Author Topic: Weatherby Vanguard Stainless .300 WIN MAG (Read 6807 times)

cobraa · « **on:** April 28, 2008, 07:43:27 PM »

Hi i just put some cash down on a Weatherby Vanguard Stainless .300 WIN MAG
AND WAS WONDERING WHAT EVERYONE THINKS OF THEM AND WHAT SCOPE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR IT FOR SHORT AND LONG RANG SHOOTING. + what ammo you recommend. i was thinking of using the Federal Power Shock 180gr the same as they test fire the rifle with... here is the spec s of the rifle from there website..

The Vanguard® Stainless is the ideal choice for the hunter who wants legendary performance, rugged durability and exceptional value all wrapped up in a well-balanced package. Eliminates game-spooking glare while fighting off the effects of rain or snow.

410 Series stainless steel is bead blasted to a matte finish
24" barreled action bed to a raised comb, Monte Carlo, injection-molded composite stock
One-piece forged, fluted bolt body with three gas ports
One-piece, forged and machined receiver for the utmost in strength and structural integrity
Adjustable trigger can be precisely adjusted for let-off weight and sear engagement to match individual shooter preferences (within factory pre-set minimums). Sear engagement adjustments are for use by Weatherby factory and Authorized Service Center personnel only
Guaranteed to shoot a 1½'' OR BETTER 3-shot group from a cold barrel at 100 yards when used with premium (non-Weatherby calibers) or Weatherby factory ammunition
Comes with factory-shot target
http://www.weatherby.com/products/guns.asp?prd=Rifles&prd_sub_type=3&prod_code=VGS308NR4O#

cobraa · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2008, 02:53:25 PM »

so what no one has an Opinion about this rifle....

300S+W · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2008, 04:00:49 PM »

Things have a tendency to slow up around here at times but you usually get what your looking for. I don't have any experience with that particular model Vanguard but I've had my .300 S&W(HOWA/VANGUARD)for 25+ yrs and can tell you that I've liked it enough to put a good bit of money into modifying it over the years and it"s the rifle I use for everything. I"ve only shot one box of factory rnds through it when I first got it so I can't help you with a choice ammo, but your doing the right thing by useing the ammo the rifle was tested with as atleast you know the rifle likes it. A while back I set up a Walmart Vanguard in .300 Weatherby for a friend. The rifle had great potential but he didn't want to alter it to much til he found out if he liked it or not. He DID NOT like it ! Said it kicked to hard and wasn't interested in taking time to get used to it. Wished I would have needed it! Don't know what experience you have with the hard kickers but if you take the time to get use to it you'll not need another rifle or cartridge for anything you'd ever want to hunt.
As far as scopes go,what conditions are you going to be hunting and what price range are you looking at? As a good all around scope it's hard to beat the 3x9 variable. I had a Leupold Vari-Xlll 3.5-10x40AO on mine for about 20yrs but our groundhog hunting went H**L so I put a straight 4x on it. I recently bought a Leupold VXlll 1.75-6x32 w/hvy plex and believe it will be the scope that stays on this rifle for good. I'll check back at times to see what your up to and hope I can be of some help.

til later

cobraa · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2008, 05:03:39 PM »

well that's good to hear then cause Ive shot me mates Buffalo classic 45-70 shooting hand loaded ammo 405gr with 40grains of reloader 7, and i found that quite pleasant to shoot even for recoil and they only got metal butt plate. where all these weatherby's etc have nice fat rubber recoil pads.. and ive got this scope at the moment to try on it. ill see how it goes if it don't work right then ill have $200usd to spend on a new scope.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Xd-10-40x50-ESF-Y-Reticle-Rifle-Scope-Russia-Technique_W0QQitemZ160235707181QQihZ006QQcategoryZ31714QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

cobraa · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2008, 06:56:55 PM »

LOL this thread has been read 111 times and no one seems to want to make a comment.. on what Ive asked the question on. only 1 of you have that's pitta-full.

300S+W · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2008, 02:02:05 AM »

So what's been happening with your set up? How's your scope working out? I read your response about the Timney trigger and can tell ya sometimes it's cheaper to replace a factory one than to have to it worked on. Mine had the least amount of creep left in it after it was worked on and I just couldn't get used to it, so when Timney started selling replacements I got one. We're lucky in that you can install one youself in the Howa/Vanguard. Other than the triggers sometimes,there's not much else NEEDS to be done to make these rifles good shooters. Are you shooting factory or reloads?

til later

cobraa · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2008, 10:24:54 PM »

i haven't done anything with the gun yet Ive got the scope here but the gun is still down at the gun shop but i will be shooting Federal Power Shock 180gr factory ammo.
my other 2 mates have got there's and are very pleased with them one is in stainless same as mine and the other is in black and they shoot very well and extremely accurate and the triggers are very nice also so I'm told. so I'm looking forward to when i get mine..

