itgoesboom
member
Purchased this Weatherby Vanguard last November since I had decided to start hunting. For some reason, the State of Oregon looks down on people using Assault Rifles and Battle Rifles with high cap magazines 
, so a hunting rifle needed.
Like I really needed another excuse to purchase another firearm.
My choices, after much research boiled down to either the Tikka T3 in .308, or the Weatherby Vanguard in .30-06. Both offered fine accuracy guarantees, 1.5" for the Vanguard, 1" for the Tikka, but the Vanguard had a test target proving it. That, I figured, would do wonders for my confidence in the rifle.
Since the Vanguard was cheaper, and since it was on the eve of the 100th birthday of the .30-06, I decided to go that route.
Unfortunatly, when I purchased the rifle, things were a little rushed, so I didn't get to see the test target until about the time the background check was performed. Had I seen it, I probably would have gotten the Tikka.
Really, it is a good grouping, but I had been hoping for better. This one measures out roughly at about 1.25" center to center with 150gr SP. I really wanted one that would shoot <1". I knew I shouldn't be disapointed, but really, I was. Another salesperson a few days later cheered me up when he told me that the 150gr load isn't the best one in that rifle, and that I should try the Federal 180gr or 165gr loads.
After a little more research, I found some boxes of Federal Premium 180gr Gamekings, a discontinued round, but I found a place to buy it for about $11 a box. I figured for that price, it as at least cheap practice ammo.
As for the scope, I had a Mueller 2-7x32 laying around that I had purchased for another project that hadn't worked out the way I wanted. Since I didn't have enough for another scope, it got mounted. Unfortunatly, it doesn't have much room for mounting, and the long action of the Vanguard really limited where it could be mounted, so it is mounted much too far forward. Add in that the eye relief is only 3", and, well, let's just say that it is good that the eyepiece is rubber coated.
I didn't get to shoot the rifle until a couple weeks ago, and that was just about 30+ rounds to get familiar and sight in. Unfortunatly, it was at last light, so getting a good sight picture was tough. I got it sighted in, roughly, but it wasn't a good chance to really see the capabilities of the rifle.
Today was more of an opportunity to check it out, see what it can do, and get a better sight in.
I wanted to see if the POI would change if I shot off a bipod vs. shooting off a rest, and I wanted to see what effect rapid fire would have on the strings.
I started off with a couple shots off the bipod, to check zero @ 100 yards. Neither shot showed on the 8" shoot-n-see type target, and I figured it was probably hitting too high (zero had been about 2.5" high @ 100 yard off of rest). Sure enough, I had to dial down about 4 inches or so to get the shots close to the bullseye. They had been just right off the paper.
I started to shoot a couple groups. They were promising, but I could tell something wasn't right. The bipod was making a "sproing" sound after the shot, and I just didn't feel like it was doing the best it could.
So off came the bipod, and sure enough, POI dropped a bit.
Using the 8" target, I corrected up a little bit, and fired two more shots. Almost touching. Fired once more, jerked the trigger, and shot was 3" off, high left. :banghead: :banghead:
Now I am frustrated.
Calmed down, put the crosshairs back on target, took a breath, and s-q-u-e-e-z-e-d the trigger. Looked through the scope, and knew I had finally done good.
Walked down range, and sure enough, the 3 shots (not counting the called flyer :banghead: ) made this group:
It measures right about 6/10th of an inch, center to center (don't have calipers, used a measuring tape). My frustration was now complete. I can't honestly call this a 6/10th of an inch group, since there was a shot a couple inches off due to shooter error. A called flyer is still a flyer.
So, I figured it's time to switch over to the 3" targets, surely I will do better on those.
Since my shots were a little low, I fired 2 sighters on the 3" target, sure enough, 1" low or there abouts. Adjusted up, and fired two shots. Once again, darned near touching. Fired one more shot. Immediatly called it high right. Looked through the scope, and sure enough, it was off. Enough to make the group about a 1.5-1.75" group. :banghead: Gotta stop doing that.
Put another shoot-n-see on there. Fired one shot. Right were the others had been.
