Weatherby Vanguard Safari 375 H&H... it's a ghost

[PHILIP~777]

Weatherby (Howa) only made 99 Vanguard Safaris in 375 H&H. They are impossible to find. I had to import mine from Canada. There is much misinformation on this thread in regards to availability and pricing. Below is a pic of mine after a trip to NECG for barrel band swivel and Timney trigger installations. For what it's worth, I have turned down 3x some of the above appraisals. View attachment 501660

Nice one ! I didn't see the picture when I responded earlier because I was using my phone.
Yep, that's exactly the same as mine, with the exception of the sling mount on the barrel.
Mine doesn't have the barrel sling mount. Re The appraisals... yes indeed as would I. .
Is that still the standard factory rear sight?
Thanks again.

 

[PHILIP~777]

You might look at numrich for a stock

Thanks I will have a look.

 

[PHILIP~777]

Do you need a new stock?

Don't 'need' one as such. Would be nice to have a second stock that's all.

 

[dougfinn]

Bought one a few years ago. Well made rifle and good accuracy. I think I paid $850 cdn. It was very muzzle heavy so I removed the recoil pad and inserted 15.5 ounces of lead in the hollow chambers of the butt stock. Glued it in with silicone. It not only balanced the rifle perfectly, the added weight helped absorb recoil, and being balanced it handled much better and almost made it feel lighter. These rifles came from the factory too light for this caliber, in my opinion. Eventually sold it and bought a Winchester Safari Express also in .375 H&H which I traded in on an Anschutz in 9.3x62. I think I’ll keep this one.

 

[PHILIP~777]

Bought one a few years ago. Well made rifle and good accuracy. I think I paid $850 cdn. It was very muzzle heavy so I removed the recoil pad and inserted 15.5 ounces of lead in the hollow chambers of the butt stock. Glued it in with silicone. It not only balanced the rifle perfectly, the added weight helped absorb recoil, and being balanced it handled much better and almost made it feel lighter. These rifles came from the factory too light for this caliber, in my opinion. Eventually sold it and bought a Winchester Safari Express also in .375 H&H which I traded in on an Anschutz in 9.3x62. I think I’ll keep this one.

G'Day dougfinn,
Thanks for the reply. Good information and makes perfect sense.
Mine comes in at 4kg exactly (8.818lb) unloaded i.e. no ammo.
Suspect it's almost bang on 9lb once I fill it up.
I have seen information somewhere (maybe Potterfield), where someone routs out the fore-end and epoxy's in some weight up there. I don't think it was on a Weatherby though...
But as you say, these Safari's tend to have more weight up front than behind.
Maybe the butt stock is the way to go if I decide to go down that path.
I'll put a few up the chimney and see how it handles first.
Thanks again.
Regards

 

[JHT]

Nice one ! I didn't see the picture when I responded earlier because I was using my phone.
Yep, that's exactly the same as mine, with the exception of the sling mount on the barrel.
Mine doesn't have the barrel sling mount. Re The appraisals... yes indeed as would I. .
Is that still the standard factory rear sight?
Thanks again.

It is the standard factory rear sight. I planned on upgrading to a three leaf; however, the high comb of the rifle makes it difficult for me to use with irons. It was also a bit of a business decision as with the cost of the updated sight, I would have had more in the rifle than I could ever get back. The reason I bought was because I was looking for a strong, accurate rifle that would enable me to shoot up to 300 yards on a 2023 buffalo, leopard, plains game hunt - a sort of dangerous game/plains game hybrid if you will. I have other 375’s and I’m not exactly sure which I’m taking; however, I will scope and shoot and see which gets the start. I also understand it’s a push feed rifle and that scares me zero. If you only knew what I had seen these actions do.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Call Weatherby directly. They will give the answers to all of your questions. I recall no business that has better customer service than they do.

Weatherby customer service is the best I’ve dealt with also.

 

[AZDAVE]

The barrel and action are the same as a Howa 1500, so you should have no problem finding an aftermarket stock that will fit the bill. The Vanguard is a solid rifle that will provide years of service. Good find

 

[Tgood1]

i currently use and absolutely love the vanguard dangerous game model in .375. i bought it as an introduction .375 but it fits me and shoots fantastic. No need to upgrade. Hell i use the cheaper 270 grain bullets from federal to hunt groundhogs and coyotes in prep for hunts.

 

[sierraone]

My son bought one of these (Vanguard Howa) with a plastic stock (my term on plastic) but its not wood) .300 Win Mag in late 2016 early 2017 to take to Africa on a trip with me. He put a high end tactical scope on it, (he knows how to use them), I don't. He paid $800 plus change for the rifle if I remember correctly. But it is a one hole puncher. Everything he shot (except) his pig, was a one shot kill at 250-350 yards. I won't even shoot at an animal that far away.

 

[JHT]

Speaking of a unicorn. Look what popped up today. Will be interesting to see where the market puts it.

Weatherby Vanguard Safari .375 H&H Magnum 24" - Used - Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com : 973595821

 

[PHILIP~777]

Speaking of a unicorn. Look what popped up today. Will be interesting to see where the market puts it.

Weatherby Vanguard Safari .375 H&H Magnum 24" - Used - Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com : 973595821

Well spotted JHT !
indeed it will be a good one to watch what happens.
Thanks for the heads up !!