Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Rem 700 CDL or a Weatherby Vanguard RC

I want to get my son a .257 roy. I keep hearing about how damn accurate the Weatherby's are out of the box. The range certified model comes with a pillar bedded green/black web B&C stock and a 24" barrel.

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/vanguard_2/rc

The 700 CDL is SS and has a 26" barrel. Not crazy about having a wood stock.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-700/model-700-cdl-sf.aspx


Price is about a wash and both are available for well under MSRP. I have this gut feeling that the 700 will be a hit/miss proposition as far as accuracy out of the box. Also, at the least that stock should probably get bedded.

On the other hand the Weatherby has a 24" barrel. Thinking I like the 26" better, but the stock is decent as is.

Opinions for and against are much appreciated.

Use: 99% hunting from tower stands overlooking ranges to 300-400+ yards. No carrying any appreciable distances. Gift to my son (will be 16) who will not do any tweaking to the rifle for quite a while, but will be a rifle he will keep for a long time.

If I were gifting, it'd be a 700 undoubtedly.

Those CDLs shoot lights out, from the .257s I've seen.

I would be surprised if you had accuracy issues with the 700, wood stock or no. I am not a huge fan of the B&C stocks, mainly because they don't have a particularly slim contour. The CDL stock feels much better in my hands.

It's mainly a matter of preference, either one is gonna be good.

I'll vote Vanguard, just for the one piece bolt and better extractor. The Howa action is high on my list.

I would forgoe the RC model though and get a standard SS version. You can put the $300-$400 saved into new glass or an even better stock than the B&C. Worst case scenario is that you buy the B&C stock and have a stainless version of the rifle you're looking at for a few less dollars. JMHO.

I think all Vanguards have a MOA guarantee anyway.

If your going the vanguard route why not get a series 2. Otto is right all vanguards have an MOA guarantee and you can use that extra money for a mcmillan edge stock instead of paying up for engravings and a BC stock.

Were it me I'd get the 700 though for aftermarket upgrades later on.

Both will work great.

You really need to put your hands on em. I cannot warm up to the club like feel of the Vanguards. They have 2 of the newer Vanguards in Stainless in 257 ROY at the Cabelas in Buda,TX and I fondled one last weekend as I hadnt seen a stainless one before. I swear that SOB feels like it weighs twice as much as my 700's and its thick throughout to the hands. I have no doubt they might shoot well but man I just dont like em, and thats officially the 3rd time I have had one of those in 257 Roy in my hands.

If your not crazy about the wood stock, buy the CDL SF and I'll sell you a NIB Olive McMillan Edge that'll be here next month. Just an option for you.

someone else,s opinion is about as useful in selecting a rifle that feels good in your hands as they might be in helping you select a first wife!
Ive owned and still own both remington 700 and real mark V weatherbys, but all my previous vangards have been passed on to others,you might feel the vangards just fine,
I would also not limit myself to only those two options.
Ive had a 25/06 browning 78 re-chambered to 257 wby and thats my favorite antelope rifle, so don,t limit your options, and I would not limit myself to looking at only a 257 roy, theres several other 25, 6.5mm and 277 calibers that will work similarly on game in the field

Bought one of the first CDL's made in 300 RUM. Lots of folks shot that rifle, including women, without discomfort. Very accurate. Got rid of it due to getting my ears rung a couple times while hunting in certain terrain.
The CDL stock is handier and soaks recoil. The 2" longer barrel aids in getting the noise away from the shooter.

The CDL is one of my favorite platforms. For bedding, you can probably do well just capturing the lug.

I ordered the CDL SF. Both rifles are the same price. He is going to wet himself when I give it to him later this summer.

Got the CDL SF in to today. Love the contour of the stock, and it balances well with that 26" barrel. I think it will fit my son well. I hope it's a shooter like my SPS .257 roy that has a Game Scout handle.

He'll be wondering where his Game Scout is Brace yourself for a trade offer

All kidding aside, make sure to take lots of pics when he gets it and dont forget to post 'em up!

Good choice, have yet to see a 700 in .257WBY that hasn't absolutely hummed with either a 100 or 115gr projectile. I absolutely love mine and it shoots sub 3/4" with boring regularity with the standard campfire load of 72gr R22 and the 100 TSX.

Brett, I hear ya! If he wants to go McM, he better start saving!

My SPS just does not want to shoot 100 grain bullets. I get .75" with a 110 accubond though. Hoping his rifle likes the same load. It will make things a lot easier for me.

Good choice Sako. The boy will be pumped for sure.

Sako, don't discard the 100 gr TSX's just cuz your SPS didn't like em, my SPS and CDL SF both shot them with amazing accuracy.

I will tell ya AlaskaCub, after "settling" for the 110 NAB, I won't look back. Took 3 deer at 300 yards and a Black Bear at 50. No failures of any kind. Although a small sample size, I am a fan.

You won't be sorry using Accubonds in any caliber.

Own 2 700s and 1 Vanguard.

Would take the Vanguard over the Remington ever time. Better overall design and build.

Well....good for you.

Sakoluvr - congrats! I bet you are bursting to give it to him. The CDL is a very good looking rifle, certainly the more handsome of the two. He will flip.

Sound like you both are lucky guys. Looking forward to picks.