[unreal45]

Does anyone have any experience with the weatherby rifles for sale in the CDNN catalog. the catalog states "rifle perfect box marked 2nd"
Is this a good buy or should i stay away.

[shooterIII]

All the Weatherby's I have purchased have a test target of that rifle in the box. If it does not have a target then I would not buy It.

[wally]

The fine print in my catalog says: "Gun marked second under bolt, cannot be seen with bolt installed." Also says test target is included.

--wally.

[ReadyontheRight]

I don't have the latest CDNN catalog. How much are they? Wally World sells Weatherby Vanguards for under $400. I assume they are not seconds.

[wally]

These are not Vangards, but various Mark V models, some at near Vangard prices! These usually run 2-4X what the Vangards cost.

You can download a pdf version of their catalog: www.cdnninvestments.com

I've very tempted by the Accumarks with fluted barrel for $900-$950, these were about $1500 at Carter's Country last time I looked. So I'd love to hear from someone who's got one!

--wally.

[Reed1911]

I don't know about the ones CDNN has, but I do know that Al French over at French's Custom Guns has some really nice Vanguards set up as a package deal. His work has been discussed here from time to time and there is just not enough you can say about his outstanding workmanship. He can be reached at afcg@cox.net

[Black Snowman]

If you want purely a shooter the "2nds" are going to be a good value. "2nds" are normaly items that are "fine" but in some way don't meet up to standard. Such as a finish that isn't as good or consistant as they feel it sould be or some other minor flaw. Don't plan on being a collectors item but you can trust it to run with the "1st"s.

PS: If you're going to get a Vanguard save yourself the $$$ for the name and see if you can find a Howa. I think it's the 1500 model that's the same as the Vanguard. For a good budget rifle, I really like the Tikka T3 and the CZ rifles.

[DigMe]

I don't even understand why Vanguards are even in this conversation. It doesn't even make sense to say or imply that someone shouldn't pay 900 bucks or whatever for a Weatherby because Vanguards are cheaper. They are two completely different guns and any other model of Weatherby will far surpass the Vanguard in every aspect. I want to say that Vanguards aren't even made in the Weatherby factory but I could be wrong.

Not to say that Vanguards aren't good guns for the money...just not on par with any other model of Weatherby.

brad cook

[yesterdaysyouth]

i've been 100% happy with everything i've ever bought from cdnn...

if i wanted a weatherby, then i wouldn't think twice about it...

[TooTech]

I bought one of these from CDNN. Got a left-handed Weatherby Ultralight in .257 Wby. LOVE the gun! The box is marked "Second" and there is a "2" stamped in the bolt raceway in the rear of the receiver. As CDNN says, you can't see it with the bolt installed. Shot a Wyoming mule deer with it about 5 weeks ago - dropped him where he stood.

From what I was told, Weatherby needed to clear out some inventory, but had to do it in a fashion that wouldn't P.O. their dealer network. Thus the designation of "second".

If you're looking for a great hunting rifle, not a collector, this is the way to go. A buddy bought one of the right-handed Mark V Sporters in .25/06. Another excellent rifle, with a beautiful wood stock.

[Ash]

If I understand correctly, the "Weatherby" factories are all in Japan, with Howa making Vanguards and another company making the Mark V's. At least, that's the way they used to be made. In either case, Weatherby is a designer and importer but not a producer unless things have changed.

Ash

[TooTech]

Ash,

The Weatherby Mark V is currently produced in the US. The Vanguards are produced in Japan.

[Black Snowman]

TooTech is correct. Weatherby has moved their production around quite a bit over the years. My Dad has a Japanese produced 340 Wby a Belgin made 240 Wby and a few American made guns (both from before they moved production out and after they moved it back). They're all great guns but the woodwork seems to be better on the American and Belgin guns. As far as the actions and barrels go, I can't tell a differance.

[Ash]

Ah so, I have been corrected! I knew they were at one time merely an importer and had not read that they had started up production in the US. I always thought I would like to have a Weatherby, if only because they are a very classy-sounding name. Yet, I keep going back to my Savages and keep getting pleased by their accuracy. So, it has literally been years since I considered one, though I am familiar with their design and operation. Of course, I have heard basically nothing but good from them (though I think Guntests found one lacking one time, but though they are earnest in their evaluations, their scientific processes leaves something to be desired) so I shan't comment any more ignorantly than I already have.

Ash

[Black Snowman]

Only issue that seems to be common with the Weatherbys are that their safeties can become worn or damaged to the point where they won't function properly more easily than other designs. My Dad has had one rifle with this issue out of the dozen or so he has owned and it was purchased used. It's common enough that many African dangerous game hunters distrust the Mk V design.

I'm more budget minded myself. I like CZs for their quality where it counts, and Tikkas for their excellent design although I don't own any. I have a Steyr ProHunter in .270 that's an excellent rifle and was very reasonably priced.

[unreal45]

TooTech thanks for the input.
That was the kind of info I was looking for.

[ReadyontheRight]

Sorry I confused the discussion with Vanguards guys. Just trying to help, but I obviously don't know my high-end rifles very well. :o

Thanks for the link to the CDNN .pdf download!