Vanguard Weight Reduction

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Kevan

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A recent acquisition, a Vanguard S2 in 240 Wby. with a Zeiss glass in Talley mounts tips the scale at 9 lbs.
My question is what can I do to drop a pound or more off it ?
I know there is the option of a lighter Wildcat stock but can I do anything else ?
Without taking the stock off the Vanguard and weighing it I don't know how much the actual weight would be reduced by re-stocking.
 
I may be wrong but I don't think wildcat does a vanguard stock. It's where you want to start looking at shedding weight though. The bottom metal is quite a heavy piece as well, I think I lost 3-4oz changing to the legacy unit.
 
I don't see the Vanguard S2 being in the light-weight class. Be interesting to see what can be reasonably done with it.
 
First step is definitely to take the stock off and weigh it. I would weigh the bottom metal too, there are some DM kits for the Vanguard IIRC and there may be weight savings there.

Next is shorten the barrel, but in 240 bee I sure would keep it as long as possible.

Slab the action, flute the barrel and bolt. Definitely into diminishing returns territory there though.
 
The Vanguard "backcountry" model has a carbon fiber stock and fluted barrel (still 24").

That model shaves a full pound off the typical Vanguard weight (6 1/2 lb Backcountry vs 7 1/2 Synthetic) so you do have some options. Just may end up costing you more than selling it and going with a lighter rifle "off the shelf".
 
cam1936 said:
First step is definitely to take the stock off and weigh it. I would weigh the bottom metal too, there are some DM kits for the Vanguard IIRC and there may be weight savings there.

Next is shorten the barrel, but in 240 bee I sure would keep it as long as possible.

Slab the action, flute the barrel and bolt. Definitely into diminishing returns territory there though.
Click to expand...

The stock weighs 2 lb. 4 oz.
I did not weigh the bottom metal.
 
Legendary Arms or LAW makes the stock that comes standard on the Howa Alpine. I haven't tried to get one yet...might be worth looking into. I think it was 20-23oz range.
 
calvados.boulard said:
If you have the hinged floor plate magazine, you can swap it out for the detachable magazine and save around 1lb give or take.

Thanks,
Cal.
Click to expand...

No way you can shave a pound swapping out the hinged floor plate and internal magazine, it doesn't even weigh that much to start with. Floorplate is steel, as is the magazine box and spring. The triggerguard is aluminum and the follower is plastic, so not much savings there.
 
It's possible wildcat may eventually do a vanguard mold. I spoke to him a while back and IIRC he said he had done one in the past as a one off but is just not set up for it yet for production. He seemed positive though....didn't say he absolutely couldn't do one for me.....Perhaps more inquiries to him will bring him to have mercy on us vanguard owners. They're brilliant rifles but yes those actions do start out a little heavy, would be nice to see some more aftermarket stuff......like a PT&G aluminum bottom metal comes to mind.
 
Its a tough call, I cannot do too much without having a negative effect on accuracy.
Taking 4" off the barrel reduces weight and seriously hurts performance.
I think fluting the barrel is out of the question because the barrel is thin.
Budget - wise restocking will set me back nearly $ 900, equaling my current investment in the rifle and stretching the Old Age Pension cheque to the point of being hazardous to my health.
Possibly the best solution is to leave it as is, but I want to say a big Thank you to all for the suggestions, I do appreciate..
 
I think a few of the Boyd's stocks are a little lighter than the original Vanguard, maybe someone has some info on recent Boyd's purchases? I think I shaved about 8 ounces off with a mag kit and a Boyd's stock but that was a Vanguard 1 and a few years ago.
 
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