Thoughts on Vanguard * Update with photos,w/range report

Kelly Timoffee

Kelly Timoffee

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Have a Vanguard in .270 to do some work to.

What is the general consensus on these rifles?

Gonna put on a Boyd's stock, bed/float and some trigger work.

Wondering what luck other's are having.Not my rifle , doing this for someone.
 
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Howa 1500 made in Japan.Anything mount wise that fits a Rem 700 is the same.Also tagged by Mossberg 1500 and S+W 1500.........a lot of gun for the $$$$$$$$ Harold
 
I got one in 223 the rifle is accurate but I don't like they're stock design,I will probably order a high tech specialities stock for it as a winter project.They're good rifle for the money imo.
 
I would maybe wait if you are looking for the new vanguards once they hit the stores in canada. They have updated the stock and trigger. Look at the vanguard website.
 
I bought one for my dad, but it is a sub moa with the the tan non-slip black spiderwebbing stock. I gave it a minnor trigger adjustment and it shoots great. Would I buy another one? No, the trigger is not super nice and it is heavy with a lonk 90 degree bolt throw. But it's a shooter. I can't find the link to the trigger job instructions but have it as a word file if you would like it.
Chad
 
The Howa rifles are great units for the price. Well-made, accurate and esthetically not bad at all.
Triggers are not the greatest, but a good smith,[or a timney] fixes that.
Just a comment on GRiNGo's post:
I cannot for the life of me understand how a 90º Bolt throw means anything at all, beyond personal preference.
All two-lug bolt actions have this, and they outnumber the 60º, three-lug, or multi-lug units by 100:1
I would be extremely surprised if anyone could prove they lost a game animal due to the 30º extra bolt lift.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
I'm on my second one. Very accurate, super-comfortable stock that is one of the best in terms of mitigating the effects of recoil, handles well, great value for money spent. Trigger not so hot, and cosmetic styling is a matter of personal preference (I like shooting the gun, but hate looking at it:D).
 
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Did this .300 Weatherby up in a Boyds JRS stock, with a Timney trigger and Leupold VX3 3.5-10.

Can't remember why; unless it was just curiousity about could be made out of a $500 rifle.
 
My youngest young'n wants a 257 Wby to play with, so he is looking for a Vanguard in such. Will watch this thread with interest. Now there is a real sweetheart in your pic, Dogleg
 
I have a SubMOA in .30/06 and have also owned them in .257 and .270 Wby magnum. Fantastic rifles for the money. Just get a Rifle Basix dropin trigger and you are good to go.
 
I've gto one in .257 and it's a great shooter. Howa makes a fine rifle, and the stock fits me well. My only problem is that the shape exacerbates muzzle rise on recoil, but it's only a .257 so not really bad at all. I might Boyd's it at some point, but mine has an excellent trigger.
 
I own a carbine in 308 and had one in 243. Both shoot well.

The trigger seems fine to me, but then again, I am not a competitive benchrest shooter either. I like their triggers better than Remington and the non-accutriger in savage. Have not tried the Marlins.

Again, for me, the trigger is not a deal breaker for me. If I was in need of another rifle, I'd be looking seriously at the new Vanguards when they hit the stores.
 
Well, there is a Boyd's light weight thumbhole on order and most likely a Sightron Big Sky II 3-9 x 42 for optics.I will report on the results after finishing and load development.
 
two-dogs said:
My youngest young'n wants a 257 Wby to play with, so he is looking for a Vanguard in such. Will watch this thread with interest. Now there is a real sweetheart in your pic, Dogleg
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Only downside is that the Vanguard in 257 only has a 24" bbl. If you really want to let loose with the 257, you need 26" minimum,IMO. I had a Vanguard in 257 and now have a Rem 700 CDL in 257 wby with the 26" bbl. I'm getting a difference of 100-150 fps across the board. Granted they are different rifles, but the bbl length seems to matter a lot with the 257.
Just my observations on the chronograph. :)
 
The rifles built on the Howa 1500 actions, are an excellent rifle for the price, regardless of the brand name that they wear. That includes the Vanguard, the Howa, Mossberg, or Smith & Wesson.
 
You won't believe that it just dropped right in, my last Boyd's did require some work.This one got a slight tweak on the barrel channel for clearance and then some bedding, that was it.I was very impressed.

444shooter said:
How much fitting did the stock require? Looks very nice. I have a few rifles with Boyds stocks and pretty decent for the money.
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Vanguards are pretty good rifles for the money. Indeed, having owned one and a couple Rem. 700s, I'd take the Vanguard every time.

My own experience (300 WM) was that free floating the barrel was essential. With the wood stock and it's built in pressure point, groups averaged about 2" to 3". That clinched the decision to upgrade to a synthetic. Went with a Pacific Research (now Borden), the very first group fired during sight in was 5/8"...with factory ammo.

Have since had it glass bedded, mostly just on principle. Has never missed a beat in any regard, and has become my go-to rifle.

Were I looking to do the same now, would go with Bell and Carlson with aluminum bedding...but only because HS Precision doesn't appear to make a stock for this rifle yet.

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I love the Vanguards. Got one in 300 Wby. Modified it to get the most out of the cartridge. Makes for an excellent rifle for blind hunting. Or any kind of hunting that doesn't require carrying for very far. :p It is about 16lbs loaded.

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30" heavy palma barrel
Holland quick discharge muzzle brake
Manners T5A stock

With 150gr Nosler ballistic silvertips I am breaking 3400fps with a relatively mild load of IMR 7828SSC powder.
With 210gr Matrix VLD's some early loads were breaking 3000fps with a very safe starting load of same 7828SSC powder.

I would like to get some time to try out H1000, H50BMG and some US869 and do complete load testing with them.
 
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