Vanguard Stock Upgrade

woodlotowner

woodlotowner

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Haliburton County, Central Ontario
I have a Vanguard on its way here with a stock I am most certain I will not like/want. I would appreciate thoughts on any good upgrade options available in Canada. Thus will be a cerried bunting rifle, so a walnut or laminated would he good, as would a good quality composite stock. I've just not had any success in my search. I have purchased from Boyds in the (distant) past, but I don't know if this is still a viable option, considering the dollar and the import rules of late. All input appreciated.
 
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If I was buying a Vanguard, and wanted a better quality stock, I would look for either a used Range Certified .model, or an MOA model, both have fiberglass stocks. It's a shame, oth models have been discontinued. Aftermarket wise ,B&C is decent for a reasonable price.
 
I used a b+c on a vanguard for better than 10 years of hunting. It held up reasonably well. MDT makes a timber core? Stock I think it’s called. Looks nice but it’s more than a BC. Also peak 44 made by Weatherby makes a really nice stock.
 
I have several Vanguards, great rifles, and I have or have played with most of the stocks for them.
So here are my 2 cents, pro and con on each that I’ve played with:

Factory synthetic in either S1 or S2; they work as they should, the weight, balance and accuracy is all good as is the fit ( for me). Unfortunately they look like a cheap plastic stock and detract from the overall quality of the gun (my opinion, for most they still look nice).

MDT anything for the Vanguard; very well made, fair value for what is received and the fit has been excellent on the products I’ve used (Field/XLR/LSS). But they are heavy and in general they don’t fit the hunting I’d do. Range gun or plinking they’re really nice but for packing in the field I’d prefer something lighter and cleaner.

Boyd’s or factory laminates; they’re nice, fit hasn’t been an issue and they look great. Balance is good but they aren’t the lightest thing a guy can put on, not heavy and balance is good but they do raise the weight slightly. They are wood though so bedding and sealing the inlet and keeping up on the exterior takes more effort than some other options, not much, and not mandatory but not bad things to do.

Hogue rubberized; they’re nice and I think they come in 2 styles from what I’ve seen. One has a short aluminum bedding block and the other has a full length aluminum chassis hidden in it that I believe runs from the front sling swivel stud to the wrist. I have the heavier full length bedding block version and the fit is excellent but it did take some slight cutting to free float the barrel completely (rubber edges were just touching but a quick deburr fixed that). Quality overall is exceptional. Ergonomics fit me perfectly, and the grip in wet conditions is excellent. The balance is okay and the weight is not a concern, not a light weight but not a porker - it feels like what a hunting rifle should weigh to me. Carry’s packs and points as I like a hunting rifle to do. Downside, the rubber looks like rubber and is difficult to keep clean as everything sticks to it, wipe it with a wet rag and good enough but it still looks like rubber. In a stainless gun it is very utilitarian, but I like that.

B&C composite Stocks; they’re nice quality and the look is great, the fit is good but I did have to trim on bit of flash to get my floor plate to seat (one spot about an inch long, not a big thing). It’s a fairly light weight option and balance is no longer neutral on my rifle, it has moved to a slightly muzzle heavy balance - not a game changer or insurmountable but present. It exudes quality and I have no doubt it’ll outlast me, it appears very durable. The webbing sprayed on provides decent grip and looks good to me plus as a hard finish it is easy to keep clean. I think these stocks provide a really good value, probably the best overall of what’s out there depending on your intended use and preferences.
 
woodlotowner said:
I have a Vanguard on its way here with a stock I am most certain I will not like/want. I would appreciate thoughts on any good upgrade options available in Canada. Thus will be a cerried bunting rifle, so a walnut or laminated would he good, as would a good quality composite stock. I've just not had any success in my search. I have purchased from Boyds in the (distant) past, but I don't know if this is still a viable option, considering the dollar and the import rules of late. All input appreciated.
Click to expand...
Well, I have had several vangaurds over the years .
They all shot well, very well in fact and yet I moved them along for something else, go figure ?
Anyways, I tried a brand name stock from when No Sales Sports was around and didnt like the weight or the textured feel to it.
It did have an aluminum bedding block in it and did nothing the oem plastic stock did and I mean nothing.
I bought a wooden take off stock that was covered under warranty to the original owner (fancy walnut and black ebony type nose cap).
The stock had a small crack up forward and that was filled by me with some jbweld...you could see a thin line of gray jb where the crack was (attempted repair) that stopped the crack from running further.
Again it was a heavy piece of wood , but it looked nice and shot as well as the oem plastic stock...yet again that one moved along.
Right now I have a Brno 21H and a Browning X-bolt for big game so take my comments (heavier than other brands) for what they are.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
wasrupzuk said:
I have several Vanguards, great rifles, and I have or have played with most of the stocks for them.
So here are my 2 cents, pro and con on each that I’ve played with:

