Vanguard Back Country vs Wilderness

[MikeOH]

Finally decided on the Vanguard BC in .30-06 and then came across the new for 2016 Vanguard Wilderness.  Since there is very little info and reviews on the Wilderness I called Weatherby and asked for a comparison.  According to Weatherby, the Wilderness is the BC just without the Cerakote finish - they wanted to offer a lower cost option of the BC so they created the Wilderness.  The price difference is about $350 from the retailers I contacted.  Wanted to get thoughts from others if the Cerakote finish is worth the extra $$$. 

[dubyam]

If that's the only difference, you can get it cerakoted in your color of choice for about $200-250.

[galamb]

Last year I retired my 1957 built (and bought new) 740 Remington because I "wanted" a new moose rifle.

It was factory blued and most of it is still there despite my "less than even minimal" care and cleaning. It also still has it's original factory "wood" stock - albeit with a few nicks, scrapes and scratches - never "refinished", and while the original top coat is worn, the wood is still sound.

This rifle was hunted pretty much every year, in Northern Ontario, in the cold, snow, rain, sun, humidity etc.

The point of my story - synthetic stocks, Cerakote, stainless steel, etc etc, seems to have solved a problem that didn't exist. The "average gun" used by the "average hunter" even in extreme conditions with minimal care will outlive the owner.

I would use the 350 bucks for extra ammo...

[klong67]

I would opt for the wilderness and apply the extra on a good scope. The bead blasted finish on the Weatherbys are top notch and very durable to abrasion, and rust if you maintain it at all.

Both will surly serve you well though!