Weatherby Vanguard vs Howa 1500

[AgTag23]

Both seem to be great rifles at the price point I am looking at. Which one would you choose and why?

[Jared.King]

They are both made by Howa. Almost the same rifle. Weatherby has a different bolt and usually has a longer barrel.

[160class]

They both have the same action, so they’re the same there but idk much else about the Howa. I do know that we have 4 vanguards and they’re all sub MOA out of the box with nothing done to them.

[trophy8]

Weatherby has been notorious for long freebore. But both are fantastic rifles. The little howas are surprisingly great shooters

[crumrw]

Have had both in the same caliber, and they are nearly identical other than the fit/finish. The weatherby takes the win in that category, but being pretty don't make it shoot any better.

[wsteffen]

Like said above, not much difference. I've had 3 Howa's and still have a heavy barreled 223. They all shoot better than I can.
Probably the next gun I'll list for sale here.

[MLank]

Also worth mentioning, you can get a barrelled action Howa and then separately go buy a stock of you choice.

For example, I used Brownells, got a barrelled action, and then bought a bell and Carlson stock to put it in. Boyd's would probably have been my budget choice stock.

[TxAg]

Good guns. Same thing

[careybirdwell]

I like the longer barrels on the Weatherby's. I also like the 3 position safety on the never Vanguards. I know know if Howa uses the 3 position safety. I have both though and both are great shooters

[John316]

I have 2 Heavy barrel Howas back from 04 and 06. A 223 and a 243, They both shoot under 3/4” groups. Back then they were only about $400, for the money they are really good guns.

[Tony Pic]

Doesn't Weatherby have a grade of Vanguards called MOA's? I think they are select Vanguards that have been proven to be MOA rifles from the factory. If so. I'd say the Weatherby has the edge.
I have a Vanguard in 7mmRem mag, Houge stock and it shoots lights out.

[RutnBuk]

Doesn't Weatherby have a grade of Vanguards called MOA's? I think they are select Vanguards that have been proven to be MOA rifles from the factory. If so. I'd say the Weatherby has the edge.
I have a Vanguard in 7mmRem mag, Houge stock and it shoots lights out.

Correct. They are Range Certified.

[-HIC-]

For the MOA's they take any other Vanguard, shoot it and throw it together with different 'marked' bottom metal.

Before the price wars of recent Vanguard and Howa rifles were the hidden gem in sub-MOA performance on a budget.

[K. Lane]

For the MOA's they take any other Vanguard, shoot it and throw it together with different 'marked' bottom metal.

Before the price wars of recent Vanguard and Howa rifles were the hidden gem in sub-MOA performance on a budget.

this and they send the target with the bullet holes from the test fire. The Vanguard and the Vanguard range certified are the same rifle......all Vanguards come with a sub 1" guarantee with Weatherby ammo.


Cant go wrong with the Vanguard, Love mine and am getting ready to buy another in either the First Lite or the Badlands