Just back from a LONG day at the range putting a new Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Back Country rifle through its paces for an upcoming review. To cut to the chase, I'm impressed. Key specs: weight 6 3/4 lb.; 24 in. No.2 fluted CeraKoted barrel; caliber (as tested) 30-06; aluminum bedding block (announced as pillar bedded, but changed); trigger pull 2 lb. 10 oz.; three-position safety. Wind was a PITA, varying 0-15 mph. Tested six different factory loads, 150-168 gr. Average for ALL groups fired was 1.1 inch. Velocities for all but one load were mildly faster than advertised.

Biggest takeaway: This rifle purely loves mid-weight copper. Federal Trophy Copper 165 gr. averaged 0.87 in. with a best group of 0.27 in. Barnes VOR-TX 168 gr. TTSX averaged just 0.64 in. with a best group of 0.35 in.

A few photos:

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If you're fixin' to put a hole in something,
make it a hole to remember.