[buckeye hunter]

I noticed that my local Wal-mart sells weatherby vanguards cheaper than
Remington 700 ADLs and the cheaper model Savages. Does anyone have any experience or info on the Vanguards?

 

[Zachary]

I didn't know that Weatherby still makes Vanguards.

The Vanguards are actually Howa rifles manufactured under the Weatherby name. Weatherby did this in order to offer a lower cost option to customers but with the "Weatherby" name. But don't be mislead. Although its called a "Weatherby" Vanguard, there is really nothing "Weatherby" about it. Specifically, the Vanguard does not have the "renowned" Weatherby Mark V action.

Does this mean that the Vanguards are not good rifles? Well, to say that would mean that the Howa rifles are not good rifles. I have no personal experience with Howa rifles, but some people seem to say that they are good rifles for the money. Some will also tell you that they are quite accurate. On the other hand, I remember that these Vanguards were Recalled fairly recently. I don't know for what, but I think it had to do with the trigger or safety.

You say that they are less expensive than Remington ADLs and Savages. Well, let me tell you that the Remington ADLs are probably the best value out there, as are the Savages.

I'm surprised that Wal-mart is selling these rifles (which apparently are new). I am somewhat skeptical that they are discontinued and, perhaps, may be guns that are affected by the recall. You would be wise to check with Weatherby and ask them what the deal is. Specifically, ask them about the recall and whether these guns are discontinued (which I am almost certain they are.)

Zachary

 

[Zachary]

I just went to weatherby's website at www.weatherby.com. Apparently I was correct.

The vanguard line has been discontinued for quite some time. In addition, as soon as you link onto the weatherby site, an icon pops-up immediately and alerts owners of Vanguard rifles of the Recall. The recall involves Vanguard rifles made from 1970 to 1993. And the recall involves the Bolt return (whatever that means.)

I'm not necessarily advising you to buy the Vanguard because there are a lot better choices out there. However, I can advise you that, if you are set on buying a Vanguard, FIRST make sure that it is not a recalled gun.

Zachary

 

[buckeye hunter]

Zachary

I am looking to buy a rifle for next season. I thought that there must be something fishy about the price of a weatherby being cheaper. Thank you for the info!

 

[JBabcock]

Check out the CZ 550 American...

 

[Zachary]

I too have heard only good things about CZ. But also take a HARD look at the Tikkas. No one has ever said anything bad about them. Rather, people have only goods things to say about Tikkas. I should know - I own one. :grin:

:grin: Tikkas have match grade barrels (same as sakos), their actions are smooth as silk, and they must shoot 1" groups at 100 yards before they leave the factory. Plus, they arguably have the absolute best factory trigger - it rivals (if not beats) my Timney triggers! :grin:

I have the Tikka Laminated Stainless in .25-06.

Zachary

 

[Zachary]

WB,

If Howa is still making them "for Weatherby," then why doesn't Weatherby include this line in their own catalog?

I imagine that perhaps Weatherby allows for their name to still be placed on the rifles, and Howa gives them a percentage of the profits from the sales.

Although Vanguards were never as expensive than the Mark Vs, they still weren't cheap. I think that, even back then, they were more expensive than the Remchesters. It's unusual that they are now less expensive than the ADL and Savages. Something gives. :?

:? In any event, I still would recommend the Tikka as a solid value, and the CZ as well.

Zachary

 

[Zachary]

Take a look at this website: www.chuckhawks.com/wby_vanguard.htm

It explains everything about this topic. Apparently, I was incorrect. Weatherby is still making the Vanguard even though it is not in their catalog. However, from this article it appears that this gun is not exactly the same as the Vanguards from years back as there are some differences.

Zachary

 

[Crayfish]

A buddy of mine is into big guns and found a Vanguard in 340Weatherby at Walmart several years ago. He was all excited and bought it since it was cheaper than anything else on the shelves. I think he kept it for one season and sold it. It was built VERY cheaply ... a sticky, chattery bolt was his biggest complaint. You could see the tooling chatter marks in the bolt raceways. Overall quality was definitely lacking.

