I own a Howa mini action and a Weatherby Vanguard. Like them both. I have some complaints about the Mini Action drop box magazine, and I don’t love the stock on my Vanguard, but otherwise they’ve been flawless. The fit and finish on the Vanguards seems better than the Howas and they are often just as cheap. I prefer the Hogue stock to the Weatherby one but I’m probably in the minority.
If I could build a custom rifle and my gunsmith could work metric threads, I’d start with a Howa action.
Is the Vanguard stock that you don't like the current Vanguard2 Griptonite stock or the older style of stock?
I don't care for the older Vanguard stocks, but think that, for me, the V2 Griptonite stock is one of the very best injection molded stocks that manufacturers are currently making.
I like to put my Howa 1500s and Vanguards in McM Hunter stocks, but the B&C Medalist Weatherby style stock is a nice upgrade for under $300 from Stocky's.
