I have never owned a Howa but I think I may try one of these in .300 Win anybody had one? Opinions? Reviews?.......Thanks Hb

I recently bought a Vanguard Wilderness in .25-06. As I understand it, this is the same rifle without the cerakote. The fit and finish is nice. The weight is right at 8 pounds all up with a Leupold 4.5-14x40, 5 rounds, and a sling. The stock is comfortable when shouldered but a bit thick in the forend and down right fat at the wrist. So far, with 4 different factory loads (Federal 100 gn ballistic tips, 110 gn accubonds, 115 gn partitions, and 117 soft points) she is averaging 1.5 -3 inch groups. So, it may be a bit picky??

I bought one in .300 Win Mag shortly after they were introduced. It was a good rifle for me and accompanied me on several elk and deer hunts. After finding that I had a serious problem with my right shoulder that was exacerbated by recoil, I gave the rifle to my stepson, who still hunts with it.

Unlike me, he is a one-rifle guy, and the .300 Win Mag Backcountry has become his one rifle. He farms and ranches with his cousins, and he doesn't "baby" his rifles like I do--it rides in the cab of his pickup year round. His daughter used it yesterday to take a mule deer. When they came over to show us the deer, he left me with 120 fired cases to reload for him. I gave him a couple hundred reloads sometime during the early summer, so I know that he is shooting it and liking it.

Thanks Andrew, I knew the Backcountry had the B&C stock with the aluminum bedding block so I was afraid it might be just like the B&C stock on the Winchester Mod 70 Extreme Weather ( very thick in the wrist).....This is a dealbreaker for me as I just sold an as new excellent Mod 70 EW because the B&C stock is so thick.....Thanks Hb

HB I have said wby vanguard s2 backcountry in 257 bee that will put wby factory 110 accubonds in a 3 shot group@100yds in slightly less than 3/4" nicely triangled group. nicely balanced rifle but the howa/vanguard action is beefy but the fluted barrel helps offset that some. I like it and have had no issues. just check your action screws and torque em to 50in/lbs is where I found my best accuracy.
good luck,
Big Ed

HB the stock on the backcountry is very similar to the EW, I’ve been itching for a 257 Wby and the backcountry is one I was considering. Finally found one I could put my hands on and the stock is chunky just like the EW. Bummed me out as I was hoping it would be slimmer.

Yeah thats a shame as i think this could be a nice hunting rifle but stock ergo's are a big deal, a hunting rifle needs to feel right.....Hb

I have an original iteration Back Country in .30-06. All stainless, no Ceracote. If I could find another, I’d buy it.





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Yeah I would much rather have a stainless model, cerakote is good stuff but not an equal substitute for stainless.....cerakoted stainless would be optimal IMHO.......Hb

Look for an old Vanguard stainless, replace the trigger with a timney and put it in a Mcmillan Sako Classic pattern Edge. The old Vanguard SS is much better in the corrosion department then the new stuff.

300 WM, eh? Who'da thunk it......

Lmao! Thought I might try a Magnum cartridge for once and see how I like it......😁.....Hb

At least you're easy to shop for. 😜

Lol, sometimes i have been known to change it up and buy a .300 WSM....that is if im feelin wild and crazy ....😁.....Hb

My boy’s first two bucks.




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Excellent pics Pharmseller! Looks like some good times.....Hb