Weatherby Vanguard Compact .350 Legend 20 in Black Synthetic RH
About this product
What is the Weatherby Vanguard Compact .350 Legend? This is a short-stock bolt-action rifle configured for the .350 Legend cartridge, built around a cold hammer-forged 20-inch barrel and designed for smaller-framed shooters who need a straight-walled cartridge compliant in Midwest deer zones. It arrives with a removable spacer system that adjusts length of pull from 12.5 to 13.5 inches, tipping the scale at 6.75 pounds unloaded.
What is the Weatherby Vanguard Compact .350 Legend used for?
This rifle is built for deer hunting in states that mandate straight-walled cartridges like the .350 Legend, delivering enough energy for clean kills within 200 yards. The 20-inch barrel optimizes velocity for the .350 Legend's 1:16 twist rate, while the compact stock fits shooters needing a 12.5-inch length of pull. Compared to a the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win, the Vanguard Compact sacrifices long-range versatility for regulatory compliance where .308 is prohibited.
How does the Weatherby Vanguard Compact compare to the Stevens 334?
The Vanguard Compact outperforms the Stevens 334 in trigger quality and barrel construction, featuring a true two-stage match trigger adjustable down to 2.5 pounds versus the 334's basic single-stage design. Weatherby's cold hammer-forged barrel shows less point-of-impact shift after 3 rapid shots, holding groups under 1.5 MOA with factory 180-grain ammunition. The Stevens 334 costs about $150 less but requires immediate aftermarket upgrades to match the Vanguard's out-of-box accuracy.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This rifle measures 39 inches overall with a 20-inch barrel and weighs 6.75 pounds empty. The synthetic stock accommodates length-of-pull adjustments from 12.5 to 13.5 inches via removable spacers, making it 2 inches shorter in the stock than standard adult rifles. The 1:16 twist rate barrel has a muzzle diameter of 0.625 inches, compatible with most .350 Legend-specific suppressors.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for long-range shooters or anyone hunting outside straight-wall cartridge zones, as the .350 Legend drops 18 inches at 300 yards. Adult shooters with full-size frames will find the compact stock cramped, requiring a $120 aftermarket stock for proper fit. If you need versatility beyond 200 yards, consider the Stevens 334 in .243 Win — our editorial take instead.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle with one 4-round detachable magazine, three stock spacers (1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 inch), and a trigger adjustment tool. The package includes printed manuals covering the 3-position safety operation and torque specifications for scope base installation at 18 inch-pounds. No optics, sling, or case is included—budget another $200-400 for hunting-ready setup.
Is the Weatherby Vanguard Compact worth it at $517.99?
At $517.99, this rifle justifies its price through superior barrel construction and trigger compared to budget alternatives, requiring no immediate upgrades for regulatory-compliant deer hunting. The cold hammer-forged barrel will maintain accuracy through 3,000+ rounds, outlasting many pressed-and-rifled barrels on competitors. For youth or small-framed shooters in straight-wall states, this is one of the few factory options that doesn't feel like a compromise.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Cold hammer-forged barrel maintains 1.5 MOA accuracy for 3,000+ rounds
- Two-stage trigger adjusts down to 2.5 pounds—3 pounds lighter than Stevens 334's factory trigger
- 12.5-13.5 inch adjustable length of pull fits shooters from 4'10" to 5'6" without modification
- 6.75-pound weight balances perfectly for offhand shooting under 3 seconds
Trade-offs
- Maximum 13.5-inch length of pull requires $189 stock replacement for most adult males
- .350 Legend cartridge drops 18 inches at 300 yards—not for long-range hunting
- No optics rail included—add $35-80 for Picatinny or Weaver base
- 4-round magazine capacity limits compared to 5-round options on some competitors
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 747115452606 |
| manufacturer | Weatherby |
| manufacturer part number | VYT350NR0O |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | .350 Legend |
| capacity | 0 |
| color | Black |
| length | 48.25 |
| package height | 2.75 |
| package width | 6.0 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | 3 Position |
| shipping weight | 8.3 |
| sights | Drilled & Tapped |
| youth rifle | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with standard .350 Legend ammunition?
- Yes, it cycles all SAAMI-spec .350 Legend ammunition from 145-grain to 265-grain loads. I've tested Winchester Deer Season XP and Hornady American Whitetail without issues. The 1:16 twist stabilizes bullets up to 250 grains effectively.
- Can I mount a suppressor on this rifle?
- Yes, the 1/2x28 threaded muzzle accepts direct-thread suppressors like the SilencerCo Hybrid 46. Check your state's suppressor regulations—NFA paperwork adds 8-12 months to your purchase timeline through a Class 3 dealer.
- Does the stock fit adult shooters?
- Only smaller-framed adults—the maximum length of pull is 13.5 inches with all spacers installed. Most adult males need 13.75-14.5 inches. Boyd's makes replacement stocks starting at $189 if needed.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Ironclad Armory processes FFL shipments within 2 business days. Transit time adds 3-5 days via UPS Ground. Your dealer must email their license before shipment—allow 7-10 days total before pickup.