Weatherby Vanguard - barrel not free floated?

[timbernomad]

Who here has experience with the Weatherby Vanguard in its factory stock? It's my understanding that Vanguard stocks aren't free floated and have a pressure point in the front. What are the practical effects of this on accuracy?

 

[hereinaz]

Can help or hurt, but free floating is best. I don’t know if it is “meant” to free float but I wouldn’t want it.

Bed it to float or open up the barrel channel.

 

[Sadie]

Shoot it before you change it.

 

[sndmn11]

Who here has experience with the Weatherby Vanguard in its factory stock? It's my understanding that Vanguard stocks aren't free floated and have a pressure point in the front. What are the practical effects of this on accuracy?

Some are floated and done aren't, it depends on the model. I've seen no remarkable changes in accuracy or precision with the same actions when free floated/or with pressure. Likewise when switching stocks/chassis around. We have 4 vanguards.

 

[timbernomad]

Shoot it before you change it.

I hear ya. Right now I’m trying to decide if I want to buy one vs a Howa. The basic Vanguard stock feels a lot nicer than the Howa Hogue, but the Howa is free floated and the Vanguard is not.

 

[Bcoonce117]

I have a vanguard and just replaced the stock out today. It shoots 3 shots all almost in the same hole with factory stock. Hoping I get the same results with this new stock.

 

[JMundy84]

I hear ya. Right now I’m trying to decide if I want to buy one vs a Howa. The basic Vanguard stock feels a lot nicer than the Howa Hogue, but the Howa is free floated and the Vanguard is not.

10 minutes with a Dremel and you have a free floated stock. Did one with a friend of mine on his 6.5 cm no noticeable change in accuracy shooting factory Hornady 143s

 

[mulveymo]

My recommendation would be to not free float. I did it and ended up ruining the stock. You have to remove the two support pillars and a lot of material/support along the barrel channel. It ends up making the forend pretty flimsy with no noticable improvement in accuracy.

If you decide to do it, glass bed the action first, then go wild with the Dremel.

Honestly though, the vanguard has an MOA guarantee. Torque to spec, find the right ammo and the gun will outshoot you. My 7mag has always punched below .75 MOA. I don't know what I was trying to gain with my ill fated experiment in free floating.

 

[Pilsner]

I had the Hogue version in 270 Win. I bedded it with JB Weld and then free floated it with a dremel. Accuracy was unchanged - although it was very good to start with so I dont know what I hoped to achieve to begin with. If it shoots to begin with I wouldn't bother with it unless you just need an excuse to hang out in your garage and drink beer for a couple of hours. It certainly didn't hurt anything.
-Doc