Weatherby vs howa mini 223

[Blott2007]

I’ve tried searching for this specific question but can’t seem to find it. I’m wanting to set up a 223 bolt action for training and varmints. I’ve been looking at the howa mini and vanguards. My question is “is the vanguard a standard short action or a mini action like the howa?” Follow up questions would be is one better than the other? The weatherby comes with hinged floor plate, which would be preferred, and mini with box magazine. Either would be the 20in heavy threaded barrel. Experience or reviews of either would be really helpful, don’t see many reviews of the vanguard in 223 online. Thank you for the help and sharing experience.

 

[TaperPin]

The Vangaurd has been based on a standard short action Howa, so it’s a larger action. The mini is a cool little action, definitely a different feel in the hands and look than a short action Howa (vangard). I like how Weatherby finishes the vangard, but the mini is definitely a head turner since it’s so small.

 

[Blott2007]

Thank you for the reply. Both seem to get good reviews. The mini seems to get mixed feelings on the bottom metal/ magazine set up. I’ll look into stock options/ aftermarket support for both.

 

[eric1115]

Any particular reason you don't have a Tikka in the mix? I have a howa mini (6 ARC) and a Tikka .223 and would take the T3x over the howa for sure in .223 every time.

 

[sndmn11]

Thank you for the reply. Both seem to get good reviews. The mini seems to get mixed feelings on the bottom metal/ magazine set up. I’ll look into stock options/ aftermarket support for both.

Pay attention to twist rate, the Weatherbys vary depending on model/barrel thickness.

 

[Blott2007]

Any particular reason you don't have a Tikka in the mix? I have a howa mini (6 ARC) and a Tikka .223 and would take the T3x over the howa for sure in .223 every time.

Tikka is for sure an option. I’m pretty familiar with those and was not with the howa.

 

[wnelson14]

I went down this rabbit hole and got a Weatherby .223 a few years ago. The cool thing about it is the Action is compatible with all Howa SA chassis and stocks and you can get AICS mags. But the tikkas got the better of me and now that Weatherby action sits along with 2 other howa actions.

 

[eric1115]

I went down this rabbit hole and got a Weatherby .223 a few years ago. The cool thing about it is the Action is compatible with all Howa SA chassis and stocks and you can get AICS mags. But the tikkas got the better of me and now that Weatherby action sits along with 2 other howa actions.

It happens to all of us, haha! The Tikkas just plain work. The Howa minis are definitely cool, and with trigger, stock, bottom metal and magazine modifications I was able to make it into a rifle I actually like pretty well, but the tikkas still just flat work better and they do it right out of the box.

 

[Blott2007]

I was mostly considering them due to price, but if they are needing stock or bottom metal changes it doesn’t make too much sense with the current eurooptic tikka sales. I’ll look at the tikka 223 options, my current big game rifle is a tikka so would be an easy trainer set up. Thank yall for replies.