For some reason, I switched to another target (with similar problems), so when I went back down range, I put another shoot-n-see on top the first 2.
Came back, fired one shot. Same place. And again, same place.
About that time, the Range Safety Officer came over to chat, and we started to talk for about 30 minutes. Looked at my targets, and agreed, it was definatly me that was screwing up. Who'd have guessed it?
After he left, I did a little dry firing, and got ready to fire my last shot. Surely I could place it with the others. Ofcourse, I pulled the trigger poorly, and my shot went high. Group would have been about 1.25".
This was really getting frustrating to me.
But I was out of ammo for the day, and needed to head home, so I brought back the target.
I was about to leave when I thought of something. Someone had once mentioned that you could see what your rifle is really doing, beyond the 3 shot groupings, if you pull up the top target and look at what is behind it. They said that would give you a real good indication of how your rifle really shoots.
So I pulled off the first shoot-n-see, to find a tiny 3 shot group (2 shots top target, 1 bottom). I pulled off the middle target to find a group that was only a hair larger than the group I shot above.
Five shots, couldn't have measured more than .75".
Ofcourse, the that shoot-n-see ripped when I tried to pull it off.
So here is what I learned.
1. The Vanguard shoots incredibly well. Well under 1". Throwing out called flyers, the groups all measured well under 1". Ofcourse, there was always a flyer (This is #3)
2. The stock isn't floated, has a serious pressure point at the spot where the sling swivel is mounted, and the pressure put on by the bipod changes the POI. A Boyd's laminate stock is on the way, and I will float that, but it's going to be 2+ months before it is here and I have had a chance to finish it.
3. I need to improve my shooting consistancy. I do good, then rush a shot, or jerk the trigger, or shoot when I shouldn't.
4. This scope needs to go. 3" of scope relief, a reticule that measures 1" @ 100 yards, it just wasn't helping me shoot accurately. I won't blame the scope for all my problems, but it was an issue. I think this scope would be fine on a different rifle, but it doesn't work on this rifle. Fortunatly, I do have a Leupold 3-9x40 VXII on the way already.
Hopefully the new scope, and some added discipline will help me keep my groups tight, and not require me to throw out a flyer.
I.G.B.
, so a hunting rifle needed. Like I really needed another excuse to purchase another firearm.
My choices, after much research boiled down to either the Tikka T3 in .308, or the Weatherby Vanguard in .30-06. Both offered fine accuracy guarantees, 1.5" for the Vanguard, 1" for the Tikka, but the Vanguard had a test target proving it. That, I figured, would do wonders for my confidence in the rifle.
Since the Vanguard was cheaper, and since it was on the eve of the 100th birthday of the .30-06, I decided to go that route.
Unfortunatly, when I purchased the rifle, things were a little rushed, so I didn't get to see the test target until about the time the background check was performed. Had I seen it, I probably would have gotten the Tikka.
Really, it is a good grouping, but I had been hoping for better. This one measures out roughly at about 1.25" center to center with 150gr SP. I really wanted one that would shoot <1". I knew I shouldn't be disapointed, but really, I was. Another salesperson a few days later cheered me up when he told me that the 150gr load isn't the best one in that rifle, and that I should try the Federal 180gr or 165gr loads.
After a little more research, I found some boxes of Federal Premium 180gr Gamekings, a discontinued round, but I found a place to buy it for about $11 a box. I figured for that price, it as at least cheap practice ammo.
As for the scope, I had a Mueller 2-7x32 laying around that I had purchased for another project that hadn't worked out the way I wanted. Since I didn't have enough for another scope, it got mounted. Unfortunatly, it doesn't have much room for mounting, and the long action of the Vanguard really limited where it could be mounted, so it is mounted much too far forward. Add in that the eye relief is only 3", and, well, let's just say that it is good that the eyepiece is rubber coated.
I didn't get to shoot the rifle until a couple weeks ago, and that was just about 30+ rounds to get familiar and sight in. Unfortunatly, it was at last light, so getting a good sight picture was tough. I got it sighted in, roughly, but it wasn't a good chance to really see the capabilities of the rifle.
Today was more of an opportunity to check it out, see what it can do, and get a better sight in.
