Comparing the Weatherby Vanguard II to the Howa 1500

A comparison of the 2 rifles

[@thesilverbackozzy8323]

I really like my 30-06 Howa 1500 and the versatility for stock options. Great shooter.

[@gobangs1117]

Howas rule!

[@SuburbanRifleman]

Thank you! Exactly the kind of comparison I was looking for. Nice in-depth look.

[@primsolllineguy8689]

Love the beer, have had it before in CR on vacay. In my opinion the Vanguard 2 in 223, 243, 308 and 30-06 are simply outstanding. I do not like the magnum offerings however based on the high price of the Ammo. Great review, thanks.

[@user-se8ds5ev5k]

I own a few of each and the only difference between the vanguards and the Howa 1500s is the stocks, and the roll markings on the barrels. You will pay 100 more dollars on the vanguards because of that end cap on the back of the bolt. I just bought a 30/06 Howa with a walnut stock. The checkered grips fore and aft and the beautiful cheek piece fits my fancy and the barrel is floated and threaded. The Howas bolt is easily disassembled and cleaned and re assembled.

[@Chayim55]

Howa started in 1907 as Toyoda's Loom Works, Ltd merged with Showa Heavy Industries, Ltd and was renamed Howa Heavy Industries, Ltd. During the WWⅡ, Howa Heavy Industries, Ltd had been manufacturing Arisaka Rifles Type 99, parts of infantry rifles type 38, artillery, machine guns, bullets, and parts for airplanes.

[@gobangs1117]

Thanks mate.

[@lonniefransen2946]

Remington Ammo is middle road not premium by no means, you got taken on that buy, but you made a good choice on gun, have many vanguards never had a bad one!

[@carisbrookefinefurniturean5653]

You're exactly correct on the Vanguard trigger sets of old. Single stage trigger, 2 position safety.

[@toddleahy8002]

The relief ports on weatherby push gas out away from face. And stops heat going into live rounds. Common sense Roy.

[@ianservice3609]

I had the Weatherby sub moa series 1 in 223 it shot Winchester and Federal both to half inch groups. Had to adjust the trigger when I got it it was way too heavy. Took it down to 2lb and it was brilliant. Regret selling it.

[@tobyebbett4995]

I’ve never had one problem with my Howa

[@toddleahy8002]

Both are great and have been for decades !! Just a Coke Pepsi thing.

[@mr.mr.3301]

And the Weatherby stock is not free floated but they offer a moa guarantee.

[@droppinhammers]

Monte Carlo stock refers to the raised comb

[@bkb5668]

I have 2 weatherby vanguard one .308 in wood, beautiful stock the other is a .270 win. stainless on synthetic, both are series 2. I also have the newest 30-06 howa 1500 synthetic and all of them are great. My howa 1500 30-06 is an absolute tank I have never weighed it but it is a big ol' girl.

[@gobangs1117]

I currently own a Howa 30-06 and it is pretty lite. Do you have a wooden stock version?

[@donmorgan1751]

I dont drink beer much, but when I do I add firearms to the mix...MERICA !

[@Matto_Harvo]

I reckon you mean Straya

[@fourseasons2349]

@@Matto_Harvo No bear,,,Straya is short for Piss

[@davidmartin7054]

Much weight difference between the Hogue stock and Weatherby stock?

[@gobangs1117]

Nothing significant. I think the Howa might be a couple of ounces heavier.

[@chrisluehmann3094]

I was reading somewhere that the Howa is 3lb and the Weatherby is 2lb 5oz. I've got a Howa and I'm trying to shave the weight down. I got the legacy international magazine kit which is a polymer "bottom metal" and a bit lighter. I was hoping to swap the Hogue stock for something lighter. The Vanguard 2 stock appears to be a cost-effective upgrade. Any chance @Gobangs11 can measure them on a scale for us? That would be great! Thanks and great video!!

[@davidmartin7054]

One more question is the fore end of the Weatherby stock narrower than the Hogues ? Thank you.

