Weatherby vanguard

[IEatZ28]

Hey guys, I've finally figured out the hunting rifle I want and now I'm concerned about the caliber. I was set on .308 but the lady at bass pro has a good point.
She said I should consider 7mm-08. She said it shoots straighter and it's always available (ammo scare vs .308).
Only down sides to the caliber and rifle I see.
-Made in Japan, I wanted a USA built rifle but I've been deterred from the 700 for trigger. Unless you can convince me otherwise?
-And 7mm08 is kinda pricy.

What are some other pros and cons on caliber or rifle?

I'm looking for hunting upto 200 yards (maybe more if I practice more) and I want to have the option to shoot up to 1000 yards (different optics of course, and a lot more practice) and I'll be hunting boar, bucks, big game like that.

[TMB 1]

Why does the 700 trigger deter you? If 308 ammo is to scarce, why not just get a 30-06?

[IEatZ28]

It doesn't deter me, a couple people I talked to said it's a bad trigger compared to the weatherby. And the .308 isn't now but it was and if it were to go scarce again in the future. And I've never shot a 30-06 before. Didn't even think about it. Now I got 3 calibers to go through haha

[devster55]

Well I have a weatherby vanguard in 7mm rem mag and absolutely love it. The guns are good quality and if you are not thinking about modifying it go for the weatherby. The rem has many aftermarket options tho. Honestly I would use a 270, 30-06 or 7mm rem mag. all great calibers and readily available. The quality of the vanguard is very good tho. Savage is also a very good rifle as well.

[TMB 1]

It doesn't deter me, a couple people I talked to said it's a bad trigger compared to the weatherby. And the .308 isn't now but it was and if it were to go scarce again in the future. And I've never shot a 30-06 before. Didn't even think about it. Now I got 3 calibers to go through haha

Oh, I've never tried a Weatherby but all the Remington's I've shot had good triggers. I agree with devster55 the 7mm Remington mag is another excellent cartridge.

[devster55]

They weatherby has a adjustable trigger. Mine is very crisp. It will shoot quarter sized groups at 200 with a 140gr Nosler BT with a win case and rem primer with 65.5 gr of RL19 behind it. But I love the 7mm rem mag. You can down load them for small game or shoot hot loads and kill pretty much anything in North America.

[SB1964]

Interesting. I got a .308 thinking ammo would be easier. Went to 3 Walmarts today, .270, 3006, 7mm08 in stock at every store. Zero .308! Tikka triggers are very nice, just shot mine for the first time. Several AR dudes shot & loved it. This is the only rifle/gun I've ever bought & will leave stock, specially triggers!!!

[IEatZ28]

How different is 7mm mag vs 7mm08?

And I had a hard time finding 308 for my Saiga the last scare

[milotrain]

Wetherby makes beautiful rifles. However the plethora of aftermarket trigger options for the 700 makes the trigger a non issue for me. I'm certainly biased but I LOVE the .30-06, and in california you want something that can push a non lead very fast. The .30-06 in a 700 long action becomes a different beast running 110s or 135s as screamers. Especially if you are self limiting to 200 yards. .30-06 is easy to find, and easy to reload for. It's like a .308 but I like it more.

disclaimer: I'm building a .30-06 on a 700 action with an aftermarket trigger (either Jewell or Xtreme) to hunt pigs in Cali with non lead.

[Divernhunter]

The Tikka is not made in Japan. The barrel/action for the Weatherby Vanguard is made in Japan. Both are high quality rifles. I would not worry about the made in USA part.
Both are a better value than the rem. The Tikka is a joy to hunt with as it is light and very accurate. I have also hunted with the Vanguard and it is a fine rifle but a little more weight.
The Tikka has a warr 1" or better at 100 yards. Some Vanguards do also. Not the Rem.
Yes the Rem has lots of aftermarket stuff. You can replace the stock, the trigger, convert it to a removable mag, etc. So you end up with a bunch of money in it and only using the barreled action which many replace the barrel. OR you can buy a Tikka or Vanguard or T/C which will be all that right out of the box and for less than the basic Rem rifle before you pour a bunch of money into it.
The 7mm-08 is an excellent cartridge. So is the 308win. Usually 308 surplus is easy to get and cheaper for plinking.
The 7mm-08 is a 308 necked down to 7mm. The 7mag(such as 7mmRem mag) uses the 7mm bullet but a bunch more powder. It is faster and kicks more.
There is little difference between the 308win and 30-06 using 150gr(165gr) bullets. You can cleanly take any game (not DG) with a good 150gr bullet in a 308win or 30-06. Neither need bullets heavier. Especially when using the non-lead bullets.

I own 2 Tikkas---7mm-08 and 6.5X55. I own a Weatherby Vanguard---257Weatherby. I also own a number of Rem rifles--308win, 30-06, 223. I own a number of Ruger tang safety rifles--6mmRem, 257Roberts, 25-06, 264Win Mag which I rebarreled from a 7mmRem mag, 30-06, 300win mag, 338win mag. Most I have hunted with and taken game.

You are welcome to come and shoot any of mine before you spend your money.
If not but either the 7mm-08 or 308 because you will be happy with either one.

[Wink]

Buy the weatherby and dont ever look back. Im not a remington hater I have a bunch of the them , but for what you are going to do the vanguard is a better option. As far as caliber please dont buy a 30-06 I know its been around forever and it has killed all types of animals in north america. My grandpa does not know why I need anything else but a 30-06 but note that I said my grandpa. There are many newer calibers that are much better.
As far as the 7-08 I like the 7 mags better but its a good very accurate round. I was breaking in a barrel on my sons new vanguard youth 7-08 yesterday and with factory ammo shots 11-22 were in a 5/8 group and I bet some of the 3 shot strings were 3/8 or so. The recoil is also moderate vs the 7 mags which I dont think are that bad anyway.

[devster55]

The recoil is not too bad on the 7mm rem mag. It's a hunting rifle so it's not like you are going to be sitting behind it all day at the range. I shoot a few rounds to check zero and take it hunting. It sees less than 20 rounds a year.

[Norsemen308]

Not a real fan of 7mm mag at that point go 300 win mag and get a far superior caliber

Remember anything a .308 can do a 30-06 can do better, and a 06 can pretty much be loaded to take anything on this continent with factory rounds.

I have been telling my friends if I could do it all over I'd buy a vanguard in 300 win mag and never have to buy another hunting gun.


But we all know we'd do it anyway lol

[milotrain]

There are many newer calibers that are much better.

I hear this a lot, however I've never heard a good argument for it. Most arguments that I've heard are academic and in practice are not noticeable. There is a lot of "next new thing" going on in shooting and a lot of it us just new to be new.

[GSF44Mag]

I have a Tikka in .223. Love it. I had a Howa 1500 Varmint "same manufacturer of the Weatherby" as well it shot great too, but had an aftermarket trigger "Timney". Tikka's are made in Finland. A bargain brand of Sako. If I had to make a choice? Tikka. Good luck with your shopping. As for caliber, what do you have in mind for game? Lots of good calibers out there.