Weatherby Vanguard 25-06 not shooting Sub MOA - How good is Customer Service?

[HighDesertHunter]

I looked into the 25-06 caliber at one time and found very mixed reviews. This post reminds me of that endeavor. I really wanted a new 1/4 bore but the more I researched the more it made me realize that I already had a near perfect one in the .257 Deluxe that I already owned. I never went down the 25-06 road so I cannot speak from experience just from that of others that I didn't know personally. Yes, I know that's not the best way to choose but it's what I did. Shortly after that, I bought my Tikka 22-250 and that filled the gap that I didn't even realize needed filling.


So, when I started reading this post, it didn't really surprise me that the OP was having issues. That said, a guarantee is a guarantee and if any gun maker is going to make good on it, you can bet Weatherby will. I wish you all the best in getting this resolved and I firmly believe you will.

[nmatula]

Well, I called Weatherby, and they said that my gun had been to the range and it shot two groups under MOA, and because it passed the test and was now "range certified", they wanted to charge me something like $250!!! No one said anything about that before I sent it in. Long story short, they just sent the rifle back, because I was about to have a fit. They shot two groups with Federal Sierra Gamekings  and both were under .8, but they also both were from a clean cold bore. I did have a few 2 shot groups that were tight from a clean cold bore, and the third would start to string, and it was all down hill from there. I've got the gun back and have put weaver rings and bases on it, so we'll find out how it shoots this weekend. It's either the base's I had on had an issue(leupold), the scope, or the gun shoots fine the first few shots, and starts slinging them everywhere once the barrel heats up or gets fouled. The plan is to shoot 2 shots, possibly 3 shots, let the barrel cool, adjust the scope, and hope with a cool barrel it shoots fine. They only shot 6 shots out of the rifle, and I think they cleaned it after the first three. This is a hunting rifle, my dad has a cheapo Savage Axis that clover leafs and has never been cleaned. I really hope it shoots well with the new bases.  I'll keep ya'll updated.

[nmatula]

Oh, and my two boys are headed to South Texas deer hunting next weekend, so fingers crossed, otherwise my oldest will be toting by ole reliable vanguard .308, and it should be peak of the rut here, so I'll have to pull out my A-bolt 22-250(which is sighted in with varmint bullets)hope this 25-06 shoots for us. Fingers crossed.

[DW5]

Honestly, I’ve had this exact same thing happen to me with a rifle I sent in one time. It would start opening up something fierce at the range but Weatherby shot it with some loads that weren’t even on the market at the time and told me the rifle was fine. I ended up getting it over to someone in the custom shop who looked at it and told me I needed a new barrel. He apologized for the initial response and ended up taking off the $250 fee for me as well. This was some years ago and the only time I’ve had a bad experience with Weatherby customer service. But must honestly admit I was way less than satisfied with the initial “solution.”

[HighDesertHunter]

Well congratulations, now you have a range certified rifle. While it might be aggravating that you can't get sub moa groups with it, it is still within "Deer MOA" specs and your son shouldn't have any problem on the hunt. I often wondered if advertising/guaranteeing a hunting rifle as sub-moa was a good idea. There are just to many factors involved.

[nmatula]

I'm very particular about the rifles that occupy space in my gun safe and there accuracy. We will see how this weekend goes. For my son's first rifle, bought with his own money, I expect it to perform to the advertised accuracy guarantee. I hope I won't be contacting Weatherby again.....

Take into consideration $$ spent on ammo, different rings and bases, time(and I mounted everything myself this time). It's basically a process of elimination, as far as the trouble shooting goes. According to Weatheby, it will shoot. We're going to find out. I can't remember the fine print, but if it will hold a sub MOA 3-shot group from a cold, clean bore, but then goes downhill after 3-shots, is that considered satisfactory. Because I wont' be happy with that. I know super accurate hunting rifles that have never been cleaned after break in.

[HighDesertHunter]

I'm very particular about the rifles that occupy space in my gun safe and there accuracy. We will see how this weekend goes. For my son's first rifle, bought with his own money, I expect it to perform to the advertised accuracy guarantee. I hope I won't be contacting Weatherby again.....

