Author Topic: Weatherby's Vanguard, 1 1/2" accuracy gurantee doesn't mean squat!!! (Read 13783 times)

p5200 · « **Reply #30 on:** October 16, 2008, 04:55:12 PM »

Quote from: kyelkhunter3006 on October 15, 2008, 08:39:53 AM

I'd put it on the pad behind the lug recess, not in the lug itself. That way there's still solid contact at the bedding point, and no chance of putting stress on the action itself.

Never thought about the stress thing good point! I'll try that

Tunaman · « **Reply #31 on:** October 16, 2008, 05:20:46 PM »

I fully agree about the trigger job being a good thing. I on the otherhand have seen several stocks ruined by floating when they don't need to be floated.

JonnyC · « **Reply #32 on:** October 17, 2008, 12:35:43 AM »

As far as trigger jobs go- I purchased a Timney trigger. It's easy to install and adjustble as to trigger pull weight.

cobraa · « **Reply #33 on:** October 18, 2008, 10:18:23 PM »

well i own a Weatherby Vanguard S/S .300 Win Mag and using the federal Power Shok 180gr ammo thats the one in the blue box it can cut holes at a 100yds 3shot group. and my factory trigger is 100% fully Ajustable and atm is set to 2lb - 2.5lb. so if your gun dont shoot atleast 1.5" group at 100yds using Federal 180gr Power Shok or the more expencive Vital Shok 180gr red box then sent it back to the factory to get replaced or fixed...

DLEB · « **Reply #34 on:** December 23, 2008, 08:25:02 AM »

I have one in 257 and it will shoot 100 grain factory ammo under .25". Came with factory target showing a 1 1/4" group with same ammo. After Timney trigger and free float it tightened up drastically. I could not be happier. Sorry you are having problems. I have been there (TC 7mm Mag) and it is very frustrating, to say the least. Good luck

rifle_man · « **Reply #35 on:** December 26, 2008, 03:08:45 AM »

Quote from: p5200 on October 07, 2008, 02:41:24 PM

If they really want to prove how accurate their rifles are and not, misslead their customers, why not test them in their stock?

I do not know where you got they do not test there guns with the stock on. But who ever told you this, does not know there weatherbys. Like you I am on a lot of forums and if you do a search on Weatherby Nation you will find where Ed Weatherby him self states that all Mark V. and Vanguards are tested with the Stock on.

All you need to do is try more than just one type of ammo. And as for the trigger if you contact Weatherby they will fix the trigger for free and have them check how accurate your gun is. I had a Mark V. I had to send back about 3 years ago because the first two shoots where touching each other but the third shot was about 2" inch's two the right. they found the action was binding up in the stock. They replaced the stock on my Mark V.Deluxe and now it will shoot a 3 shot group I can cover with a dime. My 2 Vanguards shoot just as good.
If you think you have a problem with the gun contact Weatherby they will help.
Here is there phone number (805) 227-2600)

mjbgalt · « **Reply #36 on:** December 26, 2008, 04:21:49 AM »

they might test with their stock on NOW, but a year or so ago i called them and asked the same question because i had one that wouldn't shoot. they said they bolted the barreled actions into a "master" stock which was part of a testing rig, and shot them that way.

-Matt

One Eye · « **Reply #37 on:** December 27, 2008, 06:23:33 AM »

Quote from: mjbgalt on December 26, 2008, 04:21:49 AM

they might test with their stock on NOW, but a year or so ago i called them and asked the same question because i had one that wouldn't shoot. they said they bolted the barreled actions into a "master" stock which was part of a testing rig, and shot them that way.

-Matt

Sounds like they listened to their customers. I realize this is a novel concept today. Personally, I am impressed that they would adjust their production and quality control via feedback from their customer base. Perhaps some other firearm manufacturers could learn from this before they find themselves needing a "bailout".
Dan

DLEB · « **Reply #38 on:** February 15, 2009, 01:22:52 AM »

I have the sporter model. It came with factory target 100 grain ammo and 1 1/4" group. I free floated and added a timney trigger. Now, it shoots less than 1/2" with same ammo. 115 grain ballistic tips shoot around 3/4". Sorry you are having problems.

bobg · « **Reply #39 on:** February 15, 2009, 10:25:17 AM »

I owned a Vanguard in 22-250. What a piece of junk. It did not shoot anything i fed it. Took it back to the dealer. He had it for three days. Shot every brand of ammo in it that he carried. He agreed. It was crap. Sent it back to the factory and they said it was within there accuracy requirements. I traded it for a Ruger. I also have a Vanguard in 270. That is a different story. It will shoot 1 1/8 five shot groups all day. I have never missed anything i have shot at with it. Five whitetails. I love that rifle.
bobg

saltydog · « **Reply #40 on:** March 26, 2009, 02:57:41 AM »

If I understand the concern we have 1. a rifle shot with single brand of ammo and bullet weights; 2. shot with an unknown type of scope, if less than 12x magnification it is hard to shoot moa 100 yard groups unless you are a good shooter and practice alot with the rifle; 3. have a rifle with a trigger that has not been tuned; 4. have a rifle that had loose scope mounts; and 5. no attempt to contact Weatherby except to disparage them and tell us what they probably won't do. Sounds like an issue to comment on to me.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #41 on:** March 26, 2009, 12:43:04 PM »

i have had 2 howa's and 4 vanguards. every vanguard would shoot under an inch. the howas, one was great and one shot PATTERNS, not groups.