I wanted to see if the POI would change if I shot off a bipod vs. shooting off a rest, and I wanted to see what effect rapid fire would have on the strings.
I started off with a couple shots off the bipod, to check zero @ 100 yards. Neither shot showed on the 8" shoot-n-see type target, and I figured it was probably hitting too high (zero had been about 2.5" high @ 100 yard off of rest). Sure enough, I had to dial down about 4 inches or so to get the shots close to the bullseye. They had been just right off the paper.
I started to shoot a couple groups. They were promising, but I could tell something wasn't right. The bipod was making a "sproing" sound after the shot, and I just didn't feel like it was doing the best it could.
So off came the bipod, and sure enough, POI dropped a bit.
Using the 8" target, I corrected up a little bit, and fired two more shots. Almost touching. Fired once more, jerked the trigger, and shot was 3" off, high left. :banghead: :banghead:
Now I am frustrated.
Calmed down, put the crosshairs back on target, took a breath, and s-q-u-e-e-z-e-d the trigger. Looked through the scope, and knew I had finally done good.
Walked down range, and sure enough, the 3 shots (not counting the called flyer :banghead: ) made this group:
It measures right about 6/10th of an inch, center to center (don't have calipers, used a measuring tape). My frustration was now complete. I can't honestly call this a 6/10th of an inch group, since there was a shot a couple inches off due to shooter error. A called flyer is still a flyer.
So, I figured it's time to switch over to the 3" targets, surely I will do better on those.
Since my shots were a little low, I fired 2 sighters on the 3" target, sure enough, 1" low or there abouts. Adjusted up, and fired two shots. Once again, darned near touching. Fired one more shot. Immediatly called it high right. Looked through the scope, and sure enough, it was off. Enough to make the group about a 1.5-1.75" group. :banghead: Gotta stop doing that.
Put another shoot-n-see on there. Fired one shot. Right were the others had been.
For some reason, I switched to another target (with similar problems), so when I went back down range, I put another shoot-n-see on top the first 2.
Came back, fired one shot. Same place. And again, same place.
About that time, the Range Safety Officer came over to chat, and we started to talk for about 30 minutes. Looked at my targets, and agreed, it was definatly me that was screwing up.
Who'd have guessed it? After he left, I did a little dry firing, and got ready to fire my last shot. Surely I could place it with the others. Ofcourse, I pulled the trigger poorly, and my shot went high. Group would have been about 1.25".
This was really getting frustrating to me.
But I was out of ammo for the day, and needed to head home, so I brought back the target.
I was about to leave when I thought of something. Someone had once mentioned that you could see what your rifle is really doing, beyond the 3 shot groupings, if you pull up the top target and look at what is behind it. They said that would give you a real good indication of how your rifle really shoots.
So I pulled off the first shoot-n-see, to find a tiny 3 shot group (2 shots top target, 1 bottom). I pulled off the middle target to find a group that was only a hair larger than the group I shot above.
Five shots, couldn't have measured more than .75". Ofcourse, the that shoot-n-see ripped when I tried to pull it off.
So here is what I learned.
1. The Vanguard shoots incredibly well. Well under 1". Throwing out called flyers, the groups all measured well under 1". Ofcourse, there was always a flyer (This is #3)
2. The stock isn't floated, has a serious pressure point at the spot where the sling swivel is mounted, and the pressure put on by the bipod changes the POI. A Boyd's laminate stock is on the way, and I will float that, but it's going to be 2+ months before it is here and I have had a chance to finish it.
3. I need to improve my shooting consistancy. I do good, then rush a shot, or jerk the trigger, or shoot when I shouldn't.
4. This scope needs to go. 3" of scope relief, a reticule that measures 1" @ 100 yards, it just wasn't helping me shoot accurately. I won't blame the scope for all my problems, but it was an issue. I think this scope would be fine on a different rifle, but it doesn't work on this rifle. Fortunatly, I do have a Leupold 3-9x40 VXII on the way already.
Hopefully the new scope, and some added discipline will help me keep my groups tight, and not require me to throw out a flyer.
I.G.B.
