weatherby vanguard sub moa?
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rbernie
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I had one in 308. It shot well enough, but was a bit long and heavy for carryin' around all day.
I don't know that it's worth $700 bucks (that was local street price when I bought it) unless you really like that B&C stock. In my case, the stock didn't do it for me and so I sold the rifle to fund something smaller and lighter.
My used Browning A-Bolt medallion is lighter, much better finished, and equally accurate (if not more accurate).
I don't know that it's worth $700 bucks (that was local street price when I bought it) unless you really like that B&C stock. In my case, the stock didn't do it for me and so I sold the rifle to fund something smaller and lighter.
My used Browning A-Bolt medallion is lighter, much better finished, and equally accurate (if not more accurate).
Kentucky Windage
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I have one in 300 WSM and it's a great gun. Lived up to sub-MOA billing out of the box. The only real knock on Vanguards, IMO, was always the creepy triggers. I understand the newer ones have better triggers, but I haven't played with any yet. I replaced the triggers on three Vanguards (including the sub-MOA) with Timney triggers, which upgrade from a two-position to a three-position safety. I own many other brands/models, but the Vanguards have always represented great value for the money. Incidentally, each of my Vanguards shoot MOA or better with factory ammo -- you just have to experiment to find what they like.
I adjusted my trigger and I'm perfectly happy with the stock one.
It's a hunting gun, though, not a benchrest target shooter or something. MOA is plenty, and it seems to do that or close, with whatever ammo I buy at Wal-Mart.
One of these days, I'll handload for it. I don't even have dies for .30-06 right now, though. I'll have to get some...
It's a hunting gun, though, not a benchrest target shooter or something. MOA is plenty, and it seems to do that or close, with whatever ammo I buy at Wal-Mart.
One of these days, I'll handload for it. I don't even have dies for .30-06 right now, though. I'll have to get some...
Runningman
Member
The Howa/Weatherby Vanguard would rank high on my list if it was not for the simply awful triggers they put on them, otherwise they are usually decent rifles for the money.
I won a charity match for offhand group size with the rifle, stock trigger but after I'd adjusted it.
I can't say I agree about how awful that trigger is -- once you've adjusted it. It's a hunting rifle, of course, not a benchrest gun, but mine works quite well for its intended purpose, trigger included.
I can't say I agree about how awful that trigger is -- once you've adjusted it. It's a hunting rifle, of course, not a benchrest gun, but mine works quite well for its intended purpose, trigger included.
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GJgo
Member
I have two of them, and they both got the Timney trigger treatment. I think they're great. I handload them hot so I like the pressure vents in the bolt. I also like the one peice bolt handle. I've got them both worked up to half MOA for 3 shots with the handloads and they're overall a pleasure to shoot.
tango2echo
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Had one in .270 Win. It was sub-moa. The trigger was horrible and was replaced. Scratchy and atleast 8lb pull. Had a problem with the bolt sticking after 3 or 4 rounds had been fired. Sent it back and they replaced the bolt. Problem solved. I would buy another one, but if I did, there would be a trigger on order for it.
T2E
T2E
GooseGestapo
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My Vanguard isn't the MOA model, but its sub-moa nevertheless.
It's in .257wbymag, and I really like it. It's a tad heavy for a ".270" class performer, but, the recoil is less than a .30/06 and the trajectory of the ammo is in the .22/250 category..... very flat...
I too wasn't thrilled by the trigger. I "snatched" a shot on a doe at 90yds and totally missed due the "creepy" original trigger. Fortunately, the deer (plural) couldn't figure where the shot came from and froze. The second shot landed where aimed........
I replaced the trigger with a Timney, but I can't say its drastically better. Even adjusted a low as it will go and not 'drop" the striker on bolt closing, it still has some creep, too. Pull is down from 5lb to 3lbs, and a "little" crisper. In retrospect, I wouldn't have swapped triggers, but, hindsight is 20/20...... Didn't know until I tried it, but, I won't remove the Timney either..........
The rifle has been easy to get good grouping with. No suprises with the barrel, chamber, crowning, ect.
If I were not getting a Weatherby magnum chambering, I'd get the HOWA, however......... Same rifle, with a tad better trigger.
My Synthetic stock is OK, as I've got it painted in a brown/camo fashion that is very effective. It wears a Nikon Buckmaster 3x-9x in Weaver bases and Aluminum rings. W/24" bbl, it weighs about 8-3/4lbs which is about ideal......
With most 117-120gr bullets I'm getting ~3,300fps and sub-moa for 3-shots. Can't ask for much more. Since I'm using mil-surp powder from .50BMG pull-downs, I can shoot it cheaper than I can my .257Robts !!! My favorite deer load however, is 65.0gr of H4350 and the Hornady 100gr Spt. at 3,600fps. Gets sub-moa for 5-shots, and shoots like a .22/250 (or just a tad flatter)with twice the "splat" on deer........The above mentioned doe was shot with this load, and the bullet was recovered just under the hide on the far side and weighed 69.5gr in a classic mushroom, w/no jacket slip.....
IMO, it beats my .300RemUltMag as the ultimate "bean field' deer rifle.....
Best part is that I got it for under $300 w/o scope/rings/bases because of the $50 a box ammo. Costs me less than 25cents a shot due to "reformed" brass, and "blem" bullets and "surplus" powder.
It's in .257wbymag, and I really like it. It's a tad heavy for a ".270" class performer, but, the recoil is less than a .30/06 and the trajectory of the ammo is in the .22/250 category..... very flat...
I too wasn't thrilled by the trigger. I "snatched" a shot on a doe at 90yds and totally missed due the "creepy" original trigger. Fortunately, the deer (plural) couldn't figure where the shot came from and froze. The second shot landed where aimed........
I replaced the trigger with a Timney, but I can't say its drastically better. Even adjusted a low as it will go and not 'drop" the striker on bolt closing, it still has some creep, too. Pull is down from 5lb to 3lbs, and a "little" crisper. In retrospect, I wouldn't have swapped triggers, but, hindsight is 20/20...... Didn't know until I tried it, but, I won't remove the Timney either..........
The rifle has been easy to get good grouping with. No suprises with the barrel, chamber, crowning, ect.
If I were not getting a Weatherby magnum chambering, I'd get the HOWA, however......... Same rifle, with a tad better trigger.
My Synthetic stock is OK, as I've got it painted in a brown/camo fashion that is very effective. It wears a Nikon Buckmaster 3x-9x in Weaver bases and Aluminum rings. W/24" bbl, it weighs about 8-3/4lbs which is about ideal......
With most 117-120gr bullets I'm getting ~3,300fps and sub-moa for 3-shots. Can't ask for much more. Since I'm using mil-surp powder from .50BMG pull-downs, I can shoot it cheaper than I can my .257Robts !!! My favorite deer load however, is 65.0gr of H4350 and the Hornady 100gr Spt. at 3,600fps. Gets sub-moa for 5-shots, and shoots like a .22/250 (or just a tad flatter)with twice the "splat" on deer........The above mentioned doe was shot with this load, and the bullet was recovered just under the hide on the far side and weighed 69.5gr in a classic mushroom, w/no jacket slip.....
IMO, it beats my .300RemUltMag as the ultimate "bean field' deer rifle.....
Best part is that I got it for under $300 w/o scope/rings/bases because of the $50 a box ammo. Costs me less than 25cents a shot due to "reformed" brass, and "blem" bullets and "surplus" powder.
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