Vanguard 22-250 Build

[MDT6BRA]

I have a bone stock weatherby vanguard 22-250 1-14, blued, walnut and was wondering what you guys thoughts are on the vanguard as a donor action? Seems pretty solid but never really have heard of many using them. Welcome all feed back, thanks

 

[NZ_Fclass]

A fairly straightforward action to build on. A shooting buddy has a 223 with a Pac-Nor varminter that shoots really well. The factory trigger is a bit agricultural, but is easy to replace. The only downsides are the metric threading and a reputation for difficulty getting the barrel off!

 

[B23]

The Vanguard is a Howa and Howa makes a pretty solid and generally accurate rifle. About 10-12 years ago I bought a basic Howa 1500 chambered in 270 Win to use for a donor action on a 6.5-06AI build. Put a new Lilja barrel, Manner stock, and Timney trigger on it and it has been a very good shooting rifle. Around that same time I bought a Weatherby Vanguard 223 that was on sale at Sportsman's Warehouse, new it was barely over 300 bucks so I couldn't resist. It was just a basic blued steel plastic stock 20in heavy barrel 223. Back then the Vanguard/Howa triggers were really bad so I put a Timney in that one too and that little bugger turned out to be one hell of a fine shooting rifle. Sold it to a friend of mine that still has it.

Like I said, generally they shoot pretty good right out of the box and their actions are good so if I got a smoking good deal on one I would have no reservations about purchasing another to either use at a later date for a semi custom build or shoot it as is.

 

[B23]

The only downsides are the metric threading and a reputation for difficulty getting the barrel off!

Correct, not all smiths have lathes that can cut metric threads and getting the barrels off a factory made Howa is legendary. I think most folks that have messed with them before don't even try until they put a relief cut in the barrel just ahead of the receiver.

The aftermarket for Howa's used to be relatively thin and there wasn't a whole lot out there for them but that has gotten better over the years.

 

[K22]

I like them very much. (Vanguard action = Howa). I like the three-position safety, excellent extractor, and the sturdy construction.

My rifle smith likes them too and is an advocate of using Howa actions as a baseline for custom builds.

 

[MDT6BRA]

Thanks for all the replys, it shoot pretty good now but I just kind of want to do something different with it. Thanks again

 

[vonb]

I think the Howa actions are one of the most underrated factory actions. You get a one piece bolt and forged receiver. The feeding and extraction is excellent. Accuracy is good. The HACT 2-stage triggers are good but are heavier at around 3.5 lbs. That can be solved with a spring set from Gunbloke in AU.

If there is any negative, it's that the basic actions are a little heavy.

 

[SmokinJoe]

I like them very much. (Vanguard action = Howa). I like the three-position safety, excellent extractor, and the sturdy construction.

My rifle smith likes them too and is an advocate of using Howa actions as a baseline for custom builds.

Who is your riflesmith? It can be difficult to find smiths that will do the metric threads, even these days. I have a Howa Mini built into a custom single shot 22 Spitfire, put a JARD trigger in mine which is sweet. Getting to be quite a bit of aftermarket stuff for the Howas.

 

[K22]

Who is your riflesmith? It can be difficult to find smiths that will do the metric threads, even these days. I have a Howa Mini built into a custom single shot 22 Spitfire, put a JARD trigger in mine which is sweet. Getting to be quite a bit of aftermarket stuff for the Howas.

Will PM you with info.

 

[Zero333]

Friend had a Vanguard in 30'06. Was a fairly light rifle ( so it had a decent kick / snap to it ) and shot excellent with cheap factory ammo like the 150 and 180 gr Federal Powers-Shok.