No Howa has been making Vanguards forever. I actually bought both of my Vanguards at gunshops. Walmart is my ammunition source only except for 2 rifles I have purchased there in the last 35 years. The price at the gunshop on the latest one was lower then Wally Worlds making it a real sweet deal. Sub 1" groups with factory ammo and a 376 dollar rifle that next to a Ruger 77 may be the most rugged rifle one can own. It doesn't get any better then that. I laugh at Weatherby MK V owners in hunting camp anyway so I might as well continue throwing gasoline on the fire