Weatherby.com

It is best known for its Mark V Magnum rifles and the high-velocity cartridges pioneered by Roy Weatherby a half-century ago. But Weatherby Inc., now piloted by Roy's son Ed, has diversified to include a value-priced line of rifles bored for standard rounds and based on the excellent Howa action. Four years ago, the company began offering those Vanguards in .300 Weatherby. In 2005 the .257 Weatherby joined that stable. "Our best-selling Vanguard numbers are now the .300 Weatherby, .270, .30-06, .270 WSM and .257 Weatherby," says the firm's Aaron Smith.

This year there are two new Vanguards. The lightweight Back Country features a stainless steel action and fluted stainless barrel chambered in .257 and .300 Weatherby, plus .270, .30-06 and .300 Winchester Magnum. Its hand-laid, lightweight Bell &Carlson stock (black with gray spiderweb) keeps heft to a feathery 6 3/4 pounds. The less expensive Sage Country is essentially a Vanguard Synthetic with a desert-tan molded stock. It features blued chrome-moly steel. The triggers, says Aaron, have been much improved of late.

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