Weatherby Vanguard S2

[Bmcox86]

Anyone have any experience with the Weatherby Vanguard S2, I recently had a stroke of luck and won one in 30/06 at the Alaska SCI banquet and just picked it up.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with the gun and how they like it? Any tips or mods I should plan.

So far ive noticed that it is alittle on the heavy side but has a really short and light trigger. I plan on putting a leupold vx2 on it and using it as a back up.

 

[Calbuck]

I have one in 22-250 that I really enjoy shooting. It's accurate and I agree on the decent trigger..you're right about it being on the heavy side though.

 

[rileybassman]

It's a great gun, my pops has one and I have shot it as well. Sub moa, great trigger. Little heavy, but super comfy. I like the 24" barrel. Congrats!

 

[COlineman78]

My brother has the Vanguard 2 in .270 Win and I have a LazerMark in 300 Wby and both styles of Mark XXII. Weatherby makes an excellent rifle and if you can't tell I'm a bit of a Weatherby fan. They shoot factory ammo very well (unlike some other performance rifle's I own). The factory triggers are usually very good (the bolt Mark XXII trigger is amazing). They have only recently started making UL models in the Vanguard Wilderness at 6.75lb. It looks like most of the 1lb was saved with fluted barrels. My only complaint about my brother's vanguard, which isn't a big deal for me, is that it's louder that expected.

 

[Schism]

I have one in .30-06 and it has been reliable and accurate. Not something I want to pack around the mountains on a sheep hunt but a fine rifle for the hunting I think 90% of hunters do on a regular basis. I can't see replacing my S2 anytime soon.

 

[T43]

I've shot one in '06 and it was a good sub moa gun. I just got the Howa version (Howa makes the vg action) in a compact 308 and I'm very happy with it. For "budget" guns they are pretty impressive.

 

[next30years]

I have a Vanguard S2 in 300 Wby. For me, replacing the stock was a must. I went with a B&C for the $, but no doubt a Manners or McMillan would be better (for $$).

I am happy with mine. Shoots MOA with factory 180 SP. I still need to free-float and bed.

Recoil in the new stock seems more manageable to me.

 

[GKPrice]

My brother has the Vanguard 2 in .270 Win and I have a LazerMark in 300 Wby and both styles of Mark XXII. Weatherby makes an excellent rifle and if you can't tell I'm a bit of a Weatherby fan. They shoot factory ammo very well (unlike some other performance rifle's I own). The factory triggers are usually very good (the bolt Mark XXII trigger is amazing). They have only recently started making UL models in the Vanguard Wilderness at 6.75lb. It looks like most of the 1lb was saved with fluted barrels. My only complaint about my brother's vanguard, which isn't a big deal for me, is that it's louder that expected.

I don't think it likely that a LB was saved by barrel fluting, maybe more like 4 oz at most (that might even be a stretch) Most likely assorted changes add up to the weight loss, and is it just 1 lb lighter ?

I first saw the Backcountry model in SW and had a very hard time walking away from it (but alas, I'm a Tikka SL kind of guy)

 

[COlineman78]

I don't think it likely that a LB was saved by barrel fluting, maybe more like 4 oz at most (that might even be a stretch) Most likely assorted changes add up to the weight loss, and is it just 1 lb lighter ?

I first saw the Backcountry model in SW and had a very hard time walking away from it (but alas, I'm a Tikka SL kind of guy)

Yeah, I agree it would have to be an assortment of changes or else it would be unbalanced. Yes it is only 1lb lighter according to their site. I am constantly amazed by people's ounce counting ways. People talk about the Vanguard as if it's a boat anchor dragging behind them as they crawl up the mountain but in truth it is only 1-1.25lbs more than the T3. Now that is 15% heavier so it isn't insignificant, but the backcountry and wilderness models are roughly the same weight as a T3. I'm a wood stock guy, so I would probably just take the extra pound and get one of the wood stock models. I have been tempted by the LazerGuard a time or 2.

 

[Bmcox86]

Sounds like it's going to be a good gun, anyone replace the stock pad with a limbsaver or is the stock pad sufficent?