T/C Venture or Weatherby Vanguard S2

[wbwanzer]

I want to get another .223/5.56 bolt action and am torn between the T/C Venture and the Weatherbt Vanguard. From everything I have read they both have good reputations. I checked on Gun Broker for some prices and found an average price for the T/C of about $460. T/C is also running a $75 rebate through the end of the year. That's about $385 at the end. The Weatherby averaged about $540. The T/C comes with scope mounts, the Vanguard does not.

The T/C Venture has a three lug bolt. The Vanguard has two lugs.

The T/C has a '22" barrel with a 1:12 twist. The Weatherby has a 24" or 20" (carbine) with 1:9.

My use of the rifle would just be for fun target shooting up to 100 yards, no hunting.

So a few days ago I thought I had it figured out and was planning on the Weatherby. Then I started rethinking the price difference. Based on the above figures, the T/C (including rebate) would be around $155 cheaper and I wouldn't have to buy scope mounts. Would the Weatherby be better by at least $155 worth? Is a three lug bolt much preferred over a two lug bolt?

Of course those who have only used a T/C will favor them and vice versa. Please take the price into consideration if you give a preference.

Thanks for any input.

 

[243winxb]

The Weatherby has a 1:9 twist (you said) it will handle bullets up to the Sierra 69 gr and Hornady 68 gr match bullets. You will still be able to shoot 50 and 55 gr bullets also. More types of bullet = more fun.

 

[Captcurt]

I have had two Vanguards and both shot very well. My only gripe is the weight. I have had several Ventures come through my shop but have not shot one. The actions are smooth and the trigger pull on the ones that I have dry fired was decent. I could own one without any after thoughts. If you are only shooting out to 100-200 yards the rifling twist shouldn't be a factor.

 

[HexHead]

Weatherby.

 

[wbwanzer]

My gut is telling me that the Weatherby would be the slightly better rifle, but the miserly side of me wants the less expensive rifle. I'm still up in the air.

 

[bearman49709]

I've owned two Weatherby's and a T/C Venture. The Weatherby's are gone and I will not buy another, The Venture has a place in my safe for ever!

 

[Grumulkin]

My gut is telling me that the Weatherby would be the slightly better rifle, but the miserly side of me wants the less expensive rifle. I'm still up in the air.

For a mere $155 you're going to pass on the better rifle? For me, the faster twist of 1:9 would make me choose Weatherby all other things being equal.

 

[wbwanzer]

I stopped in at a Dick's today. They had a T/C Venture Predator that I could play with (of course not the trigger) and they also had a Tikka T3 Lite. The bolt on the Tikka is very smooth as everyone has already stated. It works very precisely. But the rifle felt small and light (I guess a 'Lite' would). Anyway, I liked the feel of the T/C better but liked the bolt better on the T3.

Still looking and researching.

 

[merrill]

I have a T/C Venture in.270 and it is very accurate. I prefer a two lug bolt. The Venture cocks a bit harder than my M70 Winchester or my .243 Savage. For the price difference, I would go with the Venture, but I think that the Weatherby would be the better rifle.