Weatherby Vanguard vs. Howa 1500 Are they the same?

[@billsmith5166]

I think the fluted bolt smooths the action too. Thanks for the great video.

[@Healthliving1967]

The best thing ive done with my weatherby vanguard is put a MDT ORYX chassis on it,and got the barrel threaded for a muzzle break. Made a HUGE difference in groupings and accuracy beyond 300 yards. Considering its a 100 yard hunting rifle its now a very accurate long distance rifle with my home reloads.

[@damianmoskos2299]

Have two howas both in oryx chassis a mini action .223with 20' heavy barrel and a 6.5cm 26'semi heavy threaded barrel, the chassis r a good addition and versitile as hunting or target rigs the oryx is a very comfortable platform to shoot from

[@mr.mr.3301]

In theory the barrels are the same. The bolts being nicer makes since because of finish. The Vanguard stick alone makes it better. The hogue flexes a lot at the front. Weatherby has chosen not to be free floated. They claim with the thinner profile barrel they do better with support. Fun fact tikka t3x are not 100 percent free floated. I’ll take a howa over a Ruger American any day of the week. But for my money I’d pay extra for the vanguard.

[@Stephen-uz8dm]

Howa comes in different stocks as well

[@dangernetzke9487]

Got the Howa Carbon stalker 7mm-08 recently. Stalk is slippery when wet but other than that 3 holes at 5/8” @ 100, 1” @ 200, 1 1/4” @ 300. Can’t wait for deer and bear this year.

[@OutdoorOptimist]

The piece that holds the action and the barrel is a stock. When you see an animal and close the distance on it to make a shot, that is a stalk. But I'm in the same camp as you; the 7mm-08 rools! I use 7mm-08 on my dear and bare!

[@yingtzu3677]

Best rifle is the one you can afford and shoot well

[@ssgunner3222]

Just picked up the howa 1500 2 months ago and finally tested her out yesterday. Bolt action got smoother after 10-20 rounds. Nice kick to it. Im going to have to try the vanguard next.

[@Healthliving1967]

I have a vanguard in .308 and there's really no difference between the howa and the vanguard,they are both made in Japan at the same factory. The only possible difference between the two is the finish on the weatherby vanguard is a little better than the howa.

[@juliojames5986]

Ironically in the last few days, I have been looking at both these, along with the Mauser m18 , and a couple other,higher priced rifles….this video has helped…Thanks

[@matthewkyle6939]

Lol made by the same people in the same building in Japan.

[@AP-ow5vu]

The barrelled action yes, everything around that no, and it's everything around the action that howa does poorly in my opinion and weatherby do extremely well.

[@matthewkyle6939]

@@AP-ow5vu meh. They are the same.

[@AP-ow5vu]

@@matthewkyle6939 I disagree mate, I understand where you're coming from but what attracts me to weatherbys are the beautiful stocks, great bluing, accuracy and a strong action that will handle the weatherby magnum calibers... The weatherby vanguard ticks all those boxes whereas the howa, apart from accuracy doesn't. The howas have terrible stocks and aren't chambered in weatherby calibers. Saying the weatherby is just a howa is like saying a new dodge charger is the same as a Mercedes because they're built on the same platform.

[@tld-q9n]

louder volume would help to hear better , thanks for great comparison and captions ,

[@henryvandervort9891]

I have the vanguard series 1 308 ,cleared barrel and stock adjusted the trigger and put a muzzle brake on it. Shoots great now 165 168 she likes the heavier bullets. Waiting to get my suppressor and get ready for the hogs and deer

[@DMX-PAT]

I've got a vanguard in stainless, it's what a V1 or so I've heard it referred to as. It's basically the original version or model and the quality is substantial. The synthetic stock is better than the one on my MKV stainless synthetic from way back. I'll try and do a video when I get the chance, the action is so slick it's ridiculous. Don't forget there's also the Mossberg and S&W 1500 Great video!!!

[@fiestastboost5788]

I have a howa 1500 varmint in 308 win dual stage trigger regular cheap hogue pillar bed stock shoots clover leaf holes at 100y with hpbt handloads. I also have a vanguard s2 dual stage trigger sporter in 270 win. Now i know the howa is a varmint barrel, however i replaced the 270 std vanguard stock because while it was accurate, i wasnt happy with the consistancy at times and i couldnt explain the odd groups open a little here and there, so i put one of the hogue full aluminium bed stock and wow what a difference. The vanguard now shoots as good as the hogue varmint with less weight. Very impressive

[@lazybear236]

Note that for smaller calibers like 223, Howas are mini action but Vanguards are the normal Howa short action

[@bushwhackoutdoors7557]

This depends on the model. Howas are available in mini actions but they also have models chambered in .223 etc that are regular short action.

