opposed locking lugs at the head of the bolt also are massive, and except for a small anti-bind groove in the right-side lug, perfectly symmetrical. The long, pivot-type extractor is similar to that of the M-16, so it too has stood the test of time and then some. Ejection is courtesy of the familiar spring-powered plunger in the lower left quadrant of the recessed bolt face. The bolt body carries seven extremely shallow flutes 3.3"


in length, and just ¹⁄₁₆" wide, so their primary function is to reduce surface area (friction), and collect dirt and keep it off the raceway rather than for weight-saving purposes. When the action is closed, three vent holes in the bolt body are exposed at the loading port. These vents, coupled with the flutes, lend a family resemblance with the Vanguard’s big brother, the Mark V Magnum. The shroud at the rear of the bolt, along with the cocking piece and firing pin, can be pulled free of the bolt body without tools. The bolt stop/release is essentially the same as that of the Winchester Model 70 in that it is a one-piece sheet metal affair with an upward extension that ends in a small, serrated button just behind the receiver bridge. Depressing the button pivots the whole piece downward out of the left lug raceway. It’s as simple as it is effective. The diameter of the receiver ring and top surface contour


of the receiver bridge are identical to those of the Remington 700, as is the tapped hole spacing for scope ring bases. That means that one’s choice of scope mounting systems is more extensive than for any other sporting rifle. The new Series 2 user-adjustable trigger is an excellent


one, and it’s housed within a massive, non-ferrous casting. It’s a two stage affair, which has a take up of about ¹⁄₈" before actual


engagement. Weatherby says: “Each trigger is hand-honed, factory-tuned for a clean, crisp break.” That certainly was the case with the test gun; the trigger broke at just over 2¹⁄₂ lbs. (the lower limit of its adjustment range), and there was no creep that I could detect. The three-position side safety locks the bolt when it’s fully rearward, but allows the action to be cycled with the safety still engaged when in its middle position. A couple of years ago detachable magazines were intro-


duced to the Vanguard line, so today there’s a choice between that and the traditional fixed box with hinged floorplate. That’s one of the features that differentiates the 13 models that comprise the line. Our Stainless Synthetic comes standard with the latter, which is finished in a silver anodize to match the raw, matte- finished barreled action. The trigger guard and floorplate frame are one integral unit, with a separate, sheet metal magazine that is sandwiched between it and a skirt on the underside of the receiver. To ready the test gun for a little range work we mounted


one of the new Leupold VX-2 scopes, in this case the 4-12x40, one of nine models that comprise this new line that has incor- porated many of the features found in its pricier VX-3 and VX-6 lines. The VX-2 line starts at $375 for the 1-4x50, to $562.50 for the 6-18x40. Real world prices, however, are considerably lower. To mount the scope I used Leupold’s QR system, which is one of my all-time favorite quick-detachable mount systems; it is so simple, strong, and it retains zero as well as any QD mount I’ve ever tried. Moreover, recoil forces are distributed to both rings equally, unlike the Redfield and similar systems. Anyway, I thought a fair test of Weatherby’s sub-MOA


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