Issues with new Vanguard S2

[ilikemilitaria]

Greetings,

I just today, received a Vanguard S2 rifle, in 25-06. After I had my local dealer pick this rifle up for me, I got it home and checked it out. First off, there we 2 spots about 1/4 long on top of the wrist of the stock with some kind of glue type substance on it that is rock hard....I spent about an hour with a soft rag and oil and got some if it off but not all... Secondly, the barrel is hitting the left side of the stock channel all the way down....not centered at all. Thirdly, when the safety is in the rear position, it digs into the stock slightly, making about a BB sized divot in the wood. And fourthly, when the bolt is cycled rearward, it hits the shoulders of the stock right behind the bolt and removed some wood and finish there... So, to say the least I am not impressed or pleased at all with the fit or finish on this rifle. My Mossberg Patriot, CZ rifles, Ruger rifles, Browning, and other rifles, all arrived with much better fit and finish than this rifle did.... And FYI, I did take the action out and re-torque to 35in lbs, front to rear, exactly as the manual stated, with no improvement. I am afraid this may be my last Weatherby purchase.....sad to say.

[Dino82520]

Call Weatherby customer service at 307-675-7840, I'm sure they will make it right.

[ilikemilitaria]

I left a message at Weatherby yesterday, with all the details.

[Grouchy]

Is this a brand new rifle? I would assume Weatherby would be closed over the weekend and the holiday.

[ilikemilitaria]

yes, this is a brand new rifle.

[Grouchy]

Like Dino said, they will take care of this! Good luck with it! 

[ilikemilitaria]

Ok, I have an RMA setup with Weatherby... Gonna shoot this a little first before i send it back....Issue is, that I have drive 2 hrs to a fedex place to drop it off, plus all the time it'll be in the shop... But im not going to mess with the bedding or anytyhing to void warranty..

I put about 30rounds thru it yesterday and it was all over the place.... 3 to 6in groups at an 80yd sight in (...longest option I have on my property.) I did get 2 or 3 rounds to group an inch to 2, but nothing consistent... I can usually sight in a new rifle, after bore sighting, in about 2 to 6 rounds to be sure.... not this one.

I did see some improvement, when I let the barrel cool down a lot between rounds. 3 to 5 min or more....  Now, I know it is not free floating, as there are a couple spots on the bottom it is hitting the wood, plus the left side is rubbing some...

Another point I need cleared up from you Weatherby hounds, is that I have read multiple post online instructing to torque the s2 screws to 35in lbs, Rear to Front.... BUT, my manual says the opposite, Front to Rear... Any input on this?? I torqued per the manual specs....but are the folks correct and I should torque Rear then Front?

I wonder if i have a torque issue...? a barrel floating/contact issue? Or what....

thanks,dave

[Grouchy]

Doing it according to your manual is the way to go.  Let Weathrby sort it out. 

[224KING]

Free float it and shoot it to see if it helps.Easy to do.Cut a business card,old credit card,or old drivers license in the right size to fit under the front lug of the action.It will need a hole in it for the screw,but very easy to do.

[224wby]

Have you checked the scope to make sure it is not your problem. This happened to a friend of mine...

[ilikemilitaria]

I'm going to shim it up till it free floats, torque things down and try it again..... Dont think the scope is bad, as I have used it before (redfield 3-9x), but that'll be step 2 to try, if things dont change... got plenty of glass to swap out.

I may end up sending it back, but if i can make it shoot like i know it should, without sending it back or voiding the warranty, I am going to try. the RMA is good for 90days with weatherby.

Thanks for all the input thus far.

dave

[ilikemilitaria]

Ok, I shimmed the mounting points (had to place 2 layers of credit card stock to remove any barrel contact), torqued back to 35in lbs. Just shot 3 (3shot) groups, allowing some cooling between groups/shots, and the groups came in like this, in order of shooting them....: 1.03", 1.58", and 1.363".  This is at 80yds, Hornady interlock 117gr bullet. Although barrel is free now, it still is not nearly centered....the inletting done from Weatherby, with the epoxy at the front attachment point, apparently is not true center, so when the barrel lug seats in the "footprint" of the epoxy it turns things to the left...

So....what do ya think? the groups are much better....but does a guy just keep it and shoot it, or go ahead and send it back and request another stock, rebedding, etc...? I have another S2 in .270 that'll shoots tighter out of the box than this one so far....

Input appreciated...I've never had to send anything back to Weatherby.

dave

[Grouchy]

I have it in mind that they are waranteed to be sub moa. That 1.03 at 80 is not close enuff for me. I would send it back,JMO! 

[danno50]

       I’d remove the shims, reassemble per spec and shoot it again.  If the same wide groups are created with different ammo's, I would send it back also.

[ilikemilitaria]

...gettting her boxed back up and sending back to Weatherby. fingers crossed...

thanks for all the input folks.

dave