Weatherby Vanguard Varment Special

[tf_echelon]

so ive been looking for a good solid bolt action rifle that i could use for practice on the range that wont destroy my wallet. i came across the Weatherby Vanguard Varment Special in .308 Win, the price is good.. but i wanted to get a second opinion before i go out and buy one.

ive heard good things about it like shooting a .8" at 100yard from a cold barrel. and thats good for me because im going to be using it for medium to long range shooting (80- 250 yards, and hell maybe more).

anyway if anybodys got any experiance with this rifle let me know.

thanks,
TF

[TacoDelRio]

It's a good budget rifle. Made by Howa in Japan.
Not my personal first choice for that price range, but that's rather irrelevant.

You should be fine.

[tf_echelon]

im open for any suggestions in that price range.

my minds not dead set on that perticular rifle, i just thought it was cool how the company gurantee's a .8" at 100 yard from cold.

[TacoDelRio]

The company usually guarantees 1.5 MOA, didn't know they said .8, seeing as it's a varmint model I can understand.

For the cash.... obviously not including optics, sling, bipod if you like them, I'd go with a Savage Model 10 Tactical whateverthehell model. $500 for the rifle... less really, but count in DROS and tax. It has accutrigger (set, sorta), and a pretty heavy profile barrel as far as heavy barrels go. Very accurate, period.

After trying the cheap route for a long time, if you want a real accurate rifle, you kind can't go cheap. :(

[tf_echelon]

what do you think about the Remington 700 VLS in .308 Win. with its heavy 26" barrel?

considering the M40A1 is bassed upon the same rifle action ;)

then all ive got to get is a McMillan M40A1 stock and ive Basicly got a M40A1 (yes i know its not really the same rifle... but one can dream)

[TacoDelRio]

The McMillian stocks are pricey. Very very good stocks, but if you're on a budget...

I like the M700. If you're looking for an M40A1-esque bolt action .308, go with a M700 PSS, or Police, whatever their marketting name may be at the time being. 24" barrel is the norm last time I had enough cash to be in the market, and finding ballistic data for handloads centers on that barrel length. (Others correct me if I'm wrong)

What EXACTLY are you looking for? As in, what do you aspire for your rifle to be? And what will you use it for?

[tf_echelon]

long range shooting/ hunting... thats why i like the .308 (anybody that thinks the .308 is a varmint cal is out of there mind... i mean have you seen what that thing does to a coyote?) i used to use an SKS for shooting deer and thats in 7.62 so i figured .308 would do just fine for those purposes... and the weight of the 700 every body talks about dosnt realy bother me (my SKS with polymer stock and Bushnell scope weighd 12lbs loaded), im used to carying a heavy rifle.

[TacoDelRio]

I've used .308 for varmint on many occasions.

You could use a heavy barrel .308 bolt action for hunting, I don't see why not. I'm sure you'll catch heat from traditional folks or fatasses, but as long as you deliver the product...

[tf_echelon]

oh and trust me i CAN DELIVER.... can you say 10 point buck at 183' with an SKS (i mean come on an SKS!). i freakin hate that rifle it keeps stove pippin on me cause of the stupid scope mount, thats imbarassing.

[TacoDelRio]

Replace the scope mount. I've yet to see a scope mount for an SKS worth anything. The rear cover moves alot during firing, more than enough to eliminate whatever "precision" one wished to recieve from optics mounted on their rifle.

What is your total price cieling for the rifle you wish to set up?
-Rifle
-Optics
-Optics mounts
-Sling/strap
-Bipod?

Etc...

[tf_echelon]

well im willing to drop $800 on the rifle (including all the neccisary tax and crap)
i want to but a Bushnell Elite 3200 10x scope on it and its only $200

im not a big fan of bipods but i suppose i could pick one up


overall id say $1200 dollars total

not including match Ammo (federal 175gr GMM HPBT, altough only for target shooting)

[RECON DOC]

Weatherby is a good rifle and their .22-.250 is an excellent varment snuffer.
A buddy of mine back east used one to shoot woodchucks on the dairy farm he worked. Another guy had an old 7mm mauser he used, it was a tad excessive though ie, pink mist and meat confetti.

[tf_echelon]

yeah i shot a coyote center mass with a .308 Win. and the exit hole was the size of a football.

for that kind of stuff you might as well use .22LR of .17 hornet

[TacoDelRio]

well im willing to drop $800 on the rifle (including all the neccisary tax and crap)
i want to but a Bushnell Elite 3200 10x scope on it and its only $200

im not a big fan of bipods but i suppose i could pick one up


overall id say $1200 dollars total

not including match Ammo (federal 175gr GMM HPBT, altough only for target shooting)

If you're not a fan of bipods, and you don't honestly see a real reason for one, then save the cash. I've got a light .308 bolt action I take into the mountains with me at times, and shooting that thing with a bipod almost always results in scope-to-forehead contact. :oops: Works everytime!

Don't skimp on optics. For $300 something, or so, you could have a Leupold Riflemen series scope. They're the "cheap" Leupolds, but they're good. Friction adjustable E&W means no clicks, but for hunting, you usually hold over, so is my experience at least.

However, if you do skimp on optics, and are an adventurous sort of guy, Russian/Soviet optics ain't bad (state arsenal ones). Obviously not the best, but for that price range, it's durable, and it works good in the field so far.

[tf_echelon]

yeah the only thing i like about the bushnell is the hand turnable elivation and windege knobs... i freakin hate the ones that make you use a dime or a screw driver, i like to be able to adjust my sight as i go, makes for a more fun experience i think almost like sniping... but with deer;)

[TacoDelRio]

Butler Creek has made finger-adjustable windage and elevation turrets in the past. Not sure who's scopes they fit, or if there's something universal.

[gaijinsamurai]

I've got a Winchester M70 Varmint Special in .22-250 and it's a real tack-driver. I put a Harris bipod on it, but I recommend something lighter. I'd like to replace the optics. Current scope is a 3-9X Tasco, which is okay for the frequency i shoot it (currently, not at all, since I'm living in Asia), but I'd like to upgrade in the future.
The .22-250 is adequate for deer, and great for coyotes and other small to medium critters, but if you want to hunt bigger prey, I'd get a .308.

[tf_echelon]

hey thanks for all the help guys.... i think im going to get the Remington 700 VLS in .308 Win.

[TacoDelRio]

Good luck with that. Keep us updated on your progress.