What do you think of the Weatherby Vanguard rifles

[markg]

I was thinking of buying a Weatherby Vangaurd Sub Moa in .204 and was wondering what you incredibly knowledgeable folks thought about this rifle. I havent completely made up my mind. I am also considering Savage model 12 and maybe a CZ 457 Varmint. What say you all

[elkhunter11]

The standard Vanguards offer very good value for the price.However,I wouldn't pay the extra money for the MOA model.I much prefer the Vanguard over the Mark V.

[Dean2]

Agree with elkhunter, the Mark V is a much better rifle, but they are also three times as much money as the Vanguard so value for dollar Vanguard wins.

Of the three choices you list, CZ (actually is the model 527 in 204, the 452s are rimfires), the Savage 12 and the Vangaurd, they are not very similar. The Vanguard and CZ (non-varmit model) are lighter weight, walking around guns. (CZ lightest of the two and yet to see one that wouldn't shoot under 1/2" with very little work on the barrel channel and some load development. They usually touch on the right side when you first get them).

The model 12 will be about 10 to 13 ppounds with a scope, depending on exactly which configuration. The Savages shoot great right out of the box, for relatively little money but are very heavy if you plan to pack it very far.

For a walking 204 I would take the CZ, for a heavy bench or in place move by truck gopher gun, the Savage. Best of luck.

[redranger15]

The SUB MOA has way better stock then the regular vanguards and is bedded.Just FYI Ed Weatherby shoots a Vanguard Sub Moa as his hunting rifle not the mark v,and he owns the company.I have a sub in 7mmrm and I love it . It shoot great with factory ammo.If you do some reading you will see there is very few bad things said about the vangaurds.Buy one and you won't regret it.

[Mad_Mikee]

I have a stainless sub-moa in 22-250. It's a great shooter for sure but the trigger was terrible. I replaced it with a Timney and its a night and day difference. The main reason I went with a sub-moa version wasnt for the barrel but rather it came with a much better stock. For the same price as a standard vanguard and a replacement stock you can get the sub-moa with comes with the better stock and a better barrel (if you beleive the marketing).

[PoppaW]

I would hold and look real close to those guns you listed. I have not held the CZ but hear they are good. The Vangaurd is a very nice gun but the savage seemed to cycle the bolt real rough. This may have just been the one I was looking at but the quality of the Weatherby was greater in my opinion. I prefer a MKV but would not hesitate to buy the vangaurd if the deal was right and the caliber was what I wanted.

[elkhunter11]

the Mark V is a much better rifle, but they are also three times as much money as the Vanguard so value for dollar Vanguard wins.

Actually the Vanguards that I have fired were more accurate than the two Mark Vs that I owned.The Mark Vs were a huge disappointment,especially considering the price.

[double gun]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Actually the Vanguards that I have fired were more accurate than the two Mark Vs that I owned.The Mark Vs were a huge disappointment,especially considering the price.

I love how you go out of your way to slag Mark V's basing your entire opinion on the 2 japanese rifles you had.

[redranger15]

Originally Posted by double gun

I love how you go out of your way to slag Mark V's basing your entire opinion on the 2 japanese rifles you had.

What's wrong with japanese rifles?

[elkhunter11]

I love how you go out of your way to slag Mark V's basing your entire opinion on the 2 japanese rifles you had.

I simply post my experiences with my own Mark Vs.If there is a better basis to form an opinion on a product than your own personal experience with that product,please tell us how.Since I was so disappointed with the two Mark Vs that I did own,it certainly wouldn't make sense to buy even more Mark Vs to try.

[PoppaW]

I have formed very strong opinions on owning 1 gun. So at least he had two to try out. I have found the MKV's I have owned to shoot under MOA with ease. Not a bad one yet. But all companies make bad ones... especially Remington.

[double gun]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I simply post my experiences with my own Mark Vs.If there is a better basis to form an opinion on a product than your own personal experience with that product,please tell us how.Since I was so disappointed with the two Mark Vs that I did own,it certainly wouldn't make sense to buy even more Mark Vs to try.

I have seen remingtons bolt handles come off when opening the action on a brand new rifle, and another which was chambered about 1/2" to short..... Using your logic I shouldnt try any other Remingtons, and should tell everyone who asks about them that they are junk. Or how about "your" experience with Coopers....didnt you have to send your first one back for repair??? are they junk?

[elkhunter11]

I have seen remingtons bolt handles come off when opening the action on a brand new rifle, and another which was chambered about 1/2" to short..... Using your logic I shouldnt try any other Remingtons, and should tell everyone who asks about them that they are junk.