300S+W · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2008, 07:34:27 AM »

So cobraa,are your mates rifles also thirty caliber magnums? Are you'll going to be reloading? If so,I've got a procedure that may be of intrest. It's easy and REALLY extends case life,but can only be used with 30 cal cartridges.

til later

safetysheriff · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2008, 02:20:06 PM »

cobraa'

i think you bought something made out of very good metal (410 stainless); i think you bought something made with a very good stock, though many disagree; but i think you ordered the wrong caliber!

i like the standard, synthetic stock on my blued vanguard in .270. it's heavy, but it's solid. that's why i like it. i like the action being as smooth as it is. i like the metallurgy of the '410' stainless that they use. however: the price of ammo' and of components for hand loading has gone so high that i think a person is better off shooting a less expensive round like a .30-06 or a .308. it's just so expensive to buy the magnum stuff right now.

that being said, you've ordered a caliber that is closer to the all-around capability than either the .308 or the .30-06. your caliber, with the right bullet chosen for the game and the distance to it, will outperform either, of course.

i hope it shoots very well for you.

take care,

ss'

cobraa · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2008, 03:22:15 AM »

HI 300S+W Yes me other 2 mates also have Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic 300 win mags but they got Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9x40 scopes on there's and they are already shooting Federal Power shock 180gr factory ammo at the moment. I will be also when i get me rifle. and after we get a surplus of once fired brass i will look into reloading as i already have a reloading press for me 45-70 all i gotta do is buy dies for the .300 win mag. And I'm always interested in anything that's going to increase the life of me brass.. and any reloading tips reloading data and info would be greatly appreciated.

ATM a box of 20 Federal Power Shock 180gr is about 26$AUD

26.00 AUD = 24.9724 USD
Australia Dollars United States Dollars
1 AUD = 0.960476 USD 1 USD = 1.04115 AUD

300S+W · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2008, 06:28:22 AM »

Howdy cobraa,
The first thing you guys need to do is to keep your brass separate from each other as you want YOUR brass fireformed to YOUR rifle but I'm thinking you know this already. Just making sure! Basically what I do is "neck size only" my brass. If it eventually becomes tight to chamber,which I don't have happen very often if at all,I'll full length resize it. Other than when/if you full length resize and when you seat your bullet,the only part of the case that touches a die is the neck. I'm not shooting a .300 Win Mag but it doesn't matter as I've used this procedure on other 30 cal cartridges. I bought 100 casings 25+yrs ago and still have between 40 and 50 left. Eventually what will happen is the primer pockets open up and won't hold a primer. Of course how long this takes has alot to do with how hot a load your using! I found out about this procedure in HANDLOADER magazine back in 1991. It was used to make the 308 Win(7.62 NATO) ammo for the 1992 Palma Match.

til later

cobraa · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2008, 04:22:32 PM »

Hi thank for the info, if anyone has any other reloading tips, reloading data for 180gr or any other info that would be greatly appreciated and don't be shy post ya MSG or info.

jdt48653 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2008, 03:59:01 PM »

there are a lot of nice scopes out there,200.00 would make a nice down pmt on one,as you must get up in quality so it can take the energy that the 300 puts out.my vanguard 300whby kicks
like a mule and would knock a lesser scope off in a hurry.

yooper77 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2008, 08:52:16 AM »

I have a friend that has a Weatherby Vanguard in 257 Weatherby Magnum. He like his and it shoot excellent. I recently purchased a Weatherby Mark V synthetic rifle in 30-06 Springfield. I bought it new in box for 50% off $1155 retail and always wanted a 30-06 Springfield in a proven action. I installed a Leupold VX-II matte in 3-9x40mm scope on it with Leupold matte base and low rings. I also bought it because the reloading components have sky rocketed and I have tons of 30-06 components already on hand. I also make 257 Weatherby ammo for my friend out of new 300 H&H Mag brass.

http://www.hodgdon.com/ is a good source for reloading data.

Yooper77

Graybeard · « **Reply #14 on:** June 05, 2008, 10:55:32 AM »

Such choices are rather personal in nature and what one likes another might hate. I've had personal experience with two Weatherby Vanguard rifles in magnum chamberings. The first was a blued 300 Whby. Magnum and it was quite accurate but heavy as a boat anchor. Of course in a rifle with that kinda kick being heavy is not necessarily a bad thing. It was not mine but I did hunt with the owner for a few years and did work up some reloads for it for him.

The other was my personal rifle a SS .257 Whby. Magnum and it was a lousy shooter. That's when I found that in spite of their claims they do not even shoot the rifle you are buying but rather only the barreled actlion mounted to a machine rest in effect. Some have said they use a stock just not the one you get with your rifle but that's not the story as I understand it from Weatherby it is more like a machine rest. It doesn't even have a scope or sights mounted. They mount it in a machine pointed in the correct direction lock it down and fire the three shots. Those shots are not representative of what your actual rifle will do.

