bantam9
Member
Any thoughts, by anyone who has either.
Just looking for a good cheap ride.
Just looking for a good cheap ride.
Thinking of low cost .243---Ruger American or Wetherby Vanguard
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surfinUSA
Member
I'd go with the vanguard. The people I know that have them like them.
splattergun
Member
I beleive the Vanguard action is made by Howa to Weatherby specs.
I own a Howa 1500 in 30-06. Probably not an accurate comparison to the Vanguard, but I love my 1500. I like the factory trigger, as it is adjustable, and a Timney will drop right in. I believe the same is true for the Vanguard. I handled a Vanguard, found the stock to be OK, perhaps superior to the American, and I like the magazine. Given a chance at the right price, I would buy one.
I bought a Ruger American in .243 a few months ago on sale. Over all, I think it's a good gun for the price. I am not real keen on the plastic magazine. THe stock is a bit too flexible to use proper sling techniques without losing accuracy, but I don't think Ruger had that as a priority. I do like the trigger! I havent' played with adjustment yet, but factory setting feels pretty good.
Right out of the box I added a cheap 20 year old Tasco 3-9x scope and got 5 shot groups 1.2 in @ 100 yds with factory 90 gr Rem core-lokt. Federals gave me about 1.35 in goups, and these tests off front bag only. I've not had a chance to test my 80 gr handloads yet. I believe I got a fair return on investment with the American. It is NOT a competion rifle, but it will kill yotes and bucks quite well.
I own a Howa 1500 in 30-06. Probably not an accurate comparison to the Vanguard, but I love my 1500. I like the factory trigger, as it is adjustable, and a Timney will drop right in. I believe the same is true for the Vanguard. I handled a Vanguard, found the stock to be OK, perhaps superior to the American, and I like the magazine. Given a chance at the right price, I would buy one.
I bought a Ruger American in .243 a few months ago on sale. Over all, I think it's a good gun for the price. I am not real keen on the plastic magazine. THe stock is a bit too flexible to use proper sling techniques without losing accuracy, but I don't think Ruger had that as a priority. I do like the trigger! I havent' played with adjustment yet, but factory setting feels pretty good.
Right out of the box I added a cheap 20 year old Tasco 3-9x scope and got 5 shot groups 1.2 in @ 100 yds with factory 90 gr Rem core-lokt. Federals gave me about 1.35 in goups, and these tests off front bag only. I've not had a chance to test my 80 gr handloads yet. I believe I got a fair return on investment with the American. It is NOT a competion rifle, but it will kill yotes and bucks quite well.
texas chase
Member
Vanguard all the way.
PlaneJain
Member
The only bolt action I like more than my Weatherby is my Sako. My next will be a Vanguard series 2 in .223.
Here is my 338:
Here is my 338:
PlaneJain
Member
Speaking of which, there is a Weatherby Vanguard down in Utah for $349 dollars in 243. at Cabelas. Maybe they can ship it to a Cabelas near you
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat105522480;cat105523380
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat105522480;cat105523380
Liberty1776
Member
Yep - there's a reason I just bought the Vanguard....I like it better
Arkansas Paul
Member
I own a Vanguard.
I sighted in my nephew's Ruger American.
It's no contest. The Vanguard is twice the rifle the American is IMO.
The only thing the American has going for it is it's weight. It's a very light weight rifle, whereas the Vanguard is a bit on the heavy side.
I sighted in my nephew's Ruger American.
It's no contest. The Vanguard is twice the rifle the American is IMO.
The only thing the American has going for it is it's weight. It's a very light weight rifle, whereas the Vanguard is a bit on the heavy side.
powwowell
Member
I chose the Ruger American, in .243. I don't believe you could fine this much rifle, for the money, in any other brand. The trigger is absolutely fantastic. The bolt has three locking lugs. You get a rotary magazine, that fits flush with the stock. The action is bedded to the stock. What's not to like?
GuysModel94
Member
Between these two i'd choose the Weatherby.
AABEN
Member
I like the new Savage my self. I like there new trigger. It is easy to adjust I have my set at 2/12 Lb this is what I like for jest shooting targets there is people that set there at less than a pound.
Kachok
Member
For 243 I would opt for the Savage or Ruger, I think the Weatherby is a 1:10" twist which is more finicky with 90gr+ bullets, of course if you don't plan on hunting with it 70-85gr bullets will work just as good for punching paper inside 300yards.
