• Weatherby Mark V Serial Number

When was my Vanguard rifle made? Prefix: Years of Production. VB: 2010-Present.

Some of our Weatherby Vanguard rifles are listed for well under $500 new, with used options for less than $400. Likewise, the Weatherby Select sells for about $400 to $500 and the Weatherguard for. All Weatherby® Mark V ® rifles with a serial number prefix of “WY, PM and PS” and Vanguard ® Series 2 rifles with a serial number prefix of “VB ” are guaranteed to shoot a.99″ or better 3-shot group at 100 yards from a cold barrel when used with premium (non-Weatherby calibers) or Weatherby factory ammunition within Two-Years of. The company behind the Weatherby Vanguard is best known for producing some of the most powerful hunting cartridges in the world, chambered, of course, in its famous Weatherby Mk V rifles. In the 1970s it introduced a line of rifles that would support the less powerful cartridges on offer, and brought to the market the Weatherby Vanguard line.

Weatherby Vanguard Rifles

By Chuck Hawks

The Weatherby Vanguard bolt action rifle was introduced in the late 1960's as a Weatherby rifle for non-Weatherby calibers. The line was revitalized in 2003 and is now the heart of the Weatherby line. Sales of Vanguards far outnumbers Mark V sales.

The original Weatherby Vanguard and the subsequent VGD and VGX Deluxe models looked almost identical to the Mark V Deluxe rifle, and sported a very similar walnut stock, right down to the checkering, forearm tips, grip caps, line spacers, and recoil pads. The stock finish was high gloss and the metal finish was the renowned Weatherby high luster blue. These deluxe models were discontinued in the early 1990s.

Between 1994 and 2002 Weatherby Vanguards were offered only through Wal-Mart stores. These were Weatherguard models with a synthetic stock and a choice of blue or stainless steel barreled actions in most of the old Vanguard calibers. There was also a Deluxe model with a checkered walnut stock and contrasting forearm tip in .300 Weatherby Magnum caliber. This rifle had a satin blue metal finish and lacked the contrasting line spacers at grip cap and forend tip of the new 2006 Vanguard Deluxe.

In 2003 Weatherby reintroduced the Vanguard as a regular catalog item. New Vanguard Stainless and Vanguard Synthetic models were again available from all Weatherby distributers and dealers. The Synthetic comes with a matte black carbon steel barreled action, and the Stainless comes with a matte silver stainless steel barreled action. Both models come with 24' barrels, are 44.5' in overall length, and weigh 7.75 pounds. Calibers range from .223 Remington to .338 Win. Magnum.

The new Vanguard synthetic models use a black synthetic stock in the typical Weatherby 'California' style. This injection-molded composite stock is checkered, has comfotable lines, and comes with a recoil pad.

In 2004 the Vanguard Sporter was introduced. This was essentially the new version of the Wal-Mart Deluxe model, what I think of as a semi-deluxe Vanguard. In 2005 a stainless steel action was made available with the walnut stock as the Sporter SS.

2005 also saw the introduction of the Vanguard Compact-Youth. This blued/synthetic model comes with a shortened stock and a full size stock. Bigger news in 2005 was the introduction of the Vanguard SUB-MOA models; more about these shortly.

For 2006 the Vanguard Deluxe has been re-introduced as the top of the Vanguard line. And once again the Vanguard Deluxe is the spittin' image of a Mark V Deluxe. Also in 2006, a Varmint Special took its place in the Vanguard line. This comes with a blued, heavy #3 coutour 22' barrel and a varmint stock. The 2006 Vanguard line is the most complete in history, and custom Vanguard models are available through the Weatherby Custom Shop. Special stocks, fluted barrels, and AccuBrake muzzle brakes are among the available Custom Shop extras.

All Vanguards are based on an action using a one-piece forged and machined, flat bottomed receiver and a machined steel bolt with dual opposed locking lugs. This modified Mauser action is built to Weatherby specifications by Howa in Tokyo, Japan.