Factory synthetic in either S1 or S2; they work as they should, the weight, balance and accuracy is all good as is the fit ( for me). Unfortunately they look like a cheap plastic stock and detract from the overall quality of the gun (my opinion, for most they still look nice).

MDT anything for the Vanguard; very well made, fair value for what is received and the fit has been excellent on the products I’ve used (Field/XLR/LSS). But they are heavy and in general they don’t fit the hunting I’d do. Range gun or plinking they’re really nice but for packing in the field I’d prefer something lighter and cleaner.

Boyd’s or factory laminates; they’re nice, fit hasn’t been an issue and they look great. Balance is good but they aren’t the lightest thing a guy can put on, not heavy and balance is good but they do raise the weight slightly. They are wood though so bedding and sealing the inlet and keeping up on the exterior takes more effort than some other options, not much, and not mandatory but not bad things to do.

Hogue rubberized; they’re nice and I think they come in 2 styles from what I’ve seen. One has a short aluminum bedding block and the other has a full length aluminum chassis hidden in it that I believe runs from the front sling swivel stud to the wrist. I have the heavier full length bedding block version and the fit is excellent but it did take some slight cutting to free float the barrel completely (rubber edges were just touching but a quick deburr fixed that). Quality overall is exceptional. Ergonomics fit me perfectly, and the grip in wet conditions is excellent. The balance is okay and the weight is not a concern, not a light weight but not a porker - it feels like what a hunting rifle should weigh to me. Carry’s packs and points as I like a hunting rifle to do. Downside, the rubber looks like rubber and is difficult to keep clean as everything sticks to it, wipe it with a wet rag and good enough but it still looks like rubber. In a stainless gun it is very utilitarian, but I like that.

B&C composite Stocks; they’re nice quality and the look is great, the fit is good but I did have to trim on bit of flash to get my floor plate to seat (one spot about an inch long, not a big thing). It’s a fairly light weight option and balance is no longer neutral on my rifle, it has moved to a slightly muzzle heavy balance - not a game changer or insurmountable but present. It exudes quality and I have no doubt it’ll outlast me, it appears very durable. The webbing sprayed on provides decent grip and looks good to me plus as a hard finish it is easy to keep clean. I think these stocks provide a really good value, probably the best overall of what’s out there depending on your intended use and preferences.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for the comprehensive review! Your insights are appreciated as well. After all the excellent input I have received from a number of members, I'm going to go with the B&C. MDT is a fine stock too, as noted by Grain, but not my style for a hunting rifle. Thanks again.
 
FLHTCUI said:
Well, I have had several vangaurds over the years .
They all shot well, very well in fact and yet I moved them along for something else, go figure ?
Anyways, I tried a brand name stock from when No Sales Sports was around and didnt like the weight or the textured feel to it.
It did have an aluminum bedding block in it and did nothing the oem plastic stock did and I mean nothing.
I bought a wooden take off stock that was covered under warranty to the original owner (fancy walnut and black ebony type nose cap).
The stock had a small crack up forward and that was filled by me with some jbweld...you could see a thin line of gray jb where the crack was (attempted repair) that stopped the crack from running further.
Again it was a heavy piece of wood , but it looked nice and shot as well as the oem plastic stock...yet again that one moved along.
Right now I have a Brno 21H and a Browning X-bolt for big game so take my comments (heavier than other brands) for what they are.
Tight Groups,
Rob
Click to expand...
Rob,

Yep, B&C it is then...as a second choice to some nice walnut. 😋 Still riding? I've been out exactly 4 times this season. ☹️. Keep 'er vertical.

Brendan
 
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