Weatherby Vanguard

[Jonnybronco]

I found a Weatherby Vanguard for sale at a local pawn shop and am wondering what you can tell me about it.

The serial number is VS238XXX. It is chambered in 308. It has a Nikon 6.5-20X44 scope on it.

They are asking $600 for it.

I have been reading up on the Vanguard line and they seem like reasonable rifles. It doesn't have the SUB MOA stamping on it that I can see, unless it is under the scope mount.

Does this seem like a good price? I am by no means a caliber or manufacturer snob. The caliber and scope combination are in line with what I am looking for for long range (300-500 yard) paper punching and deer hunting.

Could I do better for this same price in a new rifle?

This will be my first hunting rifle and would like to take it hunting deer and maybe Elk next season.

Thanks,

Jonny

 

[mshootnit]

That's a little steep for an ordinary Vanguard in 308. Mine new was 575 at Cabelas a year ago. They used to be 399. Mine is a very nice rifle and accurate. I guess with the scope it would be a decent deal.

 

[tahunua001]

600 is about going price for a brand new vanguard with a brand new nikon monarch on it. it's a good deal. my 300 WTBY MAG vanguard is an MOA rifle but it doesn't have it labeled anywhere. all of them should come with a taget with 3 rounds through it at 100 yards. that's how you know if it's MOA or not.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

You know, it's subjective out by me (where WTBYs are made) I think that wouldn't be unreasonable. The Q is, do you like the rifle and are you willing to spend the dough.

 

[jmr40]

Selling them new for $350. Weatherby is replacing the Vanguard with an improved version and are selling current rifles cheap.

 

[tahunua001]

I bought mine secondhand NIB for $400 about a year ago...kinda wish I hadn't...ammos expensive

 

[ExAgoradzo]

Thanks Jmr40
I take back both things I said: their factory is just 50 miles north of me, but these are made in Japan...
I also take back the price...wow. However, guns are more expensive here than they are in IN where my dad lives...
I'd still like to find one in say the 257 for $350...

 

[Jonnybronco]

Thanks for all the responses. I have seen new Vanguards in the $400 dollar range here, and the scopes look like they are in the $350 range.

I need to go over and handle it some more to see if it fits me, who knows, maybe I can talk them down a little also.

Jonny

 

[ArtP]

Jonny, you might want to verify that the scope is indeed a "Monarch". Nikon makes several lines and if that scope is one of the low-end lines it could be worth about, uh, zero.

You can also buy a Howa which is really about the exact same as a WBY Vanguard. I'm pretty sure Howa actually makes the actions, if not more of the parts for WBY, stocks and other parts are interchangable.

 

[Jonnybronco]

How do you tell if the scope is a "Monarch"?

 

[ArtP]

not unllike a car, it should state right on the scope the make and model.

 

[ArtP]

How do you tell if the scope is a "Monarch"?

Even if the scope were a Monarch, I'd still lay off. But that's just me. One reason for that is the scope that you're paying for is really not a hunting scope.

For deer size game at reasonable distance, you need no more than a 3-9, a 2-7 fits nicely too. You do want more magnification for target shooting. If you take a 6.5-20 hunting with you, not only will you be toting around more bulk and weight than necessary, but the 6.5 low end power is really too much magnification to get quick shots off at 50 yards and less. There are lots of formidable hunters who use 1.5-4.5 power scopes.

You're going to fall into a very common trap of trying to make one rifle fit target and hunting roles. It can be done, but one activity is not conducive the other. A compromise scope might be a 3.5-10 or a 4-16. I have a 4-16 on a target rifle, and though I could hunt with it, I'd rather reach for something smaller with lower power. My two favorites for hunting are a Leupold VX3 2.5-8 and a Zeiss Conquest 3-9.

I brought all this up to point out that you could, for $600 or a little more, pick a more suitable setup of YOUR choosing. Shopping used equipment $400 on a rifle and $300 on a scope would buy you something more suitable than what you're looking at, at the pawn shop.

BTW - Monarch's get mixed reviews. I owned one in 4-16 but didn't like it and bought a Burris 4-16 instead. I sold the Nikon for a small loss. Again, that's just me.

 

[hipoint]

those things are about 400 bucks at our wal-mart. Never shot one before, they look pretty decent though, i'd definitely own one. 600 sounds unreasonably high, even if it's got a high quality scope on it, its still a used item with a used scope... Also remember this is a pawn shop, chances are they paid no more than $150 for this gun.

that's like me stating that my truck cost 45k new, since then I've put a camper shell, rims, and rebuilt the transmission, so now it's worth 50k... used is used, and honestly the only reason the folks at our flea market can charge new prices for guns is because someone can walk out of there with a cash deal and not sign any papers, this won't be the case at the pawn shop.

 

[mshootnit]

My Vanguard is a 257 Weath. Mag stainless bought at Cabelas about a year ago. It is extremely accurate and has a trigger with no creep. I have never grouped it but after sighting in to "prove" it I repeatedly was able to hit a 2" thick chunk of steel at 200 yds. And 257 Weatherby is FAST

 

[jsj127]

It being a pawn shop, if I really wanted it I'd offer $450 and go from there. More than likely they have no where near $600 tied up in a $400 rifle even with a monarch on it. Around here I've seen the vanguards on clearance for $299 new in the box. Dealer clearing them out for the new model. I picked up a sub-moa vanguard with the bell and carlson stock for $499 on clearance. I love it when new models come out and back room stock needs to be sold.

 

[Jonnybronco]

Thanks again for all the responses.

I didn't see anywhere on the scope that said "Monarch" so I am going to assume it is not. That being the case, I think I will let this one go.

If it is still there a couple months from now, I may low ball them and see if they will take it. I am in now rush.

Thanks

Jonny

 

[SwampWolf]

I guess it depends on how much the scope is worth. Earlier this year, I purchased a nib Vanguard for $299.99 @ my lgs, chambered in .257 Weatherby. I'd look around for a better deal.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Got my Vangaurd at Wally World for $390. I do really like the rifle.
If it's an MOA model, it will be on the floorplate.
It's a pawnshop. You can talk them down.

 

[Matthew Courtney]

Lots of rifles at pawn shops didn't get picked up from hock because the borrower didn't find them to be impressively accurate. The place to "look over" a used rifle is at the range.