$399 Vanguard vs. Rem 700 SPS or Savage

[bobvonb]

I'm about to go put some really $$ on the table for a new 7-08. The leading candidates were Rem 700 SPS at MSRP $629 or Savage 11FXP3 package (incl scope) for about the same price. (there is some question if the Savage is avail in 7-08, but for sake of argument let's say it is). Actual purchase price might be somewhat less. But then I read about the $399 Vanguard. Add mounts and a scope and we are in the same ballpark as the Savage. I know the WBY has the accuracy guarantee, but the Savages are known for their accuracy too, and the Rem is no slouch either. The key design difference seems to be the stock shape. Which way to go?

Comments please.

[4rum]

Vangaurd is not a Mark-V action. They were using Howa actions from Japan. Nothing wrong with that. Only real detractor I experienced was that the bolt is not locked in the closed position. Carrying slung on your should, you could concievably raise your gun for a quick shot and find the bolt open and the chamber empty. Haven't looked at a Vangaurd in a while, all this may be out dated.

[nathangdad]

of deceptive advertising. If you check out the Weatherby page $399.00 is more a "you don't really want this" starting point for an uphill movement in prices. As noted already, this is not the highly regarded Mark V action.

The Remington 700 enjoys a high esteem worldwide reputation and the Savage has really gained in popularity over the past few years. Either one of these guns would serve you well.

As so often in rifles, be sure not to spend your budget on the rifle then skimp on the scope. Many high quality rifles suffer from second rate optics.

[300winmag]

THE NEWER VANGUARDS AND HOWAS HAVE A 3 POSITION SAFETY TO PREVENT BOLT OPENING WHEN IN SAFE. THE HOWAS HAVE A STRONGER EJECTOR WHICH COMES IN HANDY IF YOU ARE LOADING AT MAXIMUM CHARGES. EITHER THE HOWA/VANGUARD OR THE 700 ARE GOOD CHOICES, I LEAN TOWARDS THE HOWA.

[bobvonb]

that's something I missed on the Wby site. I didn't see a mention of the safety and how it works. oh, yeah, re: up-selling.. I noticed that they did seem to want to sell there better models, but for me the $399 synthetic in 7-08 is exactly the gun I need. No frills, no fancy stock, accurate enough. Maybe they will get me on a high priced Wby only scope mount. That also I think was not addressed on their site. What kind of mount is needed?

[Firemanwas11B]

Originally Posted by bobvonb

that's something I missed on the Wby site. I didn't see a mention of the safety and how it works. oh, yeah, re: up-selling.. I noticed that they did seem to want to sell there better models, but for me the $399 synthetic in 7-08 is exactly the gun I need. No frills, no fancy stock, accurate enough. Maybe they will get me on a high priced Wby only scope mount. That also I think was not addressed on their site. What kind of mount is needed?

If you are leaning twoard the Vangaurd just go with the Howa...When I was pricing them initaially the Howa's ran 50-$100 cheaper than the Vangaurds and a vangaurd is just a Howa with the weatherby name and I do believe that the Howas come with a better stock than the weatherbys.

Edit....the stock on the Howa is a Hogue.... http://www.impactguns.com/store/SS-16143.html

[jimkim]

Get the Howa. You will not be disappointed. For the money you cant beat it. Think of it as a Japanese Sako.

[Deersniper]

The Remington and the Howa would be my choice because of the after market stuff is plentiful, the Savage would be a fine rifle also, but not as much after market stuff because of the newer center feed design. I found that out after I bought my Savage. Try to buy American made.

[bobvonb]

I can't seem to find a web reference to a Howa in 7-08, except youth model. At least the Vanguard is avail in 7-08. The Savage web site is unclear as to what is avail in 7-08 but their catalog does not show it in the model I want, only in youth or camo stock. So I'm back to the Vanguard vs Rem SPS.

[Firemanwas11B]

am I missing the 7-08 on weatherbys web site all I see is the 7mm rem mag
edit: I see the package rifle but not just the rifle

[texnmidwest]

I don't see any calibers listed under the base rifle. I would assume that the calibers would be the same for the base as it is in the package rifle.

[bobvonb]

hmmm. i see it. Synthetic | Weatherby.com
6th one listed under SPECS

[Firemanwas11B]

Originally Posted by bobvonb

I can't seem to find a web reference to a Howa in 7-08, except youth model. At least the Vanguard is avail in 7-08. The Savage web site is unclear as to what is avail in 7-08 but their catalog does not show it in the model I want, only in youth or camo stock. So I'm back to the Vanguard vs Rem SPS.

Here it is in 7-08.... Howa/Hogue Compact Ranchland Security Rifles

The weatherby stock, if I remember correctly, is just a injection molded monte-carlo style. Where as the HOwa stocks are fiberglass reinforced, pilliar bedded stocks.

