Advice for vertical stringing on Vanguard

powdergun

powdergun

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Just got back from the range with the new Vanguard S2 in 7 08. Four shots and I was on the black so timefor a group or two.

This is a new gun so I put together a dozen medium loads behind 140 gr sierras
and went out to get to know the gun.

I haven't started load development and was not expecting much but the results of a couple 3 shot groups was interesting. The left and right was perfect with less than 1/8 of an inch variation but they stretched vertically over 4".

I know what I am doing regarding the bench rest, scope mounting etc.... so what I was wondering if anyone else had this issue with the S2's straight out of the box ? The stock has a bit of flex on the forend and is tight on the barrel.

Seems like this should be a simple fix.

I'm thinking

1) Try other load of course
2) or perhaps opening up the barrel channel a wee bit to reduce the forearm pressure.

Load 40 grs IMR 4064 140 gr sierra Brand win new brass.


Thought and experiences welcome...
 
acraglass.jpg


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I wish I was smart enough to start right off the bat with a floated/bedded gun. But I'm dumb and I try to make it work, then bed and or float and say "#### I shoulda done that right off the bat..."

Its like 30$ for an acraglass kit. 15$ for a jobmate dremel. Go to town, don't be shy. If you screw up just dremel it out and do it again :)
 
I've bedded a few guns but am hoping she'd be ok without. This gun has a synthetic stock. Any issues with bedding on synthetic as I've only worked with wood ?
 
I would open up the barrel channel and try that before doing anything else. I only like to make one change at a time, if that works great. If more work is neeeded then glass bed maybe add pillars.
 
At least float the barrel. If it still strings, then bed it. I have had rifles go from stringing to nice little sub-moa triangles, just by floating the barrel. Likely the stock has a pressure point under the barrel that is pushing up as it heats up.
 
Finally made it back to the range to work on the problem.

I pulled the stock off and re -torque it down is instructed in the manual. Results were mixed but I did learn a couple of things.

Hotter loads shot better big time.

I used some 139 hornady interloks in all the loads. ( didn't want to burn up the good stuff)

42 gr IMR 4064 and 42 gr of IMR 4895 gave me 1.5 to 2 inch groups.

43 gr of both powders gave me sub minute groups ( Finally )

Stringing seems to be gone. This is a sporter weight barrel so I only shot three shot groups with a good wait time between shots and groups. The gun looks like a keeper and I love the 7 08. It's a real pleasure to shoot.

Conditions were too windy for a really good evaluation and I would like to try some 120 gr bullets. I shot some 154 gr SST's out of the gun but it only shot 3" groups at best.

Does anyone have any experience with 120 gr bullets in the 7 08 ?
 
blargon said:
Likely the stock has a pressure point under the barrel that is pushing up as it heats up.
Click to expand...

My 700 Lss Thumbhole 300RUM has this and it actually shot worse when it was removed and floated.
Smith had to reinstall it to spec. Also got it bedded while it was in the shop.
 
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