I think the Vanguards are actually Howa 1500 actions. That action has generated some very positive press over the years. It is a low cost reliable and functional action.

Weatherby is adept in the white labelling game. They own the MKV design and then others have historcially done the build under contract. I have a lovely newer MK XXII. It has lovely lumber and follows the Weatherby style reasonably closley, and uses an Anshutz 64 barreled action rebranded as a Weatherby. It is quite a pleasure to shoot and is one of the most accurate .22s I have ever fired, but it’s not really a Weatherby other than in name.

Roy was a spectacular and shameless marketer, and the company continues with his legacy in that regard. Correct me if I’m wrong but Roy was smart enough to hire a really good mechanical engineer to design his MK V action which he then flogged far and wide as the greatest thing since sliced bread. I have only one MK V now, an Ultramark in .257 that has exceptional lumber. It shoots maybe 1.5 MoA, but it sure is pretty, ergo I can’t bring myself to part with it in spite of the ho hum accuracy.