In some cases it can make a lot of difference and in some cases no so much.
As luck would have it I just finished testing two different .30-06 rifles for two different NRA publications. A Weatherby Back Country was tested and reviewed for American Hunter and Remington’s 783 for American Rifleman. Both articles will be appearing in print soon.
If you follow this blog much at all then you already know how wonderfully fond I am of the .30-06. NOT! I looked over that small detail when testing these rifles and tried to remain objective.
Here’s the deal in a nutshell:
- The Back Country sells for about $ 1400 and the 783 for about $ 450. The Weatherby weighs 6.42 pounds and the Remington 7.18 pounds.
- I’d rate the Weatherby trigger as better than the 783’s. It did not have a passive safety and there was no over travel. It broke at 3.00 pounds even. Still, the 783’s trigger was good and out of the box the pull weight was 3.5 pounds. Both are adjustable but the Weatherby gets the edge.
- As for accuracy, the 783 averaged just under 1.5 MOA for five, five-shot groups with three different loads. The Weatherby come in at just a shade under 2.0 MOA. Not sure five-shot groups matter that much to hunters. If I’d used three shot groups the margin would have been closer; the Weatherby’s thin barrel heated quick and this seemed to open groups. Advantage – 783.
- From a feel, comfort and ease of use, I’m going to have to give the advantage to the 783. Felt recoil with the straight stock and SuperCell recoil pad was noticeably less with the 783. But, admittedly, the stock on the Weatherby was of a much higher quality. However, both rifles balanced nicely and worked perfectly.
Regardless, you cannot overlook the fact that if you bought the 783 you would still have a $ 1000 left over for a riflescope. On the other hand, if you really like light rifles, the Weatherby is about 3/4s of a pound lighter.
Check out the full review of both rifles in upcoming issues of American Hunter and American Rifleman magazine. There you can read the interesting back story on the 783 and learn about Weatherby’s new detachable box magazine.
So, how much difference does $ 1000.00 make? At a restaurant in Canada I saw a $ 1000.00 steak on a menu. No, I did not order it. I’ve also heard rumors of $ 1000.00 lap dances but have no first hand experience with them. I have however fired more than 400 rounds from these two rifles…You tell me, which one you would buy?
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I would have sent the Weatherby back, as it comes with a 1 MOA guarantee.
Having said that, the regular Vanguard vs the 783 should be no contest. I would take the Vanguard any day.
The MOA guarantee is for three shots not five. It met the guarantee most of the time.
I would have to shoot both of them. My most accurate rifle I have is a Rem 788 .243 Win. that my Grandpa bought for under $100; can make one hole with five shots at 100 yards. I would have to say $1000 does make a difference. No one makes stuff like they use to. My 788 made in the ’60’s looks like a well made, and well finished rifle (except the stamped metal trigger guard and bottom plate). I purchased a ‘Kmart special’ about 7 years ago; .30-06 that could shoot .75 in at 100 yards with the right ammo. It shot good, but actioned like a poorly finished gun, and kicked like a mule. I needed to action it a couple of thousand times to smooth it out. I own a Heym SR-30 .308 Win, and it is sweet. It shoots good (.75), actions smooth, and kicks like my .243, but about 1.5 lb heaver than most rifles. I would probably go with the Remington. Try explaining the $1000 to the wife; she won’t understand unless it was a dress or purse.