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

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.

Yep I've got one in 308.

Stug stock, vx5 2-10, 20" suppressed. Only had one brand of factory ammo that wasn't sub 1 inch. Shoots reloads 0.5 MOA with ease. Would absolutely recommend one and you will not go wrong.

Most importantly if the fit and feel is right then don't sweat the small stuff.

I thought my Howa HACT was nice until I found a ripper deal on a Timney, now that's a real nice trigger.

I wouldn't hesitate to get a Wetherby Vanguard or another Howa

I just picked it up, first thing I did was get the stock off and check things. Trigger pull was 4.5lbs, so I backed the screw right off, dropped to 4lbs. The little bit of trigger creep was able to be adjusted out by giving it 1/8 turn more of the screw on the back of the trigger group - just before it stops the safety from engaging.

Can just see inside the rear of the stock under the recoil pad (glue has lifted on one side), it looks like the rear stock has been filled with foam. Doesn't sound hollow when you tap it. Fore-end still hollow, but maybe it won't be too noisy.

I won't do any more until I take it to the range and put a few shots through it, but from what I've read trigger lightening should be possible by carefully trimming down the spring. Looks similar to the HACT triggers in the videos online, but with another adjustment screw at the rear for 1st stage pull? I won't be cutting any springs yet though, will find something similar to replace it with first from my box of bits and try that

I'll be interested to see what the velocities are like from the 24" barrel compared to my 16.5" Bergara...

Originally Posted by bjp

I just picked it up, first thing I did was get the stock off and check things. Trigger pull was 4.5lbs, so I backed the screw right off, dropped to 4lbs. The little bit of trigger creep was able to be adjusted out by giving it 1/8 turn more of the screw on the back of the trigger group - just before it stops the safety from engaging.

Can just see inside the rear of the stock under the recoil pad (glue has lifted on one side), it looks like the rear stock has been filled with foam. Doesn't sound hollow when you tap it. Fore-end still hollow, but maybe it won't be too noisy.

I won't do any more until I take it to the range and put a few shots through it, but from what I've read trigger lightening should be possible by carefully trimming down the spring. Looks similar to the HACT triggers in the videos online, but with another adjustment screw at the rear for 1st stage pull? I won't be cutting any springs yet though, will find something similar to replace it with first from my box of bits and try that

I'll be interested to see what the velocities are like from the 24" barrel compared to my 16.5" Bergara...

Well for what it's worth I can tell you my one seemed to like the 178gr A max better than the 168gr A max. I'm happy to give you some data( obviously with caution for obvious reasons) as it might get you ball park.

I found my one shot the White tail 165gr around .8 MOA from memory as it's been a while since I shot factory.

Keep us posted please.

Originally Posted by Rock river arms hunter

Well for what it's worth I can tell you my one seemed to like the 178gr A max better than the 168gr A max. I'm happy to give you some data( obviously with caution for obvious reasons) as it might get you ball park.

I found my one shot the White tail 165gr around .8 MOA from memory as it's been a while since I shot factory.

Keep us posted please.

Thanks, I will try and pick up a sample pack (if they have them) at Gunworks next time I'm there. I currently have 125gr Pro Hunter and 168gr A-max, plus a few randoms... I'd be keen to see what you are loading, maybe PM me? I tend to keep things fairly conservative anyway...

A good 4lb trigger is vastly superior to a dodgy 2-3lb trigger. In hunting situation I find 4lb better than 2lb,it's more deliberate. I suggest you leave it be for six months n rethink it then. Might be creating an issue where none exist. Folks who cut teeth on a SMLE laugh when reading about how bad a modern trigger is supposedly....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

A good 4lb trigger is vastly superior to a dodgy 2-3lb trigger. In hunting situation I find 4lb better than 2lb,it's more deliberate. I suggest you leave it be for six months n rethink it then. Might be creating an issue where none exist. Folks who cut teeth on a SMLE laugh when reading about how bad a modern trigger is supposedly....

Yeah good point, I've never thought "I wish the trigger pull was less" while looking through the scope at an animal....

I can handle a single stage trigger but feel more comfortable with 2 stage. The hact in my opinion is as good as they get on a hunting rifle

I used to have one in 270 was my main rifle for 5 ish years good gun, did the business, accurate, triggers not to bad etc main issue is they are bloody heavy but other than that good value!!!

The vanguard you have @bjp is a Howa 1500, just with a different logo. Americans are a bit funny about using guns made in Japan...

I had a 270 vanguard as my first centrefire rifle, good rifle and did all the things it needed to. I put a lighter trigger spring in, bought online from GunBloke in australia. Pre the HACT trigger in the newer Howas.

If I set the adjustment screws to 3lb or less trigger pull there was gritty creep in the trigger. Felt like sand over glass sort of thing.
With a heaver pull weight that wasn't an issue. They are well made rifles and work well.

I have a Vanguard in 270wsm quite heavy compared to say a t3 but easy to shoot never threaded just use ear plugs

Finally got a chance to take the new (to me) Vanguard 308 to the range, without fiddling with anything checked zero at 25m then shot some quick groups at 100m with 168gr projectiles I had loaded with 2208. Sierra HP 4 shot group first, 29mm group, followed quickly by 4 shots 168gr A-max, 31mm group (I didn't have much time before I had to pick up kids from school). By that time the barrel was literally too hot to touch, so I was fine with the fact the 2nd group had opened up a little (vertically strung - was within 5mm of each other horizontally). Trigger felt fine at a crisp 4lbs. All in all, pretty happy with it.

On your way. There's probably no need to do much more it's running fine.