The Howa bolt action is a good one, and the version produced for the Vanguard incorporates many of the features of the Mark V. The cartridge head is contained within Weatherby's famous three rings of steel. The one-piece bolt body is fluted, there are three gas escape ports in the side of the bolt and a streamlined bolt sleeve shrouds the rear of the bolt. Also similar to the Mark V is the flush mounted claw extractor at the front of the bolt and the plunger ejector in the recessed bolt face.

The two position Vanguard safety locks the bolt closed in the 'safe' position, just like a Mark V safety, but it is not as quiet in operation and is shaped differently. There is also a Mark V type cocking indicator for added safety. The magazine floorplate is hinged, and the release is in the front of the trigger guard.

The bolt lift is 90 degrees, not 54 degrees like the Mark V. The barrel is cold hammer forged. The trigger is not externally adjustable, but the two adjustment screws (secured by small lock nuts) on the front and rear of the trigger assembly can be accessed by removing the stock.

All Weatherby rifles, Vanguard and Mark V alike, come with a 1.5' MOA accuracy guarantee specifying a 1.5' or smaller 3-shot group at 100 yards from a cold barrel when used with Weatherby or premium factory loaded ammunition, and they are supplied with a test target to prove it. Often Vanguard rifles will shoot considerably smaller groups right out of the box.

This did not escape the notice of the Weatherby testers, and it led to the introduction of the premium Vanguard SUB-MOA models. These are hand picked Vanguards, pillar bedded in upgraded Fiberguard composite stocks with non-slip black or gray spiderwebbing. Both matte blued and stainless steel barreled actions are available as SUB-MOA models in all standard Vanguard calibers. There is also a Vanguard SUB-MOA Varmint model that comes with a special beavertail varmint stock with ventilation slots in the forend

The question always arises: since it is not based on the Mark V action, is the Vanguard a true Weatherby? And the answer is unequivocally 'yes.' Weatherby puts their name and reputation on the line with the Vanguard, and if they say it is a Weatherby rifle, then I will take their word for it. The Vanguard is no longer the poor stepchild in the Weatherby line. As mentioned in the opening paragraph, it is now the heart of the Weatherby line.

The following specifications pertain specifically to the 2006 Vanguard Deluxe, Other Vanguard models are functionally similar.

The Deluxe (product code VGX) has a 24 inch barrel and is 44.5 inches in overall length. The catalog weight is 7.75 pounds. Length of pull is 13.5'. The cartridge capacity is 5+1 in standard calibers and 3+1 in magnum calibers. 2006 MSRP is $865.

In appearance the new 2006 Deluxe is almost identical to a Mark V Deluxe and also to the earlier Vanguard VGX Deluxe, with a high luster blue finish on barrel and receiver, and a nicely figured claro walnut Monte Carlo stock with cut checkering and a rosewood forearm tip and pistol grip cap set off by maplewood line spacers. There is a traditional Weatherby diamond inlay in the pistol grip cap.

In summation, the Weatherby Vanguard line for 2006 is pretty much complete. Vanguards range from basic blued/synthetic models to the ultra-accurate SUB-MOA models and Deluxe models stocked in beautifully finished claro walnut. Many knowledgeable gun dealers and hunters alike consider the Weatherby Vanguard to be the best value available in a centerfire hunting rifle today.

Note: Complete reviews of the Vanguard Deluxe, Vanguard Sporter, Vanguard Varmint Special and Vanguard SUB-MOA rifles can be found on the Product Reviews page.

Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Back Country .30-06 Rifle

By Randy Wakeman

New for 2013 is Weatherby's Back Country version of their popular VanguardSeries 2 bolt action rifle, which uses a push feed, Mauser-style, dual opposed lug design. Theaction, barrel length of 24 inches, controls, etc., are unchanged from therecently reviewed Vanguard Series 2 Sporter. (See the Rifle Information -Reviews index page.)

