- Weatherby Vanguard Rifles Calibers
- Weatherby Vanguard 7mm Mag Rifles
- Weatherby Vanguard Serial Number Decoder
Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Back Country .30-06 Rifle
By Randy Wakeman
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Weatherby Vanguard Rifles Calibers
Aug 17, 2009 Weatherby Introduces the Vanguard Modular Chassis Rifle Weatherby Releases Red-Hot 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum. Completely updated pricing for Weatherby firearms with new entries and photos. Provides lightweight and durable performance year after year. Combines modern synthetic materials with the legendary Weatherby® raised comb Monte Carlo design. Our special pistol and forend inserts provide a firm, non-slip grip, while a right side palm swell aids in control and shooter comfort (available on select Vanguard ® rifles). All Weatherby® Mark V ® rifles with a serial number prefix of “WY, PM and PS” and Vanguard ® Series 2 rifles with a serial number prefix of “VB ” are guaranteed to shoot a.99″ or better 3-shot group at 100 yards from a cold barrel when used with premium (non-Weatherby calibers) or Weatherby factory ammunition within Two-Years of.
New for 2013 is Weatherby's Back Country version of their popular VanguardSeries 2 bolt action rifle, which uses a push feed, Mauser-style, dual opposed lug design. Theaction, barrel length of 24 inches, controls, etc., are unchanged from therecently reviewed Vanguard Series 2 Sporter. (See the Rifle Information -Reviews index page.)
The Back Country's chrome moly barreled action is coatedwith a CeraKote Tactical Grey finish for improved external weather resistanceand it has a fluted barrel. The Weatherby Monte Carlo composite stock is pillar-bedded and finishedwith spiderweb accents. Together, these features are designed to shave weightoff of the standard Vanguard Series 2 rifles. That they do, dropping about ¾ poundfrom the standard synthetic and walnut Vanguard models. Unfortunately, recoil increases proportionally and the 2013MSRP is increased from $649.99 (standard synthetic) to a substantial $1399 for the Back Country.
Out of the box, the two-stage trigger was lackluster, breaking at four pounds afterthe first stage take-up. Of course, the Vanguard Series 2 trigger is useradjustable, so you can set the release weight where you want. Just dropthe barreled action out of the stock to adjust the trigger. The pullweight is adjusted by means of a screw with lock nut on the front of the alloytrigger assembly. This allows adjustment between approximately 2.5 and 4.5pounds. Loosen the lock nut and back out the adjustment screw to decrease thepull weight; turn it in to increase the pull weight. Trigger adjustmentinstructions are provided in the Owner's Manual.
Weatherby Vanguard 7mm Mag Rifles
Specifications
Weatherby Vanguard Serial Number Decoder
·Type: Bolt actionhunting rifle
·Model: Vanguard Series2 Back Country
·Caliber: .30-06Springfield (five other calibers available)
·Metal finish: CeraKoteGrey
·Barrel: 24', #2contour, fluted, cold hammer forged
·Twist: RH 1:10 inches
·Trigger: Two-Stage Trigger ; hand-honed,factory-tuned and inspected for a clean, crisp break. Fully adjustable down to2.5 lbs.
·Trigger pull weightas tested: 4 pounds
·Safety: 3 position
·Sights: None;receiver drilled and tapped for scope mounts
·Magazine capacity: 5rounds
·Stock: Composite,Spider web with Monte-Carlo comb
·Drop at comb: 7/8'
·Drop at Monte Carlo:1/2'
·Drop at heel: 1-1/4'
·Length of pull: 13-5/8inches
·Overall length: 44-1/2inches
·Approximate Weight:6-3/4 pounds
·Country of origin:Japan
·2013 MSRP: $1399
After scoping this rifle with a Sightron SII Big Sky 3-9x42mmon top of steel Warne 2-piece bases and Warne Maxima rings, I headed off to therange. Three types of premium ammunition were used: Remington Premier 180 grain SwiftA-Frame (MV 2700 fps), Winchester Supreme 180 grain E-Tip (MV 2750 fps) andFederal Premium Vital-Shok 165 grain Trophy Bonded Tip (MV 2800 fps).
All Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 rifles are guaranteed to shoot a 3-shot group of.99' or less at 100 yards (SUB-MOA) when used with Weatherby factory orpremium ammunition. Unfortunately, the test rifle was unable to meet thatstandard with the three factory loads I had on hand, none of which grouped particularly well. The best of thebunch was easily the Remington Swift A-Frame in this rifle. However, even theSwift A-Frames struggled to get three shots into 1-1/2 inches (1.5 MOA) at 100yards, unimpressive for a Weatherby Vanguard with a SUB-MOA accuracy guarantee andpoor compared to the 3/4 MOA Vanguard .270 Winchester I recently reviewed. (All rifles are ammo sensitive to somedegree and our guess is that none of the tested loads were among this rifle's favorites. -Editor)
My conclusion, based on this testrifle, is not highly favorable. Although the Vanguard Back Country delivers onits promise of less weight, the just adequate accuracy, heavier than idealtrigger out of the box and salty price all point to the Vanguard Sporterinstead of the Back Country. The Vanguard Sporter is a far better-looking rifleat a more modest price.
Note: There is an in-depth review of a Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Stainless Syntheticrifle on the Product Reviews page.