Sorry if this topic has been rehashed in the past. I'm in the process of looking for a bolt action .270 for my son. I looked at the Vanguard sold at Wal-Mart. I believe they are made by Howa and they seem like fairly decent rifles for the $$. Just feels funny standing amid the video games and kids buying paintballs looking over a rifle.

Anyone have one and what are your opinions.

I saw one at Walmart a few days back, synthetic stock/blued, for $389 new....if this rifle comes with Weatherby's 3 shot /1"@100 yard accuracy gaurantee (does it?), it'd be hard to argue against the rifle at that price. Weatherby's certianly do not have bad reputations, and, fellings of Apple Pie/Buy America aside, the Japanese have made fine rifles for Browning, Smith & Wesson, etc., in the past.

The weatherby guarantee was three shots into 1-1/2" unless it was changed recently.The howa I owned actually shot better than my weatherby mark 5.

You can get the Vanguard in real nice wood now for just a little more.
I had a Vanguard in .300Weatherby, it was as accurate as anyone could ever ask. I would buy another if that is what I needed. Mine had the Weatherby Guarantee of 1.5 MOA.

Buy it! Good Luck

I just bought the same rifle last Spring. It was $388 at Wal-Mart. It had the accuracy garuntee and they included the actual test target in the box. Mine is in .300 Wby Mag and it shoots very well. The groups are within an inch with handloads. It's a very solid gun with a smooth action and fits me like a glove. Best money I ever spent. The worst was a used boat.

Scott Meier
White Oak Lodge

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Got the Vangaurd for my Dad 3 yrs ago. It shot so well I couldnt afford not to buy one myself. I was in the market for a 300 and figured that I might as well go with the WBY.
It too shoots well, and after a little trigger and load adjustments I am shooting 1 in groups at 100 yds.
I would say go ahead and buy it. You wont be sorry.

They must be pretty good rifles or Weatherby would'nt risk putting their name on it.

Buy It!