I got a kick out of Weatherby's web site under competive advantage. They compare the Howa with the Vangaurd....It's the same stinkin rifle...and yes Howa has a accuracy guarentee on 1.5' or less.

[ArkansasHunter]

If you like the Weatherby then buy it and save a little money. They are very well made and surpriseingly I wonder why more folks don't buy them.

They are made by Howa which has an excellent history of supeior craftsmanship.

Of course you can by the Remington or Savage if you want to but the Savage would be my 3rd. choice because I personaly don't like them LOL LOL LOL !!!

Have you considered a Ruger Hawkeye in 7mm-08 ? I'm just curious, why do you want a 7mm-08 ? The 308 is a mite better with a bigger bullet to do more terminal damage.

Good Luck and really any 3 will serve you well...A.H

[bobvonb]

Thanks for the Howa link, but I had checked that site and that particular rifle is 20" barrel only. I really want 22" and but would live with 24" (Rem 700). I'm not a huge fan of the Wby Monte Carlo stock, but it is acceptable. I do like the Howa stock better, but where is my 22" 7-08?

I have considered the Ruger, but I cannot get much positive feedback on it, except for the professional magazine writers who after all are paid to be complementary. Usually I get a shake of the head.

My first rifle was a 308 and I upgraded (don't mean to start any args here!) to a 30-06 when I joined our base rifle team and they were using the M1. What I hear from my friends and relatives in the field is that the 7-08 is nothing short of the best thing since sliced bread. I want to back down one notch from the -06 and the 7-08 seems perfect for me. Throw in the Light Mag loads and it's good to go for elk also.

My comparison on the 7-08 ballistically is from the Rem tables and it shows the 7-08 at 140gr just slightly ahead of the 308 150gr. Those are the rounds I would use for deer. I know the 308 is capable, but just not what I'm looking for at the moment. Also recoil is several ft-lbs less with the 7-08.

If I was just going by the ballistics charts I'd have to consider the 260 very carefully, but that's gonna be a deer only round in my book. YMMV. No, I've been going over it for about a year now: 30-06 that I know and trust; 308 a capable round; 338 Fed lots of good press on that (holy cow, a DPMS Panther AR-10 in 338 Fed would be awesome!); even 6.8 SPC as a good deer killer.. but not elk capable. I've had 257 Bob people tout that one, the Magnum crowd says get a 300WM or 7mmRM (I had one of those once, liked it, and it likely would be my second choice 'cause I could use Managed Recoil loads (very close to 7-08 performance) for smallish whitetails and regular loads for bigger deer and elk, or longer range), and a 25-06 guy tried to convince me to go that way. I've even had the 243 (that popular Texas whitetail slayer) people get pretty excited. I appreciate that there are many solutions, but 7-08 is where I've settled.

[droop]

I've been using a Remington model 7 chambered in 7-08 for the past 9yrs now, great little caliber for deer, not too sure about elk. My cousin is geting into hunting for the first time now and is more than likely going for the Vanguard in a .243. I myself am trying to decide between A Rem 700 sps or a Weatherby Vanguard, either one in a .270 Im a small guy and the sps fits me a lil better, but all the quotes i get are at least $100 more, and money is a factor in this decision so I might have to go for the Vanguard. only time will tell. (also, my experiences with savages have not been good)

[HEMI]

Rem, weatherby,howa and ruger. Any Savages I have owned or shot are not equal in quality to these, my .02. BTW I own a couple of remmys 3 weatherbys and 2 rugers. No savages.

[AllAlaskan]

I bought a Vangaurd not long ago and love it. I dont like the look of the stock it came with ( The tan with black spider web crap) but it fits me pretty good. Now that im getting more use to shooting it and the barrel is breaking in its getting pretty accurate. I went shooting yesterday and was able to get down to around an inch groups out of it.

As far as the bolt opening while slung on your shoulder, I have been doing alot of scouting on my property for some new tree stands for this upcoming deer seasen and carry my rifle on me incase I see any hogs or coyotes and always have one in the chamber and so far it has never opened on me at all and doesnt even feel like it would open very easy.

O and FYI mine is a .270 I know its not the same cal. but the rifle should be about the same.

[DKA1]

I have 4 Remington SPS and 2 Weatherby Vanguards, and love all of them. The big difference is the price. The SPS all were about $100.00 more than the Vanguards. All are very accurate and think that you would really like the 7mm 08. Mine is in SPS, but think that it would be great in Vanguard. Would stay with Remington or Weatherby.

[Sir Elwood]

I just bought a Weatherby Vanguard (.22-250) and it's been a pretty nice investment so far. The trigger on it was great and even impressed the gunsmith that put the scope on it.