've got the Howa Model 1500 in 30-06 which is basically a Vanguard (Howa makes the Vanguard for Weatherby) and I love it so far, but in hind sight would have rather picked up a .308 for the short action which gives larger cap mags in the mag conversion kit.
 
I had a vanguard 2 in 300 win mag. Thing was awesome. Definitely not something you shoot all day, its meant for hunting but is dead accurate.

I also own a savage fcp-sr in 308 and decked it out. I shoot it alllll dayyy lonnnggg its awesome lol.

Remington does have lots of aftermarket parts if your looking to play with it a little after you get it. Can turn into some very nice rifles.
 
Don't discount the Weatherby. I have a good friend that got one and he shot well under MOA with it out to 600m with a 3X9 Nikon. He's a novice shooter and the rifle was a .270.
 
I am a die hard 700 guy as many know, but if I was looking out of box mostly hunting rifle, then I may turn towards a vanguard due to feel, they are nice and ergonomic. Smooth action. I think they have a more trustworthy feel then Savage does, not to discount that brand either. I have owned 11 centerfires to date with no issue and they have been accurate, but the sub moa and the decent craft and ship would give it the edge. That all said I am a 700 guy. Wouldn't drift too far from it either. Would rather a bedded sps with a selected load then a weatherby any day. I would also ditch the 30-06 and head for the light the .308 offers. Traditionally more accurate and less recoil and will do everything the '06 will do to normal hunting ranges.
 
The Vanguard is light years ahead of the Remington in pretty much every aspect. Vanguard = quality parts fit together correctly, pretty much the opposite of a Remington. I have a S2 in 270 that seems to be a bit more problematic than the average one. Had to fix the trigger as it was a bit grittily feeling and I haven't gotten TRUE sub MOA out of it yet... but haven't tried to hard either because it shoots better than the average hunting rifle.

If I was going to do a project rifle and throw away everything but the action and rebuild from the ground up, I will choose a Remington.



Right now Remington is getting by on their iconic name and previous reputation. But times have changed. The new guns they are shiiting out are some of the worst in the industry, not only because of problems with the quality of parts and how well they are put together but also the fact everyone else has gotten better.
 
I certainly don't dislike the Vanguards - solid hunting rifles. Remington's are superior in my opinion and have FAR more aftermarket support. The lawyer-inspired trigger recall is way overblown and of no consequence whatsoever to me. So, I'd get a Remington over a Vanguard S2 and I'd get it in .308 over 30-06 if dual use (hunting and target) was the intended goal.
 
Im so done with Remington as of late, Id rather shoot a sling shot. My last 2 700's had issues right from the factory. My LVSF in .204 failed to eject cartridges and could not be fixed ( lucky the dealer was so kind as to do a return) my second .204 in VSSF II, the holes were drilled/ tapped out of line. These were both issues that are unacceptable and Remington wouldn't do a thing for me. Remington has got so big that they now could care less about customers all about the bottom line..that is till a big lawsuit jumps up and they do something.
My Weatherby Vanguard in .243 has been nothing but a solid rifle, I replaced the trigger with a Rifle Basix and its a solid MOA gun that was hundreds less then the 700's.
 
I've got a lot of both of them.

When you go to the low end of both brands it's Vanguard all the way. The cheapest SPS type stocks are junk where the Vanguards are at least somewhat better. SPSs tend to have bolts rough enough to use as a file. Some makers of $2000 rifles could learn a bit about feeding by looking at a cheap Vanguard.

Once you go up the ladder in price you can go with whatever grabs your fancy. You could just pick the stock you like and let it go at that.

Remington's design is full of cost cutting short-cuts that haven't really caused much problem. Things like the bolt body being made in three pieces and soldered together; and the washer style recoil lug. The Vanguard bolt is forged in one piece; and the action with integral lug is either forged or extruded depending on who you ask. The Vanguard's extractor is the M-16 type and although it probably won't pull cases out any better it is slightly superior in that it won't render the whole rifle inoperable with a few grains of sand stuck behind it like a Remington can be. The no tools field strippable bolt is a nice touch. You can do the same with a dime and your bootlace on a Remington if you know how.

Both are likely to shoot very well out of the box. The Vanguard is warranted to shoot, for whatever that's worth to you.

If you are planning on building on the action later, you probably should go with the Remington. Its not so much because the action is better as that the aftermarket is shaped toward it and every gunsmith and his brother knows how to work on one.

Out of the box triggers are better on the Vanguard. It never used to be that way. Vanguard bottom metal is a little chintzy. Remington's is a little less cheezy and there are quality replacements available.
 
vanguard is a under rate rifle, is got option that remington are unable to match, recoil lug build right in to the action, which are much harder to produce, ar15 extractor build in, metric thread so most gunsmith stay away from it, but fit and finish are excellent. steel action, I take that over any aluminum anodize action.

Republic of Alberta said:
The Vanguard is light years ahead of the Remington in pretty much every aspect. Vanguard = quality parts fit together correctly, pretty much the opposite of a Remington. I have a S2 in 270 that seems to be a bit more problematic than the average one. Had to fix the trigger as it was a bit grittily feeling and I haven't gotten TRUE sub MOA out of it yet... but haven't tried to hard either because it shoots better than the average hunting rifle.

If I was going to do a project rifle and throw away everything but the action and rebuild from the ground up, I will choose a Remington.



Right now Remington is getting by on their iconic name and previous reputation. But times have changed. The new guns they are shiiting out are some of the worst in the industry, not only because of problems with the quality of parts and how well they are put together but also the fact everyone else has gotten better.
Click to expand...
 
some vanguard rifle require minor bolt lapping, other require of abit action squaring, but it would be great for precision build. comparing to vanguard remington is junk, you have to do a lot to make it shoot.
 
I had a buddy with a Howa 1500 (Vanguard) in .223 and at 100 yards he was making one ragged hole as a 5 shot group. That's what made me buy my 30-06 Howa
 
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