I've toyed with the idea of getting a .338 WM for elk up to bears some day. I'm leaning toward the .338 WM as it's less expensive and more widely available than the Weatherby cartridges, and it offers flatter trajectory than the .338-06, .338 Federal, or .35 Whelen.
I've heard good things about how the Weatherby stocks are good aboutsoftening recoil, and I like the idea that the Mark V / Vanguards are in the 8 lb.-plus range for the magnum calibers. I have no interest in carrying a lightweight rifle in a stout magnum caliber!
So...
1) Can anybody tell me how the perceived recoil of a Weatherby stacks up against any other guns in the same, or an equivalent, caliber?
2) Can anybody give me a quick rundown of how the Mark V differers from the Vanguard?
3) Does anyone have a Mark V in the plain synthetic stock (non fiber reinforced)? Is it a decent stock? I've seen one for $730, which sounds like a pretty decent price, if the stock's worth a damn. If the stock's crappy, then that might explain the discounted price!
4) Can anyone comment on the price/value relationship between a $530 Vanguard Sporter vs. a $730 Mark V Synthetic? I'm partial to wood stocks, but I wouldn't ignore everything else about the rifle just to get one.
I had a Vanguard in .30-06 for a few years. To me, precieved recoil wasn't any different from say my Ruger M77 mkII, same caliber. I eventually got rid of it because of weight issues. Mine weighed in at just under 10lbs w/scope and that got tiresome lugging about all day stalk hunting.
If available, you could always split the difference and get the Sub-MOA version of Vanguard.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the stocks are the same from the Mark5 and Vanguard/Varminter.
Location: S.W. Pa.-- Heart in North Central Pa. mountains-
Posts: 2,508
RE: Any Weatherby Shooters Out There?
I have a Weatherby Vanguard in 300 Weath. Mag. with the syn. stock, and a Win. 70 XTR in 338 Win. Mag., wood stock. I honestly can't say I notice much difference in recoil between the two. Recoil off the bench is something you either can deal with, or not. Leadsled can make bench sessions a lot more tolerable. As you probably know, recoil in the field when shooting at game is seldom noticed, but if you become afraid of the gun because of the benchwork, you may tend to flinch with it at the "moment of truth". Don't know if I answered any of your questions....Just my opinion.
I have a Weatherby Vanguard in .300 WBY Mag and it has less felt recoil (in terms of bruises on my shoulder after firing 20 rounds at the range) than my Remington BDL in 7mm Remington magnum. If you are looking at the same caliber (.338 WM), I think the Vanguard is a better value than the Mark V. The Vanguard is not available in any Weatherby chamberings larger than the .300 WBY Mag.
Any Weatherby Shooters Out There?