Take into consideration $$ spent on ammo, different rings and bases, time(and I mounted everything myself this time). It's basically a process of elimination, as far as the trouble shooting goes. According to Weatheby, it will shoot. We're going to find out. I can't remember the fine print, but if it will hold a sub MOA 3-shot group from a cold, clean bore, but then goes downhill after 3-shots, is that considered satisfactory. Because I wont' be happy with that. I know super accurate hunting rifles that have never been cleaned after break in.

Shooting sub-moa from a clean cold bore and then opening up might seem to indicate that reamer marks are still significant in the throat. Normally, after the 40 round break-in process, any reamer marks will be smoothed and fouling will become less prevalent. If it were chambered in a Weatherby round, you would always see more than typical fouling because the bullets are swaged in the throat. Your's is a standard (non-Weatherby chambering) so swaging does not occur and fouling should be less of an issue.


I'm just like you. I don't want a rifle or a handgun in my safes that doesn't shoot well. If the problem persists after Weatherby has certified it and you don't think you can live with it then I would initiate another conversation with Weatherby and persist in that conversation until you get the results that you want. Remember, anger begets anger so try to keep the conversation civil even though you'll probably be pretty pissed.
 

[terminator]

It seems you are very meticulous with your dealings. Who at Weatherby told you that you needed to pay $250 for a RC gun? I bet Adam Weatherby would like to know.

[ColdShot]

Good, solid scope rings are important. Maybe that'll do it.
Let us know how it performs for ya.


Locke

[DW5]

It seems you are very meticulous with your dealings. Who at Weatherby told you that you needed to pay $250 for a RC gun? I bet Adam Weatherby would like to know.

If his experience was like mine, I’m assuming he’s saying they wanted to charge him the 250 for inspecting the rifle and determining there was nothing wrong with it... I think

[nmatula]

Well, I'm happy to report that we had a good range experience and the gun shot well. I never let the barrel get hot, and the gun shot sub moa, and sighted in easily. So, It's either the new bases and rings did the trick, or when the barrel get warm it opens up, but my son really was set on using his rifle to hunt with this weekend, and I figured if we could get her zeroed in, he'd be good for stand hunting. We don't really target shoot anyway. The rifle finally may be settling in also. I ended up putting the last two shots through the same hole, and then let my son get son get some shots in. It could have been him, or he might have had a flier. No way to tell really. But I'm pleased, I think the rifle is fine. Now I pulled out my brand new Bergera 7mm Rem Mag to break in this weekend. Talk about an easy rifle to sight in. I had one box of Core Lokt, and durind the break in process I was zero'd by the 3rd shot. Every thing else was hit were you aim. Super impressed with Bergera.

[224KING]

While I was there I would have seen where the second and third shot landed if fired really fast.You never know on a hunt when a quick follow up,or 2,will be needed.

On another note; Not all people will shoot to the same place while shooting the same rifle at the same bench session.That's why whomever is going to hunt with the rifle needs to have it zeroed for his eye,and how he sets up on the cheek piece and the scope.

[terminator]

Sounds like good bases and rings solved your problem.
+1 on who will be doing the shooting needs to sight it in.
Good luck to your son and let us know how the hunt goes.

[nmatula]

I did the initial sighting in, but we were running low on the ammo the gun liked. He shot it several times, and he's a good shot. He put his shot right in and around the bull, except for one, which I think he might have pulled(first shot). Funny, I think he was a better shot when he was litte'r, he's 14 now. He's plenty good to nail a deer out to 175-200. Gun really likes the Sierra Game kings in Federal, and the Hornady Superformance seems to come in second. I guess I'll be doing my own scope mounting and bore sighting from now on........I do want to test the gun, later on, pushing it with a 3-5 shot group fired one after the other. He'll be fine to hunt this weekend. Just ran out of time.

[BB340]

Glad to hear you got it all sorted out and are happy. I am looking forward to hearing a hunt report on here when you and your son return from your hunt. Good luck on it.