Vanguards are NOT built by Howa anymore. In the late 90s Ed Weatherby decided to move the production of these rifles back too American shores. (One of the few decisions I agree with him on since his fathers passing in 88!) The name escapes me right now, but I believe the Vanguards are built by a firm in Mass.

Originally the Mark Vs were built first by JP Sauer and Sons in Germany and then production was moved too Japan in the late 60s when a cheap Yen and a then small economy made it feasible to do so. If memory serves me correct (which it seldom does) the firm was not Howa however. I believe it was Miruko or something similar. Eventually in the 80s the production of Mark Vs was moved too our own shores.

I aint nockin the Howa built guns as they are GREAT guns and my old 25/06 Vanguard was a GOOD ONE until some lowlife decided to borrow it without asking. They are great guns and even a better gun for the price. I just think that Roy Weatherby is rolling in his grave right now since his son has "sold his soul too the devil" and gotten chummy with Wal-Mart. Perhaps from a business standpoint it was the right deal, their sales were softening for many reasons. But only time will tell I suppose.

The Mark V was Mr. Roy's baby. It made his company what it was and at a time when nothing else out there was quite as elaborate. I think to fully appreciate them I think you have to remember when "their time" was in hunting history. The Mark V was debuted in 1957 and held its esteemed position until well into the late 80s. Thats really an interesting time for big game hunting, especially in the realm of alot of the type hunters who used them. I know when I was a kid (I was born in 71) a 300 Wby Mag Mk V Deluxe was IT!!! You was SUMPIN and you didn't have to hold your head down for anything. Paying $1k for a rifle and $30-$50 for a box of shells meant that the price of admission wasn't a concern of yours. You had "arrived" lol.

Like I said, yeah they were more mystique and glam than anything physically superior. I would put my Sako up against anything that ever came out of South Gate, CA. But I give Roy Weatherby one thing that even John Moses Browning didn't have. A genius for marketing. THE greatest design in the world still isn't anything if it's not sold and marketed properly.

I'll ask you guys this, sure the Mark V might not be what it once was, but would you decline the offer if someone was willing to give you one for free tonight?
RA