I am looking to find out the actual weight of a vanguard S2 with 24 inch barrel. According to their website there's absolutely no weight difference between a 22-in barrel and a 24 inch barrel which makes absolutely zero sense. I am in the market for a 25 -06. I've always been a big Tikka fan however the Tikka only comes in a 22 inch barrel and the S2 comes in a 24 which the 25-06 shines. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Weatherby vanguard S2
- Thread starter mike t
- Start date
I believe they made some changes in the stock to lighten it up. I have a S1 lazerguard which is wood stock, topped with a VX1 and it weighs like 9.5lbs.
Ive always found the Vanguards to be a heavier rifle. If you want light weight, you're going to have to make sacrifices such as a shorter barrel, or fork out more money and re-barrel a rifle to what you'd like. Tikka's are light due to their stock and shorter barrels. All their magnums are 23.5" and guys can still get impressive velocities with their handloads.
Buuuut......
If its any assistance, my Lazerguard in 257 wby runs the 115 Berger at 3330 fps with a 24" pipe.
My buddies S2 257 wby with a 26" barrel runs the same bullet at 3355 fps with 0.3gr more powder. The difference between 2" of barrel is so minor. Especially when hunting, 25 fps (tops) the deer wont know the difference.
I truthfully don't think you would notice enough difference between a 22" or 24" barrel. If you were debating a 20" or 26" different story. Go with what you're going to be happy carrying around all day and comfortable shooting.
Ive always found the Vanguards to be a heavier rifle. If you want light weight, you're going to have to make sacrifices such as a shorter barrel, or fork out more money and re-barrel a rifle to what you'd like. Tikka's are light due to their stock and shorter barrels. All their magnums are 23.5" and guys can still get impressive velocities with their handloads.
Buuuut......
If its any assistance, my Lazerguard in 257 wby runs the 115 Berger at 3330 fps with a 24" pipe.
My buddies S2 257 wby with a 26" barrel runs the same bullet at 3355 fps with 0.3gr more powder. The difference between 2" of barrel is so minor. Especially when hunting, 25 fps (tops) the deer wont know the difference.
I truthfully don't think you would notice enough difference between a 22" or 24" barrel. If you were debating a 20" or 26" different story. Go with what you're going to be happy carrying around all day and comfortable shooting.
2" of #2 contour barrel...not really anything to worry about.
It's a nice heavy duty solid action, just buy it and enjoy it.
And to make you feel better about going Vanguard, here are a couple bore pics of 2 of mine, the Japanese know how to hammer forge a barrel pretty good.
It's a nice heavy duty solid action, just buy it and enjoy it.
And to make you feel better about going Vanguard, here are a couple bore pics of 2 of mine, the Japanese know how to hammer forge a barrel pretty good.
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If you convert the rifle to a removable magazine [the parts are all plastic] you save about a half pound and drop closer to 7lb, you also lose mag capacity 3 instead of 5, I have a 270 coming in a couple of days and I can weigh it when I get . All of my Vanguards at present are in Bell and Carlson or laminate stocks. I like my Vanguards and I didn't care for the magazine kit, some other things you are giving up with the Vanguard as well as the heavier weight you will have a 90 degree bolt lift instead of 60 degree, a Monte Carlo style raised comb stock instead of an American style. To me the Vanguard synthetic stocks have a more solid feel over the Tikkas I think of Vanguards as old school solid technology and good quality. The Vanguards seem to be hard to find in Stainless now for some reason, the one I have coming is a Cerakote model. You won't go wrong with either rifle and it does come down to some sacrifice, I do a lot of walking and I carry a Vanguard, after a day of walking I notice the weight, but I do not like the way a Tikka shoulders for me. They are both good rifles but quite different.
444shooter
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- Calgary, AB
2" of #2 contour barrel...not really anything to worry about.
It's a nice heavy duty solid action, just buy it and enjoy it.
And to make you feel better about going Vanguard, here are a couple bore pics of 2 of mine, the Japanese know how to hammer forge a barrel pretty good.
Very impressive.
I’ve owned Vanguards in 223 -22-250- 243-240WB -257WB - 7RM. All were Good Rifles but a BIT Heavy JMO . My fav and best shooter of them all was the 240 WB - the 7 RM was the doner action for my 416 Taylor build . They are a Very good action .
