Remington 700 vs Weatherby Vanguard

TJarratt · 11-09-2005, 03:45 PM

I am in the market for a new hunting rifle this season, mostly for hunting whitetail in Centural Texas. It will be my first new rifle (have been using a hand-me-down) so I am looking to spend around $500-$700. I am stuck between the Remington 700 SPS Stainless 30-06 and the Weatherby Vanguard Stainless 30-06. I like the Remington because of the 700's reputation for reliability and out of the box accuracy, but like the Vanguard because of it's beautiful craftsmanship and have heard that it is also a very straight shooter. Any comments or personal expirences with either of these rifles would be appreciated, thanks.

rem600 · 11-09-2005, 05:13 PM

I have the SPS Stainless. Good accuracy out of the box. Comfortable to shoot. Mine is the 300 win mag but kicks less than my model 70 Winshester 30-06. Nice gun. Either way I believe you will be pleased.

bigbulls · 11-09-2005, 06:26 PM

They are both good rifles but the vanguard is more rifle for the money than a Remington 700.

Rem bolt has a soldered on handle that can break off where as the vanguard is a one piece forged bolt.

Rem bolt has that little and weak extractor where as the vanguard has a huge m-16 style extractor.

Rem bolt body is not vented where as the vanguard bolt has three vent holes to direct excaping gasses away from the shooter.

The Rem's receiver is round with a seaperate recoil lug where as the vanguard is a flat bottom receiver with a very large integral recoil lug.

They both have adjustable triggers.

They both utilize the "three rings of steel" construction.

James B · 11-09-2005, 06:30 PM

For me, if it ain't broke, leave it alone. Remington has done very well by me.

thndrchiken · 11-09-2005, 09:09 PM

Weatherby Vanguard made by Howa which I would take any day over the Remington.

Doe Dumper · 11-09-2005, 10:44 PM

Make mine green. No way i would change with theaccuracy i get.

James B · 11-10-2005, 12:46 AM

Hey Doe Dumper! You mean those things will shoot? I am heading out in about 6 hours for the deer season in SD. I will be trying out the new 270 with 130 grain Fusion loads from Fereral. I din't get time to try to work up a load for it. I am taking the NEF 44 Mag along for back-up. Oh and the 308 Browning.

The next thing you will be saying those darn Corlokts shoot good too.

Highpower · 11-10-2005, 06:24 AM

I have and shoot both. I've been shooting Remingtons for almost 50 years and IMHO, Remingtons will outshoot 'most' rifles out of the box. To be honest, I've never had a bolt handle break off, (never even seen one break off), never had one fail to extract the round, and never had gas blow-by issues with the Remingtons. I like my Weatherby's fine, but personally, I'll always take a Remington first choice.

Superpig · 11-10-2005, 01:26 PM

I have many Remingtons and like them. I also have a Smith & Wesson 1500. The S&W is the same as a Vanguard. I don't think you can go wrong with either rifle. However, one thing no one has mentioned is that the Vanguard comes with and accuracy guarantee. 1-1/2" at 100 yards for a 3 shot groups using premium ammo. Remington doesn't offer this guarantee. So if you buy a vanguard and it doesn't shoot well you can send it back for repair or replacement. If you buy a Remington and it will shoot only 2" groups you are stuck with it. I've never owned a Remington that didn't shoot well with handloads but I've had to free float the barrel and bed the action on all I've ever owned to make them great shooters. The Vanguard comes with a floated barrel.

270 win. · 11-10-2005, 03:15 PM

i have the weatherby vanguard in 270 and it is extremely accurate and well made. i would without a doubt recommend it