Weatherby Vanguard

jackhwll

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May 6, 2014
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Hello I've been visiting the site over the last few months and just signed up. It is great for a green horn like myself to have all the experience from members to learn from.
Question - I'm looking at a Weatherby Vanguard and Thompson Center Dimention in 7mm mag. I would like to hear thoughts on these 2 rifles.
THANKS
 
I can not help you with the Thompson Center but I can tell you about my Weatherby Vanguard in 270 Winchester. I bought this gun last year because I liked the 24 inch barrel, the 2 stage trigger, and the 3 position safety. Also the price was good. However, I like the accuracy of this gun better than all the other features. Here is a number of 100 yards three shot groups with different bullets than will show that the Vanguard is an accurate gun right out of the box. Nothing has been done to this gun.
 

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I have it's twin, the 1500, in a 22-250 and it is a great gun for the money. Shoots great. No complaints. No experience with the Thompson.
 
have several Vanguards. 223,243,257 wby. Like them a lot. Can't say much about the dimension. The TC Icon I do have in 243. One of the most accurate guns I own. Its a little heavy though and mostly a safe queen and range gun.
 
Jack, have the Vanguard in .257 Wby. Replaced the trigger with Timney and had an offer to have the barrel cryogenic treated free. It shot barely to 1 inch at 200 with Accubonds changed to Berger VLD and now just over .500 at 200. I really like this rifle and wish I had shot it before the trigger and cryogenics. After owning it 2 years I had it Cerakoted when rust showed up following a very wet hunt. I use it on Javalina and coyotes. For $299 and a $112 trigger this is a great rifle for little money. As for the TC I fave 2 friends that had them but no more. They went to Savage in the caliber they needed. Good luck
 
Not sure about the Dimension, but I hear it is very accurate. I have had 3 TC Venture rifles and they are VERY accurate out-of-the box rifles. Just about anything made by TC is a quality product. Everything by TC is made right here in the USA too.

I built a custom rifle with a Shilen barrel on a Howa action and it shoots well under 1/2 MOA. Never did shoot it with the factory barrel on so can't comment there.

Howa and Vanguard are the same actions, both made in Japan. Howa makes Vanguard for Weatherby. I think they are very underrated actions. It's as if Howa took all the best features of the Remington 700 and the Winchester Model 70, melded them together perfectly, then added even better features than either one of those actions such as the M16 extractor, and angled integral recoil lug that breaks free from bedding like a dream, and a firing pin that removes from the bolt with only a 1/4 turn for cleaning. The Howa/Vanguard use 2 piece Rem 700 scope bases, feed flawlessly, and timing of the bolt and trigger is as easy as a 700.

I think you will be happy with either. The Dimension's switch-barrel capability in the field is very appealing and convenient, but the Howa will have a lot more aftermarket options for stocks, triggers, bottom metal magazines, etc.

I have a buddy who told me his mountain lion guide likes the TC Dimension because he can carry it in two pieces in his backpack so it's easier to follow his dogs. Once the cat is treed, he takes it out, puts it together, and lets his client shoot his/her trophy.

So you have to really evaluate what your needs will be because the two rifles you have in question have very different capabilities.

Hope this helps! Take care :)
 
Thanks for the input I'm going to order the T/C today cant wait to get it out on the range and give it a try I'm going to top it off with a leupold 3.5x10x50 that I had upgraded with CDS let you know how it turns out.
 
Question - I'm looking at a Weatherby Vanguard and Thompson Center Dimention in 7mm mag. I would like to hear thoughts on these 2 rifles.
THANKS

The Dimension is absolutely the ugliest rifle currently made. You couldn't give me one for free. I said this when they came out and haven't changed my mind.

And yes, I own several Vanguards so I'm biased anyway. :D They've been made over 40 years and I will predict they will be around long after the Dimension production has ended.
 
Even the T/C Icon have have is far from pretty. I sneak it to the range so no one will notice..lol. That said it seems to be a well built gun that will stand the test of time. The Vanguard I believe is one of the best values going for a rifle built to last and has a good choice of aftermarket parts available for it. If it had a mag length of 3.600 in Long action and offer choices in bbl length; I think it would outsell the lower end Rem 700's. I know I like it way better than the 700 SPS's.
 
The Vanguard (and Howa) certainly have plenty of after market options.
Stocks
Barrels
Triggers
Firing pin/spring upgrades
Drop Box Magazine systems

They don't need "truing" (IMO).

The S2 is much better than the S1, a buddy now has 3 S2s to my 3 S1s. His shoot nearly as well as my, now custom, as in all that is left is the action, bolt and trigger guard and semi custom, as in still has the original barrel which will be changed when it stops shooting sub 1/2MOA.

Right now I'm much more into Mark Vs and I'm using some R700 actions for my 26 Nosler based wildcats. I'd much rather use Vanguard S2s but I'm using take off barrels to cut costs and as testing/fire forming platforms.
 
Oh, please:

Anyone know the maximum magazine length of a Long Action Vanguard S2?
 
Hello I've been visiting the site over the last few months and just signed up. It is great for a green horn like myself to have all the experience from members to learn from.
Question - I'm looking at a Weatherby Vanguard and Thompson Center Dimention in 7mm mag. I would like to hear thoughts on these 2 rifles.
THANKS

brother inlaw has th,at Thompson in 7mm and 30-06, plus a custom .338-06 barrel.

Shoots well, but won't shoot as well as the Vanguards I've been around. Nice thing about the Thompson is they are easy to work with. Hate they way they cut the stock.

I have one synthetic stock Vanguard, and a wood stocked one. I like the wood stocked rifle much better for fit and feel. Can really tell a difference in the way the recoil transfers with it, plus for some odd reason that stock has never moved in thirty years of ownership. It'll shoot 3/4" groups with 150 grain Remington factory ammo out of the box. I know of at least one 25-06 wood stocked Vanguard that shot a tick over a half inch (5 shot groups) with generic bullets in hand loads. That rifle would probably drop another .10" off the group size with better bullets and dies alone. Shooter did virtually zero load development, and just picked a load out of the Hornaday manual.

gary
 
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