I prefer the Tikka T3X rifles now a days JMO RJ
I prefer the Tikka T3X rifles now a days JMO RJ
Thank you for the information. I have always used the Tikka but think I am going to give the Vanguard to a try. Other than the weight of the rifle I really have not heard anything negative about them. The extra weight really is not all that much of a deal to me seeing as I will only be using it while sitting in a tree stand. I would appreciate the weight on that 270 when it arrives.
The Tikka being a bit handier/slimmer is really the only difference I ever noticed. While their styles and actions are different (two stage vs single stage trigger, removable mag vs floorplate) never found any of it mattered. Maybe if a guy really cared about that or a monte carlo vs straight comb stock it might matter to him. Or if someone really wanted a one piece bolt/handle construction.
They're good solid rifles in both cases, shot well, easy to maintain as you can take the bolts apart without tools or a shoelace, no issues.
Can't really say one or the other has anything dealbreaking for me, althought I slightly prefer the ergonomics of the Tikka.
Once a year they (Beretta etc) bring the prices down 10% or so, a few months back I think it was. November-December? That's about it.
The Vanguards are pretty much always cheaper, yep.
Guess what I was trying to say was its all personal preference. Anyone's reasoning for liking one better than the other is valid for them. I can't say one is objectively any better.
I have both currently, but my Vanguard is pre-S2. It was never a light weight gun, but I'd say 7.5 pounds is about right from the factory. Mine is a 24" .257 and it was pretty much exactly that before it began "evolving". At the range or over a rest in the field I prefer the heft of the Vanguard, but it is not fun to carry! Tikka is light and slim and as a result, despite the same muzzle diameter it's a bit more front-heavy.
Quality of both is excellent, they feed great, they are both very accurate for field use, they eject flawlessly, they are tough and reliable, backed by good brands with growing aftermarket support (I think Tikka pulls ahead comfortably here though). I think Tikka rifles are more consistent, but I've also heard the barrels are slow. Mine is *a little* slow compared to others, but not massively so. It's about 40 fps slower than a 24" Model 70, but it's a 7-mag and 40 fps is basically meaningless at 3100. And that's with a factory load, different load might have a different result.
Biggest Vanguard gripe is mine had a pressure point in the front end from the factory and Weatherby insisted they shot better with them. I replaced the stock later and retained the pressure point it came with as well. On a whim, I sanded it down and groups shrank immediately. Your mileage may vary.
Biggest Tikka gripe, I just don't love detachable magazines on hunting rifles. Much less proprietary systems which can limit COAL like the Tikka in long actions, but that's more of a consideration for reloaders who like to throw the book out the window and load to the chamber specs vs. the mag limits.
Quality of both is excellent, they feed great, they are both very accurate for field use, they eject flawlessly, they are tough and reliable, backed by good brands with growing aftermarket support (I think Tikka pulls ahead comfortably here though). I think Tikka rifles are more consistent, but I've also heard the barrels are slow. Mine is *a little* slow compared to others, but not massively so. It's about 40 fps slower than a 24" Model 70, but it's a 7-mag and 40 fps is basically meaningless at 3100. And that's with a factory load, different load might have a different result.
Biggest Vanguard gripe is mine had a pressure point in the front end from the factory and Weatherby insisted they shot better with them. I replaced the stock later and retained the pressure point it came with as well. On a whim, I sanded it down and groups shrank immediately. Your mileage may vary.
Biggest Tikka gripe, I just don't love detachable magazines on hunting rifles. Much less proprietary systems which can limit COAL like the Tikka in long actions, but that's more of a consideration for reloaders who like to throw the book out the window and load to the chamber specs vs. the mag limits.
Vanguard (Howa) is much more expensive and complicated to make then a Tikka. 1 piece forged/milled receiver with integral recoil lug, I piece forged/milled bolt, old school heavy solid action that you could never wear out. Definitely get your money's worth.
The one piece bolt I'll give as being superior...the rest *shrug*.
"Costs more" doesn't necessarily mean "better" but I agree...the Finns either have a higher overhead or higher profit margin, wouldn't complain about the Tikka being cheaper!
"Costs more" doesn't necessarily mean "better" but I agree...the Finns either have a higher overhead or higher profit margin, wouldn't complain about the Tikka being cheaper!
I am looking forward to my Howa 1500 coming next week in 243 winchester - I owned two Tikka's wasn't crazy about neither of them - six years ago I sold my Weatherby Vanguard S2 and been kicking myself in the can ever since. It was a fantastic rifle I just didn't know it at the time.
