Weatherby Vanguard vs. XBolt and REM 700- which action is better OTB?

Sharkson

Sharkson

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Looking for a 223 bolt action with decent accuracy OTB for my 14 year old.

I handled low end versions of both the XBolt and the 700 at Le Barons in Markham on Saturday. Both were disappointing, but you get what you pay for I suppose. The actions (especially the XBolt) were very sloppy.

I have read good things about the Vanguard S2 rifles. but have not had the opportunity to handle one yet.

Any thoughts on the new Weatherby's? I have read about the WBY-X KRYPTEK™ TR with a 20" Profile 3 (0.74" at muzzle) barrel.
 
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I am very happy with my weatherby vanguard carbine in 223. It is a bit on the heavy side but for my shooting it suits me just fine.

Trigger is terrific.
 
Thanks for your input.

My son will be hunting with an SKS for deer this year. A 223 would likely be used mostly as a bench gun for cheap practice. He might get the chance to use it for gophers or coyotes later. So weight is not a huge issue.

I was most interested in a decent trigger and good accuracy OTB for a reasonable price.
 
Sharkson said:
Looking for a 223 bolt action with decent accuracy OTB for my 14 year old..
Both were disappointing, but you get what you pay for I suppose. The actions (especially the XBolt were very sloppy.
Click to expand...

Define sloppy?
Are you talking about the bolt wiggling round when drawn back and then feeding the next round forward?
Have you ever felt the action of Parker Hale ?
Typical Mauser action design but , they function very well and have been used for many years for custom builds.
The reason I like the Wby Vangards are for the value and accuracy right out of the box.
But, being a cheeky Union Thug I rub people the wrong way sometimes with my comments ;)
Rob
 
FLHTCUI said:
Define sloppy?
Are you talking about the bolt wiggling round when drawn back and then feeding the next round forward?
Have you ever felt the action of Parker Hale ?
Rob
Click to expand...

Not rubbed the wrong way here. ;-)

I only had them in hand for brief moments each because of a hovering impatient wife and the salesman wasn't keen on taking off the trigger guard to let me try the triggers!

But yes, the bolt was sloppy when drawn back. Not perhaps the sign of a bad rifle, but it was quite different as compared to my 70 year old Mauser 8mm hunting rifle or my WIN Model 70 varmint rifle from the '70's.

I have no illusions that for $700 plus tax that the action will be a jewelled masterpiece. :p Your comments about the Vanguards are consistent with what I have read in those "unbiased" magazine reviews. I'm going to the collective wisdom here at CGN before I buy anything!
 
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I love my weatherby vanguard, first series, synthetic, 270w. Got it for 450$ and never looked back. Action is smooth when reloading but when the bolt is all the way out and theres no mag it is a bit loose... but when you are shooting it is smooth as hell. Save money on your gun and get a better scope.
 
Sharkson said:
Looking for a 223 bolt action with decent accuracy OTB for my 14 year old.

I handled low end versions of both the XBolt and the 700 at Le Barons in Markham on Saturday. Both were disappointing, but you get what you pay for I suppose. The actions (especially the XBolt) were very sloppy.

I have read good things about the Vanguard S2 rifles. but have not had the opportunity to handle one yet.

Any thoughts on the new Weatherby's? I have read about the WBY-X KRYPTEK™ TR with a 20" Profile 3 (0.74" at muzzle) barrel.
Click to expand...

Vanguard S2 is a terrific rifle, however, the twist isn't fast enough to shoot heavier bullets well. Up to 55 gr should be fine, tho.
 
I know that when I head out this year, my hand will reach for my Vanguard s2. I have several to choose from but from the day I brought it home it was an instant fav. It beats my savages, BLR, and Winchesters in everyway except for the weight department. Its not really a big deal until mile 10 plus
 
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