NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION
The Vanguard MeatEater Edition is the culmination of in-field experience, trends, and MeatEater’s personal touches rolled into a collaboration between two top brands in the outdoor industry.
*WEATHERBY.COM PURCHASE REQUIRES 120 DAY DELIVERY TO SELECTED FFL*
Barrel/Receiver/Bolt/Bolt Knob/Safety – Tungsten Cerakote
Stock – Black, raised Monte Carlo stock with gray and brown sponge accents
The Vanguard MeatEater Edition is the culmination of in-field experience, trends, and MeatEater’s personal touches rolled into a collaboration between two top brands in the outdoor industry. Full Tungsten Cerakote® finish on barreled action to prevent corrosion while accenting the spiral fluted #2 contour barrel. Lightweight and effective, the Vanguard MeatEater Edition features a unique color pattern that highlights the current trends of gray and brown accents on a black stock base. The black Cerakote® fluted bolt matches the MeatEater logo located on the floorplate. The 1/2x28tpi threaded barrel with included seamless thread protector gives options for future Accubrake ST or suppressor installation.
MEATEATER RIFLE EXCLUSIVELY FOUND AT SPORTSMAN’S WAREHOUSE LOCATIONS
CANADA RESIDENTS: EXCLUSIVELY SOLD TO DEALERS THROUGH NORTH SYLVA
WEATHERBY.COM PURCHASE REQUIRES 120 DAY DELIVERY TO SELECTED FFL
Cerakote is the industry leading thin-film ceramic coating. The Cerakote unique formula enhances physical properties including wear, corrosion, and chemical resistance while improving impact strengths, and hardness.
All Vanguard® rifles are guaranteed to shoot a 3-shot group of .99” or less at 100 yards (SUB-MOA) from a cold barrel when used with Weatherby® factory or premium ammunition within Two-Years of Verified Purchase Date to Original Purchaser.
Robust adjustable match quality, two-stage trigger (adjustable down to 2.5 lbs.) with a clean break.
Safely unload rifle or have bolt locked. 3-position safety allows for two safe positions to ensure bolt is locked.
Raised comb, Monte Carlo “A” grade Turkish walnut stock with a satin urethane finish.
Cerakote is the industry leading thin-film ceramic coating. The Cerakote unique formula enhances physical properties including wear, corrosion, and chemical resistance while improving impact strengths, and hardness.
Technical information on each MeatEater Edition chambering
| Caliber | Weight | Overall Length | Mag capacity | Barrel Contour | Barrel Threads | Barrel OAL | Twist Rate | Length of Pull | Drop @ Comb | Monte Carlo | Drop @ Heel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .243 WIN | 7lbs. | 44.5“ | 5+1 | #2 | 24" | 1:10“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ | |
| .257 WBY MAG | 7.15lbs. | 46.5“ | 3+1 | #2 | 26" | 1:10“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ | |
| .270 WIN | 7lbs. | 44.5“ | 5+1 | #2 | 24" | 1:10“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ | |
| .30-06 SPRG | 7lbs. | 44.5“ | 5+1 | #2 | 24" | 1:10“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ | |
| .300 WBY MAG | 7.15lbs. | 46.5“ | 3+1 | #2 | 26" | 1:10“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ | |
| .300 WIN | 7.15lbs. | 46.5“ | 3+1 | #2 | 26" | 1:10“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ | |
| .308 WIN | 7lbs. | 44.5“ | 5+1 | #2 | 24" | 1:10“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ | |
| 6.5 CREEDMOOR | 7lbs. | 44.5“ | 4+1 | #2 | 24" | 1:8“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ | |
| 6.5 PRC | 7lbs. | 44.5“ | 3+1 | #2 | 24 | 1:8“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ | |
| 6.5-300 WBY MAG | 7.15lbs. | 46.5“ | 3+1 | #2 | 26 | 1:8“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ | |
| 7MM REM | 7.15lbs. | 46.5“ | 3+1 | #2 | 26" | 1:9.5“ | 13.5“ | .75“ | .5 | 1.25“ |
Technical information on each MeatEater Edition chambering
| Weight | N/A |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | N/A |
| Caliber | 240 WBY MAG, 243 WIN, 257 WBY MAG, 270 WIN, 30-06 SPRG, 300 WBY MAG, 300 WIN, 308 WIN, 6.5 CREEDMOOR, 6.5 PRC, 6.5-300 WBY MAG, 7MM REM |
I’m wild about technology, especially when it can help me with a little weight loss. With a light carbon fiber composite stock and strategic fluting on my barrel, I’m a lot easier to carry on challenging big game hunts.
I was born in the backlands. Flatlands bore me. Give me mountains. Put me to the test on rugged ridges. Trust me in the harshest environments on planet earth. Hunting that country is what I live for – just like you.
The Vanguard Badlands is the first production rifle to appear in the popular Badlands Approach® camo. The Approach pattern uses adaptive coloration to construct a neutral color palette that adapts to your surrounds and lighting conditions.
Barrel/Receiver/Trigger Guard – Burnt Bronze Cerakote
Stock – Polymer Monte Carlo, Badlands Approach camo pattern
*As of 07/01/2024 the Weatherby Vanguard will now come standard with a threaded barrel. There are still options without a threaded barrel available until inventory is sold out. Some barrel lengths have also changed. Please view tech specs below for updated information.
