Frustrated with Weatherby

[Hschweers]

Hi all,

Purchased a vanguard 223 (1:9 twist) back in December ‘23 as a fun, cheap range gun to practice more often. I can’t get it to shoot worth a damn. 150-200 rounds through it. Primarily handloads, but some factory. 4 different bullets from 55gr-75gr. 3 different powders on the handloads. 2 different shooters. Best it’ll do is 1.5” 5 shot groups, with most in the 2.5”-4” range. Have also shimmed the action to free float the barrel.

Called Weatherby to start a warranty claim. Their guarantee is 3 shot sub-MOA groups. 90% (or more) of the time I haven’t gotten 3 shots sub-MOA, but if I do, and you add in a 4th and 5th shot you spread to 1.5”-4”. If you send it to them and they can get it to shoot sub MOA 3 shot groups, it’s a $200 fee. Why would they not just shoot till it groups, or shoot at point blank and charge $200 and send you back your piece of shit? What bullshit. Anyone have any advice on how to handle this?

IF I have to say F it to the warranty work - what’s the first thing you’d have a gunsmith attack on the rifle? Barrel swap, free float, true action, etc? Really frustrated. This is my first, and last, Weatherby.

 

[Reburn]

Sell it to guns.com.

Take the loss.

Buy a 223 tikka and go forth.

 

[WeiserBucks]

You'll be money ahead to sell it cheap and move on.

 

[Hunter270Win]

I mean if you're able to get a 3 shot sub MOA group then Weatherby has done their due diligence.

 

[Hschweers]

I mean if you're able to get a 3 shot sub MOA group then Weatherby has done their due diligence.

If you have to shoot 20 3-shot groups to get 1 that’s under an inch and call it “sub-MOA guarantee” that’s bogus. You disagree?

 

[bojangles808]

If you have to shoot 20 3-shot groups to get 1 that’s under an inch and call it “sub-MOA guarantee” that’s bogus. You disagree?

It is bogus. But you'll see it amongst all manufacturers that have a 3 shot "guarentee". More consumers though are starting to wise up that it's Bs. Bc eventually the OEM will get one 3 shot group that meets their criteria and they'll send it back and say too bad it shoots for us. Not buy from them anymore and tell others your poor experience is about all I think you can do

 

[flathead#2]

I have a MKV in 7-Wby that stairsteps high left BAD.
Tried everything, gave up, sits in the safe.

 

[Hschweers]

It is bogus. But you'll see it amongst all manufacturers that have a 3 shot "guarentee". More consumers though are starting to wise up that it's Bs. Bc eventually the OEM will get one 3 shot group that meets their criteria and they'll send it back and say too bad it shoots for us.

Do they all charge $200 when it “shoots” for them? I’ve never looked into warranty cause my tikkas and browning work like they’re supposed to

Edit: if the only risk was shipping, I’d let them try it. Not taking a $200 risk on something I’m almost certain they’ll get to “shoot” in whatever BS way they have to

 

[Hschweers]

I have a MKV in 7-Wby that stairsteps high left BAD.
Tried everything, gave up, sits in the safe.

That’s such a bummer. This gun, in addition to being a cheap range trainer, was a Weatherby audition cause some of their MKV models look awesome. I’ll be 1 and done with Weatherby

 

[Steve300xcw]

Have also shimmed the action to free float the barrel.

What do you mean?

IF I have to say F it to the warranty work - what’s the first thing you’d have a gunsmith attack on the rifle? Barrel swap, free float, true action, etc? Really frustrated. This is my first, and last, Weatherby.

I generally void the warranty on most things with a motor or barrel within a week of owning it. But I would go through the basics and I bet you will solve your problem.

Action screws, scope base/rings tight? Are they to long of bolt and bottoming out? Mag box binding up? Hog out some material and bed the action/float the barrel. etc etc.

 

[Bugger]

You’ve already voided the accuracy guarantee by modifying the stock. You can pick up a cheap aftermarket blem or used stock to try, then sell it if that doesn’t work out for ya.

 

[Hschweers]

What do you mean?

I understand this isn’t 100% correct, but after all the different ammo changes I had to try something else. I was at the range and had limited tools available to me. Was just looking for proof of concept. I removed the action, cut a piece of target and folded it up till ~1/8” thick, and placed under the action to pick the barrel up. Torqued back to spec. Was contacting the stock badly in 2 different places. If this improved the groupings at all, I would sand out the touch points on the stock to free float the right way. It made 0 difference on the groupings. Still sat in the 2.5” range with two different loads

 

[Hschweers]

You’ve already voided the accuracy guarantee by modifying the stock. You can pick up a cheap aftermarket blem or used stock to try, then sell it if that doesn’t work out for ya.

