Updated rifle for African Safari

[txtrout75218]

So, I'm taking my daughter to Limpopo next week for 8 days of fun and adventures. Will be a combination photo and hunting safari. I decided to put together a rifle specifically for the trip. I'll have to finish a few items when I return, but the rifle shows great promise. I'll need to polish the finish to satin over the still

It's more accurate than I am.

24" barrel Weatherby Vanguard in 7-08
Air dried for 25 years English Walnut stock with ebony tip, oil rubbed finish.
Barrel band
Simple leather sling
Red decelerator recoil pad


Shoots well with 150 grain Norma Soft Points, 140 grain Barnes TSX and Hornady 150 grain ELDX bullets. It's most accurate with the ELDX. It's ok with Hornady CX bullets, but not as fond of the 139 grain Hornady 139 grain Soft Points.

As for why build on a Vanguard? I already had it sitting unused. Also, as a noted gunsmith I know says, you can spend a lot more money and not have a better rifle than a Vanguard. Has a square bottom like a Mauser, good barrel, nice two stage trigger and a M16 style extractor system.

 

[PARA45]

Oh, and they are boring accurate. What will you guys be hunting? Good luck to you and your daughter.

 

[CBH Australia]

I think the Vanguard action design closely copies an older model high quality brand.

You could spend more money and still not have a 7mm-08.

A lot of custom rifles use quality aftermarket triggers.

If the Vanguard action design is smooth and has a good trigger then they are 2 attributes you need. If the rifle and chosen load is accurate then it will do anything in its class as well as an expensive rifle would do.

 

[Beck]

Nice looking rifle, good luck!

 

[txtrout75218]

Oh, and they are boring accurate. What will you guys be hunting? Good luck to you and your daughter.

We are looking to take Impala, Nyala, blesbok, perhaps a blue wildebeest and potentially opportunities for what ever presents itself.

 

[txtrout75218]

Nice looking rifle, good luck!

Thank you!

 

[txtrout75218]

I think the Vanguard action design closely copies an older model high quality brand.

You could spend more money and still not have a 7mm-08.

A lot of custom rifles use quality aftermarket triggers.

If the Vanguard action design is smooth and has a good trigger then they are 2 attributes you need. If the rifle and chosen load is accurate then it will do anything in its class as well as an expensive rifle would do.

This reflects my same thoughts.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Suggest adding iron sights and QD rings. I found Winchester Safari Express sights (front and back) on eBay for both my plains game 30-06 and 404J project rifles. I like that thise rear sights are adjustable all ways and single leaf folds down for easily slipping into soft case. Both front ramp and back sight are tapped rather than sweat on so can be removed and holes capped with plug screws if desired. Both guns have low rings, low enough to barely clear bolt handles. My Mauser 404's bolt handle has barely a cigarette paper thickness clearance! Acquisition is instant for both rifles, irons or scopes. Iron sights both used like new cost about $100. I tapped the 30-06 but any gunsmith can do it in a few minutes. Dennis Olsen charged me $60 to put sights on the 404 Mauser but I donated my taps as his were broken. Lots of Reminton sight sets always up on ebay and I think they are good enough. Not a fan of classic three leaf express sights. 1) Who shoots irons out to 300 yards in our age group (i.e. Retired with enough $$$ to hunt Africa = old eyes are barely good enough to shoot leaf sights fifty yards!). 2) Adjusting 3-leaf express sights requires filing leafs and/or pushing front bead east and west (if possible ... NECG beads push into classic wrap around ramps from north and south so non-adjustable east and west).

Here's the 404 Mauser I built two years ago. Still need to change the trap gun recoil pad that came on this used stock I refinished. Could use an extra 1/2" LOP. Warne QD rings are great.

And here's my 30-06 Springfield 03A3 plains game/deer/elk/moose rifle.
Both fit in single gun Pelican Vault case with scopes deatched and in carryon bag. The slip-on recoil pads protect stocks from rubbing against adjacent muzzles.

