Do a build on Weatherby Vanguard VGS

[trueblue]

I have a old 30-06 on a Weatherby Vanguard action.
I have had this rifle for a long time, and is the first rifle I ever bought. That being said, it is not very accurate. So, for sentimental reasons, I want to change calibers and put a new stock and barrel on it.
The kicker is I want to go with a light contour, say a #3, and keep the barrel length at no more than 24", with no muzzle brake. This will be a light build for deer/elk out to 700 yards.
Not sure how easy the stock choices will be for a Vanguard action.
So, based on a .475 bolt face, 3.60 magbox, what is the best 6.5 , 270, 7 mm caliber to build for?
Reloading for any caliber is not an issue.
All feedback and performance results are welcome.

 

[Capt RB]

Stock; B&C is the supplier and has the aluminum bedding block in a fiberglass lay-up. Boyds has laminates as does stocky's. I own a boyds and will buy another.
I'm a 270 fan and have killed a bunch of deer inside of 400 with one. At longer range it runs out of steam due to bullets. This is changing but the 280 or 280ai has a better selection of bullets. There are some worthy 6.5s the 6.5-284 the 6.5.06, ai, sherman. These are also options on the 270 and 280 case as well.
Lastly the 06. I would prefer this over the other standard cases if elk is a seasonal quest. If deer are the main quest with an elk tag every couple o 3 years any of the smaller cartridges will work.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Fluted #4 Bartlein @ 26" chambered in the Nosler/SAAMI spec .280 AI.

 

[hawk45]

I'd go with a fast twist standard .280. But lots of great non-magnum LA calibers out there. Could look at a 284 Winchester on a LA and seat them out far for extra case capacity. Just depends on how specialized you want to get as 284 brass is pretty hard to come by anymore.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

The Vanguard action is another forged steel machined. Very nice to build on.

I have 4, 2 are fully built. One has a B&C Medalist 2 stock, it had a Boyd's Thumbhole Featherweight which I will keep for the 223 that will probably become a 22-250AI 9twist. Another one that is finished has a target weight 260 barrel wearing a Boyds walnut stock with rose stain. I shot one match with it. 1,000yard 2x20. Shot 386/8x. They all have Timney triggers.

Three will be wearing Pac-Nor barrels. The long action is the question at the moment. I have the B&C Weatherby style stock for it. I just haven't decided on caliber and chambering yet. It's a long magnum so it could be a 28-Nosler with a Proof Research barrel.gun)gun)Pew pew.

 

[MudRunner2005]

The Vanguard action is another forged steel machined. Very nice to build on.

I have 4, 2 are fully built. One has a B&C Medalist 2 stock, it had a Boyd's Thumbhole Featherweight which I will keep for the 223 that will probably become a 22-250AI 9twist. Another one that is finished has a target weight 260 barrel wearing a Boyds walnut stock with rose stain. I shot one match with it. 1,000yard 2x20. Shot 386/8x. They all have Timney triggers.

Three will be wearing Pac-Nor barrels. The long action is the question at the moment. I have the B&C Weatherby style stock for it. I just haven't decided on caliber and chambering yet. It's a long magnum so it could be a 28-Nosler with a Proof Research barrel.gun)gun)Pew pew.

Fred, if you're tired of playing with the .223, you should either build a heavy 16.5" .300 BLK with a 1:8 twist, or open the bolt face and magazine a little bit to build a 24" heavy 6.5 Grendel...

 

[Deleted member 46119]

Fred, if you're tired of playing with the .223, you should either build a heavy 16.5" .300 BLK with a 1:8 twist, or open the bolt face and magazine a little bit to build a 24" heavy 6.5 Grendel...

Both very viable things to do. I have a 6.5 barrel. An 8tw 30 cal I don't have. 9tw is the tightest 30 cal.

Since I have a Savage 223 that shoots lights out, 22-250AI BR gun and 2 22-250 barrels for mini Mark V (6 lug), you are very right. Something else might be in order.

I "need" my 375 first. Waiting in Ed Hubel for more on that while working on my own 378 Improved Long.

 

[seattleman1969]

I have a old 30-06 on a Weatherby Vanguard action.
I have had this rifle for a long time, and is the first rifle I ever bought. That being said, it is not very accurate. So, for sentimental reasons, I want to change calibers and put a new stock and barrel on it.
The kicker is I want to go with a light contour, say a #3, and keep the barrel length at no more than 24", with no muzzle brake. This will be a light build for deer/elk out to 700 yards.
Not sure how easy the stock choices will be for a Vanguard action.
So, based on a .475 bolt face, 3.60 magbox, what is the best 6.5 , 270, 7 mm caliber to build for?
Reloading for any caliber is not an issue.
All feedback and performance results are welcome.

I know this is a bit old but what'd you finally build and how did it turn out? I am strongly considering a 280AI build on a Vanguard S2 action with a 26" carbon six barrel 1:8 twist for bullets heavier than 160gr. The donor action already has a timney in it and is a .30-06 so simple conversion.