If I had purchased two Remingtons that had the defects that you describe,I would not buy a third one,and I would tell others of my experiences.

Or how about "your" experience with Coopers....didnt you have to send your first one back for repair??? are they junk?

I sent the first Cooper back because it had a bedding issue that caused a flier now and then that opened the group up to around moa,(which was more accurate than either of my Mark Vs were by the way).Not that moa is bad accuracy,but the accuracy guarantee is 1/2" (1/3 of the group size that the Mark Vs are guaranteed for) so I sent the rifle back to remedy the situation.The second Cooper is proving to be much more consistent,and it will likely be more than capable of averaging 1/2" groups.

I have posted my disappointment in the Mark Vs that I owned,but I challenge you to find a single post where I referred to the Mark V as "junk".Go ahead,search this forum or any other that you might find,and then come back and post a link to the post of mine that used the word "junk" in reference to the Mark V.

[Dean2]

Forums are a place where people can post their opinions on things. The internet has allowed a far broader abiltiy to get information, both official comapny versions, and actual user input. You can bet Remington would not be publishing all of the quality problems they have been having the last two or three years. Even the recall of the 597 in 17 HMR, which has been a known problem since it came out, is the result of a lot of pressure on the net.

Some people post opinions based on real experience, these are the most helpful, but it seems silly to expect that everyone who is posting will have experience with more than one or two let alone 10 or more different instnaces of a product.

If everyone posts their honest experience, and the various experiences don't match, then the person who started the thread has a decision to make based on the preponderance of opinions, but at least they have a few different points of view.

Debating facts makes sense, the speed at which an object falls, 32 feet per second, per second, is not a matter of someones experience or conjecture. Arguing among posters when you disagree with someone else"s opinion, based on their personal experience, seems absurd. I don't buy Fords because the three I had were disapointing, one of my hunting partners loves them. We don't agrue about who bought the right vehicle, it would disrespect our individual experiences. If you mileage differs, say that, but it doesn't mean the other person didn't see what they say they did.

I think this would be a lot friendlier forum if everyone remebered this isn't personal, if I don't like the gun you shoot, you don't even know me, so why does it matter? I vote we keep it freindly and professional, and leave the board fights to other forums.

[Grizzled]

I shoot a .257 wthby mag...it does not miss !:d

[Timo]

Mine shoots nice and looks good what's not to like?


It is a good gun and will provide many years of reliable service while keeping your freezer full. Good Bang for your Buck!

[Pioneer2]

Vanguards are made by Howa in Japan.Same action as 1500 S+W and Mosberg also imported them all good shooters from what I've seen and shot....................Same scope base as Rem 700...........Harold

[Dick284]

Can't stand the things.

They don't come left handed.....!

[Bushrat]

Mine was too pretty to hunt with so I traded it off on something else.

[IMG][/IMG]

[rhuntley12]

I had one in 7mm mag and no complaints. Shot straight and worked everytime.

[Desert Eagle]

I have a 257 wby in the Backcountry. The rifle shoots 3/8" groups with handloads and no other work. Its pretty hard to say anything bad about that!

[predatorzedge]

I got a vanguard in 22-250rem heavy barrel with composite stalk, I love it. Nice and heavy for callin coyotes for the 200-400yrd shots. Seems to shoot the 55gr an 60 gr noslers the best 1/2in grouping at 200 yrds.

[bobinthesky]

The 257 wby I had shot sub moa with every bullet that I tried through it except the 120 grain, they shot 1.5 moa.
Throw the lawyer's trigger in the garbage pail and spend a hundred bucks or so on an aftermarket job such as a Timney and you've got a good rifle. Probably better than most in that price range.

[gatorr]

Go with the sub moa it has a nicer stock. I have one in 7 mm rem mag and shoots great well under an inch with barnes 140 grain ttsx handloads. I also just bougth a accumark in .257 weatherby just waiting for my scope to arrive before i get to try it out.

[Huntnut]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Can't stand the things.

They don't come left handed.....!

X2

[tikkat69]

Best part about them is the only come right handed!!!!!!

[noneck180]

The 257 Weatherby Vanguard I had was 1" 200yard gun.

[The cooter]

Weatherby two words OVER PRICED!!!!!

[elkhunter11]

Weatherby two words OVER PRICED!!!!

The Vanguard is actually quite reasonably priced.

[gatorr]

Hey Cooter i think from some of your other posts you own a Tikka. Hmmm i dont see any posts on here about Weatherbys that have broken stocks and some that wont fire unlike the tikka. You get what you pay for.