by smurfman on Sat Jul 30, 2022 7:22 pm
I have the Vangard but with a synthetic stock rather than wood. The rifle does have more recoil than the 308 Vangard but it wasn't objectionable. I found the factory loads I used to be more than adequate for accuracy (mostly Weatherby branded with 180 gr Interlocks) but it really shines with a max load of H4831 under a 180 gr Barnes TSX bullet. If I go elk hunting again it would be a toss up between that gun and the A-Bolt in 300 Win mag I've successfully used in the past.
I didn't really want a 300 Weatherby especially as it was sitting on the rack of a pawn shop for $450. What caused me to buy it was the 4-12x Cabela's Euro scope on it. It was a rebranded Meopta scope that ran for a bit more than the tag. I figured to keep the scope and flip the rifle to get me a scope for $100. Instead, I shot the rifle and decided to keep it for a while.
I've had two 7mm mags too, they didn't stay long as they offered nothing that couldn't be handled with the 300 I already owned. Their redeeming feature was being cheap with acceptable glass on them; which I kept when the rifles went to more appreciative homes. If I would have bought one of these first, I would have had no need for a 300 mag.
I'd second the suggestion of a 243 to round out the North American big game battery. I have a 6mm Remington which is the better but less popular cartridge. It works very well on deer sized game and I have taken a fair number of deer and pronghorns with it. With the plethora of controlled expansion bullets for it, the 243 is a good, all around deer rifle.