Weatherby questions..

[GWARGHOUL]

So I'm holding out fore the new Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe. Its going to be my deer rifle that I've talked about a few times.

My questions are...

Whats a good longer range hunting caliber(that this rifle comes in)? I already have a SAIGA 7.62x39. I need to shoot further and more accurate, maybe a little harder.

Second, if I were to get one of those Weatherby magnum chamberings.. can I fire a standard load through it as well? Will it perform well?

Thanks.

 

[Sooner1911]

I guess it depends on what you consider long range, but I would look at the 30-06. I am sure that the 257 Wby and 300 Wby mag will perform similarly at most useful ranges, but the costs of ammo are getting pretty steep, even for reloads. In addition, the recoil and noise on the magnums is appreciably more than most standard calibers. Not a big deal on hunting, but if you ever want to punch paper at long ranges cost and recoil play a role. I will probably get flamed, but I believe the 06 is a better choice than the 270 with no appreciable increase in recoil.
As to standard loads in a magnum chambering, I am sure that you can lighten the loads some, but I bet the accuracy would suffer. Regardless, I would not go below the recommended minimums from a reputable loading manual.
I cannot wait until the new Deluxe models come out. I have wanted another Weatherby for a while, but can't justify 2 grand for pretty . I had pretty much given up and planned on buying another Sako when I found out the Deluxes were being re-released. Let us know what you get.

 

[GWARGHOUL]

I'll look into the 30-06, but I thought the .270 was more powerful and longer range?

I'm not worried about ammo cost, as its going to be ONLY for hunting. The only rounds that will go through it will be at a range to dial in the scope, and hunting. A box of 20 should last me a year.

I hear ya on the Mark V..., very nice and pretty as well, but too pricey. I think the Vanguard Deluxe will be a good compromise. Its going to be in Fall, I believe. Hopefully I can afford it around there.

 

[Sam1911]

Whats a good longer range hunting caliber(that this rifle comes in)? I already have a SAIGA 7.62x39. I need to shoot further and more accurate, maybe a little harder.

That rifle is listed as being available in the following:
.223 Rem.
.22-250 Rem.
.243 Win.
.25-06 Rem.
.270 Win.
7mm-08 Rem.
.308 Win.
.30-06 Sprg.
.257 Wby. Mag.
.270 WSM
7mm Rem. Mag.
.300 Win. Mag.
.300 WSM
.300 Wby. Mag.
.338 Win. Mag.

So, compared to your 7.62x39, that's a range of slightly less powerful to a WHOLE lot more powerful. Seriously...even a .30-'06 is not "a little" more powerful than a 7.62x39. You might want to borrow or rent one to play with at the range and see how much you like the extra power.

While every one of those rounds will kill a deer, most folks are more comfortable shooting at least a .243 for game that large.

What kind of hunting do you plan on doing? If you're hunting deer at any "practical" range -- where you have a realistic expectation that a decent hunter with some practice can reasonably expect to place a shot correctly ... let's call this 400 yds MAX -- any of the rounds between .243 and .30-'06 will do that job perfectly. "Most" hunters find their shots coming at well less than half of that distance.

If you're have some seriously wide-open terrain to hunt, and you will actually practice the art of longer distance shooting, some of the flatter, faster, heavier recoiling, more expensive rounds might suit you better. Those 7mm - .300 Weatherby, Remington, and Winchester Short Magnums won't be "necessary" to make shots at those ranges, but a slightly higher velocity makes for a slightly flatter trajectory, which makes range estimation a little bit less critical.

Unless you're hunting very large, very tough animals at significant distances (which seems unlikely) I'd leave anything over .30 caliber out of the question.

Second, if I were to get one of those Weatherby magnum chamberings.. can I fire a standard load through it as well? Will it perform well?

Not sure exactly what question you're asking here. If you handload reduced charges or you buy "Managed Recoil" or other lightly loaded rounds, yes you can shoot the big cartridges at slower velocities and with less recoil.

You CAN'T chamber a '30-'06 cartridge in a .300 Weatherby Mag gun, if that's what you're asking.

 

[Sam1911]

I'll look into the 30-06, but I thought the .270 was more powerful and longer range?

A .270 is just a .30-'06 cartridge necked down to take a smaller, usually lighter bullet. It shoots generally faster, but doesn't produce more energy. The higher velocity lets it cross a little more ground per second -- meaning it falls a shorter distance per foot of ground it covers horizontally. So at longer ranges you don't have to be as precise about your range estimation.

Regardless of which of these (all relatively flat-shooting) cartridges you choose, if you're going to shoot at longer range you will need to practice and know exactly where your bullets hit at different ranges, and will have to get good at range estimation.

 

[GWARGHOUL]

Thanks, Sam! I think I will try the 30-06.

 

[jmr40]

It's hard to go wrong with a 30-06, but in a Weatherby I'd look at 7mm Rem mag, maybe 300 mag. At least for me. The Weaterby is a heavy rifle and all calibers come with a 24" barrel. Most other gun companies will make their standard calibers in a lighter weight rifle with 22" barrels. If I'm going to already have a long, heavy rifle, I'd just as soon go with a magnum chambering for a bit more energy at long range. The greater recoil will be offset by the heavier rifle anyway.

