.257 Weatherby Vanguard Barrel Change

[SixFive]

I love the .257wby but always wanted to be able to shoot larger bullets like the new Berger 133gr Elite Hunter. I purchased a new X-Caliber 1:7twist 28" stainless barrel on sale from Ebay. I found a .257Wby reamer used for $75.00 and bought a No-Go gauge from Ebay.

With the tools in hand I set out to do the work this morning. The rifle is a Weatherby Vanguard which is made in Japan and I am told metric. I have also heard getting the barrels removed is a PITA. I know why! There were two factory tac welds holding the barrel in place. Once I cut a relief in front of the receiver (Cutting the welds) the barrel came right off. I included pics for those who doubt this

I inspected the old barrel and took measurements. The Vanguard has a recess cut in the barrel for the bolt face like a Rem 700. I was worried about the threads being metric but when I put my thread gauge on them they were 16TPI or so close my eyes could not tell if they were not.

I cut the threads, recess, chamber, and then set the headspace, which was a chore on a recessed bolt that headspaces on the magnum belt. It all had to be perfect, the barrel shoulder, the barrel recess and then the headspace. Got it all done, tomorrow I will inlet the stock for the larger barrel.

 

[jackieschmidt]

You are right. I would never have thought that the barrel would have tack welds.

does your Vanguard have the Sako Style extractor with the shield on the bolt body to keep any pieces from exiting the action in the event of a case head failure.?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The vanguard, like you found, is standard threads for some reason. Ive never seen one that was tack welded. Thats military grade

 

[aussiedave]

That rifle never left the factory like that . They are definately metric ,Vanguards and Howas are made in the same factory. If that is a tack weld would not the action need refacing.

 

[RandyB]

That is bedding material that was painted over. Howa thread pitch is 1.5 mm almost 17 thread per inch

 

[aussiedave]

Just checked a pulled Vanguard barrel ,not 16 tpi it's metric.

 

[SixFive]

It was a tack weld and I did reface the receiver true.just needed a couple thousandths to cleanup. 16Tpi is what I threaded the new barrel to and it screwed right on without issue, no slop, nice and tight. Maybe someone had been in this rifle before? I bought it used. I figured it was going to be metric from everything I had previously read but lucky for me it was 16TPI, otherwise I would have re--threaded to a SAE thread, I don't do metric on my 80 year old Southbend Lathe. The good news is it is done minus the inletting of the stock.

 

[SixFive]

You are right. I would never have thought that the barrel would have tack welds.

does your Vanguard have the Sako Style extractor with the shield on the bolt body to keep any pieces from exiting the action in the event of a case head failure.?

It has a Sako style extractor and the bolt head is recessed into the barrel pocket for just such an issue. Looks like a Rem 700 setup.

 

[SixFive]

Just checked a pulled Vanguard barrel ,not 16 tpi it's metric.

Not sure what the deal with this rifle is, either it has been reworked or it is "special" LOL

 

[Bill Rodolph]

My memory is getting old, but I would swear that I did some Howa's/Vanquard's in the early 90's that were 16 tpi before they went metric.

 

[whatsupdoc]

PTG Receiver Blueprinting Tap 1.0725-16 (Oversized) Piloted Remington

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[Greg Y]

If you get a chance, wire the old tennon and let us know what the thread pitch was.

 

[SixFive]

My memory is getting old, but I would swear that I did some Howa's/Vanquard's in the early 90's that were 16 tpi before they went metric.

That makes since as this was 16tpi for sure!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That makes since as this was 16tpi for sure!

Maybe thats the ones i got a hold of. They were the ones you could buy real cheap at walmart or from brownells as a barreled action later. I know for 100% they werent metric since ive never installed metric gears- im all ‘merican

 

[jackieschmidt]

It is probably a 1.5mm. There is only about .003 difference in the actual pitch of that and a 16tpi.

it’s a lot like using a 12 tpi on a Mauser with an actual 2mm thread pitch.

 

[SixFive]

It is probably a 1.5mm. There is only about .003 difference in the actual pitch of that and a 16tpi.

it’s a lot like using a 12 tpi on a Mauser with an actual 2mm thread pitch.

Makes since!