-Matt

lucky guy · « **Reply #42 on:** April 20, 2009, 11:18:37 AM »

Quote from: Bart Solo on October 13, 2008, 10:24:24 AM

I just finished reading an article by Chuck Hawks http://www.chuckhawks.com/practical_accuracy.htm on hunting accuracy. According to Hawks a hunting rifle doesn't really need to shoot sub MOA at 100 yards. For all practical purposes any rifle that can consistently put a bullet in about a 6 inch circle at hunting range is accurate enough. Hawks argues that none of us should be shooting deer size game at more than four hundred yards. I am not so sure. What do you think.

I like alot of the things he writes and he seems knowledgable. I agree that you don't need 1 moa to hunt deer in most parts of the country. But, many people shoot 400 yds or more and do it well. I think the biggest obstacle in long range shooting is ranging the target. When you start to get out past 300 yds it's pretty difficult to reliably estimate range and elevation changes in the field unless you really practice it. Also with alot of calibers 400 yds is where you start seeing a foot or more of drop, and where a 40 - 50 yd error in ranging will take your round off the target. Same with doping the wind.

The laser range finders have changed all that and made those 400 yd plus shots much more reliable. Never leave home without one!!

lucky guy · « **Reply #43 on:** April 20, 2009, 11:21:48 AM »

Back to the original question, if you haven't found a load yet you might also try the fed premium ammo with the nosler 180 partitions before you send it to me for disposal!

WayneJessie · « **Reply #44 on:** May 08, 2009, 06:18:53 PM »

I only have one Howa. It's a 1500 heavy barreled varmint model in .243 and it's a drill. Five shot groups of 3/4 are the norm with Federal's Fusion ammo and I have shot numerous 1/2 inch and less groups with 95gr Ballistic Tips and 42.8gr of Reloader 19. Ditto with 42gr of 4350. The only thing I did to the gun when I got it new was to adjust the trigger, clean the barrel with JB paste and touch up the barrel channel. I don't have another .243 that I have less than $500 in that will shoot with it. Based on the performance of this gun I would not hesitate to buy another.

jtaylor1960 · « **Reply #45 on:** August 23, 2009, 01:46:32 PM »

I just got back from the range with my 257WM.I handloaded some Barnes 80grTTSX bullets at roughly 3800fps.I got a group that measured slightly under 1 inch.Not bad for a synthetic Vanguard I payed $279.00 for used.Most of the time these guns will perform better than advertised.

Sourdough · « **Reply #46 on:** September 22, 2009, 08:35:33 PM »

I do not have a Vanguard, so I can not speak about them. I bought the Accumark in .338/378 Weatherby. This is my first and only Weatherby. I reload my own ammo due to the high cost of Weatherby ammo. I am quite happy with my gun.

I have met two different individuals at the local shooting range that hate Weatherby rifles. They swear that Weatherby is the worst shooting guns made. They have had gunsmiths do everything possiable to their guns and they only got worse. Then they see my targets and they shut up.

I have taken the time to talk to both of these guys and asked questions about their guns. The first thing both guys did was take their new guns to a gunsmith and ask him to mount the scope, and do what ever was needed to make it a good shooter. Local gunsmiths cleaned out the stocks, then glass bedded both guns. I asked them why they did that? Their response was "No gun shoots good right out of the box"! Then they ask me who I had work on my gun, as they admire my targets. I then tell them no body has touched my gun since Weatherby put it togeather. The action and the stock have never been separated. For some reason they find that hard to believe. In parting I ask both the same question. "Why did you have a gunsmith screw up a good gun"?

That's OK, I'll continue to make my 500 to 800 yard shots, on Grizzly and Moose. I have confidence that my right out of the box gun will hit where I aim it.

RKPulliam · « **Reply #47 on:** November 17, 2009, 01:04:25 PM »

I own 3 Weatherby Vanguards. They couldn't be more happy. Last Saturday, my son used my 300 Weatherby SubMOA to take a wild boar at 420 yards. An hour later, I used it to take another one at just about 50 yards, but a precise brain shot, right behind the ear. Not much room for error.
The only time they've varied any was a few weeks ago --- then I realized the next day that the action screws had worked a little loose, and the action was moving around in the stock. Just a regular flathead screwdriver tightened the action down.

WL44 · « **Reply #48 on:** November 30, 2009, 09:40:05 PM »

Bench technique is always relevant, but not to be overlooked is that the buggy whip barrels need a few minutes between shots when shooting groups. Skinny barrels will often "walk" shots over the target as they heat up. I'd take 3 or even 5 minutes between shots before calling the rifle a loser.

Jack Magnum · « **Reply #49 on:** January 04, 2010, 01:26:52 AM »

Geez,
Must have been lucky with my son's 270 cal. I went through 3 guns looking at the best target results and low and behold the gun shot better than their target results! Very happy with the acc. from a -400 doallar gun. Good luck with yours.

Graybeard · « **Reply #50 on:** January 04, 2010, 03:00:56 AM »

Since the targets packed with the rifles are not actually shot with that rifle then yes you were quite lucky in that regard. They do not mate the barrelled action to the stock that goes with it until after the targets are shot. I'm not even convinced the barrel on your rifle will necessarily be the barrel those rounds came from. They are not being honest with you about those targets.

I wasn't lucky with mine and it not only wouldn't do it with the same ammo they used it wouldn't come close with any load I tried before giving up on it and taking it back to the store where I bought it.

My Remington LSS .257 Weatherby Magnum I bought to replace the Vanguard shoots closer to half inch groups with no work done to it other than lightening the trigger pull.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #51 on:** January 04, 2010, 06:41:04 AM »

i called weatherby and asked them about that, and they said they do now shoot the rifles assembled for those groups. it is in a machine rest but it is that rifle and that stock.

didn't use to be that way but apparently they changed it.

i have bought 6 vanguards and all but one shot way sub-moa, the exception was a .22-250 that i could not get under an inch. i was a beginning handloader then, i would probably be able to try more ideas and get it to work now.