Thread: Vanguard by Weatherby Rifle - any experiences or reviews?

Hi, I'm looking at buying a 2nd hand Weatherby Vanguard .308win from a local H&F. Price seems sharp, as the rifle barrel has lost a good amount of bluing (maybe it got rusty and someone cleaned up up with a scourer pad?), and the plastic stock has been "customised" with some inset logos/dog rego tag. But I don't care about the looks. Action feels sweet, and barrel looks mint.

Had anyone had any experinces with these rifles, or can otherwise provide comment? Cheers.

Howa used to make them for weatherby, a friend's got 2, a 223 and 270. They are heavy compared to a savage, Tikka etc but do the business

yes I had one in .270 shot well trigger was great seemed well made only fault was the stock to me was noisy in the bush seemed hollow and sounded like it brush against anything and scratchy noise -I sold it because of that and got a timber stocked Tikka

Thanks all, sounds good enough. I'm still ok lugging around something a little heavier, and it'll be South Island open country rifle, so the noisy stock shouldn't be an issue... though I'll check it again. I saw its made in Japan, was thinking it might be Howa or Miroku made, good to have it confirmed. Hoping it'll be accurate enough for some longer range shooting, we'll see.

Well made accurate rifles. As others have said made by Howa & pretty much same:same

Very good rifles, I have owned two, still have one but it's become a bit of a safe queen after being my go-to for nearly 20 years.

How much is it?

I've had my 270 for 20 years, and that probably tells the tale of why my right arm is longer than the left. Carrying the heavy bastard. Never had an issue with it. Very accurate.
Switched to 308 few months back so that i can run something shorter for the bush.

Originally Posted by TimC

How much is it?

$660 incl scope

Not a bad buy with the leupold scope. Offer them 500 and go from there

I brought one awhile ago as my first 308 rifle.
Ended up putting a timney trigger on it as hated the creep of it.
I also put a leupold vx3 on it.
Now its a heavy gun but it still is pretty accurate.
I would recommend.

Originally Posted by jusepy81

I brought one awhile ago as my first 308 rifle.
Ended up putting a timney trigger on it as hated the creep of it.
I also put a leupold vx3 on it.
Now its a heavy gun but it still is pretty accurate.
I would recommend.

Good, 'cause I bought it for $600!

It is this one if anyone is curious: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...ing/4972087017

I noticed the trigger creep too, I think I've been spoiled a bit by my Bergara single shot... I'll see how it goes at the range before doing anything though, it was only very slight creep, may be ok.

I remember the noise thing mentioned earlier..... Suggest filling hollow of stock with expandite foam.

A few guys on here can tell you how to adjust the trigger and get it better.
I just bit the bullet and upgraded it but will probably never sell or buy another 308 so Im happy.
Heaps of information online about these guns, pretty much a howa 1500.

You're squeezing the trigger until it goes bang. Creep doesn't bother me. Unless it's the peeping through your windows at night kind of creep, that would bother me. I've got an old 270 that has heaps of creep and I actually like feeling when it's right on the edge of going bang.