Older Weatherby vanguard

[bluez]

I have the opportunity to buy an older Weatherby vanguard. It's made in the mid 90's. As i understand this rifles was made in japan and mounted in the US? How is the quality? The one i am looking at is made 7mm rem mag.

[bobg]

  The quality of my older Vanguard in 270 WIN. Is very good and it shoots great. Also owned a Vanguard in 22-250 from the same time frame. It didn't shoot worth a crap. Took it back to the dealer. He shot it with every brand ammo he had in the store.  Sent it back to Weatherby. When he got it back there was a note in the box saying nothing wrong with the rifle. Also said if a bench rest quality rifle was wanted that is what should have been bought. Had a Lazermark in 240 Weatherby Mag that wouldn't feed a round from the mag to the chamber. Four trips back to Weatherby and it was never fixed. Lets just say out of the 4 or 5 Weatherby rifles i have owned the only one still here is the 270. Is there any chance you can shoot the 7MM mag before you buy it?

[bluez]

I don't have the opportunity to test shoot it. However according to the owner it's very picky on ammo.
When he started with reloading he was able to find a couple of combinations that gave very good precision, this could perhaps have more to do with being a belted magnum, than the rifle it self. One of the uses for the rifle is going to be mid range moose hunting, and i have some concerns about high velocity rounds like the 7mm mag.

[bobg]

  I don't understand your concern with high velocity. I am probably wrong as usual but i would think any decent 175 grain bullet would make it into the vitals of a moose.

[bluez]

What i am worried about is unnecessary meat destruction. Some say it will be fine with the proper bullets, others say it will not. But still, the 7mm mag is a very nice round and i don't mind the recoil. I am more concerned about the quality of the rifle and it's ability to handle the powerfull round.

[tuck2]

Howa builds the Vanguard rifles for Weatherby. The action is plenty strong to  handle the  7 MM Rem Mag round. I have the both the Vanguard and Howa 1500 rifles.  I did improve the accuracy of the rifles by glass bedding the action, free floating the barrel. I adjusted the trigger pull down to about three pounds.  But  I have also given U.S. brands a tune up to get them to shoot smaller groups.

[OldSchoolRanger]

Weatherby rifles as stated by tuck2, are made in Japan by Howa.  I don't have a Weatherby, but I do have a Howa 1500, which is basically the same rifle, but with a different rollmark (trade name).  I don't consider my Howa a tack driver, but  it will get the job done.  I bought it years ago for my kids to use when I introduced them to hunting.  It is also used as a loaner rifle for buddies to use before they purchase their own rifle.
Getting back to the Weatherby Vanguard. The Vanguard is the more economical, less expensive entry line (or should I say cheaper) model Weatherby.  Weatherby rifles are guaranteed by the company to shoot a 1 1/2 inch group at 100 yards, the sub-moa models are supposed to be even better.  The quality of Weatherby/Howa rifles are pretty good.  Have to admit, Japanese quality control is pretty good.
Check out the site below for more info;

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/vanguard