Weatherby Vanguard Stock Issue........Maybe

[Yagingaboy]

I have a Weatherby Vanguard in 25-06 that my wife won me at an NRA banquet a few years back. I really like the feel of the stock which I believe is a Hogue Overmolded stock. I noticed this weekend that the barrel sits super tight in the stock. I put a couple washers between the action and the stock to see if there was a way to shim the action to relieve the pressure on the barrel and that is a no go. Is there a way to cut away the rubber of the stock and leave it looking somewhat nice so that I can float the barrel and bed the action? It just seems to me like there is way too much pressure on the barrel in that stock. But then again I don't know if that is the case. Do I need to pursue relieving the barrel inletting to float the barrel? Is it even possible to do without making it look like a hack job?

 

[NateHaler]

First and foremost, how does it shoot? Have you even fired it yet?

I wouldn't spend any time modifying that stock, even if it shot poorly. Instead, I'd be shopping for a replacement stock, or I'd sell the whole, unmodified rifle (unless it has sentimental value) and let somebody else deal with Weatherby's "accuracy guarantee". 8)

 

[Yagingaboy]

Oh I've fired it some. It took a while to find a load that it liked but I'm shooting 1 inch 5 shot groups at 100 with 110 gr Accubombs over Ramshot Magnum. I really like the gun all in all. For a cheaper gun it came with a pretty nice trigger for a factory trigger. Beings that I have $0 into the gun I suppose if I spend some money on a nicer stock I would only have the price of the stock into it. But I'm a real DIY type of guy and if this stocks inletting can be adjusted and maybe make a difference I would like to try it. I have every tool known to man short of a milling machine and a lathe so if the stuff can be cut reasonable well I will try it. Just not sure if it is even possible. I would like to know that before I destroy my stock.

 

[jonbearman]

What does the bedding look like,does it have pillars? If it does epoxy two thin washers that will fit the pillars and use a little shoe polish for release agent and put the action back in and clamp it down snug but not super tight and allow to set up. If it works and the bedding area will allow the use of marine tex or whatever epoxy you like bed the complete area to give it a perfect fit.

 

[mac86951]

I have a Weatherby Vanguard in 25-06 that my wife won me at an NRA banquet a few years back. I really like the feel of the stock which I believe is a Hogue Overmolded stock. I noticed this weekend that the barrel sits super tight in the stock. I put a couple washers between the action and the stock to see if there was a way to shim the action to relieve the pressure on the barrel and that is a no go. Is there a way to cut away the rubber of the stock and leave it looking somewhat nice so that I can float the barrel and bed the action? It just seems to me like there is way too much pressure on the barrel in that stock. But then again I don't know if that is the case. Do I need to pursue relieving the barrel inletting to float the barrel? Is it even possible to do without making it look like a hack job?

Weatherby determined with the Vanguard that in order to guarantee sub-MOA accuracy with the first three rounds and the thin 'taper' profile barrels that barrel needed upforce from the stock. Why? to eliminate the cold vs. hot point of impact for the first three rounds.

Pursue inletting to float the barrel, but be warned that your results will vary.

-Mac

 

[SS427]

I think if you removed any rubber the stock would flex way too much. Try pulling the stock away from the barrel. If it flexes I really doubt you can improve it. I too suggest a replacement. I also agree it might shoot better with a pressure point.

 

[Yagingaboy]

Thanks guys. Mac/Otter - Now that is some good info. So as Otter says it might be that as a whole those thin barrels need a pressure point to maintain some form of accuracy. Interesting.

 

[s100whunter]

I have opened the barrel channel many times on the overmolded stocks.I use a dremel tool with a corse sanding drum

 

[Yagingaboy]

How does it look when you are done?

 

[Trapper243]

I Weatherby determined with the Vanguard that in order to guarantee sub-MOA accuracy with the first three rounds and the thin 'taper' profile barrels that barrel needed upforce from the stock. Why? to eliminate the cold vs. hot point of impact for the first three rounds.

Pursue inletting to float the barrel, but be warned that your results will vary.

-Mac
[/quote]

I think that is a poor excuse for not bedding the action correctly, if that is even possible in the cheaper than cheap stocks.

 

[mac86951]

I think that is a poor excuse for not bedding the action correctly, if that is even possible in the cheaper than cheap stocks.

Not sure what to make of that response... We are talking about a sub $400 rifle, so by definition it is cheap?
Maybe its to ensure the first 3-shot guarantee for SUB-MOA accuracy at the same price point?

Maybe is because the light-weight hunter profile barrel will drift dramatically from a cold to hot barrel?

Truthfully, this tells you everything you need to know about a benchrest rifle.
Why do they have super thick bull barrels? to dissipate heat more uniformly
Why do they free-float the stock? To eliminate the drift as the barrel warms up
Why do cheap rifles need a pressure point on the pencil barrel? To reduce the cold-hot point of impact drift.
Why not bed the action better and put on a better barrel? Well ask the Manufacturer! I'd love a pillar bedded free-floated bull barreled rifle for sub $400. Can they cut a match chamber too?

Why not list the number of low price point entry rifles that are Sub-MOA on first three rounds with a guarantee?

I'm still going to build mine into a custom, but given its performance I kind of like having the "cheap" rifle...

-Mac

 

[Trapper243]

I don't think you can get any consistency out of the pressure point on a stock that is not solid. I would guess that the pressures on the barrel is going to change with the weather conditions, sling pressure, bipods, temps, etc... I do think it is a cheap way to get around bedding the action solid and stress free. It also makes it easy for the factory to center up the barrel channel. I have bedded and free floated Vanguard/Howa rifles. Pillars and all in good stocks and never needed to add pressure to the tip to get them shooting well. I also have a number of rifles with light hunting contours and they shoot consistently and quite well, cold and hot. All free floated. One of my Vanguards is one of the better ones with a factory tube, but it really didn't shoot up to par until It was bedded and free floated. A good bedding job is one of the best things you can do to one of these rifles.