Weatherby Vanguard 2 Synthetic Bolt Action 270 Winchester Reviews

Hunting rifles autumn into an interesting category amidst the firearms oversupply, with more than shooters having more opinions about the long guns than any other smoke pole. The likes and dislikes range from composite versus forest; short barrel versus long butt; and dont fifty-fifty try to debate about the perfect caliber.

We selected three top-selling models for a test of practiced hunting tools and settled on what the late Jack OConnor considered the perfect caliber for North American game. In his classic The Rifle Volume, he states: "Hunters using the .270 discovered that with it they could hit game at longer ranges than with anything else, and that when they hitting they got a higher per centum of ane-shot kills."

With the statement about the perfect caliber finally put to rest (just kidding), we picked the Remington Model 700 SPS; the Savage 114 Classic; and the Weatherby Stainless Vanguard for our test of hunting tools. All three of the long guns take seen quite a bit of field and target range time as hunters across the land seek out their perfect deer burglarize. Nosotros found few faults in the handling and performance ability of the rifles and were generally pleased with the overall performance of all of the firearms in handling manufacturing plant ammunition.

Although our Weatherby came equipped with the manufacturers custom Accubrake recoil reducer, nosotros removed the device for velocity tests. Recoil from all of the rifles was considered in the hands handled range, even after extensive fourth dimension punching holes in targets. We noted that the out-of-the-box trigger pulls on all three rifles, ranging from 4 pounds for the Remington to 2.five pounds for the Savage, were satisfactory to excellent for hunting.

How We Tested

To determine the accuracy of standard hunting ammunition available in the .270 caliber, nosotros selected the following for our test rounds: Federal Premium Boat-Tail Soft Point featuring a 130-grain bullet, which is listed by the manufacturer with a standard muzzle energy of 2703 human foot-pounds; Remington Express Core-Lokt Soft Betoken in a 150-grain bullet with a standard muzzle energy of 2705 foot-pounds; and Winchester Power Point in a 150-grain bullet with a standard muzzle energy of 2705 human foot-pounds.

As noted in the accompanying accuracy/chrono table, the largest group with any of the rounds at 100 yards was 3 inches-what many hunters wait from manufacturing plant ammunition. We fired the rifles from a Hoppes Bench Rest at two dissimilar ranges over several days to handle different weather condition atmospheric condition. Targets that produced very visible three-shot groups were the Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C 12-inch bulls-eyes.

In improver, unmarried shot, off-hand (no rest) shots were taken at various ranges to simulate hunting weather. Nosotros encountered no problems in making what would be considered kill shots with any of the rifles in situations from 50 to 200 yards.

We likewise used several unlike eyes mounted on the rifles, including a Bushnell Banner 3X9; a Leupold VariX-2 3X9; a Redfield 3X9; and a Swaroski Nova 1.5X6. Other than the Savage, there appeared to exist little difference in grouping based on eyes. Heres our report:

Weatherby Stainless

Vanguard .270 Win., $673

The heaviest and largest of the three exam rifles, we liked the feel and handling of the Weatherby as a solid shooting tool. With an overall length of 44.v inches, featuring a 24-inch butt, and an unloaded weight of 7.five pounds, the heft and rest were very comfortable. Combined with a short 13.5-inch length of pull, a drop at rummage of one.25 inches and a driblet at heel of 0.nine inch, the Weatherbys Monte Carlo stock was a expert fit for all of our squad members.

The trigger pull of three.75 pounds could accept been a lighter for the sensitive fingers of some members of our exam team, although we do not believe the pull was excessive.

We considered the five-round magazine a bonus, although the four-round magazines in the other two rifles are normal for about hunting tools in calibers of the .270 range.

Equally noted, our exam burglarize came equipped with Weatherbys custom Accubrake recoil reducer. The reduction in recoil from all the examination ammunition was meaning and appreciated. The addition is well worth the $160 and change required for the custom shop option.

However, even when the Accubrake was removed, recoil was not unpleasant and was very similar to the other two rifles. The .270 is not noted for its heavy recoil, and even after numerous firings, none of our test team suffered shoulder shock.

