I know this a very subjective question. I am interested in a deer / big game rifle. I have pretty much zeroed it down to a Weatherby Vanguard S2 in 308 or 30-06. But then, the old Lee Enfield caught my eye. I would like to own an old rifle, but I have concerns about the 303 Brit (availability, selection,etc.) and old rifle parts. Can anyone give their opinion on whether they would buy an old milsurp or go with a new rifle? A scope is another worry of mine.
Weatherby Vanguard S2 or Lee Enfield?
- Thread starter Marksman1918
- Start date
x2
I also have a Weatherby Vanguard S2 in 308 and it is a fantastic hunting rifle. I really like the 3-position safety on these and as mentioned they are accurate. A solid design and well made, you can't go wrong with an S2 in my opinion.
Go with the Weatherby. It was designed to be a sporting rifle from the get go.
The LE is a battle rifle that has to be converted for sporting use. Ever after getting the LE somewhat suitable for hunting it's nowhere as good for hunting as the other.
The LE is a battle rifle that has to be converted for sporting use. Ever after getting the LE somewhat suitable for hunting it's nowhere as good for hunting as the other.
Best answer so far, IMHO.
He’s right you know. Even though I think the Vanguard is the right choice here, I have to say that all of our local small town Canadian tires have a box of .303 on the shelf. Even mine, I just saw a box sitting there the other day!
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
I've had the vanguard & they are a good rifle fer the buck, but I'm a LE loony that started out big game hunting with a No 1 MkIII post war sporter that shot very well
using 180 gr CIL jacketed soft point handloads. Factory 150's were good as well in my one. Dominion Mk VII 174 gr ball ammo shot the best in that rifle.
There are lots of Parker Hale & Churchill factory sporters still kicking around. Shop carefully & measure the groove diameter of the bore to see if it be to specs. (.311")
Folks that love to tweek their rifles have plenty of options out there for both the LE and Vanguard units. LE's will generally gets one's creative juices flowing when
doing up a build though.
As noted above, get the rifle that best suits ye.
using 180 gr CIL jacketed soft point handloads. Factory 150's were good as well in my one. Dominion Mk VII 174 gr ball ammo shot the best in that rifle.
There are lots of Parker Hale & Churchill factory sporters still kicking around. Shop carefully & measure the groove diameter of the bore to see if it be to specs. (.311")
Folks that love to tweek their rifles have plenty of options out there for both the LE and Vanguard units. LE's will generally gets one's creative juices flowing when
doing up a build though.
As noted above, get the rifle that best suits ye.
My dad got me a sporterized Enfield as my first hunting rifle when I was 16. It was reliable and I didn't mind kicking the crap out of it, but the first rifle I bought myself when I could afford it was a Weatherby Vanguard and it's still with me, must've been about 20 years now. There is no comparison, the Weatherby has been my #1 for that whole time and it's been deadly accurate and the trigger is great. It was before the "Sub-MOA" line came out, and with the "cheap" 100gr soft points (.257 Weatherby Mag) it'll hold MOA out to 200 yards, beyond that it's more about my limits than the rifle. The Enfield was lucky to put 3 shots into 2" at 50 yards.
When I go hunting, I reach for a hunting rifle. The trigger quality, accuracy, and overall handling characteristics are far better for hunting than the Enfield, which is relegated to "camp gun" status. That's really where it shines, with open sights and 10 rounds of 180gr Federal blue box in the mag its about perfect for that use case.
I say get the Vanguard.
When I go hunting, I reach for a hunting rifle. The trigger quality, accuracy, and overall handling characteristics are far better for hunting than the Enfield, which is relegated to "camp gun" status. That's really where it shines, with open sights and 10 rounds of 180gr Federal blue box in the mag its about perfect for that use case.
I say get the Vanguard.
NotApplicable
New member
- Location
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
While there is nothing wrong with the Lee Enfield, the Weatherby vanguard is objectively the better hunting rifle. It will have a better trigger, be lighter, cheaper to feed, more accurate, stronger, and less worn. The Enfield has a greater magazine capacity and a faster action, both of which pertain more to the battlefield than big game.
Of course, the Enfield will be significantly cheaper than a new or even used Vanguard, yet you may find yourself wishing to upgrade after a season or two. If you're looking for a more "classic" rifle at an affordable price, a used Husqvarna may be attractive. This will be cheaper than the vanguard, yet far more appropriate a rifle than a Lee Enfield.
Although the Vanguard is the rational option, that doesn't make it the better of the two. Ultimately you are choosing a rifle to bring home meat with, and if we were entirely rational we may choose to go to the store instead. Pick whichever rifle you like the best, and I'm sure you'll have made the right decision.
Of course, the Enfield will be significantly cheaper than a new or even used Vanguard, yet you may find yourself wishing to upgrade after a season or two. If you're looking for a more "classic" rifle at an affordable price, a used Husqvarna may be attractive. This will be cheaper than the vanguard, yet far more appropriate a rifle than a Lee Enfield.
Although the Vanguard is the rational option, that doesn't make it the better of the two. Ultimately you are choosing a rifle to bring home meat with, and if we were entirely rational we may choose to go to the store instead. Pick whichever rifle you like the best, and I'm sure you'll have made the right decision.
Wild_Thing
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- In the thick of it!
Vanguard and don't look back.
