Weatherby Vanguard Series 2
- Thread starter mainecoon
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Probably a better shooter than any of the others you listed, and the trigger is at least as good as the new Rugers and Winchesters. The action feels a lot like the 700. The synthetic stock is better quality than anything from Win, Rem, or Ruger in the same price range. The only downside for me is the weight, and I prefer the looks of the Ruger and Winchester.
I have three Vanguard S2s sporters, two synthetics in .223 and .308, and a wood Sport in .257 WBY. They are all guaranteed to shoot sub-MOA @100 yards, right out of the box. Mine all beat that with ease. My .308 shoots 1" groups at 200 yards.
The action is made by Howa, from a Sako design. The match grade two stage trigger is user adjustable to 2.5 lbs. The stock design helps reduce felt recoil. Weight is 7.25 lbs. They're really great rifles.
The action is made by Howa, from a Sako design. The match grade two stage trigger is user adjustable to 2.5 lbs. The stock design helps reduce felt recoil. Weight is 7.25 lbs. They're really great rifles.
CarJunkieLS1
Member
I really like my Weatherby Vanguard S2 in 7mm-08. However I couldn't get it to shoot worth a darn. The factory synthetic stock was very flimsy and the shots look like it was from a shotgun. I tried 4 different types of factory ammo and 3 different bullets in handloads on NONE of them shot to the same POI. I replaced it with a Laminate stock and had it professionally bedded and free floated. Have yet to shoot it since the work has been completed.
JeeperCreeper
Member
Like others have said, the Weatherby Vanguard 2 are Howa 1500's... but with better stocks, IMHO. Out of all the rifles you listed, I believe the Vanguard/Howa is the best all around rifle (coming from a Ruger fanboy). These are my opinions based on experience/observations:
I think price-wise, most Vanguards are below the Winchester class of rifles, but on par with quality. Winchester does have Controlled Round Feed on most new rifles, if I recall... unlike the Vanguard/Howa. On a side note, both manufacturers have ties to Japan and Turkey so welcome to the global economic world...
The Vanuard does not have as buttery smooth of an action as the Remington, but no guns really do. Both are Push Feed Action, but as a former-Remington-lover but current-Remington-owner, I will probably never buy another Remington. I never heard of the Vanguard/Howas being as picky as my Remington seems to be with ammo and you do not have to worry about the decade long Remington trigger recalls. The Remington does have an excellent aftermarket though.
The Ruger is Mauser inspired similar to the Winchester with CRF, etc etc. The Rugers are tough and great shooters, but in my experience veryyyy heavy compared to similar models of other manufacturers. Price seems to be similar to the Vanguard depending on market.
Again, this is just my opinion. When I am in the market for a new bolt rifle, I will start... and probably end... my search with the Vanguard/Howa series of rifles.
Edit: Here is a link to an article by Chuck Hawks on the actions of some rifles. http://www.chuckhawks.com/finest_bolt_actions.htm
I think price-wise, most Vanguards are below the Winchester class of rifles, but on par with quality. Winchester does have Controlled Round Feed on most new rifles, if I recall... unlike the Vanguard/Howa. On a side note, both manufacturers have ties to Japan and Turkey so welcome to the global economic world...
The Vanuard does not have as buttery smooth of an action as the Remington, but no guns really do. Both are Push Feed Action, but as a former-Remington-lover but current-Remington-owner, I will probably never buy another Remington. I never heard of the Vanguard/Howas being as picky as my Remington seems to be with ammo and you do not have to worry about the decade long Remington trigger recalls. The Remington does have an excellent aftermarket though.
The Ruger is Mauser inspired similar to the Winchester with CRF, etc etc. The Rugers are tough and great shooters, but in my experience veryyyy heavy compared to similar models of other manufacturers. Price seems to be similar to the Vanguard depending on market.
Again, this is just my opinion. When I am in the market for a new bolt rifle, I will start... and probably end... my search with the Vanguard/Howa series of rifles.
Edit: Here is a link to an article by Chuck Hawks on the actions of some rifles. http://www.chuckhawks.com/finest_bolt_actions.htm
dprice3844444
member
nice part about howa is that you can buy the actions/barrelled actions from legacy sports to build your own.http://legacysports.com/barreled-actions
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