Ok.. my next dream gun is a weatherby mark 5. But .... I just looked at a vanguard, and it sure looks good. Price looks better. How do they shoot. This one is a 257 mag.

The Gen 2's shoot as well as the mark V's, the finishes are obviously not as nice, nor are the triggers as crisp. BUT, they are shooting machines. I have a Mark V ultra lightweight in 300wby and a Vanguard Backcountry in 257wby and the Vanguard actually shoots better, is damn near as light, but the only real noticeable difference is the trigger.

I was sold on the mark 5 because I've owned some and they are awesome. But this little unit is called a "first light" or something like that... It's got a o.d. green / bronze coating on stainless and has a funky camo pattern. Light as a feather and is under 700 brand new. I'm probably gonna get it.

the Howa 1500 is produced on the same production line as the weatherby vanguard and costs about half the price same rifle different roll mark

I have a Weatherby s2 range certified 257 mag and it's a shooter! Don't get me wrong, i could've afforded the higher end model at the time, but meh she does just fine...

I just bought a howa 1500 hogue in .308. I actually liked the stock better than the vanguard, otherwise it’s the same gun. Cheaper as well.

Got 2 Vanguards in 300 Weatherby Magnum and 7mm Mag, also a Howa 6.5x55 Sweede, all are great shooters

The Vanguard S2 is a very good rifle for the money. I have one in 6.5 Creedmoor & it is a shooter.

I've got one of the Walmart Vanguard Specials and I painted the stock.
Really pleased with it.

All Weatherbys are shooters. I want a Mark V with the blonde wood stocks they used to make.

I have a Weatherby Vanguard Sub MOA .257 Weatherby; I haven't spent too much time on the range with it but it does seem to be a decent shooter.

Like others have said, both shoot well. If you have the money, I would get the mark v. It is a finer work. Smoother and more refined.

I would refer to the ballistic charts to see if that is within your requirements. For specific calibers ammo is always highter for deer loads, especially their ammo. A more common load will save you on ammo. Weatherby's are good guns would suggest an adjustable trigger for a lighter pull.

Vanguards shoot good. At least, ours does.

Nearly All the Vanguards I have owned have shot at or very near MOA out of the box with Weatherby ammo. It is actually hard for me to spend the extra on a Range Certified one they all shoot good.