Weatherby Vanguard vs Tikka T3

In the pipe

In the pipe

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Hello all,

I have my next purchase narrowed down to these two rifles as they are the only manufacturers that make rifles for the respective cartridges that I am considering. 257wby and 6.5swede. I am interested to hear your opinions on which of the two you consider to be the better rifle. My use would be for bench target shooting and varmints mostly (incl coyotes, raccoons, groundhogs, etc). Either one is more than capable of deer so that could be an option aswell.

What I am most interested in is the rifles themselves and the not the cartridges as that is a separate debate unto itself.

I am interested to know why you would select one over the other. Quality, accuracy, warranty, features, design, etc. If you are going to go down the road of quality please try and be specific. ie if you have owned both and the tolerances were tighter on one over the other or fit and finish.

I look forward to watching the hornets nest I have just kicked.

Thanks
Sean
 
I'd go with the swede, cause it will be cheaper to load/feed and if you do a lot of shooting that weatherby will eat up the barrel pretty quick. I haven't used either rifle so won't comment on that though.
Neither cartridge would be my first choice for a true varmint gun though!
 
These two rifles are both awesome for accuracy at a stellar price right out of the box, but that is where the similarities end.

The feel of the two rifles couldn't be more different. The Vanguard has a very nice bolt, but the trigger feels very sloppy, at least at factory adjustment. Wood is very nice for a budget rifle, nice walnut, sharp checkering and rosewood forend. In my hands though, they feel like crap. 7 3/4 lb and 24" is too heavy and clumsy for me for a sporting rifle.... but you're not looking for a sporter anyways.

The T3 has a nicer trigger on it by far. Bolt not quite as nice and wood not near as nice (hunter model). Much quicker pointing gun though, over a lb lighter and shorter barrel, balance is way different. Detachable mag is a plus IMO. The whole plastic bits on the Tikka thing has been beaten to death on this forum so I'll leave that one alone.

I say just go shoulder the two at your local gun shop. You should know what I mean right away about the feel being way different. One should fit you much better than another.
 
Hey Sean, I was in the same situation with caliber choice only my were 25-06 vs 6.5x55SE. I researched and read alot comparing ballistics and my reasons for buying a light recoil , light caliber rifle for deer and varmints so I chose the Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 in the hunter model. I own several Remington rifles and wanted to try something different and I decided on the Tikka. It just seemed to be a nice handling rifle, and fit me well. I shot a .75" group with it first time out with Norma 120gr Nosler BT. And if you handload you can get alot better performance from the Swede than factory stuff. Also the Wby eats alot more powder for reloading ,which is a cost up. So far very impressed with my purchase, but like Salvelinus said go to a gun shop and handle each rifle and see what YOU like. Either one will be a good choice- you just have to make one. Good luck!!

Scott
 
I have owned a Vangaurd before, when they were first re-introduced. At first, they came with an ugly butler creek stock that never did the rifle justice. It was in .338 Wichester magnum. It shot extremely well though, far surpassing the target that came with the rifle. That was my first experiance with a Howa rifle. I was very impressed with it and even more so now. I've always been a fan of Weatherby's stock design, the same that is now used on the Vangaurd.

I only recently purchased my first T3 and though I have not shot it yet, (Next weekend maybe?) I have been warmed over by it. My biggest beef are those damned magazines and the magazine catch. But otherwise, the rifle just feels good. I'm sure it too will be accurate as everyone else seems to have good luck with theirs. Eitherway, I'm sure you'll be well served by either one. I would however recommend the 6.5x55 for your needs. Bench shooting doesn't require a .257 Weatherby, (By the way, I think it only has a 24 inch barrel in the Vanguard. That cartridge deserves a 26) The 6.5 would be wonderful as a varmint/target round that will treat you well off the bench.
 
T-3 in the 6.5 much better choice for both caliber and rifle.
Take the synthetic magazine and put in on the floor and stand on it.... it will be fine. Do the same thing with most any metal magazine... then throw it in the trash. The plastic thing has been beat to death all right... mainly by people that should beat their heads against the wall.:slap:
 
BIGREDD said:
T-3 in the 6.5 much better choice for both caliber and rifle.
Take the synthetic magazine and put in on the floor and stand on it.... it will be fine. Do the same thing with most any metal magazine... then throw it in the trash. The plastic thing has been beat to death all right... mainly by people that should beat their heads against the wall.:slap:
Click to expand...

Really;)
 
I don't know anything about the Vanguard, but I was shocked at just how accurate the Tikka T3 is. Got one a few weeks back and it's just absolutely beautiful.
 
I have had 3 tikkas and 4 Vanguards. Both are equally good and has their strong points and weak points. Out of all of them, the Vanguards were slightly more accurate, but very slightly. You are going to have to handle both and see which ones you like better, both are good choices in that price range.
 
X2 for the Vangaurds.... The T3s are nice as well though.. try em both... I chose the Vangaurd and have been amazed with its accuracy so far, love the bolt. Trigger isn't bad, but could be better.
 
Weatherby Vanguard sub MOA in a 25-06 would be nice. 257 brass is expensive, and for most people, the 25-06 is plenty. If that is not an option the Swede in the Tikka is absolutely what I would do.
 
now really

if you are going to shoot a Weatherby magnum cartridge, you ought to buy the gun it was developed for: the Mark V. go out and that nice T3 and enjoy the 6.5x55 cartridge.
 
Go to a store that has both. Put them both to your shoulder and see which one feels better. I'm assuming that you don't really care about the difference in the cartridges and the differences between the rifles (they are pretty small differences). Determine which one feels better in your hands. Which one comes to your shoulder better.

Buy the one that feels better to you.

Baindoor.

PS How about a Mauser 96 or 98 or Husqvarna 6.5x55? Lots of nice ones around.
 
I have owned both ( 270 wsm) and taken nice deer with both but here's what i found.

-Tikka has an adjustable trigger, crisp breaking
-has a mag
-very light to carry around
-shot around 1-1.5 moa

-Weatherby cost alot less
-stock seemed to take more of the felt recoil
-shot around 1-1.5 moa

If I were to choose again I think Id take the Tikka purely on its trigger which was very nice. I also like to have a mag and despite what alot guys say the parts on the Tikka, the plastic, are very tough and durable. Ive hunted in -30 with this rifle, dropped it in my truck box, it bounced around in my cab and never had a problem.
If Weatherby ever decided to improve their stinkin triggers they would have a very nice product.
 
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