My go-to rifle, the one I would grab if I had no idea where in the world I was going to hunt, or what species I’d be hunting, the extension of my body is a Weatherby Vanguard Chambered in .300 WBY Mag. Nicknamed “Tooth”, this rifle has provided one gun performance on 3 continents and brought down diverse game at many different ranges in many different climates. I cannot express more affection for any other piece of equipment in my hunting career.

I was in my early 20’s when my dad told me about this rifle. He had spoken to a friend of a friend who was going to have it at a gun show the following weekend. He always wanted a Weatherby (A German made Mark V was his true desire), and thought we should have a look. I remember holding it for the first time. I didn’t care for the synthetic stock, but it felt solid in my hands. It was topped with a 2×7 Redfield and I thought about the reach of a .300 WBY Mag and decided it would need new optics. I liked smooth bolt rotation, and it reminded me of my dad’s old Winchester Model 70 (chambered in .300 H&H). I also liked the light Timney trigger the previous owner installed…

… Like a needle ripping across a record I came back to reality when dad asked what I thought… I was upgrading this rifle and calling the owner “previous” in my mind, but had yet to hear the price, or assess if the small amount of cash I had with me was adequate to buy it. I told him I liked it, but then pointed out my issue with the synthetic stock. The owner grinned and told me I had done my homework…

“The stocks on Vanguards have a lot of rub” he said. “They definitely bring your accuracy down and a lot of guys will replace them. I’ve never really used her beyond 150 yrds and its been fine for me… But not a tack driver.” He explained.

I was feeling pretty good about myself at this point. I didn’t care for the way the stock looked. I had no idea they were known for poor performance. I was able to keep my ignorance hidden and the negotiation went on. I believe we landed at $425 with 2½ boxes of ammunition. I was satisfied with the deal, but definitely lacking the necessary funds.

I had mixed emotions when my dad decided to purchase the rifle I couldn’t afford. I knew I’d get to shoot it and use it whenever I wanted, but I also wouldn’t be able to upgrade it to my specifications, and it wouldn’t be mine.

No matter how many quality or custom rifles I shoot or even own today, Tooth will always be my go-to rifle. It’s been there nearly since the beginning of my hunting career, and it was a gift from my dad as we walked out of that gun show; an early birthday present when he saw how excited I was by the prospect of owning it. I am admittedly a sentimental guy, and the way I acquired this rifle is very special to me.

Eventually I spent time and money improving this rifle, however it was more than capable the way I bought it. Nearly a decade after I got it I had not yet changed a thing and it performed admirably on my first safari.  I would trust my life to this rifle (and did once! …but that’s a story for another day.)

Today Tooth is topped with a Leopold VX3 L scope with a 50mm objective and illuminated Boone and Crocket reticle. The barrel and action rest in a McMillan Sako Hunter stock in McWoody finish (I still don’t like the look of synthetic!). Honing and other improvements have also updated and improved performance of the action. I genuinely believe that this rifle is more capable then I am at this point, so the upgrades are complete …for now.

In future posts I will be sure to write about the selection process for the optics and stock for this rifle and others. I will also write about why I believe the .300 WBY Mag is the ultimate all-around caliber for me, and the experience noted above in a post titled “Wildebeest Charge!”