Why doesn't the Howa action seem to get much respect?

Prophet river was who I bought the Howa stainless from several years ago. I do know they stopped stainless production for a good while, so I think it is a matter of "catch up" as far as stock in the stores.
 
Aside from that are there any other pertinent differences ?
The Howa does come with bases / rings included and as near as I can find the Weatherby does not, probably why the Howa costs more.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to stir up an argument, simply curious because I can get either one in the chambering I want and visually they appear to be almost identical..

Not much, maybe fluted and drilled bolt? There's not going to be much difference when they are basically the same thing. That's why I figured the accuracy warranty might make a difference.
 
I guess if the respective rifles are identical with regard to barrels, stocks and bedding , etc., then maybe its a matter of one manufacturer having more confidence in their product, enough to offer an accuracy guarantee as a sales pitch...
 
Aside from that are there any other pertinent differences ?
The Howa does come with bases / rings included and as near as I can find the Weatherby does not, probably why the Howa costs more.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to stir up an argument, simply curious because I can get either one in the chambering I want and visually they appear to be almost identical..

A pig with Red lipstick is Still a PIG with red lipstick isnt it?
BTW, I am not saying either rifle is a pig, but rather they are very similar if not the same...

I guess if the respective rifles are identical with regard to barrels, stocks and bedding , etc., then maybe its a matter of one manufacturer having more confidence in their product, enough to offer an accuracy guarantee as a sales pitch...

I would suggest that Weatherby is asking for a few closer tolerances in the specification department and and their QC is the proof in being able to offer the 1'' or less accuracy .
My first Vanguard a 30:06 btw had the three holes (factory shot target) touching and it wasnt even the sub. moa gun either.
Needless to say it followed me home that day and I regrettably sold it two yrs later because I had a woody for the .257Wby in the series one.
The only con to me is the squared plastic/composite(material) stock construction/design, but I get over that when I bust a cap and the target is hit where I am aiming.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
My experience with the Vanguard is limited to only one and my only criticism is that it was heavier than I thought it should be for a hunting rifle.
Otherwise it shot well and fit and finish were acceptable.
Is it just me or are they a bit on the heavy side ?..... my Vanguard was a stainless in 257 Weatherby and scoped weighed 10.5 lbs.

They are heavy, mine is close to yours in weight but I figured my .257 is built for range, shooting from a stand so the weight is tolerable in exchange for the stability and first shot accuracy.

Love my Vanguard, it's a real nice handling rifle.
 
Aside from that are there any other pertinent differences ?
The Howa does come with bases / rings included and as near as I can find the Weatherby does not, probably why the Howa costs more.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to stir up an argument, simply curious because I can get either one in the chambering I want and visually they appear to be almost identical..


There isn't much difference, but from the research that I've done here is the cosmetic differences:

-the bolt body is slightly different
-the bolt shroud is slightly different(completely enclosed on the weatherby and not on the howa)
-bolt fluting on the weatherby

I am looking at the weatherby just because I like the look of the bolt shroud better and I seem to be seeing them come up for better prices used. Other than that, from what I've found, the rifles are exactly the same.
 
I would definitely opt for the Weatherby Vanguard 2 if I decide on a Howa product...the Weatherby QC and oversight is excellent. I own a Weatherby SA-08 shotgun and it's been flawless, whereas I've seen other examples of Turkish shotguns and they've had various issues. Weatherby does a nice job of overseeing and improving the quality of other gunmaker's production.
 
While you're researching you should look for similarities to the Nosler action. Once you ignore the flats milled into the action you'll get a wait a minute moment.

Just looked at a bunch of pics of the Nosler 48 action. Looks really similar right off the bat. I saw a pic of it outside the stock and the bottom half looks exactly like a Howa/vanguard. The rest looks really similar with just some extra milling.
Can't believe they are petaling pretty much the same rifle for over $3k.
 
There's a few differences; they have a different bolt-stop, PTG bottom metal and a Timney trigger which isn't any better than the new Weatherby's. Pac Nor barrel is worth something too; but rifles are supposed to come with barrels and if they shoot who cares who made the pipe? You can take the bolt out of one and stick it in the other. I seem to remember light-weight Howas with machining cuts on the receiver too.

Point being, a pimped out Howa seems to be getting all sorts of respect at approximately six times the price.
 
There's a few differences; they have a different bolt-stop, PTG bottom metal and a Timney trigger which isn't any better than the new Weatherby's. Pac Nor barrel is worth something too; but rifles are supposed to come with barrels and if they shoot who cares who made the pipe? You can take the bolt out of one and stick it in the other. I seem to remember light-weight Howas with machining cuts on the receiver too.

Point being, a pimped out Howa seems to be getting all sorts of respect at approximately six times the price.

Good to know the actual differences. The bolt stop is nice to have. The PTG bottom metal is around $150, the timney about $150 and the barrel $5-600 maybe?! Seems ridiculously overpriced to me.
 
Ohhhh how I have weakened in my declining years.... after a brief conversation with a fine chap at Prophet River he has put a new Weatherby Vanguard in the mail for me.
Cost - wise it is close to the same as some examples on the EE.
I mulled over deciding between the Howa and the Vanguard and that was tough, but we will see... time will tell ?
 
Ohhhh how I have weakened in my declining years.... after a brief conversation with a fine chap at Prophet River he has put a new Weatherby Vanguard in the mail for me.
Cost - wise it is close to the same as some examples on the EE.
I mulled over deciding between the Howa and the Vanguard and that was tough, but we will see... time will tell ?

What did you get it chambered in? I'd like to hear your thoughts on it once you have it in hand.
 
I had a really awesome vanguard 308 carbine with iron sights (apparently unique to the Canadian market)...it was a super slick action. Definitely regret selling it!
 
What did you get it chambered in? I'd like to hear your thoughts on it once you have it in hand.

Its chambered in 7mm Rem. Mag., haven't had one for several years and its a cartridge that's always worked well for me.
That sort of bucks the current trend of non-belted rounds and apparently the big seller in the Vanguard according to that good man @ Prophet River is the 6.5 Creedmoor.
I already have a couple sweet - shooting 6.5s, a 6.5 Rem Mag. and a 256 Newton so the Creedmoor would be redundant.
My first 7mm RM was on a VZ24 built by a Saskatoon gunsmith and it shot like a house on fire, will forever regret parting with that one.
I promise to give an un-biased opinion on this rifle with respect to quality and of course how well it shoots.
 
My new to me this past week vanguard stainless S2 in 300 win mag is living up to the accuracy guarantee with 73.0 grains of imr 4831, a CCI 250 and a 165 ttsx @ 3.420 COAL. I am seriously considering another one right now.
 
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My new to me this past week vanguard stainless S2 in 300 win mag is living up to the accuracy guarantee with 73.0 grains of imr 4831, a CCI 250 and a 165 ttsx @ 3.420 COAL. I am seriously considering another one right now.

My new S2 arrived today and nowhere could I find any mention of an accuracy guarantee in the owners manual nor was there any factory test targets which have been in every box of any Vanguard I've bought .
However, I'm not concerned I think it will shoot well..
 
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