Howa 1500 Weatherby Vanguard bolt question.

[Buster95]

Probably a dumb question but I just received my Howa 1500 in 375 Ruger and I have noticed that the 3 gas vent holes on the bolt body are under the bolt (6 o'clock) and the 3 gas vent holes on the Weatherby Vanguard are on the side (3 o'clock) why such a difference both gun are made by Howa? Is there any advantage to one design vs the other?

 

[FLHTCUI]

I can not answer your question.
But, I will second that observation.
My simple coffee addled mind wants to say the 3 o'clock position is better(safer) in the event of a catastrophic case failure in the chamber and gases/debris being forced out at the side opposed to the mag well.
Very interesting observation.
Rob

 

[hookedonblacktail]

Just guessing but maybe they do it at weatherby's request as weatherby likes to say the vanguard is built to weatherby specs, even though howa had that design before weatherby got involved. Same situation with the barrels as well, 22" on standard cartridges in the howa and 24" all around on the vanguard. Regardless I'll bet you just got yourself a very good rifle for what you paid, I'm a big fan of the vanguards now.

 

[Buster95]

Paid $499 for it (Irunguns) mine has a 24" barrel and the barrel is drilled and threaded for iron sights!!! I just checked Irunguns site and they still have one at $474.99.

With the Howa and the 3 gas vent holes facing down into the mag well in the event of a catastrophic case failure what happens to the cartridges still in the mag, the follower and the floor plate?