[@rickybristersmusic3658]

Howa makes the weatherby vanguard action. Parts are interchangeable. Basically they are the same gun. I have both

[@jamesmills1500]

Your vanguard is an upgraded version where as the Howa is a base model. Also Howa has fixed the flex in their stocks and Howa makes the friggets for some Sako models

[@kimbelesky1971]

Lets go back to the mid 1980s. One year howa made a 1500 with the smith@wssson name on it. The next year howa built a 1500 with the mossberg name on it. Both were only a one year run. After that weatherby bought the howa 1500 and thus began the weatherby vanguard rifles. If you go back to that era' you will find the howa 1500 and the weatherby vanguard were the same rifle. I own a mid 80s mossberg howa in 270. I bought it new at carters country in houston. For a scope i bought a tasco target scope 6-24x44. Although it is a made in japan scope' it was considered a low end scope back then. I got it sighted in and it has never needed to be resighted. To this day it shoots like a lazer beam. Strangely this rifle likes anything i feed it. 130 140 150 grain. It does not matter. Just load it and go hunting. No need to resight the scope. It hits what i aim at. This is my south texas rifle. It will hit an animal much farther than i sould be shooting. Now i'm sure weatherby has made some changes in the last 45 years. But back in the day the howa 1500 and the weather vanguard were the exact same rifle. Back then weatherby guarenteed the vanguard would shoot a one inch froup at 100 yards. And every rifle came with a target showing a 3 shot 1 inch group shot by that rifle. I don't know if weatherby still does that today. There is my little piece of history on these two rifle brands. I don't believe anyone could go wrong buying either of these rifles. Good hunting.

[@gunman-6646]

Dude, nice video! I just subscribed.

[@mic982]

I always thought the bolt fluting was done to reduce weight? Never thought about dirt capture but I can see that.

[@peterweikel7123]

Howa makes a nice rifle but for my money I will take the Vanguard every time...and yes I have had both

[@Woodyt]

Very good comparison. Thanks

[@jamescole1234]

I just picked up a Weatherby 257 Weatherby Magnum in Weatherby Vanguard & i have a vanguard in 338 win mag

[@caseroj6020]

I own both types of guns and yes the Weatherby is a step up from the Howa in terms of fit and finish. Does that justify the significant price increase? Maybe not but I happen to like the 24 inch barrels. My Weatherby Vanguards were purchased because they gave me the extra velocity at the muzzle for the 308 Win and 270 Win both of which Howa only provides a 22 inch barrel. I am not a big fan of the plastic Weatherby stocks and have replaced one of them with a Hogue stock that has the full aluminum bed rail. I do like the Weatherby Vanguard wood stocks though and some of their glossy finishes like what's available with the Deluxe version.

[@coffeemaninsanity8596]

S&W 1500 inter arms 1500 vanguard Howa. The only difference is little things like stocks etc. the stocks, triggers, barrels, etc are all interchangeable

[@F15ElectricEagle]

Don't forget the Mossberg 1500.

[@garypostell5268]

Love to see the accuracy of each pleaseeeee l

[@brokendad2222]

I have been looking for a Howa Hogue in 25-06 for months. Guess I will have to go with a vanguard synthetic.

[@jimpalmer4916]

As far as which I like the best, I have never had a favorite one because my 257 Weatherby Vanguard is very accurate with my handloaded ammo also. I've been professionally trained by usmc, and I've never seen anything of the likes of the inherent accuracy of these 2 brands with the right loads. My old Howa 243 doesn't give a hoot if it's a Remington or winchester 100 gr softpoint! Either one will go into a very small single jagged hole at 100 yds each and every single time I let b them barrels cool for 15 minutes. This gun is so damn accurate that it doesn't require reloading for! I'm going on 64 and have never seen anything like this old gun. No other brands of ammunition will ever be allowed to pollute my one in a million Little Sandy's beautiful little bore! She's dressed in a tan Hogue soft belly stock.

