So I have a 22-250, 220 swift, and a .338 win mag for my centerfire rifles and I'm thinking about filling the niche between the .224 and .338. My funds are tight right now, so I would like to get out of it for less that $1000 with the rifle, scope, mounts, and bases. I'm looking at a Leupold VXIII 4.5-14LR model for the scope, and a Weatherby $399 rifle or a Remington model 700sps. My 22-250 is a Remington model 700BDL and is extremely accurate. I have never shot a Weatherby and am not familiar with them. The most I want to spend on the rifle is $500. The scope will be about $500, with another $70 for dual dovetail 30mm rings and bases. I'm leaning toward the Remington as of right now.
Thinking about a new rifle, Weatherby or Remington?
- Thread starter codybrown
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Sounds like for that budget, you should get the Remington. I'm a big fan of Weatherby, but if I'm going to buy one, I want it to be a high end model. I think you'll be more than happy with the performance of the Remington. I have a 700 VLS in .223 and absolutely love it. Harris bi-pod and Nikon 18x scope. It's a great shooter.
The only weatherby that will shoot nicely even close to the pricing you listed.. is their sub-moa vanguard the accumark sits on a high throne at around 1500 dollars..
Id personally get a used savage and after market barrel it get alot more accuracy out of that then anything else you could ever buy.. but thats me..
If it truely is between the two only.. I would get a vanguard but then again you said asked if the 700bdl extremely accurate not without some work it isnt bedding and trigger work are a must.. in your case.. I would save up longer if you want a real tac driver.
Id personally get a used savage and after market barrel it get alot more accuracy out of that then anything else you could ever buy.. but thats me..
If it truely is between the two only.. I would get a vanguard but then again you said asked if the 700bdl extremely accurate not without some work it isnt bedding and trigger work are a must.. in your case.. I would save up longer if you want a real tac driver.
elktrout
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Both are good rifles. I have a Rem 700 30-06 that I bought new 38 years ago, and it still shoots good. I have also shot my Dad's .300 Wby Mag, which is an old model Vanguard. It shoots one inch three shot groups. Here is my opinion, realizing they are totally subjective:
Advantages or better features on the Vanguard.
1. Shrouded bolt with side gas relief holes.
2. Monte Carlo style stock. For me, it feels and shoots more comfortably.
3. Safety locks the bolt. I happen to like it that way.
Advantages or better features on the Remington, keeping in mind it is my old one which may differ from some of the new ones.
1. Crisp trigger that breaks like a glass rod.
2. Faster lock time
3. Shape of bolt handle (again, for me)
Disadvantages of Vanguard:
1. A terrible trigger. It was gritty, heavy, and inconsistent in let off.
Had a gunsmith work it over, and now it is very good but not as good as a 700 trigger.
2. Safety is a sliding type on the right side. Personally, I do not like it because it is not positive enough. I always think it would be easily bumped forward to the fire position.
Disadvantages of Rem 700:
1. Safeties on new ones, at least the last ones I saw, do not lock the bolt. On a hunting gun, this can cause problems of brush knocking the bolt open and dumping a round onto the ground when slung on your shoulder.
2. Most of the new Rems I have seen all have classic style stocks, which simply seem to pound me more than the Monte Carlos.
Hope this helps. I understand that the new Vanguards have hand honed triggers and are dramatically better in that respect.
Advantages or better features on the Vanguard.
1. Shrouded bolt with side gas relief holes.
2. Monte Carlo style stock. For me, it feels and shoots more comfortably.
3. Safety locks the bolt. I happen to like it that way.
Advantages or better features on the Remington, keeping in mind it is my old one which may differ from some of the new ones.
1. Crisp trigger that breaks like a glass rod.
2. Faster lock time
3. Shape of bolt handle (again, for me)
Disadvantages of Vanguard:
1. A terrible trigger. It was gritty, heavy, and inconsistent in let off.
Had a gunsmith work it over, and now it is very good but not as good as a 700 trigger.
2. Safety is a sliding type on the right side. Personally, I do not like it because it is not positive enough. I always think it would be easily bumped forward to the fire position.
Disadvantages of Rem 700:
1. Safeties on new ones, at least the last ones I saw, do not lock the bolt. On a hunting gun, this can cause problems of brush knocking the bolt open and dumping a round onto the ground when slung on your shoulder.
2. Most of the new Rems I have seen all have classic style stocks, which simply seem to pound me more than the Monte Carlos.
Hope this helps. I understand that the new Vanguards have hand honed triggers and are dramatically better in that respect.
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