[@gobangs1117]

@@chrisluehmann3094 If you are serious about going light then get the carbon fibre stock. It is not cheap but it is the ultimate stock upgrade. I'm not a fan of putting detachable mags on hunting bolt actions. It's another thing that can fail/get lost, it's one thing dropping your mag at a range and another out in the bush and most aftermarket kits are noisy, they rattle. I have a Legacy kit but do not use it because it's pretty cheesy. I have used alloy bottom metals from several manufacturers and that brought up another issue, not all AI compatible mags fit AI compatible bottom metals especially when you upgrade to aftermarket stocks. Yes I put an external mag on my Voere but that was to fix a feeding issue. One thing about stock weights is what actions are you comparing? If you compare the long with long and short with short then the weight difference is negligable. The Weatherby stock is stiffer, no doubt about it but in a hunting scenario who cares. I like the Hogues regardless of the negative press that some reviewers give them.

[@gobangs1117]

@@davidmartin7054 They have a different profile but as far as width is concerned I don't think that there is a big difference. I don't have the Weatherby in my possession at the moment so I can't give you a definitive answer.

[@a.joegevara3519]

Americans have been lied to about Budweiser being "the king of beers" & Miller being "the champagne of beers", both are mediocre pilsners, at best. Pilsner Urquell is a great brew!

[@gobangs1117]

Correct.

[@sverrehoumb]

A Tiril Eckhoff T-shirt - The Norwegian Biathlon athlete? On a aussie (!) What is the story behind?

[@gobangs1117]

@@sverrehoumb You know we have ski fields here. Tiril Eckhoff's story is a catalogue of superlatives, long live Queen Tiril. Just a huge fan. Happened to start watching biathlon just when she was at her peak. What an athlete!

[@sverrehoumb]

@@gobangs1117 Great stuff on Tiril! 😄 Btw! I ordered the Vanguard 2 in .223 in a green GRS Bifrost stock yesterday. Should get it in a week or two. Excited to try it out.

[@gobangs1117]

@@sverrehoumb Nice, Bifrost stocks are a bit pricey here. I love Bell and Carlson stocks though they are a bit heavy.

[@AgainstAllOdds357]

Are the stocks between the two interchangeable?

[@gobangs1117]

Yes.

[@deathpigguitars]

Is that a Tiril Eckhoff shirt? I'm so gutted she's had to retire - so, long covid is real . . .

[@gobangs1117]

I concur. My favourite athlete of all time. A rare combination of talent, drive and spunky personality.

[@TheDanCarr]

Which range do you shoot at?

[@gobangs1117]

Townsville and Kurrimine

[@pootinplays]

Are you Australian? I was under the assumption that you are not allowed to own a gun in Australia

[@fourseasons2349]

Hence the curtain in the back...he can't be seen from the street.

[@Euronasa]

Name on T-shirt is of Norwegian biathlon world champion.. Cool😀💪👍

[@gobangs1117]

Correct. My favourite athlete.

[@Euronasa]

And forgot to mention, Great video! Very well explained indeed. Thumbs up💪👍😄!

[@gobangs1117]

@@Euronasa Thankyou.

[@keithprinn720]

this intro much longer lol

[@gobangs1117]

No, same lol

[@brainmeier3433]

I own a weathrby vanguard 1 and it’s the sub moa variant in 270 win and it’s a nice gun. The only complaint I kinda have is that it is heavy,comes in at 11 pounds with a bipod,sling and a heavy scope. Even pay almost $800 for my special sub moa I still feel like it is a quality gun for not much money.

[@kcinislit]

so it comes in at a normal weight for a hunting rifle with those accessories?

[@brainmeier3433]

@@kcinislit that’s not a normal weight now days that’s on the heavy side it’s not anything one can’t get used to though.

[@kcinislit]

@@brainmeier3433 for a rifle with those accessories, yeah that’s a pretty normal weight.. a heavy scope adds about 1.5-2lbs, let’s say a sling adds 8-10 ounces, and a bipod adds anywhere from 8 ounces to a pound depending on the style you have… with a fully loaded magazine, a rifle that was 6 pounds (lightweight by anyones standards) is now almost a 10-11 pound rifle.. want a lighter weight rifle? ditch the bipod, and get a lighter scope

[@brainmeier3433]

@@kcinislit I don’t want a lighter rifle I like mine and yes I do sometimes ditch the bipod and loose a whole 8oz. My rifle is not 6 pounds bare,it’s on the heavy side but that’s because it has a nice stock and a 24 inch barrel all things I like. You can spend a lot more money and end up with a 2lb lighter rifle or you can just drop a pair and carry the extra 2 lbs. would it be nice if it was lighter? Sure it would but the good out weights the bad on this rifle,definitely a value.