If you were talking about a different rifle I would probably lean more toward the 30-06.

 

[DUNEZRUNNER]

If I was in your shoes and buying a Weatherby, I would buy it in a Weatherby cartridge. For the size of animal you want to hunt I would get the .257 Weatherby. They shoot flat and they shoot fast. Why would you get any old cartridge that you can get in any old gun. When you get a Weatherby you get all of it Weatherby and then don't have the regrets.

Thomas

 

[snakeman]

any of the weatherby calibers or standard calibers will suit you well, that said, I would go with a 308, 243, 7mm-08, or 30-06. If you have to go magnum get a 257, 270 wsm, or 7mm rem mag.

 

[Fullboar1]

You dont need a 30-06 to kill a deer. I would look at a short action Vanguard like a 7mm08, 308 (these are probably overkill for deer as well) both will shoot alot flatter and have alot more power then the 7.62x39 and ammo will be cheap and easy to find pretty much anywhere.

 

[Sooner1911]

Vanguard Deluxe

When I talked to Weatherby on Monday, I was told by the sales department that the Vanguard Deluxe will only be offered in 5 calibers including 257 Wby, 270 Win, 30-06 for sure and I think 300 Win Mag and 300 Wby Mag. It will not be offered in all of the other calibers available on the regular Vanguard line.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

The Vanguard was originally brought out as the seperate Weatherby model for Non Weatherby, Standard Cartridges. I would not shoot any thing that kicks as hard as a30-06, that was not a 30-06. Weatherby cartridges are meant to be different and have blown out shoulders, do not interchange! Get the Vanguard in 30-06 and know you have the best of it.

 

[LTR shooter]

I picked up a Vanguard Deluxe in .30-06 last year. A really nice rifle and a hec of a departure from my .223 varmint/tactical bolt actions.

The .30-06 in the Vanguard Deluxe is a great package. The nice recoil pad really makes the rifle easy on the shoulder. I'm really glad I was able to find one at the time.

 

[dtvburns]

I think a Weatherby Deluxe should be a Weatherby caliber. Too bad it does not look like they will be offering it .270 WBY, Roy's first commercial round.

Nothing wrong with 30'06 at all I am sure you will love whatever you get.

 

[GWARGHOUL]

I appreciate the insight, guys. I'm pretty sold on a .257 or a 30-06.

 

[xfyrfiter]

Gwarghoul please do yourself and the deer a favor and take that rifle out and practice with it. More game is wounded by hunters that think buying a box of ammo and just using enough to sight in and then go after game. You need to know without a doubt that you are capable of using the rifle properly and one box a year is defnetly not enough.

 

[GWARGHOUL]

I plan on getting plenty of practice with it. I'm just saying after that comfort and certainty level is established, a box of ammo a year should get me through a deer season, as I don't have the capacity to handle more than one deer. I also plan on sharing the harvest with the local food pantries and such.

 

[SwampWolf]

My Vanguard is chambered in .257 Weatherby Magnum. I have a 4X12 Redfield mounted on the rifle via Talley mount/rings. It's a high-stepping but expensive round to shoot (at least with factory ammunition). A small thing, perhaps, but the only thing I'd change on this rifle would be to have a 26" barrel instead of the 24" one it came with, in order to maximize the potential of the cartridge.
Still, for price and value, the Vanguard (aka Howa) is hard to beat.

 

[outlook ranch]

If you like the Vanguard, check out Howa 1500 Lightening in what ever cal you want. Howa actually makes the Vanguard for Weatherby, so that's what you'll get without the heavy price tag. I bought one for our daughter in .243, and it looks like my Weatherby, go figure. Less than $500.00 scope and case and all.

 

[SwampWolf]

Howa actually makes the Vanguard for Weatherby, so that's what you'll get without the heavy price tag.

My new Weatherby Vanguard was priced at $299.99 a couple of months ago. I wouldn't say it was wearing a "heavy price tag".

 

[Sooner1911]

The OP wants a Vanguard Deluxe. Everything I have read says that the Howa and Weatherby actions are the same, but the barrels and other parts, including the safety are different. The rifles are even assembled in different places Even if Howa is the same rifle, they do not make one with a stock that looks like the Mark V Deluxe which is the point of holding out for the Deluxe. No offense, but I don't see how the Howa suggestions come close to fulfilling the OP's stated desire nor do they answer the question posed. He has chosen his rifle, now he is asking for opinions on the chambering.

Like the OP I am willing to pay a price for pretty. Not everything I own needs to be the lowest cost although I appreciate a shooting bargain as much as anyone. Similarly, if I was buying for pure utility, I would chose neither. Both are too heavy by far and I can buy better accuracy out of the box for less than the Deluxe and not much more than the Howa offerings.

 

[GWARGHOUL]

Yep. I'm set on a Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe. Was just trying to figure out the caliber!