Haven’t touched the stock (yet)

 

[Laelkhunter]

They supposedly shot it before it left the factory, and they supposedly got their sub-moa group or they wouldn't have shipped it. It's going to cost you $$ to insure it and ship it, then you have to pay $200 and you know what they are going to say. "It's shooting up to spec for us". I would save the $300 ($100 to ship/insure and $200 for Weatherby) and move on.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I understand this isn’t 100% correct, but after all the different ammo changes I had to try something else. I was at the range and had limited tools available to me. Was just looking for proof of concept. I removed the action, cut a piece of target and folded it up till ~1/8” thick, and placed under the action to pick the barrel up. Torqued back to spec. Was contacting the stock badly in 2 different places. If this improved the groupings at all, I would sand out the touch points on the stock to free float the right way. It made 0 difference on the groupings. Still sat in the 2.5” range with two different loads

Yea thats a bit different, but I get trying it. I'd pull that stuff out first. I cannot see how that isnt going to have you chasing your tail.




Might check out this thread, kinda interesting... https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/any-need-to-tweak-weatherby-vanguards.392979/

"One of the best is to properly tighten the action screws.
Because the bolt is in the recoil lug, you need to carefully snug the action down without tipping the action forward before tightening the rear bolt. Just go slow and bring up to torque equally."

"I push the action back to load the recoil lug, and just snug the rear then snug the front. I then snug a bit more. Then, I bounce the buttstock to make sure it is seated and tighten front and back until I hit torque.
I tightened the front action screw first like I do with other action, and the rifle shot like crap. I then tore it down and saw the torque on it and started doing it like the above. Returned to tight groups."

 

[Bugger]

Haven’t touched the stock (yet)

My bad. I reread and you definitely said shimmed, not bored out to free float.

Have you called their CS to see how their process works? I’d try getting ahold of the same ammo that they’re gonna test with. If you do go thru with the claim please repost here for good or bad.

 

[flyfisher117]

Listened to the Weatherby guys on someones podcast. They are damn proud of themselves when they produce the Sub Moa group of their picking and get to send the rifle back with a $200 charge.

Honestly I would reach out, find what ammo they do their testing with. Try that ammo, and if it doesn't produce I'd sell it or rebarrel it. Unless you can live with the accuracy.

 

[Hschweers]

Yea thats a bit different, but I get trying it. I'd pull that stuff out first. I cannot see how that isnt going to have you chasing your tail.




Might check out this thread, kinda interesting... https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/any-need-to-tweak-weatherby-vanguards.392979/

"One of the best is to properly tighten the action screws.
Because the bolt is in the recoil lug, you need to carefully snug the action down without tipping the action forward before tightening the rear bolt. Just go slow and bring up to torque equally."

"I push the action back to load the recoil lug, and just snug the rear then snug the front. I then snug a bit more. Then, I bounce the buttstock to make sure it is seated and tighten front and back until I hit torque.
I tightened the front action screw first like I do with other action, and the rifle shot like crap. I then tore it down and saw the torque on it and started doing it like the above. Returned to tight groups."

Interesting. I’ll definitely give that a try. Thanks!

 

[Steve300xcw]

Listened to the Weatherby guys on someones podcast. They are damn proud of themselves when they produce the Sub Moa group of their picking and get to send the rifle back with a $200 charge.

Honestly I would reach out, find what ammo they do their testing with. Try that ammo, and if it doesn't produce I'd sell it or rebarrel it. Unless you can live with the accuracy.

A vanguard is what $500? I would expect to have to tweak on a rifle in that price range a little bit, before I was happy with the thing.

 

[Hschweers]

My bad. I reread and you definitely said shimmed, not bored out to free float.

Have you called their CS to see how their process works? I’d try getting ahold of the same ammo that they’re gonna test with. If you do go thru with the claim please repost here for good or bad.

I have talked to CS. They said Send it to em, they shoot (3) 3-shot groups (3 different loads) and if one of them groups they charge $200 and send it back. If none of them group they look into repairs/replacement. I’ll have to get the 3 loads they shoot (good idea @flyfisher117) and try em before I even think about sending it.