Weight Reduction for a Vanguard

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Kevan

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One of my toys a Stainless Vanguard in 257 could use a weight reduction.
Out of the box with a laminate stock it weighs 8 lbs.
Scoped with a 2.5x16 Bushnell 6500 in Leupold mounts it is 10 lbs and to me that seems a tad heavy for a hunting rifle.
Assuming that the stock was at fault for the weight I pulled the synthetic stock off my 300 Vanguard and suprisingly both weigh the same.
Swapping the scope for a 3x9 Burris brought the scale down to 9 1/4 lbs. but I can pare a bit more off by using a set of Talley mounts, but probably after that all I could do is look for a lighter stock.
Ideally I'd like it to be somewhere between 8 and 9 lbs.
Compared to other makes the bottom metal ( trigger guard / floor plate ) seem heavy, but I don't know of a source for lighter.
The rifle is very accurate with almost any load tried and I'm not trying nor expect to make it as light as my 700 Ti ( 5 lbs. 12 oz.).
Any suggestions from fellow Vanguard owners or gunsmiths would be greatly appreciated since my current allowance won't allow for hiring a gun bearer.
 
if you can get a Mcmillan edge in the vanguard inlet, you'll be @ around 22 oz finished..that'll bring weight down. Barrel fluting will bring weight down another 4-6 oz, and talleys are usually 2 oz for a pair...a Burris weighs 13 oz..that is pretty normal for a 3-9x40
 
Why dont you get a good spongy wide sling, then it will feel like its only 6 or 7 pounds. I have one of those wide gel types, and my rifle feels alot lighter on my shoulder than it weighs on the scale.
 
sgt.rock said:
Why dont you get a good spongy wide sling, then it will feel like its only 6 or 7 pounds. I have one of those wide gel types, and my rifle feels alot lighter on my shoulder than it weighs on the scale.
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Perhaps a sling but I'm beginning to think maybe a pair of wheels and a hitch....;)
 
Go an a diet before your hunt and drop an easy 10 lbs of weight, it will save you money, you'll be healthier and it will be as if your not even carrying that rifle.
Im not saying this to be a ####, i don't know how much you weigh but its something to consider :)

Cheers!!
 
Buy a lighter rifle or go and lift some weights... Used to carry the old FN-C1 all day for weeks, they were heavy...

I had commented on that once before, guys spend 100's to thousands of dollars to lose a pound on their rifle, but yet they carry 20 extra pounds around their waist, without giving it thought.
 
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Thanks for the weight loss tips guys, but I spend 40 hrs. per week minimum lifting plenty of weight. Neither that or my waistline are of concern.
As for the Vanguard it is heavier than my old Browning Safari 375 or my 721 300 H&H. The rifle itself is a tackdriver and would be a bit handier if it were between 8 and 9 lbs.
I've got a gun safe full of lighter rifles to play with but my problem is that Mr. Arthritis is starting to creep into my 62 year old shoulders. :(
 
10lbs is too heavy for a hunting rifle, esp in 25cal. My 375 weighs less.

I'd ditch the stock for a McMillan or Bansner, trade the mounts for Talleys and the scope for a VXII 2x7 and maybe cut the bbl back to 24" if it's not already.


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Weigth reduction is trickier than adding weight by a long shot. Careful that accuracy won't suffer during your reduction efforts. As an alternative, sell the gun (I know, that hurts :)) But hey, someone else might enjoy your rifle and you can start brand new....what's wrong with that. If my rifles don't float my boat..... gone no matter how perty. ;)
 
My original plan was to order a new 700 in 257 Weatherby but considering how long it took to get my 700 Ti and most of last year to get a 700 Ltd. Ed. 280, I decided to try the Vanguard having never owned one.
In hindsight, maybe it would have been more sensible to have a rifle built from scratch thus making it easier to control weight on the finished product
regardless of cost.
 
The new remington in 257 weighs 7 5/8 pounds and the vanguard with synthetic (which you said you had a stock) weighs 7 1/2, so I don't think you would have saved any weight.
 
mylesrom said:
The new remington in 257 weighs 7 5/8 pounds and the vanguard with synthetic (which you said you had a stock) weighs 7 1/2, so I don't think you would have saved any weight.
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That is true but I think the Remington has a 26" bbl, and the Vanguard a 24".
My Vanguard is a Stainless Laminate 24" and it weighs exactly 8 lbs. out of the box. Because of its weight it is a very stable gun to shoot and has no recoil at all.
With respect to reducing weight I think I'm going to settle for a lighter stock for now ....and Talley mounts.
 
I just bought a new Vanguard tonight. I just finished weighing it. 7lbs, 11oz.
New for 2008, Weatherby has a lightweight vanguard model that I looked at. It's pretty nice. Stainless fluted barrel, aramid stock, etc. Only problem is that it doesnt come in 22-250 like I was looking for. It does come in 257wby, 270, 30-06, etc.
 
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