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Old June 5, 2012, 07:00 PM   #1
foltzki
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remington 700 adl vs weatherby vangaurd?

i am trying to decide between a remington 700 and a weatherby vangaurd in 308
it will be used for whitetail in tennessee. anybody have any personal preferences or suggestions? which do you think is better? i know that the 700 has 2 locking lugs on the bolt while the vangaurd has 3. any other major differences?
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Old June 5, 2012, 08:01 PM   #2
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The deer won't care. Which one do you like better?
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Old June 5, 2012, 08:36 PM   #3
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I didn't like the Vanguard trigger when I was looking but otherwise flip a coin.
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Old June 6, 2012, 06:11 AM   #4
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That Vanguard trigger is better than the 700's, plus that Vanguard is deadly accurate.
I have shot both and I own a Vanguard, it's heavier than the 700 for sure, but all that weight's in the barrel.
I'd pick a Vanguard between those two without hesitation. And if you can adjust that trigger to your liking, put a Timney on it.
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Old June 6, 2012, 06:20 AM   #5
p5200
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I've owned both rifles in 30-06 and they both performed well. I adjusted the older model 700 trigger where it was the best of the two but, the Vanguard had much less felt recoil of the two. I think it might have been the lightest kicking 30-06 I've ever shot but both were very accurate.

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Old June 6, 2012, 11:11 AM   #6
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The nicest thing about the Remington is there are so many aftermarket parts available.
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Old June 6, 2012, 01:01 PM   #7
Joe Chicago
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If you prefer the feel of the 700 I recommend buying an older used one from before The Freedom Group bought big green. I had a 1997 700 ADL in 3006 that was a great rifle, but had to send two new Rem rifles back to the factory last year. If you like two stage triggers check out the Vanguard S2.
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Old June 6, 2012, 03:19 PM   #8
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Isn't the Vanguard build in Japan around a Howa action? I had a Howa 1500 which was a very accurate rifle. Wish I still had it.
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Old June 6, 2012, 05:41 PM   #9
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Yes the Vanguard is made in the Howa factory in Japan, they did a wonderful job on mine I might add.
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Old June 6, 2012, 09:59 PM   #10
Durty
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The 700 action is hard to beat. I owned a vanguard for a season chambered in 270 wsm. I liked it ok. But not enough to keep it. I have yet to sell or trade a 700. I currently have 4 in the safe. The vanguard was solid and accurate enough to hunt deer with. Just didn't have any nastalgia attatched to it that generally goes with a classic American rifle like the Rem 700 or Win 70
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Old June 6, 2012, 10:19 PM   #11
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Quote:
That Vanguard trigger is better than the 700's, plus that Vanguard is deadly accurate.
I have shot both and I own a Vanguard, it's heavier than the 700 for sure, but all that weight's in the barrel.
I'd pick a Vanguard between those two without hesitation. And if you can adjust that trigger to your liking, put a Timney on it.
The Vanguard I dry fired in the store had the grittiest, creepy, long travel trigger that I have ever pulled. And that was the model where their advertisement said they go over each trigger. Bah. The Remington I dry fired in the store was one of the best triggers I've pulled (other then a premium Timney or Jewel trigger).
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Old June 7, 2012, 08:04 AM   #12
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If you get a Vanguard, make sure to get the series 2 and not left over series 1. They made several improvements including a 2 stage trigger. Mine has an awesome trigger and was very accurate right out of the box.
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Old June 7, 2012, 10:50 AM   #13
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I have a remington 700 ADL that I inherited from my father and I bought a weatherby vanguard from my brother a couple winters ago(we like to keep guns in the family). this is kindof comparing apples to broccoli since one is in 243 and the other is 300 weatherby mag but between the two, I like the ergonomics of the wood stock on the 700 to the(what I'm guessing is) fiberglass/polymer stock on the weatherby. both are more than accurate enough for hunting rifles and both have very smooth actions with the weatherby's being nicer. the major drawback the weatherby has over the remington is weight but again, it's firing a round that's about 3 times as powerful as the remington.

if you are looking at it economically, the vanguard II is cheaper and is guaranteed to be MOA out of the box, the remington 700 is not though I doubt that it would be much worse than the vanguard.
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Old June 7, 2012, 03:53 PM   #14
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Vanguard S1 vs S2

Compare the price difference between the two versions before you buy.

You can add a Timney to the S1 for about $100 and adjust it all you want. That's what I had to do to my S1 Vanguard.