[@williamwlotzka8721]

Thanks for the vid bud,I asked this question a while back to another channel,the reason being Howas make 1500's to their own specifications,while Weatherby has Howa make the Vanguard series to their own specifications. My curiosity was in the difference between models w/them being generally about the same price point

[@1tarbaby1]

As you have said the receiver group is made by HOWA. but the rest can be custom built, EG: I have just purchased Howa receiver with a 26 inch threaded barrel ( Howa barrel that is Hammer forged ) with a Hogue stock but could have chosen any stock. the one you are referring to as a Weatherby is not a Weatherby but a stock made from some one else as Howa does not make stocks . Hope this helps. Cheers

[@RabbitBusters]

Great video. Im buying a Weatherby in 223. I was endlessly thinking should I have got a 1500 🤔 I feel a bit better in my choice. Thanks 👍

[@charlescanaday1599]

Question. Does the Howa action have the 3 gas blowback holes in the bolt like the Vanguard? I couldn't tell in the video. I have a Vanguard and love it. I've never held or shot the Howa.

[@collinstremick5015]

They do not, the holes were added by request of Weatherby due to their cartridges having higher pressures than most but they are included in regular chamberings too. Howa's are not chambered in Weatherby cartridges or at least I have never seen one that was.

[@collinstremick5015]

@Fraser Fir you could very much be right. I was just referencing what Weatherby has said on their website and answering the question the howa 1500 actions do not have the 3 has holes.

[@Greyzonecompliant]

I own two howa 1500 One mini action in 6.5 Grendel and One short action in 22-250. They do have vent holes in the bolt.

[@Greyzonecompliant]

@Fraser Fir you are right, the holes index down in the magazine when the bolt is closed.

[@A181218121812]

My Howa Carbon Elevate in 6.5 Creedmoor has a 24” barrel and 3 vent holes in the bolt

[@matiasayllon5013]

It’s a Boyd stock

[@jimpalmer4916]

I've got a few of each and every single one has been handloaded for with fireformed brass with the neck resized. Can't tell any difference in accuracy testing except that these rifles take 40 rounds to smooth out the insides with regular cleanings every 10 rounds. Afterwards I have found that these rifles with my handloaded ammo will change from a one inch group to a half inch. After about 20 more rounds, with regular cleanings, will start poking out three shots into a single jagged hole. This is exactly why Howa has become known as precision rifles. My old Howas are just as accurate and have exhibited the exact same thing. Aside from the bolt shroud on the back of the bolt and the quality of the wooden stocks on the vanguards, and not much else, there's not a nickel worth of difference except the roll marks on the barrels. After 60 rounds through the barrels they are extremely accurate with quality handloaded ammo. The trick is to keep that brass for each individual gun in its own ammo box for future use in that individual gun. I always let my barrels cool for 15 minutes between shots. This is the hardest part of accuracy testing but it gives them time to retract from the heat and then I can expect the truest readings from a cold bore. My rifles don't care if they are clean or not now that they are smoother than a cats paw. One of my older Howa rifles in 243 with a tan Hogue soft belly stock doesn't care if it's a Remington 100 gr. CORE LOK OR A WINCHESTER 100 gr. Power Point, because it will stack all three into a very small hole at 100 yds. Ain't no need to reload for accuracy testing in this particular case.

[@damianmoskos2299]

The zipper noise in howa comes from the bolt rubbing the machining marks in reciever

[@jamesmunden4607]

Great video. Can you do a video on accuracy of both

[@BigTimberLodge]

Great review. It is like comparing a Volkswagen to a BMW, sure they come from the same place, but one is obviously nicer than the other. I subscribed to your channel.

[@jamespmullin21753]

Of course the Howa does not come in Weatherby magnum calibers. Of course the Howa rifles do come in PRC calibers. I have a 300 Weatherby Vanguard bronze. Good prices at Dahlonega Armory. July, added Vanguard mulitcam 257 Weatherby.

[@donnstambaugh1506]

Great job.,.

[@marcosgiovani8435]

hello friend, your personal opinion rifle caliber .308 Win, Ruger American Standard or Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic Green, for hunting and shooting in the club.

[@crashdrc]

They are exactly the same. The differences come from the stock they use and the visual upgrades like fluting. You can usually get the same upgrades on each model.

[@frankzhandamo]

I can’t seem to find either of them online now

[@REDNECKROOTS]

Fit n finish is twice as good as howa. Howas are rough as hell. Bolt rubs stock. Bolt sounds like a zipper , stock is like a rubber band . The weatherby is the better choice in every sense . Even if it cost more.

[@X-ForceBro]

Reminds me of how AK-47s from different countries are all different yet they're all ak-47's

[@ericdean8124]

Can you swap stocks?

[@matthewkyle6939]

Lol yes the zipper noise. I hate that about my hs precision howa.

[@necavenue]

So basically the WV actions have some custom gunsmithing done to it so they cost slightly more.