The Back Country's chrome moly barreled action is coatedwith a CeraKote Tactical Grey finish for improved external weather resistanceand it has a fluted barrel. The Weatherby Monte Carlo composite stock is pillar-bedded and finishedwith spiderweb accents. Together, these features are designed to shave weightoff of the standard Vanguard Series 2 rifles. That they do, dropping about ¾ poundfrom the standard synthetic and walnut Vanguard models. Unfortunately, recoil increases proportionally and the 2013MSRP is increased from $649.99 (standard synthetic) to a substantial $1399 for the Back Country.

Out of the box, the two-stage trigger was lackluster, breaking at four pounds afterthe first stage take-up. Of course, the Vanguard Series 2 trigger is useradjustable, so you can set the release weight where you want. Just dropthe barreled action out of the stock to adjust the trigger. The pullweight is adjusted by means of a screw with lock nut on the front of the alloytrigger assembly. This allows adjustment between approximately 2.5 and 4.5pounds. Loosen the lock nut and back out the adjustment screw to decrease thepull weight; turn it in to increase the pull weight. Trigger adjustmentinstructions are provided in the Owner's Manual.

Specifications

·Type: Bolt actionhunting rifle

·Model: Vanguard Series2 Back Country

·Caliber: .30-06Springfield (five other calibers available)

·Metal finish: CeraKoteGrey

·Barrel: 24', #2contour, fluted, cold hammer forged

·Twist: RH 1:10 inches

·Trigger: Two-Stage Trigger; hand-honed,factory-tuned and inspected for a clean, crisp break. Fully adjustable down to2.5 lbs.

·Trigger pull weightas tested: 4 pounds

·Safety: 3 position

·Sights: None;receiver drilled and tapped for scope mounts

·Magazine capacity: 5rounds

·Stock: Composite,Spider web with Monte-Carlo comb

·Drop at comb: 7/8'

·Drop at Monte Carlo:1/2'

·Drop at heel: 1-1/4'

·Length of pull: 13-5/8inches

·Overall length: 44-1/2inches

·Approximate Weight:6-3/4 pounds

·Country of origin:Japan

·2013 MSRP: $1399

After scoping this rifle with a Sightron SII Big Sky 3-9x42mmon top of steel Warne 2-piece bases and Warne Maxima rings, I headed off to therange. Three types of premium ammunition were used: Remington Premier 180 grain SwiftA-Frame (MV 2700 fps), Winchester Supreme 180 grain E-Tip (MV 2750 fps) andFederal Premium Vital-Shok 165 grain Trophy Bonded Tip (MV 2800 fps).

All Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 rifles are guaranteed to shoot a 3-shot group of.99' or less at 100 yards (SUB-MOA) when used with Weatherby factory orpremium ammunition. Unfortunately, the test rifle was unable to meet thatstandard with the three factory loads I had on hand, none of which grouped particularly well. The best of thebunch was easily the Remington Swift A-Frame in this rifle. However, even theSwift A-Frames struggled to get three shots into 1-1/2 inches (1.5 MOA) at 100yards, unimpressive for a Weatherby Vanguard with a SUB-MOA accuracy guarantee andpoor compared to the 3/4 MOA Vanguard .270 Winchester I recently reviewed. (All rifles are ammo sensitive to somedegree and our guess is that none of the tested loads were among this rifle's favorites. -Editor)

My conclusion, based on this testrifle, is not highly favorable. Although the Vanguard Back Country delivers onits promise of less weight, the just adequate accuracy, heavier than idealtrigger out of the box and salty price all point to the Vanguard Sporterinstead of the Back Country. The Vanguard Sporter is a far better-looking rifleat a more modest price.

Weatherby Mark V Serial Number

Note: There is an in-depth review of a Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Stainless Syntheticrifle on the Product Reviews page.