I am looking into buying a new bolt gun ?? thinking a box gun like weatherby varmint sub-moa or a remington VTR !
i have just started this journey ! anybody own etheir of these rifle's ??
like's and dislike's ?

A few years ago the NRA tested many production rifles and rated the Howa as the most accurate out-of-the-box piece available. Howa produces the Weatherby Vanguard line based on their basic model (I believe it is the Howa 1500, available in short and long action in a broad selection of calibers at very reasonable prices, check on GunBroker.com). Available in both walnut and synthetic stock versions.

I purchased one in .223 for my son to deal with coyote problems in the 100 to 200 yard range. Mounted a Redfield 3-9X32 Tracker that I had on hand and found it would easily shoot 5-shot groups under 1.5" at 100 yards all day long with factory ammo. No more coyote problems at my son's place, but he still wants my old Winchester Model 43 .218 Bee.

I look at any out of the box gun as the STARTING point. Few of them are right as they come out of the box. Most all of them need some gentle tweaking to perform at their best; check bedding, lighten trigger, etc.

No doubt about it...the HOWA rifles are accurate. I've mounted scopes on 4 or 5 of them for friends and ALL of them were impressively accurate.

Rem 700's seem to be good ones too. Or easy to make acccurate.

FN in MT

I think it all depends on the use you intend for it. Howa are good guns, but so are the Remington 700. Don't overlook the Savage, one of the most accurate out of the box rifles currently made.

Depending on your use, you may want a heavy barrel for bench or varmint use, or a light weight for packing up a mountain in hunting. I'd say settle on your configuration first, then start narrowing down your choices.

P.S. Varmint hunting from a portable bench ir real fun!

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

The CDNN dealer catalog has 3 models of Howa rifles

1500 Sand Colored Hogue stock 243Win 22" regular barrel $339.99
1500 Black stock 20" or 24" heavy barrels 223, 22-250, 243, 308, 204 $399.99
1500 Camo stock 22" barrel 25-06, 308, 270, 30-06 $349.99

[QUOTE=cowart;136123057]The CDNN dealer catalog has 3 models of Howa rifles


1500 Black stock 20" or 24" heavy barrels 223, 22-250, 243, 308, 204 $399.99

I have a bunch of varmint rifles and most are 22-250. While I do not own a Vanguard, at that price, if I was interested, I would pick it up in a heartbeat.

My most expensive 22-250 is a Kimber Longmaster but I think my Rem 700 VLSS 22-250 #27447 is just as accurate. YMMV

You will need a scope and that is another decision point.

Whatever you pick, it will be fun!

Just a word on the Howa 1500 actions with the heavy barrel. They are not heavy, they are HEAVY. I have one in a Hogue stock, but I am thinking of getting an Axiom for it.

One more thing, they are accurate with the right ammo. Mine will shotgun 7.62 NATO surplus at 50 yards that a converted Mauser will put into holes that touch. No, I don't understand either.

Ever shoot or own a bolt action rifle before? If you haven't, spend around a hundred dollars and get an ugly old Mosin Nagant 91/30 and a box of Russian steel case ammo (new production, non corrosive).
Drag it around, shoot it, turn it into a lamp if you don't like it. You won't be out much.

The VTR's look sort of neat, but I keep seeing them for sale or trade intermittently, so I assume the neat looking factor wears off.

Unless you are recoil sensitive, don't buy anything with a muzzle brake (outside of magnum calibers) since they tend to make a rifle louder.

Most factory rifles tend to be more accurate than are most shooters when it comes to mechanical accuracy. Mechanical accuracy of a given model should only be an issue after practical accuracy - how well can you shoot it, how does it fit you, do you like it, etc. Virtually any modern American centerfire rifle will deliver satisfactory results for hunting and general use. So will lots of century or so old military and commercial rifles.

If you don't reload most any centerfire rifle caliber (save Russian steel cased ammo offerings, .223 bulk, and sometimes .308 generic) runs about a dollar a round for factory ammo. Thus it doesn't really matter if you have a .30-06 or if you end up with an 8mm Lebel or some such.

I have shot ! bolt rifles before ! and i have a cpl! wood stock large game rifles ! ( both would be over kill on varmints)
i am mostly going to be punching hole's in paper and maybe an occasional varmint and hopefully someday prarie dogs !
Thanks

I like the Howas, too; however, I suggest you consider some of Savage's offerings. I picked up s Savage heavy barrel Model 10(?)with a synthetic stock and target acct-trigger in 204a Ruger about a year ago (a REMF special edition), and it regularly turns in 0.50" or smaller groups. Amazing accuracy, lots of fun to shoot, and greatly effective on varmints small and large, as well as fleeing soda cans, menacing watermelons and killer tomatoes.

Decide what you want to do with the rifle... varmints at 100-200... 200-300... 300-400, etc. Then pick a caliber that will allow you to best deal with the anticipated distance. I.e., if you will be mostly shooting gophers at 400 yds., you will need more power than if your shooting ground squirrels at 200 yds. Then, pick the actual rifle. I have for 30 years had extremely good results with Rem. 700 rifles. I've had many that would go under .50 MOA. My last Rem. 700 Varmint rifle was in .223 and would do under 1 inch at 200 yds. I shot a Rem. 700 VSSF in .308 for 16 years putting over 5,000 rounds through it. The day I sold it, it was still averaging .73 for 5 shot groups at 100 yds. What sold it was when the buyer saw it put 5 shots into slightly less than three inches at a distance of 417 yds. (as per laser). I have been very impressed with the results friends have obtained with the new Savage rifles using their new trigger design. The Savage rifles are of excellent quality and produce extremely good accuracy. Put a good quality scope on the rifle. Stay with a name brand and buy a scope with enough horsepower to suit the distance you will be shooting. Buy a scope with a fine enough reticle that will not obscure your target at normal ranges. Avoid gimmicks. If you will not be firing beyond about 300 yds., a .223 is a very good choice. Most shooters can do very well with it. Avoid proprietary rounds that are not broadly commercially available. JMHO. Read and educate yourself and then actually go start buying a rifle, etc. Sincerely. brucev.

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Love the howa, very accurate and great on coyotes etc. It has the hogue green overmolded stock and I love it. Grippy in the rain or with gloves etc. Trigger is pretty good for a factory rifle. Just want to put in a plug for the stevens model 200 (non accu-trigger savage 110). Trigger sucks something fierce but its a knot hole gun. The roll mark on the reciever is kind of half way done but who cares when you can put 3 shots in a nickle at 100 yards?