Weatherby Vanguard

[Idahotrapper]

I have a Weatherby Vanguard High Country chambered in 300 WM. It’s been shot a ton, and the barrel is shot out. So I basically have an action to work with at this point. I upgraded the trigger a couple years ago to a Timney, so I already have a little money in it. I have always hunted with a 300 win mag, but I’m wanting to change things up a bit. I have a max range of 700 yds, and most shots for me on elk/bear/deer will be muzzle to 300 yds. I practice out to 700 so I don’t miss opportunities like I have in the past in game, but those shots would be extremely rare. Getting factory ammo is a must for me, I do reload but 4 kids and a job I travel for, It’s been almost zero time at the bench lately I’ve been bouncing back and forth between .284 cartridges and 338 of some flavor, but am looking for advice and discussion on what you’d do in my scenario. I’ve tossed 28 Nosler around, and also 338 WM. I’ll be doing a Peak 44 Blacktooth, and a carbon fiber barrel, and would like to keep it at or under 24”…

 

[Choupique]

and also 338 WM

Speaking my language here. .338 win mag is my favorite caliber. That said, I don't think it's what you're looking for. As far as I know, the only long range factory load readily available is a 230gr ELDX at 2800 fps. Thats a .6 BC bullet. Almost everything else is blunt flat base stuff meant for shooting big toothed things at close-ish range. Some other calibers have a lot more factory long range geared hunting ammo on the shelf.

I hate suggesting not getting a bigger gun, but the practical answer is just screw a new .300 pipe on it.

 

[wind gypsy]

Speaking my language here. .338 win mag is my favorite caliber. That said, I don't think it's what you're looking for. As far as I know, the only long range factory load readily available is a 230gr ELDX at 2800 fps. Thats a .6 BC bullet. Almost everything else is blunt flat base stuff meant for shooting big toothed things at close-ish range. Some other calibers have a lot more factory long range geared hunting ammo on the shelf.

I hate suggesting not getting a bigger gun, but the practical answer is just screw a new .300 pipe on it.

^This.

To me 7 PRC is a solid answer. Save $300 on going carbon barrel and buy some ammo with it. 300 WM or 300 PRC makes more sense than 338 WM as well. 338 WM = all the recoil of a 300 mag with less velocity or lower BC bullets.

 

[hereinaz]

6.5 or 7 PRC cause they are designed from the go for high BC bullets going fast.

The 7 PRC shoots essentially the same weight bullets as factory 300 WM but better ballistics. Slightly less recoil.

The 6.5 PRC cause bullet construction matters more than bullet weight, and it has even less recoil.

300 PRC if you have to go big and want to buy factory ammo. Unless you are set up to reload 300 WM and want to keep doing it.

Preferred Barrel fluted steel can meet 25” carbon fiber barrel for weight. I think it’s the Howa style action so you can ge the prefit with barrel nut for it.

 

[Choupique]

338 WM = all the recoil of a 300 mag with less velocity or lower BC bullets

But it's got more wallop!!!!!

 

[Idahotrapper]

I had looked at the 7prc, it’s pretty neat round! Just having a hard time going smaller, but this is why I’m on the fence and have been for a while now. 7prc/28 Nosler, same weight bullets I’ve been shooting (or close) with better ballistics or something with more wallop. I really don’t want to go back to a 300 WM, I’ve used one for 20 years now, and just want something different. I have a Seekins Havak Element in 6.5 PRC, and a few other hunting rifles. I know the 6.5 PRC fits into what I want perfectly, but that doesn’t solve my dilemma with my Vanguard hahaha. Anyone here own both a 7 PRC and a 28 Nosler? I had thought about the 28 since it has a little more poop behind it than the 7prc and I’m a powder burner from way back

 

[Wapiti1]

I have had both. Couple of things to consider.

If you handload, then I would say 28 Nosler. If you do not, 7PRC is a better option with better bullet options in factory ammo. It's about a 150fps difference between the two with the same bullet.

The Vanguard can take 3.5" and a little more in the factory magazine (BDL style). So, the 28 fits well with 180gr bullets (VLD style). One additional issue is feeding. The Vanguard will need feeding work for the 28, and won't for the 7PRC if you want to use the factory bottom metal. The 28 is a lot fatter and needs room to roam in the magazine. I don't know of an aftermarket mag box for it, so the gunsmith would need to do some altering to the factory box. If you go DBM, this may not be a concern, but I am not knowledgeable on Howa DBM setups.

Either one will get it done. Just make sure it is a 1:8 twist barrel.

Jeremy

 

[Idahotrapper]

Yes, I plan on running the factory magazine, trying to keep weight down and honestly for a hunting rifle I prefer a ADL or BDL style over a box magazine. It’s the main reason I haven’t gone over to Tikka, even though it’s a petty reason for not trying it out. So what I’m hearing so far in this thread is 7PRC, and forget a carbon wrapped barrel? I’ve never had one, but I struggled with my lightweight 300 WM with heat transfer. Old girl was good for 3 shots and was warm enough to throw the 4th shot quite a bit. Which never bothered me hunting, but sighting it in, or practicing longer range was quite a pain. I have read the carbon fiber wrapped barrels transfer heat better but don’t have any real world experience with them.

 

[sndmn11]

I'd do 6.5prc and sell the seekins...

Steel barrel

 

[hereinaz]

Geez, I would sell the vanguard and run that Seekins like a rented mule. Hahahaha. Love all the Seekjns I have seen and shot.

 

[Idahotrapper]

Geez, I would sell the vanguard and run that Seekins like a rented mule. Hahahaha. Love all the Seekjns I have seen and shot.

I love the Seekins!!!! It’s one of the most accurate and lightest rifles I own!!! I get that I can do everything with it, but I’m still wanting to do something with my vanguard the seekins in 6.5 PRC is a amazing combo… it’s accounted for 4 deer, a bear and a couple elk, but I’m not the guy with just one rifle haha I have to have multiples

 

[Wapiti1]

Yes, I plan on running the factory magazine, trying to keep weight down and honestly for a hunting rifle I prefer a ADL or BDL style over a box magazine. It’s the main reason I haven’t gone over to Tikka, even though it’s a petty reason for not trying it out. So what I’m hearing so far in this thread is 7PRC, and forget a carbon wrapped barrel? I’ve never had one, but I struggled with my lightweight 300 WM with heat transfer. Old girl was good for 3 shots and was warm enough to throw the 4th shot quite a bit. Which never bothered me hunting, but sighting it in, or practicing longer range was quite a pain. I have read the carbon fiber wrapped barrels transfer heat better but don’t have any real world experience with them.

Barrels heating up and stringing have nothing to do with being carbon wrapped or not. That is a manufacturing issue where they didn't stress relieve it properly. It's semi-common on factory barrels, and uncommon with quality aftermarket barrels.

IME carbon barrels tend to shoot larger groups than all steel on the average and can be finicky with ammo. Not all of them, but more than I see with all steel barrels. They are more variable due to adding a whole set of additional manufacturing steps and materials.

Jeremy