Howa vs Vanguard

[PartsMan]

Are they different?

I have heard everything from "they are the same gun" to
Howa makes the action for Weatherby to better specs and then Weatherby uses there barrel and stock.

I know the stock is different.

[nodlenor]

I own a Howa 223 and my brother-in-law owns a weatherby vangard 223. There are some differences but I think the basic rifle is the same. The differences could also be from different years of manufacture. I'm not an expert by any means, just relaying my observations. I have been told that Howa makes the vangard but don't know that for a fact.

[Tunaman]

The actions are so similar that they fit in the same drop in stocks. I believe that they are in fact the same action but barreled differently. I have a Vanguard 257wby and I have been very happy with it. The gun required very little work and was a shooter right away.

[PartsMan]

I found this in an article online.
"Weatherby Vanguards may use Howa actions, but the rifles are built to Weatherby specs. Chamberings are not the same, barrels are not the same, stocks are not the same."

Link to whole article.http://www.gunsandammomag.com/long_guns/vangaurd_072604/

Seems to me it would come down to witch stock fit you better.
Weatherby barrels may be better too.

[oldelkhunter]

Vanguard uses 410 alloy stainless the HOwa uses 416 on their SS guns. The bolt is fluted on the vanguard and has gas relief holes that come out horizontally from the bolt, not so on the HOwa it exits gases thru the magazine. Vanguard has a bolt shroud and a 2 position safety vs 3 postion on the HOwa with no bolt shroud . Standard caliber lengths are 24 in the Vanguard and 22 in the Howa and both have different barrel profiles.  Stocks are different as well. I have both and the bolts on equivalent length actions interchange but that is the xtent of that .