The S2 version has a new two stage trigger which everyone has raved about.
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Old June 7, 2012, 04:26 PM   #15
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Like most things in life--it's mostly a matter of opinion. I would be hard pressed to make a decision between the two. I own 11 VGX Vanguards, and 3 older model 700's. All of them shoot moa. The "out of the box trigger" was better on the Rems., but I found accuracy to be more consistant with the Weatherbys. The Weatherbys are heavier, but as mentioned by someone else--the felt recoil seems to be less in the vanguards. In the "wood" stocks its a toss up which one is better looking. For many years I felt that the Rem. took the lead, but having incured the "VGX" bug, I will give the nod to the Weatherby's. The "Sub-MOA composite, and the B&C stocks on the varmint Weatherbys surpass the Rems. Having said all that, my SPS model 700 in .308win. is a "one hole" shooter--always! So go figure. Just run what ya brung!
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Old June 7, 2012, 10:20 PM   #16
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I have a Vanguard in .300 Win short mag and a Model 700 laminated stock in 06--my first Vanguard and my sixth 700--had 700's for years and they have all shot accurately, the 06 is very accurate, but the test target that came with the vanguard was just one ragged hole just a bit off center---the gun store owner said if it shoots as well as the test target, keep it forever--it is truely one of the most accurate rifles I've ever owned---as far as looks, it's very hard to beat the Remingtons--in my humble opinion, the BDL is just about the best looking rifle out there, but both have a beautiful stock. I've also been lucky on the triggers, just haven't had one so bad I had to install an aftermarket---the comments on the felt recoil are right on, the Vanguard is a little heavier but the recoil between it and the 06 feels about the same to me--both are easy to shoot. I envy you your choice, you can't go wrong with either one, both are "keepers"-------John
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Old June 17, 2012, 12:55 AM   #17
tahoe2
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I have had two Rem 700's(30-06, 270) now I have neither. get the Vanguard
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Old June 17, 2012, 08:11 AM   #18
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I've worked on many different rifles, either adjusting triggers, doing bedding, etc. and fired lots of different brands and models.

My favorite moderately-priced rifles are, in order: Rem 700, Tikka 595, Winchester 70, and Weatherby Vanguard. The Tikka T-3 is also nice, but not as nice as the 595 was.

The Vanguard would move up a bit if it wasn't so heavy and seemingly bulky for a carry rifle.

The Win. 70 trigger is just OK; not as nice as the Remingtons and Tikka that I have.
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Old June 17, 2012, 12:52 PM   #19
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I have a wby deluxe in .300 wby mag and I love it!!! Wouldnt trade it for 3 700's, well 3 I might consider, but def not 2
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Old June 18, 2012, 03:56 PM   #20
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Quote:
i know that the 700 has 2 locking lugs on the bolt while the vangaurd has 3.
My Vanguard Deluxe in .30-06 has two locking lugs just like a 700.
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Old June 20, 2012, 04:10 AM   #21
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I have the Vanguard series 2 in 30-06. It shoots MOA and even sub-MOA with certain ammo brands. Very well pleased with it- no problems or complaints at all. Based on range comparison testing, I've decided to zero it using Winchester 150gr for whitetail deer hunting.
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Old June 21, 2012, 07:48 PM   #22
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I had a Howa years ago in 30-06. It was okay but just felt big and "clunky" to me. I love my Remington 700 SPS much better. It's all what turns YOUR crank!

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Old June 22, 2012, 11:43 PM   #23
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Today I fired a Remington 700 in 30-06. The trigger pull was very heavy and harsh. Not smooth, short and crisp like my Vanguard. Accuracy of the 700 was also not as good. If I was the owner of the model 700 that I fired, I'd upgrade the trigger. The Vanguard Series 2 that I have doesn't need any improvment of the trigger at all. A buddy also shot the 700 and agrees. Maybe others have model 700's that work better, but this was what I saw at the range dialing in rifles with two other guys. Overall we fired Marlin levers in 45-70, bolt actions in 30-06, and a lever in 32 Winchester. My Vanguard hit a one inch dot at 200 yards, but the Remington 700 did not. It very well might with an improved trigger and a better scope. The 700 certainly has enough accuracy for deer hunting, and of course has a well established history with a great variety of aftermarket parts. My Vanguard just seemed to work better out of the box.
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Old June 25, 2012, 04:02 PM   #24
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I tried the trigger on a new model 700 and it was vastly superior compared to the older model 700 I shot at the range. I'm sure the model I looked over is every bit as good, equal or maybe better right out of the box. I compared my Vanguard to an older 700 which I guess is not fair.
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Old June 25, 2012, 04:34 PM   #25
AllenJ
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My oldest son and I each purchased new rifles late last year. His was a Remington 700 ADL 7mm Rem Mag with the X-Mark trigger. I got a Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 in 243 Win. We have been to the range a number of times and both of us agree the Weatherby's trigger is better. Both guns shoot sub MOA and we like both guns but if he had to choose one model over the other he says he would get a Vanguard S2.
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