Need help with a gun trade decision-.22-250 vs 7mm-08

[meat_in_the_pot3]

Alrighty so i am having a hard time making a decision here. I have a Win model 70 .22-250, its older, post 64 though, believe its around a 1978 model. Its in good condition but its nothing special, it is a great shooter though. Lately i have toyed around with the idea of trading it just to play around with a new caliber, and today i was offered a Weatherby Vanguard chambered in 7mm-08 Rem. Sounds like it is a fairly new rifle, and it also has a little better optics than my .22-250. What do ya guys think, anyone out there shooting a Vanguard 7mm-08? is it a good shooting gun? Sub MOA? I dont believe I have ever even held a Vanguard, are they well built? I will more than likely put a new thumbhole stock on it, probably a Stockey's as I had planned on spending the money on one anyhow if I was going to keep this .22-250. Any input would be greatly appreciated

[yorketransport]

I say go for it. The Vanguard is a good gun and the same action used on (I believe) the Howa 1500 with some slight changes. Most of the Vanguards I've seen shot pretty well, hanging right around 1 MOA with some doing much better.

See if you can take the 7mm-08 out to the range and see how it shoots first. If you don't like it, you're only out the cost of a box of shells.

Andrew

[Biggerhammer]

If I had the two in front of me I would opt for the 7mm-08.

[mountainman]

Yes, early vanguards were, along with the Smih and Wesson 1500, built y Howa. Is it a submoa model? These were simply the standard Vanguards that had better accuracy potential then the rest. I have seen some pf these shoot quite phenominally with select loads! On, a 300 WSM I owned, was a 1 holer all day with several different loads!retail value should hold slightley better with the Weatherby also.

[Skillet]

22-250 = single purpose hot rod on ho-hum platform (and I'm a Winchester guy)
7mm-08 = multi-purpose workhorse on reputable and slightly sexy platform.

 I'm taking the Roy all day long on this one.  Better optics is just an extra-sweet kicker.

[meat_in_the_pot3]

Just got some more info on the gun along with another picture of it, first one was hard to tell for sure what it was, its a Vanguard S-2 7mm-08 Carbine, so it only has the 20 inch barrel, kinda has me steered away from it now at this point, looks like guys are getting sub MOA outta them, I saw a video of a .6 inch group with factory rounds, but it was a Weatherby rep in the video so its hard saying how well the average one shoots outta the box I guess. Anyone out there shoot any of the carbine models with the shorter barrel instead of the standard 24 inch barrel, that short barrel length just has me a bit worried as to how well its going to shoot

[Mike450r]

In my experience non magnums are not really hindered much in performance by a shorter barrel.  I like the way a vanguard gets to my shoulder better than the model 70 so the vanguard with that barrel and caliber sounds like a sweet quick handling rifle to me.

[HawkCreek]

Why are you steering away from a 20" barrel? The length shouldn't affect accuracy as much as it will velocity you know.

Do you have a specific task in mind for the rifle or is it just scratching an itch for a new gun? I ask because a .22-250 is IMHO more of a nitch caliber than the 7mm-08. 

Most people I've talked to will tell ya that factory 7mm-08 ammo isn't the best for accuracy and that you'll need to handload to get the most out of that caliber. I've been stocking components for it but I haven't done any loading  yet.

[Bob33]

Should I get a wrench or screwdriver?

Those two calibers have distinctly different functions.

The inherent accuracy of most 22-250s is better than the inherent accuracy of most 7mm-08s.

A 22-250 that won't shoot around 1/2 MOA or better is often considered unacceptable. A 7mm-08 that shoots 1.5 MOA can kill deer at distances in excess of 400 yards.

A 22-250 is not legal for big game except cougar in Washington.

Most Vanguards shoot well but many factors besides the rifle have a bearing on accuracy.

[meat_in_the_pot3]

Bob33....I understand that the inherent accuracy of most 22-250's is better than that of most 7mm-08's, I also understand everything else you stated. Having multiple rifles that shoot 1/2 MOA or better I also understand that many factors go into it than just the rifle itself. I am not asking if I should " get a wrench or screwdriver" here, my original question was simply about the quality of the Weatherby Vanguard itself, and if anyone had shot one and how it performed.

Everyone else- Thanks for the input, I am just kinda scratching the itch for a new gun, something else to work up handload's for and play around with. I enjoy reloading and building up different loads, just something new to play around with really, but was just curious on the quality of the Vanguard and how well guys had seen them shoot. Thanks again everyone much appreciated

[Bob33]

If accuracy is the concern, choosing a rifle is a bit like choosing a wife - you won't know until.

Can you test fire it?

[meat_in_the_pot3]

Hahaha I suppose that is very true hahaha- I am sure I could swing some way to test fire it first, just thought I would get some opinions on it, see if anyone thought it was worth my time to go meet up with the guy and give it a look.

[BOWHUNTER45]

If I had the two in front of me I would opt for the 7mm-08.

X2 

[CAMPMEAT]

I have a Vanguard in 257 Weatherby mag. It was recommended by the websites owner, Dale. Never owned one before. It's a very nice, well built, accurate rifle. The ammo isn't cheap by all means. It's not cheap looking one bit. I'd go with the Weatherby. I've never owned a 7mm-08 , so I can't comment on that caliber.