I own 3 Vanguards. 2 of them are the "first gen" and the 3rd is the latest model that was introduced/improved-upon several years ago. I think they called it a series II at the time but don't remember. Regardless, all 3 I purchased were new in the box and I remember some if not all of them had a paper target with a single hole showing their "guarantee". I've never had any reason to send any of mine back because they all shoot well enough for me, when I do my job and find the right load combination.Howa/Weatherby is the same rifle, and about that MOA guarantee it ain't worth the ink and paper it's printed on. It's complete crap.
Weatherby Master Tech told me that it would "be a waste of my time and money to send in my rifle" they don't test it in the stock it ships in, they don't provide target or documents back to customer to prove it met their guarantee. The man told me on more than one occasion that "I've been doing this a long time and not one single rifle we've ever tested hasn't met our guarantee"
I hope you get a good one and it shoots like it's supposed to because if it doesn't your on your own. Mine wasn't even a 2 MOA rifle and 3 scopes 2 different mounts 4 different types of ammo and at best it was a 2.25 inch group for 3 shots. I shot over 100 rounds trying to get that rifle to shoot like it was supposed to and it just flat wouldn't.
An aftermarket stock didn't help at all, a professional bedding job didn't help, it took a brand new barrel from Bartlein. I in good conscious can't reccomend anything that Howa/Weatherby makes because they DO NOT stand behind their product.
Yeah mine is the Vanguard Series 2 I got it brand new in the box from a reputable dealer and there was no target in the box, To this day I still have the box it came in, the crap factory barrel and the stock I replaced are inside it right now. In fact I'm looking at that box as i sit here and type this. No target, document, or anything showing it meets their guarantee. I even bought the Barnes 140gr Ammo the Master tech told me they tested all their rifles with, it wasn't any better than anything else I tried.I own 3 Vanguards. 2 of them are the "first gen" and the 3rd is the latest model that was introduced/improved-upon several years ago. I think they called it a series II at the time but don't remember. Regardless, all 3 I purchased were new in the box and I remember some if not all of them had a paper target with a single hole showing their "guarantee". I've never had any reason to send any of mine back because they all shoot well enough for me, when I do my job and find the right load combination.
Looks good I'd like to pickup the light barrel in 6arc and put it in one of the stockys carbon stocks.I like mine. I ordered a 22-inch barreled action from Brownell's and put it in a Bell & Carlson sporter stock. I replaced the plastic bottom "metal" with a DIP unit and added an extended magazine catch. The muzzle brake is a takeoff from a CA Mesa. I bought a spare magazine and cut it down for more of a flush fit. It's currently wearing a Vortex HST 4-16x44 in Talley lightweights. I have it shooting right at 1 MOA and am still tinkering. Once I settle on a couple of loads it likes, I'll replace the Vortex with a Leupold VXR 3-9x40 with Firedot Duplex. Weighs in just over 7 lbs with four rounds in the magazine. I'm thinking I might have to do another in 6mm ARC.
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They may have stopped doing the targets with the release of the Series II. It's been several years and my memory is not what it used to be. Next time I'm in my attic, I'll see if one of my Series I boxes is still up there with a target in it, just for curiosity. I checked my filing cabinet and found a Vanguard owners manual but no target.Yeah mine is the Vanguard Series 2 I got it brand new in the box from a reputable dealer and there was no target in the box, To this day I still have the box it came in, the crap factory barrel and the stock I replaced are inside it right now. In fact I'm looking at that box as i sit here and type this. No target, document, or anything showing it meets their guarantee. I even bought the Barnes 140gr Ammo the Master tech told me they tested all their rifles with, it wasn't any better than anything else I tried.
Agreed, one of my Vanguards is a 257 Wby as well and I would like to have the 26" barrel instead of the 24". Interestingly enough, my series II Vanguard in 6.5-300 Wby came from the factory with a 26" barrel. I think that's one of the few Vanguards I've seen with a 26" pipe.I’ve got two.
Weatherby Vanguard in .257WbyMagnum. It’s MOA on a bad day with PPU bulk 100gr soft points. Use Sierra, Nosler, or Speer bullets, 3-shots occasionally touching. .5-.7moa for 5-shots.
My only complaint is the 24”bbl. I wish it was 26”. Oh yeah, it’s heavy! 10lbs with a Nikon 3-9x40. It also has a replacement Timney trigger. The original Weatherby trigger was 8lbs and lots of creep. I missed a first shot on a doe at 80yds due to having to jerk the trigger to make it fire. Second didn’t miss….
Favorite powder is RL25. 3,650fps w/100gr bullets!
Factory Norma 100gr w/Norma ammo was once cheaper than Weatherby new unprimed brass. Bought a near lifetime supply after I discovered that they too shot 1/2” 3-shots at 100yds. OH, BTW, I bought it used for $250 otd because ammo was $75/20…
Second is so new, it’s still at the FFL awaiting transfer/pickup. It’s a Mini in 6.5Grendel. I’ve got everything ready to mount a 2.5-10x scope and 150rds of assorted bullet weights ready! Snagged it for $353 off GB.
Interesting. Mine is right at 2.5. That’s about what I like when I also hunt with it. I’m still considering putting a Timney in it. Mainly because I really don’t care for the safety lever at all!The one I used had a 3.5 lb trigger pull out of the box with the HACT trigger. While they say the triggers are adjustable, they aren't based on the heavy spring used. A new/lighter spring will bring it down
All the newer Vanguards in Wby Mags come with 26”bbls. But, it’s not worth the $$$ to send it back for a new bbl.Agreed, one of my Vanguards is a 257 Wby as well and I would like to have the 26" barrel instead of the 24". Interestingly enough, my series II Vanguard in 6.5-300 Wby came from the factory with a 26" barrel. I think that's one of the few Vanguards I've seen with a 26" pipe.
And yes, they are heavy rifles... and so are the Mark Vs. Their trend towards the lighter weight stuff with RPM cartridges is definitely a different direction for them.