Thoughts on Weatherby Vanguard?

[ddj8052]

I just ordered a Weatherby Vanguard Sporter in .308. I would like to hear your thoughts on this rifle. I had a Savage Tactical and loved the round and I liked the rifle, it was just to heavy. I wanted something better for hunting and field use, but also something for some range use. Iwanted something little bit different. So what do you guys think? Here is a link to the exact rifle:

Weatherby sporter

 

[russlate]

Also known as Smith and Wesson 1500, Howa 1500. Barreled action made by Howa in Japan, stock I'm not sure of where it's made.

Often carried at Wal-Mart at discount.

As far as I can remember, it's a Mauser 98 type action produced as a sporting rifle. Should come on the short action in 308 ( as opposed to the long action in 30-06 ).

You've chosen a nicely made, pretty rifle that shoots it's bullets at the old military 30-06 150 grain ball velocity of 2700 fps. Today's 30-06 hunting ammo shoots it's bullet about 100 fps faster than the 308 due to improved powders. On the other hand you get a gun with a half-inch shorter and thus lighter action.

There is still nothing ( at least that much ) better than the 1898 Mauser action, and for all-around hunting in America there is still nothing ( at least that much ) better than the 30-06 or it's shorter brother the 308.

I can't think of a thing that's wrong with what you've chosen.

In fact, due to it's slightly lesser velocity you have that much less recoil, and the 30-06 borders on kicking too much for the average guy who shoots only sporadically.

I'm sorry, but you have a good competent rifle and cartridge that just isn't particularly sexy. It's a good choice.

 

[wally]

I doubt there is a more accurate rifle for the money. Groups open up if you fire rapidly due to barrel heating, but this is a trade off for light weight.

Should come with a test target showing a sub 1" 100yd three shot group and the brand of ammo used.

--wally

 

[Partyguy816]

I have a vanguard in a 30-06 and like it, and so far I don't have anything bad to say about it.

 

[Black Snowman]

I understand there was a recall and the very first run of Vangaurds but they have been solid since. Can't fault your decision here.

 

[Fumbler]

As far as I can remember, it's a Mauser 98 type action produced as a sporting rifle. Should come on the short action in 308 ( as opposed to the long action in 30-06 ).

The Vanguard is not a Mauser style action.

It is a modern two lugged push feed much like a Remington 700 (it even uses the same scope base) or post 64 non Classic Win 70.

There's a review of the Vanguard on http://www.chuckhawks.com

 

[russlate]

Thanks for the information.

As you noted, the Rem. 700 and Post 64 Win push feed actions use the same basic design. The earlier Ruger 77's too.

Controlled round feed ( CRF )vs. push feed ( PF ) doesn't make much difference unless you have strong opinions one way or the other, far as I'm concerned.

In a dangerous game situation that would be different. But for deer or elk or black bear in the lower 48 states?

The guy made his choice. It's a good one. Model 700 vs. Model 70 vs. Model 77 vs. Vanguard or Savage - to me it's choosing a car based on what color paint you like. He evidently thinks it looks good, and I'm not going to argue with him.

 

[rbernie]

I've got one in 223 and I think that it's a steal for the money.

 

[jrobb45]

What kind of groups do you get with the .223?

jrobb

 

[rbernie]

The factory group was about .75", and I'm getting 1" five-shot groups with WinWhiteBox 55gr and 1.5" five-shot groups with American Eagle 55gr. My best handloads at present will come in at 1"-.75" five-shot groups, but I'm still working on bettering that....

 

[Grayrock]

Anyone know how to adjust the trigger pull? It is supposed to have an adjustable trigger.

 

[rbernie]

I had one in 223 and it was quite well finished and fitted, with good accuracy. If the weight of the Savage was an issue for you, you may be disappointed in the Vanguard - they are certainly not featherweights.

The Vanguard trigger can be adjusted (and usually needs it) but be warned - doing it wrong means that the safety wo't engage anymore. Always check the safety on a Vanguard after you've mucked with 'da screws'.

 

[JohnBT]

I saved these trigger instructions off the web years ago for a friend with a .223 Howa and it worked for him, although he didn't have to adjust the sear engagement. His rifle, with me shooting, would do 3-shot cloverleafs at 100 yards with South African battle pack ammo. Yes, the barrel does heat up, so I was just shooting 3 fast shots off bags. John
_____________________

The Howa trigger is adjustable:

1. Make sure the weapon is unloaded and remove the barreled action from the stock.
2. There are three screws on the Howa trigger assembly, all three are
RTV'd. Remove the RTV from the front and back screws.
3. The front screw is the return spring adjustment (Pull weight): Back
this screw all the way out, then install to at MINIMUM 1.5 threads. This
is the lowest trigger pull setting that is recomended by Howa. It will
give you around 2.5 lbs. Re-RTV the screw.
4. The rear screw is for Sear engagement. Adjusting this screw in will
give you a finer engagement and less creep (there is NO creep in my
factory Howa trigger), adjusting it out will give you creep. RE-RTV the
screw.
5. Reinstall the barreled action into the stock, place a stap cap (or
expended shell) into the chamber, cock the weapon and smake the rifle butt
HARD a time or two to see if you have gone too light on the sear
engagement. If you don't have any 'slap fire', your good to go.

 

[MachIVshooter]

3. The front screw is the return spring adjustment (Pull weight): Back
this screw all the way out, then install to at MINIMUM 1.5 threads. This
is the lowest trigger pull setting that is recomended by Howa. It will
give you around 2.5 lbs. Re-RTV the screw.

You can get them lower, but may compromise the safety. I have my Howa 1500 Varmint's trigger set at 8.2 ounces with a 0.020" pull, but the safety is inop now. But since it's a bench queen, I don't see this as a problem.

As to the original question, the Howa/Vangaurd is an excellent gun for the money. It is more or less a copy of the Remington 700, and it was well-rendered. Mine consistently shoots .6-.7 MOA with tailored handloads using Remington brass, CCI primers, H335 powder and 40 gr. V-maxes set just past the listed COAL. Those are 5-shot groups, also.

(mine is the heavy barrel .223 with a 6-18x 50mm Bushnell Elite)

 

[Rockstar]

What about screw number 3?

 

[GunGoBoom]

That's cool that the trigger is adjustable, but my Howa's trigger came from the factory pretty darned sweet, and I thus haven't felt the need to fiddle with it. But thanks for the adjustment info!

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I think you got a great rifle.
As mentioned, it's a Howa action, not a Weatherby Mark V.

But it doesn't matter, as I recall, the Vanguards have the same accuracy and lifetime warranty as any other Weatherby. That alone makes what they charge for those a steal.

As for push feed vs controlled feed, I prefer the push feed. Dangerous game hunting may spell out the need for controlled feed (yet most guys that did such hunting use double rifles, go figure), but for general hunting the push feed is just fine. Also, the push feed is superior for target shooting, as those that do a lot of benchrest load their own and typically neck size only and load the rounds one at a time in the same orientation in the chamber for maximum accuracy. The push feed naturally "snaps" over the rim as a normal function. Doing so with a controlled-feed action is hard on the extractor and the brass.

Overall, you got one of the best buys out there IMO.