Mine had major bedding issues and was the worse shooting rifle I've owned other than a Ruger #1B I once owned in 6MM Remington. Yeah I'm sure they would have fixed it and made it shoot had I elected to return it to them. But that would have cost me shipping charges and when it returned I'd not have liked it any better than when it left as it too was heavy as a boat anchor even heavier than the .300 mag as it had more metal in the barrel. It just wasn't for me.

I guess if I were going to get a .300 magnum in a Weatherby rifle I'd have to buy a .300 Whby. Magnum but as I said to begin with such things are very personal in nature and what one would think great another might think horrible. If you like it and it shoots well for you that really is all that matters.

JonnyC · « **Reply #15 on:** June 06, 2008, 10:40:10 AM »

I have the Vanguard in 300 WBY. Mag. I reload and had to do some tweeking. It shoots the Barnes TSX to perfection once I floated the barrel. I load it down to 300 win. levels for most of my hunting. That's the good thing about reloading- you can always adjust the load for the game you are after.

cobraa · « **Reply #16 on:** June 08, 2008, 12:17:53 AM »

is your rifle a new one or older one ? wasent your Vanguard allready Bedded ? if so why didn't it shoot good when it was bedded compared to beeing floated ?

JonnyC · « **Reply #17 on:** June 08, 2008, 02:06:17 AM »

My Vanguard came with the Tupperware stock . All I did was place an o-ring under the barrel where it is attached to the stock. That gave me plenty of barrel clearence. Cheap fix and worked well. Got the idea from the NEF site. Started doing it to my NEF rifles and thought I'd try it with the Vanguard stock. I love it when a plan comes together.

cccombo · « **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2008, 01:23:11 PM »

Spend a few extra $ get the SUB-MOA vanguard

cobraa · « **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2008, 11:40:28 PM »

Ive bought me weatherby vanguard S/S .300 win mag in a package for $850AUD
i got the rifle, 1" medium scope rings and bases, soft gun bag, QD sling swivels, Sling, cleaning kit and for the sub moa ver i think i had to add another 340$ more i think.

850.00 AUD = 799.576 USD
Australia Dollars United States Dollars

cobraa · « **Reply #20 on:** July 08, 2008, 03:37:15 PM »

Dont everyone talk at once.............

300S+W · « **Reply #21 on:** July 08, 2008, 07:20:36 PM »

OK!! So now ya need a scope. Watch ya gonna get?

til later

cobraa · « **Reply #22 on:** July 09, 2008, 02:24:40 AM »

this is the one i bought
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Xd-10-40x50-ESF-Y-Reticle-Rifle-Scope-Russia-Technique_W0QQitemZ160235707181QQihZ006QQcategoryZ31714QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

300S+W · « **Reply #23 on:** July 09, 2008, 03:01:29 AM »

yooper77 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 09, 2008, 03:15:39 AM »

300S+W,

Why do you think the case necking fire-formed brass can only be used with 30 cal cartridges?

Just wondering because, I use this procedure for over 25 years with all my .224, .243, .257, .277, .284 & .308 caliber rifles.

yooper77

300S+W · « **Reply #25 on:** July 09, 2008, 04:21:02 AM »

Sorry y77,I didn't mean for it to come across that way! Of course you can neck size casings for other calibers besides .308. What it is,I use a 32ACP carbide sizing die for neck sizing the .308 caliber cartridges I load for. This die will only work on these because of its internal dimensions. I then expand the case with a Lyman "M" die. Gives me about 60lbs of bullet tension. Been doing this since I read about it in 1992. There's nothing exceptional about this,it's just that I'm getting good case life and good accuracy at near max loads with a quick and simple procedure. I've tried to find other handgun cartridge carbide sizing dies that will work with other calibers but to no avail. Really would have liked to have found one to work with the 9.3x62mm!

til later

yooper77 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 09, 2008, 07:06:56 AM »

OK, I understand.

I use neck sizing dies or usually shim my full length sizer and smoke the case, so I only re-size the neck and not touch the shoulder.

yooper77

300S+W · « **Reply #27 on:** July 09, 2008, 08:09:29 AM »

y77, if your interested and have access to Handloader #152,the article I got this procedure from, "Loading For The Palma" is in it. Basically,Jensen's Custom Ammuntion was awarded the contract to produce 250,000 rds of 7.62 NATO (.308 Winchester) ammunition of top quality and in a short period of time. They succeeded in Spades. GOOD READ!

til later

yooper77 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 09, 2008, 10:42:02 AM »

Thank you and I have had a lot of experience with the 308 Winchester and love it dearly and any of its kids that come from this parent cartridge.

I also love the parent 30-06 Springfield cartridge and anything that comes from it.

yooper77

cobraa · « **Reply #29 on:** July 18, 2008, 10:34:16 PM »

Hi All Well the other day I picked up me Weatherby Vanguard Stainless Steel 24" .300 Win Mag and got me Xdoptics 10-40x50 ESF Y Reticle Russia Technique Rifle Scope put on it. with Leupold 2 piece Steel Black Base & Leupold 30mm Steel Black Rings. i will add a pic of it when i get a loan of me mates Digital Camera.