Weatherby announced they will be producing the new Vanguard 2 Back Country rifles in 2013. The Back Country rifles feature many of the same features found in other Weatherby rifles, but the guns are designed with an eye toward reliability in rugged, off-the-beaten-path areas.
First of all, the rifles are lightweight, coming in at just 6.75 pounds. This is critical for anyone who has to carry their gun over long distances, especially in rugged regions with significant elevation changes.
The Back Country’s stock is synthetic with spiderweb accents. The stock is pillar bedded and in the Monte Carlo form. The butt end of the stock is topped by a Pachmayr Decelerator pad to assist with absorbing recoil.
The 24″ barrel is fluted and cold hammer forged. A sub-MOA accuracy guarantee (0.99″ or less using Weatherby factory ammunition or other specified premium ammo) is included with each of the Back Country rifles. All barrels are a 1:10″ RH twist.
The metal parts are Cerakote-finished in Tactical Grey.
The Back Country rifles all feature a “creep free” two stage trigger and a three position safety. The Weatherby triggers are fully adjustable to 2.5 pounds and are factory-tuned.
The new Weatherby Back Country rifles are chambered for the:
- .240 Weatherby Magnum
- .270 Winchester
- .257 Weatherby Magnum
- .30-06 Springfield
- .300 Winchester Magnum
- .300 Weatherby Magnum
The internal magazine has a hinged floorplate, allowing the shooter to access the unfired cartridges from the bottom of the rifle. Magazine capacity is five rounds for the .240 Weatherby Magnum, .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield. All others have a capacity of three rounds.
MSRP is $1,399 on the Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Back Country rifles.
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Why no .308?
My perception is that .308 is probably the most sought after bolt action rifle caliber in the states.
From a Marketing standpoint I would think Weatherby would release this in .308.
Nobocy,
I think the .308 is a phenomenal round, and is in deed a very popular rifle caliber. However, to answer your question about why Weatherby doesn’t chamber that round, I think it goes to their history as much as anything. Weatherby and company were made famous by developing their “big game” rifles and unique/proprietary calibers.
If you’ll notice, all of the caliber options for the Vanguard Back Country above are long-action catridges, as opposed to the short-action .308 cartridge. That is pretty standard for Weatherby, and to produce even the venerable .308 would require significant re-tooling. In a country that is rich in firearms manufacturers Weatherby is probably making a calculated choice to stay with what they know and do best – big caliber, long-action rifles.