Weatherby Vanguard SUB-MOA .30-06 Springfield Black Rifle

ok, just picked this...

ok, just picked this gun up from buds at the begining of the month (march 08) and was a little disappointed when I saw the test target measured almost exactly .75 . I took the gun out to the range and loaded her up with the 150gr Federal SP. called weatherby first to find out the factory ammo shot and told them about the grouping. Weatherby said that if the gun did not shoot sub-moa then just return it for another. Well, i got to the range and put the gun on a harris 6-9 bipod and after sightnig in the scope (took 5 shots) I cleaned the barrel and then let cool while shooting other guns. I then shot 3 shots and checked them out. it was .35" spread. I then cleaned and shot another 3 and they spread to .42 (probably due to warm barrel). I decided to shoot some 180gr federal sp's (the el'cheapo's from wally world) and gues what! the first 3 shot group was .32 and actually approved to .28 for the second set. The weather was 60's and no wind on a sunny day down here in AZ. These kind of groups are something I would expect (and have) from my Surgeon rifle or custom 98 mauser vaminter. I took this gun out a second time with some handloads and mounted in a caldwell lead sled and the groups were a little wide so back to the benchto work on loads. shot some more of the factory 180gr federal sp from the sled and groups were holding tight and averaged .32 for the 5 sets of 3 shot groups. went back to the wally world and bought them out of their 180 gr 30/06 ammo that was the same batch. contacted federal and they are shipping the load info and I will share here when it arrives. I am sold on weatherby! the fit and finish was awsome and after the first 100 round down the pipe it is a great shoot ing gun! Now I am gonna try out the vanguard varmint in .308 JOE