I would never recommend a Vanguard to anyone. Rem ADL or Savage would be far superior from what I saw on that particular gun. In fact, he had sold a Savage to get the Vanguard and was much happier with the Savage.

... CRayfish

 

[Zachary]

Yes, the Vanguards were made in non-weatherby calibers. Now, from the article it says that the new Vangaurds come in only 1 wby caliber, and that is the .300 wby.

Zachary

 

[JBabcock]

I would recomend a Weatherby Vanguard, but it wouldn't be one of the ones from Wal-Mart. You can find them on the used gun racks for about 400.00. I saw one the other day in 300 Win Mag that was beautiful. They have Sako style extractors, decent triggers and are usually pretty accurate. If you buy one go to Weatherby's web site and check out the recall notice. The older ones had great fit and finish on the wood and metal. Howa was the manufacturer of them, as well as The Mark V's. I think the Japanese Mark V's were the nicest ever made. I recently sold an American made Ultra Light that wasn't near as nice as my Dad's and brothers Howa made Mark V's. Howa also made the Smith and Wesson rifles. One thing to keep in mind, the 300 Weatherby mag can be pretty hard on wood stocks. The recoil has been known to crack the stocks in front of the magazine. Some Vanguards were produced in that caliber. I don't know if they cracked liked the Mark V' do.

 

[Zachary]

I personally wouldn't spend $400 for a used Weatherby Vanguard. For about the same money I could get a NIB Tikka, which, again in my opinion, is a better rifle. :grin:

Zachary

 

[JBabcock]

I agree with you, only I'd get the CZ 550 American. Genuine Mauser style action.

 

[acearch72]

Well, everybody should love their rife (and their wife) or just get a new one. LOL

Anyway, I have a friend that just got one of them Walmart Weatherby's in 30-06. It's an OK looking gun, but he never could get a group less than 2" at the range.

Each to his own, but personally I wouldn't buy one. If I was set on Walmart, I would look at the Winchester or the Savage before the Weatherby Vanguard.

At least that's my opinion.

 

[JBabcock]

Mick

I'm not knocking them, my first rifle was a Weatherby Vanguard that my Dad bought me for Christmas when I turned 14. Still have it. 7mm Rem Mag. It's the prettiest rifle I own.

 

[Zachary]

JB,

I have heard MANY good things about the CZ as well. It seems that, for some reason or another, when people mention high quality, strong value, rifles, they seems to use Tikka and CZ in the same sentence.

I love Tikkas, but I am also going to be looking into the CZs as well. :wink:

Zachary

 

[JBabcock]

I was over at HuntAmerica.com and read a post by Jack Belk. He said that it, (the CZ), was the straightest, truest, squarest action being built right now. Nothing even came close. Lots of the guys that have the 550 American have refinished them and have found beautiful wood under the factory finish. Some have said that theirs even had "fiddleback" in the wood. I'm a fan of rifles built on 98 FN actions, own 3 of them, but if I was to buy a new gun, it would be the CZ 550 American. Most report great accuracy as well. I recently sold a Weatherby Ultra Light in 300 Wtby Mag. I hunt Alaska every year and wanted a 338 Win mag cartridge with controlled round feeding. CZ doesn't produce the 338 in the 550, so I bought a Model 70 SS Classic. It's a nice rifle, shoots 7/8's holes but I still wish it was a CZ.

 

[jdt48653]

i have a newer vanguard in 300 weatherby with composit stock,
it is a very well made rifle.the action works perfect.ihave had no problems
with it.its easier to shoot then my rem 700BDL ,and it is made better then my rem 710!

 

[Grinder]

The WalMart Vanguard is available in four chamberings. .270 Win, 7mm Rem. Mag, 30-06, and 300 Wby.

A friend has one in 300 Wby, very nice gun. I had one in 7mm Rem. Mag, never shot it and ended up trading it for another gun.

For the money, they are nice rifles. I don't like the saftey mechanism, but that is just me.

When I bought that Vanguard, I also looked at a 700ADL and a Model 70. The Vanguard was the best of the bunch. Hinged floorplate, clean barrel, and a little more heft. That added heft is the best thing about the Vanguard. The 300 Wby kicks about the same as my Model 7 in 7mm-08.