 

[txtrout75218]

This are nice looking rifles. I agree in adding iron sights. I think a rifle looks naked without them and at some point add them.. However, I need the enhanced visual aspects of the scope anymore.

 

[txtrout75218]

I also like your suggestions on the slip on recoil pads to prevent rubbing in transit.

 

[skydiver386]

Even though I have large heavy cases for transit, my guns usually have a silicone impregnated gun sock around them to keep the small handling marks off the wood. This is especially important when 2 guns are in one case.

Yes, it can be a pain when you have to uncase for the inspection and serial number check, but worth it in my opinion.

I think it's fantastic you are hunting with family, as those are some of my best memories. Good luck to you and your daughter.

 

[19_A_CPT]

We are looking to take Impala, Nyala, blesbok, perhaps a blue wildebeest and potentially opportunities for what ever presents itself.

It will definitely take all those cleanly with good shots. The wildebeest will be the toughest, but the -08 should handle it nicely.

Good luck to yall!

 

[AZDAVE]

The weatherby Vanguard and Howa 1500 are the same action. Weatherby has howa make them in Japan and puts the weatherby name on it. very solid action and both a very accurate hunting rifles.

The 150gr scirocco and 160gr accubond both shoot well in my 7x57 and if they shoot in your 7-08 they would be a good option.

 

[txtrout75218]

I'll also have my trusted 308 with 175 grain terminal accent bullets for the wildebeest with me.

 

[rdog]

So, I'm taking my daughter to Limpopo next week for 8 days of fun and adventures. Will be a combination photo and hunting safari. I decided to put together a rifle specifically for the trip. I'll have to finish a few items when I return, but the rifle shows great promise. I'll need to polish the finish to satin over the still

It's more accurate than I am.

24" barrel Weatherby Vanguard in 7-08
Air dried for 25 years English Walnut stock with ebony tip, oil rubbed finish.
Barrel band
Simple leather sling
Red decelerator recoil pad


Shoots well with 150 grain Norma Soft Points, 140 grain Barnes TSX and Hornady 150 grain ELDX bullets. It's most accurate with the ELDX. It's ok with Hornady CX bullets, but not as fond of the 139 grain Hornady 139 grain Soft Points.

As for why build on a Vanguard? I already had it sitting unused. Also, as a noted gunsmith I know says, you can spend a lot more money and not have a better rifle than a Vanguard. Has a square bottom like a Mauser, good barrel, nice two stage trigger and a M16 style extractor system.

View attachment 697788View attachment 697789

Beautiful rifle, the Howa 1500 & Weatherby vanguards are great rifles i own 7 of them a 7/08 a 308 a 204 Ruger a 270 Win a 30/06 a 7mm rem & a 270 WSM. & do not understand why some people think they are poor quality , they will all shoot 3 shot MOA or less . they are much better than a Rem 700 in design & build quality & purchase price .The Houge stock is poor, mine have the HS Precision, or Bell & Carlson option & the 204 Ruger has a walnut stock.

 

[txtrout75218]

I passed over the 1500/Vanguard rifles for a long time. Then I purchased one and was instantly impressed. Better built than my experience with 700s. Good trigger. Very good value for the price. Good bolt design. M16 style extractor. Square bottom action. Decent level of aftermarket support. I agree on not liking the Houge stock. However, I perfectly good with the synthetic Weatherby stocks, even if I prefer a classic style comb stock. For the ones I'm putting in walnut, I will need the synthetic stock for rainy days of needed.

I have considered only having 1500 based actions for total consistency in my hunting rifles. ...I don't do a lot of target shooting, so I actually prefer #2 profile barrels much of the time.

I have three Mausers that I like. Although if I was to do this again, the I would have gone the route of a Vanguard in 30-06 vs building a 30-06 on a Mauser action. I'm seriously considering building a full stock/Mannlicher style rifle utilizing a Vanguard. We'll see