[@joetietjen527]

I have a Howa 1500 in a 223 that won't shoot moa. Sent it back in Aug of last year and have yet to get thing squared away. 😒

[@sargon08]

Yes Howa maks barrels for S&W and Weatherby !!

[@awats72752]

Well Weatherby gets their barrels from howa so it seems it would not matter. Some are hung up on the Weatherby name.

[@Dp-cw2qt]

put a boyds stalk on that howa and watch what happens to accuracy. Blows the vanguard out of the water. Have both, love both, but howa is more accurate with a great stalk

[@bigtrev761]

🇦🇺👍

[@markkthompson8650]

You seem to have a lot of the same scope. What is it?

[@Edward-nw8kq]

The schematics are identical for both rifles what you are paying for is the name that is laser etched into the rifle Weatherby or Howa

[@REDNECKROOTS]

Your complete wrong. I own both and the fit n finish is much better on vanguard. ,As well as the machine tolerance is tighter on the vanguard. The cerakote is thicker and better done on the vanguard. I. Every sense the vanguard is better than the howa. It is what it is. U can argue all u want but I got both right here n the weatherby vanguard is superior in every sense.

[@steverugerguy9606]

Is your heavy barrel a model 84206 by chance?i need one for targer/varmit...in 223/556.

[@MjS-zb6jr]

The Weatherby Vanguard is essentially a Howa 1500 but finished to a higher standard with tighter tolerance from the factory. The Howa 1500 is geared more towards tinkerers, and more budget oriented.

[@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill]

I doubt the tighter tolerance claim when they come from same Japanese high tolerance cookie cutter. You might get a slicker finish/polish on a bolt, little better stock, and a longer barrel options on the WV, but that is about it.

[@joshclemons9975]

Howa makes the vanguard for weatherby 🤘 then weatherby puts a few final touches on it put as far as the works they are the same in my opinion

[@sean7.399]

The Vanguard your holding is married with the Boyd's stock.

[@nakoawarrior3186]

I believe their all Japanese Barreled actions made in Japan Plus Mossberg 1500. Then each wanabe maker does different things to the Bolt and triggers and stocks. Yes,.... read some gun magazines. Smith & Wesson 1500 was bought out by Mossberg. I have the article just ain't read it in at least 20 years. It went in to detail. Shoot paper targets at 100 yards and show us the targets/ group size.

[@VANGUARD-hn5hf]

I have one Weatherby Vanguard 1 .300 win mag and a Carbine Vanguard 2 .308 win. Both sub sub sub M.O.A. with my Reloads. A lot of argentinian boars ( jabalíes ) down with them. 700...don't exist !

[@jvz1448]

I’ve been thinking of getting the JTAC screech owl, which uses the Howa 1500 action. I’m considering that or the Sig Cross or Sauer 100 pantera. I can find almost no feedback on the screech owl but it looks so bad ass.

[@jameskesler1930]

I have one of their stocks for my 6.5 grendel and construction , finish quality and fit seemed pretty darn good.

[@daletill5544]

More shooting videos

[@warrengreen3217]

They open up too barrel heat to fast

[@shawn2571]

I hope the Howa is better cuz the Weatherby's are junk unless you like 5" groups at 100 yards

[@pipedreams57]

The Howa is a piece of crap with bad quality control. Winchester still rules in my book.

[@leifhoklin2681]

Sure. Ok.

[@pipedreams57]

@@leifhoklin2681 Even the Savage Axis kicks Howas butt. I have one in 223 also. Fine shooter for the price.

[@leifhoklin2681]

@@pipedreams57 no, no it doesn’t. The savage axis is accurate, but is very cheaply made, has terrible barrel and receiver finish, and is uglier than sin. But hey, whatever floats your boat.

[@jcows12]

​@@pipedreams57 I had an axis in 223 and it didn't group very well so I ended up selling it. I admit I only tried 2 types of ammo but I wasn't interested in buying more ammo to test if I could get less than 2moa of a bipod.

[@daniellowe3928]

why dont you show the viewers that you are handling UNLOADED GUNS Never be to SAFE AROUND WEAPONS.

[@DreamConundrum]

I don’t understand this. He doesn’t have to show you the rifle is clear. It doesn’t mean he’s being unsafe at all.

[@daniellowe3928]

@@DreamConundrum WHATEVER !!!

[@DreamConundrum]

@@daniellowe3928 Danielle, maybe he cleared it 3 times before video started. He doesn’t need to show it in the video. If you would like to know how to clear a firearm, please consult the manual and then search out some instructional videos for a demonstration.