Weatherby

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I had one, Vanguard Synthetic, 223 Rem. Yes, they guaranteed 1 moa.

- I liked the 24"-barrel, nice balance, and a little extra velocity.
- I liked the 9" twist for 50 and 55 grain varmint bullets.
- The 3-position safety was a nice feature.
- The action is sturdy, but a little stiff; extractor is excellent.
- The all-metal magazine I liked.
- The trigger was ok, it's two stage and adjustable. I got mine down to 2 1/2 pounds which is just right for my style of varmint hunting.
- The stock is sturdy and fit me well, but the barrel is not free floated by design. There's a pressure point at the tip of the forearm. This may be the reason I was never able to get it to shoot as tight as I wanted.

Mine shot under 1 moa with tailored reloads but not to my standards (1/2 to 5/8 moa) for a varmint rifle. Also, I had trouble with cases sticking in the chamber due to factory tool marks. My smith polished the chamber, and it was fine after that.

After using it a couple of years, I traded mine for a Tikka and never regretted the trade. However, I think this rifle has potential since it has a lot of nice features.

The Tikkas are really nice too.

 

[sw282]

They also made a 6 lug Mark V, with a heavy, short tactical barrel. It was in the TRR line, starting about 20 years ago, and it was a very accurate, class act gun. They advertised the barrel to be sourced from Krieger Criterion, back when those names were combined together on certain projects. I cringed at the cost, but bought one, and that rifle infected me with the accuracy bug, a permanent keeper.

223Rem, Mark 5 was called Super Varmint Master. Made in USA, they had fluted stainless KREIGER barrels that were criogenically treated by freezing. They were made in 223Rem, 22-250Rem, 243Win, and 7mm08. They had MacMillan stocks. l had one in 7-08. Twas a beautiful, super accurate gun. l gave it to my son for helping move his sister to Tampa. Son was drunk one night, traded it to his brother in law for Win Mod 70 in 7mm STW. The SVMs are pretty rare. l dont think too many were sold because of those super expensive KREIGER Criterion barrels

 

[davidjoe]

223Rem, Mark 5 was called Super Varmint Master. Made in USA, they had fluted stainless KREIGER barrels that were criogenically treated by freezing. They were made in 223Rem, 22-250Rem, 243Win, and 7mm08. They had MacMillan stocks. l had one in 7-08. Twas a beautiful, super accurate gun. l gave it to my son for helping move his sister to Tampa. Son was drunk one night, traded it to his brother in law for Win Mod 70 in 7mm STW. The SVMs are pretty rare. l dont think too many were sold because of those super expensive KREIGER Criterion barrels

That makes sense to me based on it being small caliber, less than I might expect to be called a threat response rifle, but mine’s not fluted. That’s what the original retailer told me it was, though, TRR, but the name Weatherby gave it wasn’t a big factor to me. The heavy barrel was though.

Did yours look like this?

Back when I shot this gun, I had a Bousch & Lomb 4x16 large scope on it. I put a Near base on it after a couple of years, and I’m wondering what base I had before the Near, because I don’t think the larger scope would have cleared the barrel.

 

[Tommie]

Do current Vanguards have plastic trigger guards?

 

[sw282]

Dave, Stock on mine was a green cobweb design. Stainless barrel was heavily fluted. Marked ''Weatherby Super Varmint Master USA''. Barrel had a slimmer contour. SVMs show up on GB auction site now and then

 

[David Milisock]

I can only say this for the Howa 1500, I bought a 22" heavy barreled kit rifle built buy my local shop. Laminated stock, an inexpensive varmint scope, some moly bullets, hand loads and in light wind when I shoot, it's dead 100% of the time to 300 to 350, low to no wind that can reach 400 and 70%.

That rifle gets more work than my 6MM Remington, until the reach and wind increases.

 

[kochie]

I can only say this for the Howa 1500, I bought a 22" heavy barreled kit rifle built buy my local shop. Laminated stock, an inexpensive varmint scope, some moly bullets, hand loads and in light wind when I shoot, it's dead 100% of the time to 300 to 350, low to no wind that can reach 400 and 70%.

That rifle gets more work than my 6MM Remington, until the reach and wind increases.

Sounds good