Andy McBride –
I’ve had this rifle over a year now and given it is now a ‘legacy’ rifle, I feel quite lucky to have one. It is a brilliant rifle and very much punches above its weight. Despite being a hunter, it still holds its own on the range (always the most attractive rifle out of the bag whenever I’m at the range with my mates). I’ve had good consistency with entry level factory ammo out to a 1,000 yards. Yes, it’s never going to be a high volume shooter (was never designed to be), but it’s consistency at long range gives me huge confidence in its ability as a mid-range hunter. It’s very simple to use, really easy to maintain and doesn’t seem particularly fussy about ammo either (6.5 creedmoor if you were wondering). Only issue I have found is that with a 20MOA picatinny rail added and a 50mm scope, I needed to add my own cheek riser as the monte carlo was coming up short. Haven’t had a single jam, misfeed or light strike in over 450 rounds. Being based in the UK, changing a gun can be a slow and tedious process – which is something I don’t think I need worry about with this piece of kit.
onesolohunter –
The rifle is no longer in production but I was able to get the 6.5 Creedmoor version from Sportsman’s Warehouse still.
I spent a couple days breaking in the barrel according to the recommended specifications from Weatherby and so far I am very happy with it. It’s a soft and accurate shooter. It’s a little heavy out of the box, and then I topped it with a Vortex Crossfire II 4-16X50 scope, so it’s got some weight to it. Not a bad thing in my opinion. It’s a deer stand rifle for me mostly, but even still, I wouldn’t mind taking it on a backcountry style elk hunt.
I’ve always wanted one of the Weatherby MeatEater editions since I enjoy watching the show. I would have gotten this in .308 had it been available, since I have never had a 6.5 before, but I am happy it’s in the 6.5 after all. With more shooting and practice, I am confident this will be my main hunting rifle for a long time.
There are only 2 things I wish it had:
1.) A spiral fluted bolt to match the spiral fluted barrel.
2.) The MeatEater logo that has the skull with forks for antlers.
I a very happy with it still and would highly recommend the rifle if you can find one.
Pete D. –
I bought this rifle in 300 win mag. I have a Leupold VX-5HD scope mounted on it. At 200 yards I’m sub moa. Some shots are half moa. I dropped a bull elk at 250 yard with it. I like the light weight and it’s a beautiful rifle. I also have the accubrake on it. The 300 recoils like a 243.
Hawk –
Awesome rifle!! I have Vortex Venom on it and was comfortable shooting 500 yds and grouping them in an area size of a baseball. I will be taking on my first CO elk hunt in October, cannot wait!
Marcus W –
Awesome , under 1 inch group first 3 shots , barrel broke in beautifully. It feels balanced and quality the action is smooth and trigger pull is beautiful, with the muzzle break in 300 Win Mag it kicks less than my 308’s .
Ashton D –
This gun is awesome I just went on a mule deer hunt and killed a small buck it is light weight we averaged about three miles a day and I took a coupl falls with it on my back it rained some it got muddy but didn’t make a difference
Vaughn –
The Weatherby Vanguard MeatEater edition is one hell of a rifle. Mine is in 6.5 PRC, topped with a Swarovski 3.5X18 44 mm Z-5 scope with an Outdoorsman’s custom ballistic turret.
Bob Johns –
I looked at this rifle a lot at Sportsman’s Warehouse, and found an identical one (sort of) at my local Ace Hardware. Instead of being the actual Meat Eater Edition, my rifle is called the “Talus”. The rifle is identical in every way except for the cosmetic coloring.
I bought the .300 Win Mag and am very happy – Do yourself a favor, this rifle is only 8lbs with a scope… get the muzzle brake! After going through Weatherby’s recommended 40 round barrel break in process, I’m shooting groups less than 1″ at 100 yards. Needless to say, I’m totally satisfied and happy with this new rifle.
If you can find the Talus anywhere, GRAB IT! Highly recommend this rifle. I only hope my new Vanguard High Country shoots this good.
Curt Clifford –
Have a Vanguard in 25-06. Well under 1/2″ groups with hand loads and a Meat Eater in 257 Weatherby Mag. Also well under 1/2″ groups with hand loads.
I have a Vanguard Badlands on order in 7mm-08. I’m sure accuracy will be in line with my other Weatherby rifles
These rifles have triggers that are equal to and better than some other higher priced rifles that I own.
David Kelley –
I picked one of these up in the 6.5/300 a couple years ago. Roy new what he was doing back in the 50’s, when he designed it. I am grateful that Adam brought it to production. This is the fastest 6.5 – 264 cal. made on a assemble line and the most accurate. I can cover 5 shots with a dime, at 100yrd. Fit and finish is great for me also. All I needed to do was have a gunsmith adjust my trigger to 2lbs. Thinking alot about one in the Mark 5??? Thanks Weatherby team. Ps. A 240 with 8 twist barrel, that would be the fastest 6 m.m. production made rifle????
Eric –
Awesome gun! I got it chambered in 6.5 PRC. Its lightweight enough for back country high buck hunts in the wilderness areas here in WA state and also back country hunts Idaho. Very accurate with my Leupold VX-5HD CDS scope mounted on top. I’m looking forward to killing some bears, mule deer and elk with this gun.
Seth Hammon –
Great gun, lightweight and very accurate. I followed the break in procedures on the website and it shoots very well, well under 1 inch groups at 100 yards. I took a star because there was a burr in the throat that was causing the rounds to not extract, and had to have a gunsmith run a reamer in it to clear it out. Would still recommend this gun to anyone.
Matthew S Shover –
Great looking rifle, lightweight awesome shooting rifle. Looking forward to taking some whitetails with it this fall. Another great addition to my Weatherby collection.
Matthew S Shover –
Lightweight easy to carry, I have mine in the 7mm Remington Magnum. Beautiful rifle topped mine with a Zeiss scope, can cut holes with mine at 100 yards shooting 150 nosler partition reloads. Looking forward to taking it whitetail hunting this fall. Another get Weatherby hunting rife, that’s all I have in my gun cabinet!
Marley Malcolm –
Awesome rifle. Shot two Blackbears and it’s super lightweight.