Weatherby Vanguard question

[brl0301]

Just last week I picked up a new Vanguard in 308 and when I went to clean it I noticed that there is a discolored area in the grooves between the rifling right near the end of the muzzle. I was just wondring if this is normal or if it is a production defect that I should be worried about. The pictures dont seem to be working but Id appreciate it if you guys/gals could take a look and let me know what you think. Thanks a ton

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28028881@N02/5929515306
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28028881@N02/5928977303/

 

[mdThanatos]

It looks almost like a scratch but I can't tell from the pictures if the crown is affected. I'd suggest shooting it to see how it groups.

Can you feel a difference in the surface in that area? Also is this a new gun or used?

 

[brl0301]

Its a brand new gun and the discoloration seems to extend all the way to the crown. Not really any way to tell if its deep enough to catch a brush.

 

[mdThanatos]

Try a toothpick, insert from the muzzle past the area in question and drag it across to see if it catches. It doesn't look like the lands are affected so it may not be that big of an issue.

 

[brl0301]

Ok I will try that and see what I find. Would you take it up with Weatherby seeing as its a new gun or just shoot it and forget about it

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Contact Weatherby and see if you can send the photo to someone in their repair department that can tell you if they think you should send the gun in for repair. If nothing else they may want to at least look at it to make sure it doesn't affect the way the gun shoots. Now that you know about it it will bother you every time you shoot this gun until you get it checked out.

 

[ants]

I've been registered over here for a while http://www.weatherby.dk/forum.php they may have more info, but I think the consensus will be to contact Weatherby (805) 227-2600. Tell them there is a problem at the muzzle end, you haven't fired the rifle yet (although they fired it at the factory), get an email address to send the photographs.

Or a Weatherby Service Center, here's a list http://www.weatherby.com/support.


Are you certain that isn't from your cleaning rod? Did you clean from the chamber end, or the muzzle end?
Note: Standard bore guides DO NOT fit in the Vanguard bolt channel. You gotta find a skinny one, or make one.

 

[brl0301]

It definently isnt from my cleaning rod, I cleaned it from the breach end but I noticed it before a cleaning rod even got near the gun. Ill give Weatherby a call right now and see what they say. Thanks for the help

 

[brl0301]

I finished talking with a super nice lady at Weatherby and sent them the pictures. She had one of the repair techs look at the pics and he said as long as it doesnt affect accuracy then I shouldnt worry about it, kind of an ambiguous response but what can you do. The only thing that bothers me about it is that he said that it looks like someone tried to push something into the muzzle and scratched it, which means that it happened either when it was made or the shop that I bought it from. Im going to take it out again tomorrow and see how it shoots. It did well the first time with occasional flyers, but it was also my first time shooting anything bigger than a .223 so it may have just been me.

Another question for all those more knowledgable than myself, is the verticle scratching/streaking that runs in the grooves normal? It seems to be in all of the grooves.

 

[mshootnit]

I think its probly OK. If it was affecting accuracy then it would be shooting like pie plate groups or something. Try several different loads. Take the rifle down and carefully tighten your bedding screws evenly keeping the barrel centered in the channel. If necessary try floating the barrel. I took a so-so Weatherby Vanguard into Cabelas and traded for a new stainless one in 257 Weatherby and that thing shoots a 1" thick plate turned sideways at 200 yds.

 

[brl0301]

Ok thanks I appreciate the help. Ya it shot well the first time doing a few sub-moa groups with my handloads. I was using nosler cc 168gr and hornady amax 168gr over 39-41 grains of n140 seated at 2.800 oal . The noslers worked well but the hornadys not so much. I have since learned that the amaxs have a very long ogive and have seated them out much further. Ended up with the amaxs at 2.875 oal, which is .015 off the lands. Hopefully that will help them shoot a little better. Also ended up seating the noslers at 2.835 which is also .015 off the lands.

 

[mdThanatos]

Well from what I recall, the Vanguards are supposed to be within 1.5" for group size, some got labeled as Sub-Moa from the factory. With that claim of 1.5" I'm sure matched loads to the rifle will allow it to group well. Since you were able to get sub-moa groups with your handloads looks like the barrel shouldn't be a problem.

 

[mshootnit]

neck size and seat those bullets to the lands. be careful with your powder charge.

 

[brl0301]

So you suggest that I seat the bullets right on the lands? How much should I drop down the charge to compensate for the added pressure it will create?

 

[SwampWolf]

I think when he said "to the lands", mshootnit means the bullet should be just "kissing" the lands, or just shy of doing so. He can speak for himself, of course.