The Weatherby......you mean the HOWA. The Vanguard model has always actually been made by Howa, in Japan. Nothing wrong with that...and I've heard good things about them. As to which one I'd choose....to be honest, I have no idea. On second thought, I suppose I might choose the Howa (well, it IS)...because of the .308 round. The 7mm-08 is a great round as well, but as you say, you don't handload. .308 ammo is available, including good 7.62 NATO surplus for practice, all over...and (relatively) cheaply. If the Weather-Howa is accurate and does all that you wish it to, I guess I'd keep it.