Weatherby vs. T/C vs. Browning?

T

tjurgensen

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I'm looking for a new coyote rifle. I'v decided on the caliber: a 25-06, but I cant decide on the rifle. I'll be shooting exclusively moon dogs anywhere from 15 - 400 yards. I'm looking at the T/C Venture synthetic w/blued barrel and reciever. I'v heard of problems with these like the hogue traction panels peeling off and the recent recall on them, but it's the cheapest of the three at $480. The next is a Weatherby Vangaurd S2 synthetic also blued it's listed at $550. The last rifle is a Browning X-Bolt Hunter blued. This one has a satin finished walnut stock and it's listed at $760. I have never owned any of these rifles and have no experience with them so any experience, suggestions, and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
~ TJ
 
I can't comment on the Ventura or X-Bolt, I've never shot either, but I do own a S2 in 243 Winchester and a friend owns one is 270WSM. The bad is they are heavier than most other bolt guns and I don't like the safety lever. It works fine, I just think it's kind of cheap looking. For the cost though I live with it:D The good is that if either one of our guns is not shooting 1/2 MOA, we know we're not shooting well that day. My friends gun is doing that with Federal Premium ammo and my gun has done it with handloads using Barnes, Berger, and Remington bullets. The two stage trigger is crisp and one of the better factory triggers I've ever felt. If you don't mind the extra weight or the "cheap" safety lever, take a hard look at the S2.
 
I have the T/C and the x-bolt, never fired a vanguard. The TC is very accurate... 1" easy with most factory ammo I've tried, except 150 grain Federal Premium (.270 Win), and my best handloads shoot 0.5". The stock feels cheap, and owners manual claims stock removal is not user-level maintenance but I've never experienced a problem with it, to include the tacky panels peeling off. I sent it back for the first recall even though I had experienced no issues...had it back in two weeks or so...have not responded to the latest recall because I'm in the desert and don't come home till a bit later in the year. I bought it to have something to hunt with that wouldn't concern me when it gets scratched up, and found the accuracy to be an added plus (it beats out my M70, also in .270... But I got that one right before last season and didn't get much time for load development)

My x bolt is chambered in .243 Win and it looks nice (it's a medallion with the glossy stock). I will admit that even though I've had it several years I've not taken the time to find or load anything that it shoots well. Maybe I need to check the scope mounts, or some other troubleshooting...I've really just not put a lot of time into it. Maybe next spring I will get back on it...I should because it's a really nice rifle. It's heavier than the venture, thanks to the better stock. Plenty accurate for hunting tho.

Both my venture and x bolt have great triggers... Although the venture is the better of the two by a smidge. Don't have a pull gauge so I don't know the weight. T/c trigger is easily adjustable, don't think so for the x bolt (I just don't remember if it's user adjustable or not).

I've heard good things about the vanguard too.
 
I've had good experiences with Vanguards and Browning A-bolts, but I have no first-hand experience with X-bolts(or Ventures). All of the guns you mention have good reputations for accuracy and my Vanguards have been no exception.

To me, the Vanguards are the best buy in the low-to-mid price range (priced above the Savage Axis / Ruger American, but below most others). They are a very solid gun for the price. They just feel solid to me, and the S2 triggers are fantastic.

To touch on an earlier point, the X-bolt triggers are adjustable. They are the same basic trigger as is used in the new Winchester Model 70s, and I have a couple of them (and really like them).

SR
 
I'm with South Ridge on the Weatherby; they are consistently the best out of the box shooters for the money. I own an A-bolt that shoots darn near one hole (after a lot of powder expended) and my hunting partner has a T/C Venture that took 12 rounds to find a 1/2" load for. All good choices; go with what you like best.
 
I have been less then thrilled with my Browning, all factory ammo shot large patterns at 100 yards, completely worthless as a hunting rifle, after many hours of work on the reloading bench I found a load it likes but if I did not roll my own it would be a $800 paperweight. Browning customer service was no help, I don't have any plans on buying another. I don't know about Weatherby or T/C but if you want a tack driver buy a Tikka, mine shoots darn near everything remarkably well.
 
I am a Browning fan - I own several - but I will say this: I would not pay the extra price premium for a Browning X-bolt over a Weatherby Vanguard S2. If I was going to step up into that price range I would be looking at one of the new Model 70s.

I also would not step 'down' from the Weatherby to any of the Axis/American/etc. rifles. To me the extra $100-$200 for the Weatherby is well worth it.

SR
 
+1 ^^^^^^ south_ridge on the Weatherby

The Vanguard is a really nice, smooth action. My brother in law swears by it and I've shot it several times. I'd be happy to pay a few hundred more.
 
Another to consider is the Winchester 70 Sporter, it also comes with a 24" barrel and Winchester recently outshot everybody except Savage in a recent comparison in Shooting Times. Even my little Featherweight is a real shooter, it holds regular 1/2" groups with Speer BTSP and Varget.
 
I have a Weatherby S1 and put a Timney trigger in it. GREAT rifle. I understand the S2 trigger cured all the problems of the S1 so I wouldn't be afraid to buy one.

I also have a T/C Venture. It is a great shooting rifle and I haven't had any problems with it. BUT I am sick of the B/S recalls. Mine is on the 2nd recall if T/C ever sends the shipping label that I have ordered 2x. For that reason, I suggest you stay away from the T/C.

So, of the 3 the op specified, I would recommend the Weatherby!
 
You cannot go wrong on the Vanguard S-2. I bought one in .308 for cast bullets. It has a 24" barrel with 1:12 twist.

All the other calibers come with a 24 inch 1:10 barrel, I think. I understand that the trigger is adjustable, but I have not seen the need to adjust it. Out of the box it is getting incredible accuracy results with both jacketed and cast bullets.
 
I've got three Vanguard S2s, two of them Synthetics in .308 and .223. They both easily exceed Weatherby's sub-MOA guarantee right out of the box. I prefer a two-stage trigger and the one on these is excellent. I let a friend of mine shoot one of them the other day, and he couldn't believe how great the trigger was.

It kills me on here whenever anyone asks what rifle to get, the Greek Chorus generally pops up with "Get a Ruger, Savage or a Tikka". Tha Vanguard Series 2 is easily one of the best values out there.
 
The ONLY reason I have never owned a Weatherby is they build such bulky stocks. Much more awkward for me then a slender Model 70 Featherweight or Tikka T3, I think the Weatherby is a better fit to larger people I am only 5'6"
 
My vote is for a Tikka T3 Lite. I have one in .270 and they have the best factory trigger I've ever pulled. The action is silky smooth and its accuracy it way better than me. I have shot 3 different factory loads and they are all easily MOA at 100yds. My handloads are 1/2 MOA consistently. I'm wanting another rifle and it will probably be a TC in .25-06
 
My new T/C Venture 30-06 shoots as advertised. My best group is around 3/4'' and my worst is 1''. That was just using Hornady White Tail 150gr. I haven't even broke out the Cor-Lokt or some of my handloads. Bought it on sale for $399+tax. Very happy with it so far. I wanted a 24'' barrel and that was one of the reasons I went with Venture.
 
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