I have a Vanguard from back before there were different models.
A 243, the loaded rounds slide back and forth in the mag.
Noisy and annoying. (The spring isn't weak, and never has had a feeding problem)
My dad has a 25-06 and 7mag of just newer enough vintage to be VGX guns.
No issues with the mag.
It's the fastest rusting gun I have ever seen.
On rainy hunts, Dad and I would wipe our rifles down every night,
and we're the only ones to get brown. We would get spots when guys who never
even dried their guns didn't. Rust quick in the safe too. Always kept even with it,
and haven't had noticeable pitting or permanent damage. Other than my floorplate, it
got a weird blotchy look.
Mine also battered the cocking cam. Most would never notice,but i thing the timing was
off. Slamming the bolt had the tip of the cam hitting too soon before the lugs, and it isn't
hard enough to resist deforming.
Dad's 7mag had a problem with the firing pin. Maybe 100 rounds fired, he couldn't
get it to go off. (At an elk of course, never at range) Turns out the pin was too short,
and suddenly wouldnt work reliably. Never blew a primer, no idea what happened.
Just quit using mine 30 years ago, too heavy, moved on.
Dad continues to use the 7mm, has killed stuff from Qubec to Colorado.
I don't think I have ever heard these complaints, so while they are known
to me, they must not be common.
As far as buying a new one?
I would, a lightweight though.