Of particular note is the mode in which the Weatherby handled all the exam ammunition. None of the 3-shot groups fired through the rifle were larger than 2.5 inches and the smallest group of 0.5 inches with manufactory armament was quite impressive.

Nosotros establish that Weatherby lived upward to its guarantee of three-shot groups of 1.5 inches or better fired from a cold barrel with premium ammunition. This burglarize is a classic case of the equipment being more capable of high performance than the shooter.

Remington Model 700 SPS

.270 Winchester, $620

A quality representative of a veteran hunting rifle, this synthetic version of the Model 700 has a good feel and residuum. We constitute the firearm to be a pleasure to handle and shoot. The unloaded weight of 7.4 pounds, with an overall length of 44.five inches and a butt length of 24 inches, were all adequate. A slightly short length of pull of xiii.4 inches, with a drop at the comb of 1.two inches and a driblet at the heel of i.iv inches, required some adjustment by some of our shooters, simply was not considered a major deterrent to the rifles shooting power.

Nosotros were a niggling concerned with the trigger pull of 4 pounds, which may have been a factor with the ability of the firearm to produce quality groups on the targets.

While iii-inch groups with two brands of exam armament would non automatically cause the states to reject the rifle equally a good hunting tool, nosotros wanted a better functioning after shooting the Vanguard. The all-time average 3-shot group of 1.half-dozen inches was with the Federal 130-grain ammunition. We would suggest that any new owner of a Model 700 piece of work with several different loads to discover the right ammunition for a specific rifle.

The rough texture of both the forearm and the pistol grip on the stock immune for easy handling of the Remington-a plus if the hunting tool is to be put into play during bad weather conditions. Nosotros found that the R3 Recoil Pad did indeed provide relief from the limited recoil of the .270 ammunition. The pad also provided a quality shoulder fit for all of our shooters.

We especially liked the way the Remington handled in off-hand shooting situations, with those shot placements in line with the other 2 rifles off of the bench residual.

Cruel Model 114 Archetype

.270 Winchester, $731

The lightest of our examination firearms and sporting a 22-inch barrel, we found the Savage was easy to behave and handle in field weather. With its American walnut stock, this rifle was deemed more bonny than the other two firearms past the traditionalists in our group. Yet, equally with the other two rifles, in that location were no handling or performance problems with the checkering on the forearm and pistol grip providing a proficient, firm holding surface.

The overall length of the Savage was 43.25 inches, with a driblet in the comp of one.25 inches and a drib at the heel of 1.5 inches. The length of pull was xiii.75 inches. All dimensions cruel within our acceptable range.

We encountered some small-scale problems in loading the Savage, equally the bullets had to exist inserted directly down into the magazine. With the other rifles, a rolling move of each round allowed for easier loading with the rifle in diverse positions. Loading the Cruel could exist particularly hard in weather that require a hunter to article of clothing gloves.

Performance on the range was a picayune disappointing. We did seem to be able to produce better groups after condign more familiar with the Accutrigger feature of the rifle. The Accutrigger out of the box touched off with 2.5 pounds of pressure after taking the slack out of the pull. For those familiar with a gear up trigger, the first pull "sets" the trigger and the second, much lighter pull, releases the sear and allows the rifle to discharge.

Adjustment of the Accutrigger, which we did not find necessary, can be handled by post-obit the instructions supplied in the owners manual.

As noted in the accompanying table, the Savage produced decent 1-inch groups with both the 150-grain bullets, merely did not handle the 130-grain Federal armament likewise.

Unlike the other rifles, the Cruel seemed to shoot its all-time using the higher-dollar Swarovski telescopic, producing the all-time three-shot groups when that optic was used for testing. Nosotros would also make the recommendation, equally with the Remington, that a multifariousness of ammunition be tested to find the right load for a given rifle.

0208-WETHERBY-STAINLESS-VANGUARD.pdf

0208-REMINGTON-MODEL-700.pdf

0208-Brutal-MODEL-114-CLASSIC.pdf

0208-HUNTING-RIFLES-ACCURACY.pdf

0208-HUNTING-RIFLE-Report-CARD.pdf

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Source: https://www.gun-tests.com/rifles/rifles270/270-bolt-actions-weatherby-vanguard-wins-accuracy-battle-2/

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