Howa Lightning vs. Weatherby Vanguard

[safetysheriff]

Merry Christmas to all.    May you be blessed by God in the New Year. 

i am interested in a Howa Lightning with a synthetic stock.   i'd like to know how the stocks are different, and how different are they in weight.    i know that the websites don't show me much difference between them.    but i don't think they use the same stocks and i'd hope that the Howa is  noticeably lighter.

how about accuracy of the two?

thanks for replies/experiences,

ss'   

[R.W.Dale]

 I've owned both, on multiple occasions a pair of 22-250's a 6.5x55 and a 300 wby all were very accurate and functioned flawlessly. The synthetic AKA plastic stocks are indeed diffrent in cut and style, But they are very similar in that they are both utter crap. If you don't upgrade to the wood of fiber reinforced stock plan on allocating funds to buy a replacment stock later.

[Val]

My Howa 1500 rifle was very sensitive to action screw pressure. I replaced the stock with a Bell and Carlson synthetic. Much better looking stock and much stiffer, but it too was sensitive to the tension on the action screws. The Howas have the pressure point in the fore end of the stock. I recently had the barrel free floated and glass bedded and the stock is now very solid with no movement. Even with the cheapo factory stock I developed a load that was giving me 3/4" three shot groups. I've been so into the fall and winter upland bird season, I haven't been to the range with the new stock. That will happen after the bird season is over. The B&C stock is a good looking stock too.

[safetysheriff]

Val,

first off, thanks to both of you for your replies.   i'd like to ask you, Val, how did you feel about the weight of the Howa and have you ever worked with a Weatherby Vanguard to compare their weights?

i figure that with action-screw torque affecting other rifles that i've read about before......  more with synthetic stocks where the screws were over-tightened......it's not a problem for me to set my screws with Loc-Tite and see how the rifle shoots.   i'll adjust screw tension if needed thereafter. 

your 3/4" accuracy......what distance was that at?   if it's 100 yds' or more then i'd be thinking i have a rifle to work with!    what caliber did you buy?

take care,

ss' 

[Val]

safetysheriff,
The 3/4" accuracy was at 100 yds. I bought my Howa in .223. I've never handled a Vanguard but I would think that the weight of the Vanguard would be pretty close. The weight is what I would consider about average for a 22" barrel bolt action. Certainly light enough to carry but not in the light weight class that my 700 Mountain rifle is. Since the Vanguard uses the same action, the accuracy of the two should be the same. If I were you I would buy the cheaper and replace the stock with another stock. With my B&C stock my Howa is a much nicer looking rifle.

[Little Joe]

Sorry I cant help you with the Howa question but I did get a Weatherby Vanguard last month in 300 Winchester Mag. I payed 369.00$    dollars for this rifle.  Am I the only guy that likes the stock on the Vanguard? I now there are better looking stocks but mine fits me well. Best scope alignment to eye stock I have on all my rifles.  I like the Monte Carlo style. I am 5 ft 11 inch tall.  The weight is just right for 300 Win Mag.The rifle shoots at 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards with 180 grain Noslers bullets with my hand loads. It also shoots Winchester factory 180 grain Power points at 1 1/4 inch 100 yard groups. What more could I ask for. I had to work years and spend money to get my Ruger rifle to do that. I think you would get the same with the Howa as they are the same action.

Happy Shooting

Little Joe

[safetysheriff]

  Am I the only guy that likes the stock on the Vanguard? I now there are better looking stocks but mine fits me well. Best scope alignment to eye stock I have on all my rifles.  I like the Monte Carlo style. I am 5 ft 11 inch tall.  Happy Shooting

Little Joe

Joe'

i Really like the Vanguard stock, except for the total weight of the rifle that it contributes to. 

i, too, find that it lines up a scope with my 5" 10" frame better than anything else i've ever worked with.   i put a 6" eye-relief Bushnell Banner on mine and couldn't ask for a better set up than what it's given me.   

i just would like a lesser weight in a rifle.....with a stock that still handles as well and seems as stiff as the one they put on the Vanguard.

i definitely like the Vanguard in all other respects.

ss' 

[Buckfever]

Gentlemen, what are triggers like in both the Vanguard and the Howa?  Are they adjustable and if so can it be done easily or do you need a gunsmith?  Any additional information would be helpful.  I am thinking of getting a .257 Weatherby or a 270 WSM and then replacing the stock.  Since I have owned Tikka's and a CZ I really know the importance of a well adjusted trigger.   Thanks for your help.   Buckfever

[Little Joe]

Mine is crisp with no creep at 4 lbs. It is very easy to adjust as per the instructions in the manual.   

Happy Shooting

Little Joe

[safetysheriff]

i adjusted the Vanguard trigger and i used a stone on it to re-shape the area where it engages the sear.   i did that similar to the way i've done some Ruger M77-MkII's --- with instructions from www.centerfirecentral.com.....gunsmithing techniques.    it seems to have worked very well on my .270!   


the small 'e' ring on the one screw in the trigger group must be removed before loosening it.  otherwise it's easy to see how the group works and how to adjust it.

take care,

ss'