Any Weatherby fans out there?

Brickman301 · May 26, 2015

I have had a Weatherby vanguard rifle in 30-06, for several years now. I won the rifle at a gun raffle. This past weekend was the first time I ever shot it. Wow, am I impressed. Kind of kicking myself for letting it sit in the safe this long without being shot. Very accurate, nice trigger, I love it. Anyone else out there a fan of the weatherby vanguard rifles?

Alea Jacta Est · May 26, 2015

Sure.

Mostly.

Though it's much easier to be a Vanguard fan if you haven't shot or owned a Mark V...

Mark V late sixties...German...300 WM...Armalloyed...custom stock...glass bedded...Zeiss Conquest 3-14. Things she hits don't go very far.

Russ D · May 26, 2015

Aren't Vanguards made by Howa?

Uncle Duke · May 26, 2015

I think I'm going to become a fan.

I came across one of the Vanguards that Cabelas sells. It was in a used gun rack in PA. It has a beautifully figured and lazer engraved walnut stock similar to the Mark V. Action is the Vanguard action made by Howa of Japan. Has a 24 inch barrel and the bluing on that rifle is as good or better than any rifle I own. It appeared to me that it was likely originally purchased by someone who made it a safe queen, and then perhaps decided they didn't need another safe Queen. It didn't have a mark on it, and I couldn't find any indication whatsoever that the rifle had ever been fired. Didn't really need another .30-06 but I liked it so much I bought it anyway.

The rifle has a two stage trigger, which I'm not used to and was a first for me, but the break is clean and just right for a hunting rifle IMO. I was very pleasantly surprised by it. As today's factory triggers go, it's better than most. It shot just over MOA with Federal 165 grain, and I only put a box through the rifle. I'm pretty certain it can do better once I work with it more and find a good handload for it.

Screwtop.243 · May 26, 2015

I've always liked Weatherbys and own a circa 1972 Mark V Varmintmaster (Japanese) in .22-250. The thing is gorgeous and shoots great.

I used to dream of having a .257 Wby but after doing some research found out it was the poster child for an "overbore" cartridge and kicked like a mule, so I got .25-06 instead. I like Weatherby actions but don't like the double radius cartridge, so I don't think I'd ever own one chambered in anything other than a standard cartridge.

I think the Vanguard series is a good bang for the buck with the sub-moa guarantee, adjustable trigger and 24" barrel. I almost bought one in .243 but got a better tax return than expected, so I ordered a Cooper instead.

outrider58 · May 27, 2015

I've had a VGR for 25 years. 30-06. Great rifle. It was my western Md. deer rifle. Beautiful blueing on it in a high gloss Monte Carlo stock. :thumbsup:

Duck · May 27, 2015

Mark V in 300 WM. topped with a Leopold 3x10
V3. Its one of my favorite rifles. My next one will be the 257 wm vanguard.

mdram · May 27, 2015

custom 300 wby w/ leupold 6.5-20.

DarrellA · May 27, 2015

I have a Vanguard Series 2 Sporter in 7mm-08. It's not as good looking as the Mark V's, but still a damn fine looking rifle. It always draws comments at the range. And, it shoots pretty well too! Sub MOA on 3 rounds almost always, sub MOA on 5 rounds .... once in a blue moon. But, that's most likely on me, not the rifle.

photoracer · May 27, 2015

Russ D said:
Aren't Vanguards made by Howa?

Yes, but they are very sweet, especially for the price. They have a reputation of being sub-MOA right out of the box even with the Nikko Sterling scopes and sporter barrels on them. I built a true Howa 1500 into a LR .308. Weatherby won't sell junk even at the lower end of their lines. Yes its not a Mark V but hardly anything else is either.

Any Weatherby fans out there?

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