I have had really good luck with the Savages, all shooters, but the new Ruger has caught my attention too, love the ergonomics and the nifty magazine, but Savage has a REAL strong aftermarket if you ever wanted to tweak it.
I have had really good luck with the Savages, all shooters, but the new Ruger has caught my attention too, love the ergonomics and the nifty magazine, but Savage has a REAL strong aftermarket if you ever wanted to tweak it.
Jackal
Member
Get this. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...+243+Win.22"+Blue+BarrelBlack+Synthetic+Stock
Its more accurate than both the rifle you mentioned and cheaper. I have one in .223. Great trigger, very accurate and inexpensive. Its a winner.
Its more accurate than both the rifle you mentioned and cheaper. I have one in .223. Great trigger, very accurate and inexpensive. Its a winner.
Kachok
Member
Owned one of those too, XS7 in 308, and it was indeed a very good shooting gun, not better then my Savages but defiantly on par in the accuracy department. A good "cheap" gun by any standards, but in the end I sold it because I like the look, feel, and aftermarket of the Savages more. Just my $.02
MCgunner
Member
Hmm, how's about we find the least common denominator and reduce that to 1/6 lb?
The_Armed_Therapist
Member
Cabela's is running an awesome special on their 1st Generation (versus the Series 2) Vanguards. $349 is cheaper than most Ruger Americans I've seen. In my opinion, the Vanguard is clearly the better rifle. The American is shorter and lighter, which is the only advantage I see. Even that is only an advantage sometimes.
Deer_Freak
Member.
Today, Weatherby still offers only two lines of centerfire rifles: the Mark V and the Vanguard. The Mark V barreled action is manufactured by ATEK in Brainerd, MN while the barrel and action for the Vanguard are still manufactured by Howa in Japan. Final assembly of the Mark V and Vanguard is performed at Weatherby's company headquarters in Paso Robles.
Weatherby rifles come with a guarantee of 1.5 MOA and even sub-MOA accuracy from a cold bore on some models. Few other rifle manufacturers offer such a guarantee. Generally regarded as of higher quality than Remington or Winchester rifles, Weatherby Mark V rifles are considerably more expensive in terms of both the rifle and ammunition. However, the Vanguard models are competitively priced with other makes and models
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weatherby
Weatherby rifles come with a guarantee of 1.5 MOA and even sub-MOA accuracy from a cold bore on some models. Few other rifle manufacturers offer such a guarantee. Generally regarded as of higher quality than Remington or Winchester rifles, Weatherby Mark V rifles are considerably more expensive in terms of both the rifle and ammunition. However, the Vanguard models are competitively priced with other makes and models
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weatherby
Kachok
Member
Only thing I really don't like about the Vanguard is the stock does not fit my small 5'6" frame very well, I have gone to buy one on three separate occasions and each time I will shoulder another rifle that just fits me a whole lot better. The Vanguard has a rather large and bulky stock on comparison to a Savage, Ruger or Tikka which are all rather slim, so if I do get my Vanguard on my 4th attempt I would have to invest in an aftermarket stock if I wanted to hunt with it, I don't mind the extra weight, I used to hunt with an old Model 70 that makes a Vanguard feel like a featherweight.
I have a Vanguard (not Series 2) .223 that I really like. Wish it had a 3 position safety like some others but thats ok. It is a very accurate rifle.
@Kachok: I am 5'5" and I found a youth Vanguard on the rack at Cabela's. Fits me perfect, you might give that a try before you buy another brand of rifle.
@Kachok: I am 5'5" and I found a youth Vanguard on the rack at Cabela's. Fits me perfect, you might give that a try before you buy another brand of rifle.
Sock Puppet
Member
I prefer the Weatherby.
bantam9
Member
Seems like Weatherby is the choice of most here. I think the value @ $349 is great, just not sure I wanted the 24" barrel.
Ruger has the light weight, nice trigger, and tang safety, plus a 22" barrel and rifling I perfer. Just not sure about the flimsy forearm of the stock???
Ruger has the light weight, nice trigger, and tang safety, plus a 22" barrel and rifling I perfer. Just not sure about the flimsy forearm of the stock???
gamestalker
member
My Son just bought an American a couple of weeks ago. We had it out at the range today with my reload and it grouped very well. 5 shot groups at 100 yds. that you could cover with a penny and these were the first set of loads in the work up. At this point in time the only issue I have with it is the plastic magazine. It broke even before the rifle had been shot. But I'm not worried about it cause I'm told their is a metal one available, and in the mean time I used a dab of epoxy to make the repair, she held up today after 100 rounds at the range.
GS
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