Weatherby Vanguard

[code_blue]

Never seen the Vanguard barreled action on Brownell's.

It's under the Howa name.

https://www.brownells.com/search/index.htm?k=howa+barreled+action

[ar15barrels]

Any opinions on the Weatherby Vanguard series?

I picked up a compact (20" barrel) 7-08 Weatherby Vanguard 2 years ago for $299.
For what I paid, it's a good rifle.

[sigstroker]

It's under the Howa name.

https://www.brownells.com/search/ind...arreled+action

Those are Howas, NOT Vanguards.

[Tere_Hanges]

Those are Howas, NOT Vanguards.

Same action. Pretty sure Howa makes the action for the Vanguard. I think Weatherby still assembles them and uses their barrels? Not sure about barrels and assembly, but pretty sure Howa at least makes the actions for them.

[Jimmy's]

Howa makes the whole rifle to Weatherby SPECS and it's assembled by Howa. Weatherby only manufactures and assembles their MarkV brand in house but I believe they are still outsourcing the barrels and I read on some models they offering two choices of makers.

[code_blue]

Those are Howas, NOT Vanguards.

[ar15barrels]

Those are Chevrolet, not General Motors...

[code_blue]

Those are Chevrolet, not General Motors...

Those are Toyotas, NOT Lotus.

[mulyhuntr]

Do yourself a favor and spend a couple more bucks to get a tikka t3

[Tere_Hanges]

Do yourself a favor and spend a couple more bucks to get a tikka t3

Not even, Tikkas can be found for the same price as a Vanguard. The Tikka is the better gun by far. Both on sale for $500 at sportsmanwarehouse. Personally I'd go with a Winchester XPR, $450.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Tikka-T3-Lite-Rifle/productDetail/Rifles/prod99999041852/cat100003

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Weatherby-Vanguard-Synthetic-Bolt-Action-Rifle/productDetail/Rifles/prod99999042301/cat100003

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Winchester-XPR-Hunter-Vias-Rifle/productDetail/Rifles/prod99999047468/cat100003

[ar15barrels]

Those are Toyotas, NOT Lotus.

Toyota makes Lotus?

[Tere_Hanges]

Toyota makes Lotus?

No, Lotus had to use toyota engines in models imported into the US to meet emissions standards. Not a very good comparison.

[ar15barrels]

The Tikka is the better gun by far.

No.
They are similar quality rifles.
The Howa/Vanguard are easier to top load due to the much bigger open top.
The Howa/Vanguard also have an integral recoil lug which is MUCH beefier than the Tikka's little notch in the receiver and the aluminum recoil lug they set in the stock to handle the recoil.

Howa actions are also larger in diameter than a Tikka, allowing them to be used to build heavy target rifles if desired.
Tikka actions are so skinny that you have to recontour the rear section of a 1.250" (standard barrel blank diameter) blank down under 1.150" so it's not larger than the front ring of the tikka action.
Tikkas actions make fine lightweight hunting rifles, but they are no proper foundation for a target rifle.

[Tere_Hanges]

I guess it really comes down to what you want to do with it.

For a target rifle Im going with a Remington 700 action over a Vanguard.

For hunting, I want a light rifle so Im going with a Tikka or XPR.

Toploading isnt necessary with the Tikka since you just take the mag out and reload the mag or put a loaded one in. As far as the recoil lug, either it gets the job done or it doesnt.

I had both and the Tikka was more accurate out of the box, with a smoother action, nicer trigger, lighter, and easier to load with the DBM, and a very rigid stock that free floated the barrel. I'll take the Tikka anyday over the Vanguard. Its just a much better value IMHO.

[code_blue]

No, Lotus had to use toyota engines in models imported into the US to meet emissions standards. Not a very good comparison.

That's not true. The Elise, Exige, and Evora utilized Toyota's 2ZZGE and 2GRFE motors (respectively) in and outside the US (transmissions are also Toyota). It had nothing to do with US emissions standards. Lotus believes in lightweight, balanced performance so naturally Toyota's lightweight engines with Yamaha tuned heads were ideal. You can take both motors and swap them into varying generations of MR2's to make a poor man's Lotus. A 2ZZ in a MK1 or MK3 and a 2GR in a MK1 or MK2 are track monsters for sure.

Comparison is fine. Toyota made the "actions" for Lotus just as Howa made the "engines" for Weatherby. Both are fine examples of Japanese and Western partnerships. Take the Howa action and place it into the body of your choice and create your own customized "track monster" for the range.