Weatherby Vanguard or Rem 788?

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ZGunner

ZGunner

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My wife has decided to trade away her Savage B-Mag in favor of another rifle. The trades she has been offered AND interested in are a Vanguard in 270 and a 788 in .243. I know nothing of either of these rifles besides most folks like their Weatherbys and the 788 used to be a budget gun in the 60s-80s.

She's also been offered a Springfield Armory XDm 45 3.8. I've been pulling for the little pistol but she's really wanting a rifle.

So what of these rifles?
 
The Vangard would be my pick. It will also be heavier than the Remington. If the weight is not the issue, the Vangard is much more rifle. They are essentially Howa's. The Howa is a precision machined receiver. The Remington is a tube. Either will serve you well. Have her decide....

LNK
 
Don't know much about the Vanguard but the 788 is one of the most accurate ever rifles made. The question is what does she plan on using it for,if nothing larger than deer go for it.
 
If she could decide I wouldn't be asking the question. Lol whatever we get it will get used to shoot at paper, maybe carried into the deer woods once or twice a year.
 
These are both great rifles. I would lean towards the Weatherby simply because parts will be readily available whereas the 788 has been out of print for some years. Either would likely be very accurate and reliable.

gary
 
Vanguard, hands down.

I know either rifle will work and this is just my opinion, but that Remington isn't even in the same class as the 788....especially with the stuff Remington has been churning out lately.

Edit: I just realized it's a 788 not the new 783. either is a good choice and about the same value. The 270 is a more versatile round if she can handle the recoil. I would still lean towards the Weatherby.
 
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I have a Vanguard in .243. Nice rifle, but haven't shot groups to know the potential. Around here, 788's are rare and bring good money.
 
If you can find a 788 for a good price, grab it. I've had a few and they are serious good shooters. My 788 .223 always shot better groups than my Howa Varmint .223 (though not by much).
 
Either is a good rifle. For hunting big game the .270 has the edge. For target shooting a deer, I would go 788 and .243. Both the gun and the cartridge are likely to be more accurate
And less recoil by a good margin. I had a 788 in 243 and it was extremely accurate. That would be my choice but as others said, the other rifle is a good call as well.
 
Though both are fine rifles (I currently own a Vanguard chambered in .257 Weatherby Magnum and used to own a Model 788 chambered in .243 Winchester), I would only add the caveat that, if you reload, the Model 788 with its rear locking lugs reportedly will cause cases to stretch faster than most conventional (with front locking lugs) bolt-action rifles do. I will say that the old Remington was a very accurate rifle with almost everything it shot. You won't go wrong with either but, as has been said, your wife might prefer carrying the somewhat lighter Remington over the heavier Weatherby, AKA Howa and she might like shooting the lighter recoiling .243 over the .270 chambering.
 
Not sure if cosmetics is an issue or not, the early 788's had attractive walnut stocks, but the later ones had some pretty ugly "hardwood" stocks that looked like they had been painted. There are lots of aftermarket stocks available for the Remington if ugly is an issue.
 
Remmington 788

I purchased a a 788 in .243 35 years ago. Since then it has taken over 40 white tails and countless coyotes, a few ground hogs, opossums, skunks, etc. It has been used by my Dad, wife, and 4 kids. Was and still is able to break an egg at my 100 yard range every shot. I'd go for the 788.
 
788

Partly because you will always be able to find a Vanguard in any caliber...............788 also because of the reasons already given. I have a 788 in .222 that I got used sometime around 1973. I also have a few assorted rifles that shoot better. Most of the other rifles I have don't shoot as good...............
 
I'd pick .243 for my wife over a .270, recoil wise.

I think the Vanguard is a much nicer gun, than the 'budget' 788. The Vanguard is similar to the Howa.

As an aside, I'll add that after years of wanting a Remington as a kid, when the dreams became realities, they were my greatest disappointments in firearms, as far as being decent shooters. I've kept only one, and it is awaiting an action truing and installation of a Shilen barrel in the spirit of not giving up on it. Maybe it is the luck of the draw, and I just got lemons.
 
Add it up.

I would go with the 788 if it is for your wife. The 788 is lighter and less cumbersome than the Vanguard. Plus the 243 has less recoil.

Don't get me wrong. I have had 3 Vanguards and they have been very accurate, well made rifles, but they are heavy. The 270 is one of my favorite rounds. I had one that had taken 22 whitetails, 2 mulies, 2 pronghorn, a bobcat and a turkey, but the recoil is about 8 lbs. more than the 243. So for the Mrs. I would pick the lightest rifle with the least recoil.

The fact that a nice 788 will bring more money on the open market doesn't hurt either.
 
Let her hold each rifle and see which feels best to her. Either will be a fine choice.

I'm not familiar with the savage b mag, what is that, and why is she trading it away?
 
Quote: Not sure if cosmetics is an issue or not, the early 788's had attractive walnut stocks, but the later ones had some pretty ugly "hardwood" stocks

I'm pretty sure that all Model 788s came with birch/hardwood stocks. Some of the earlier ones may well have had more "figure" in the wood but they were never made from walnut. If I'm wrong about this, I'd appreciate seeing the evidence.
 
I have a 788 in .243 and I've killed more deer with it than all my other hunting rifles put together. I absolutely love that gun, it has a shorter barrel (maybe 20") and that makes it perfect for walking through the woods. It easily shoots 5 shot groups inside of 1" at 100 yards. The only bad thing about the gun is the magazine, of the 4 I have they're all junk.

Can't say about the Vangaurd but the 788 is a fine rifle, one day I'll buy another identical to the one I own now so can keep one and give my kids one.

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