weatherby vanguard series 2

[southbound]

does anyone have any experience with these series 2 rifles? is it a sales gimmic or do they really shoot under an inch? for the money its probally a better value than the rem. 700 sps rifles?

 

[super-7]

I'm not sure about the s2, but for the money the Vangaurd line is pretty reliable and accurate. I do not know about the 1" garuntees, as with any rifle it's this loose nut behind the wheel that has to get the job done. The factory target in the box just lets you know that it is capable, you have to do your part. I love how my 243 vangard shoots, the newer trigger is better, I have some yote loads that are moa, as well as some 100 gr deer loads that are about the same POI is quite different though. I'm still working up a final load for the 300, in a Vangard and early results look promising.

 

[DrMike]

southbound,

Welcome to the forum. Good to have you aboard. The Weatherby guarantee is for the rifle, and yes, they will shoot what they say. I've shot quite a number of Weatherby Vanguards during the past several years, and as super-7 states, for the money, they are a great buy.

 

[wildgene]

does anyone have any experience with these series 2 rifles? is it a sales gimmic or do they really shoot under an inch? for the money its probally a better value than the rem. 700 sps rifles?

...I've had a few Vanguards, none of them had a problem shooting under MOA, & few Remingtons that were hit or miss. Having dealt w/ both companies over the years, if Weatherby says they are going to guarantee it & you have a problem, you call Weatherby, you'll start out talking to someone who understands guns & they will get it fixed. Call Remington w/ a problem & you get Corporate Headquarters, & maybe if you get lucky eventually transferred to someone who can help you...

...as far as fit, finish, & features to get a Remington comparable to the S2 your going to spend $150-200 more, the Vanguard will still have a better trigger & a 3-position safety that locks down the bolt. Aftermarket, well Howa cheated & the footprint of the 1500 action is the same as the 700 action, so pretty much anything that fits on a 700 will fit on the Vanguard...

...so, yeah, IMHO, the Vanguard is a better value than the cheaper Remingtons...

 

[bullet]

+ plus one, the Vanguard is a better value for the money spent. Vanguard 2, is an awesome deal and my friends are trying to get me to get one but I am satisfied with my Savage in 300Win Mag and I am in the process of having a custom built so I can't afford it right now or justify it (don't jump on this FOTIS, I don't need enabling :mrgreen: ) but if I did have extra cash, I would buy one. I have owned quite a few Vanguards and like them.

 

[BeeTee]

Does anyone know where the various rifles are manufactured?
BT

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I've delt with several Weatherby sub-MOA series Vanguard rifles.
Typically they don't shoot MOA, they shoot about half that, and just give you one ragged hole in the middle of the target. They are a great value.

 

[Guest]

Does anyone know where the various rifles are manufactured?
BT

Well, Remingtons are made in Ilion, NY, I believe. Unless you buy one of their Eastern European sourced guns (but the 700 is made in the US). The Vanguard is built in the Howa plant in Japan, and final assembly is done here in the US at their Paso Robles facility.

I'd be all for buying American, except that the last couple of Remmys I've dealt with (one I bought, one I worked with for a friend) were both garbage. I lost money on mine, and my friend lost money on his. QC at big green has just gone to hell in a handbasket, and I'm not buying anything with their label on it until the address the issue. If you want a good US-made gun, you can try Savage, but as I hear it, they've had QC issues over the past couple of years as they move to reduce costs again. Winchester is made in SC, and is a fine gun. But, you can get two Vanguards for the price of one Winnie. Marlin is reported to be slipping in quality since being bought by Remington. Ruger is enjoying a reputation for improved quality with the Hawkeye, but again, you're paying more for it than a Vanguard (though only about 150%, not 200% like with the Winnie). The only other US-made gun I can think of is the TC Icon and Venture, and I hear the Venture is a great deal. There aren't any aftermarket stocks/accessories for the Venture, though. But if you want US-made, you're either paying substantially more, getting crap, or getting fewer options.

Of course, buy what you like, because you're the one who has to hunt with it!

 

[BeeTee]

I was just curious... I didn't know. I have no problem with Japan or Europe. Thanks for the heads-up on where stuff is made.

I bought a new made-in-Japan Browning T-bolt 22 bolt rifle some years ago. It's beautiful - tunable trigger, nicely figured classic walnut stock, fine checkering, polished metalwork, shoots near MOA out to 100 yards with CCI Green Tag 22LR ammo, and I got it at a very fair price. Looks sweet with a Leupold compact.

Efforts to keep cost down may have hurt quality for all of the domestic gun manufacturers. So have specious product liability lawsuits and gov regulations. I'm in the beginning phase of upgrading the look of my Rem 700 stainless. I suppose if I wanted custom rifle looks from the get go I should have paid more...
BT

Does anyone know where the various rifles are manufactured?
BT

Well, Remingtons are made in Ilion, NY, I believe. Unless you buy one of their Eastern European sourced guns (but the 700 is made in the US). The Vanguard is built in the Howa plant in Japan, and final assembly is done here in the US at their Paso Robles facility.

I'd be all for buying American, except that the last couple of Remmys I've dealt with (one I bought, one I worked with for a friend) were both garbage. I lost money on mine, and my friend lost money on his. QC at big green has just gone to hell in a handbasket, and I'm not buying anything with their label on it until the address the issue. If you want a good US-made gun, you can try Savage, but as I hear it, they've had QC issues over the past couple of years as they move to reduce costs again. Winchester is made in SC, and is a fine gun. But, you can get two Vanguards for the price of one Winnie. Marlin is reported to be slipping in quality since being bought by Remington. Ruger is enjoying a reputation for improved quality with the Hawkeye, but again, you're paying more for it than a Vanguard (though only about 150%, not 200% like with the Winnie). The only other US-made gun I can think of is the TC Icon and Venture, and I hear the Venture is a great deal. There aren't any aftermarket stocks/accessories for the Venture, though. But if you want US-made, you're either paying substantially more, getting crap, or getting fewer options.

Of course, buy what you like, because you're the one who has to hunt with it!

 

[southbound]

thanks for everyones info. I think i will try one of these series 2's in 257 wtby.

 

[SJB358]

thanks for everyones info. I think i will try one of these series 2's in 257 wtby.

I doubt you will go wrong. Many a times I spent mulling over getting a 257 Wby in a nice Sporter Vanguard. Just a great rifle for the cost and a ton of performance in them as well. Looking forward to seeing what you get. Scotty

 

[nomosendero]

I handled a new Series 2 in 257 Wea. last week. I had mixed feelings. The stock had a thinner forend & was bedded solid throughout. Having that setup & the acc. guar. puzzles me a little. I wonder about bag positioning, field rest positions, bipods, inc.

It had the soft grip & forend pads like an SPS.
Looks like the older stock would be much better to bed.