« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?  (Read 2146 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline threepdr

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 144
  • Gender: Male
    • Eras Gone Blog Spot
Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« on: April 12, 2011, 08:40:16 AM »
My local Gander Mt says they can order a Vanguard for me in 7mm-08 for $329.   The Howas are selling for almost $500.

If they are essentially the same rifle, why to the Howas sell for so much more?  Am I missing something on the Vanguard?

THanks!

Mark
Logged
See my history and archaeology blog at:  http://erasgone.blogspot.com/

Offline Troyboy

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (41)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1220
  • Gender: Male
  • Work more talk less
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2011, 10:56:04 AM »
329 is as good as you will get. Better jump on that. Remeber the vangaurd is a weatherby.
Logged
.204 .22lr .22wm .25acp .223 5.56 .243 .25-06 6.5x55  .308  .300wbymag  7.5x54  7.62x25 7.62x39  338-06  9x19 .38spl  9x18 .45acp . 45-70 .500s&w 12rfl 12smb 20smb  .45lc 410smb .22hornet .280AI    Ask not what your country can do for you BUT what can YOU do for your country

Offline threepdr

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 144
  • Gender: Male
    • Eras Gone Blog Spot
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2011, 11:27:52 AM »
I did jump on it. 

I came in early this week and I'm very pleased with it.  I expected a matt finish but it is polished blue.  It did not come with a test target, so it was made after they quit including those in 2009 or. 

The Gander guy was also suprised at the price, but said it was correct.  If anyone wants a Vanguard, now might be the time to get one.  Ask you local Gander Mountain if they can have one sent in for you from thier central distribution factilty.

I mounted a Burris Fullfield 3-9 on it but have not had a chance to test fire yet.

Mark
Logged
See my history and archaeology blog at:  http://erasgone.blogspot.com/

Offline Delbert

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2011, 04:26:03 PM »
You got yourself a heck of deal there. Howa's are probably more expensive in that people nowadays want Thorobreds(real) and not Clones(looks like), which is what the Vanguard is. Gotta also think about the costs involved with importing fees from foreign countries which add to the costs. Some people think that the Vanguard isn't a real Weatherby. I think differently, in that my Vanguard is one of the prettiest rifles I own with its deep blueing---even if it has a plastic stock, and costs a whole lot less, and it shoots just as good.
Del
Logged

Offline nomosendero

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5760
  • Gender: Male
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2011, 04:09:07 PM »
I would bet that Gander has a "Quantity deal" with Wea. on that model Vanguard. Happens often with chain stores 7 equipment dealers & all kinds of products.
Logged
You will not make peace with the Bluecoats, you are free to go.

Offline mountainview

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 516
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2011, 09:18:59 AM »
More likely it is a close-out price because the S2 Vanguard is replacing the present model in the Weatherby line-up.
Logged

Offline nomosendero

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5760
  • Gender: Male
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2011, 04:40:18 PM »
or both. No doubt they get a quantity deal as compared to a far less often stocked or sold Howa
Logged
You will not make peace with the Bluecoats, you are free to go.

Offline threepdr

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 144
  • Gender: Male
    • Eras Gone Blog Spot
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2011, 12:05:14 PM »
I finally got to test fire my Gander Mt Weatherby yesterday.  Best group I did was about 7/8 inch at 100 yards.  There were several where I did not do my part and they were 2 - 3 inches.  I was shooting Prvi Partizan 140 grain. 

I'm very pleased.  My shooting buddy suggested floating the barrel, but if I can shoot sub-MOA, I'm not sure it will help that much.
Logged
See my history and archaeology blog at:  http://erasgone.blogspot.com/

Offline STRANGE1

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Avid Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 107
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2011, 04:27:09 PM »
Quote from: Delbert on April 22, 2011, 04:26:03 PM
You got yourself a heck of deal there. Howa's are probably more expensive in that people nowadays want Thorobreds(real) and not Clones(looks like), which is what the Vanguard is.

I'm confused, but I admit that I am pretty ignorant when it comes to these rifles.  But I thought the Howa was a clone of the Vanguard.
Logged

Offline dpe.ahoy

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3363
  • Gender: Male
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2011, 04:58:53 PM »
Other way around, Howa 1500 has been imported as the Mossberg 1500, Smith & Wesson 1500 and other brand names.  Weatherby saw a good match with a priceline value and good quality firearm.  DP
Logged
RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline tscott

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 561
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #10 on: June 11, 2011, 03:13:35 AM »
In a heartbeat, I'd buy one for the Gander price.. Here's my $249 Vanguard, with extra fancy stock = 1985 price. Picture was taken on my 58th birthday... 40 miles due north of New York City! Got cleaned up in time to take a train into Grand Central... Dinner at Carmines, and a Broadway show... My wife who has never been in the woods, loved this deer hunt!
Logged

Offline mannyrock

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2081
Re: Why Howa so much more than Vanguard?
« Reply #11 on: July 14, 2011, 06:14:59 AM »
 
TScott,
 
   I hope you also had time for a drink at Sardi's during intermission.  I'm sure that the New York Theatre Crowd LOVED hearing the story of your deer hunt that day.  Did you show them pictures?  :-)
 
   Mannyrock
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »