Perhaps this can help:
1970 1984 Howa - Japan Vanguard Vanguard by Weatherby V0011 - 243 Win,264 Win Mag,7mm Rem Mag,30-06,300 Win Mag & 308 Win
1972 1984 Howa - Japan Vanguard Vanguard by Weatherby V8271 - 270 Win
1972 1984 Howa - Japan Vanguard Vanguard by Weatherby V8471 - 25-06
1983 1984 Howa - Japan Vanguard Vanguard by Weatherby V78867 - V80966 22/250
1984 1989 Howa - Japan Vanguard V G X VX0001 - VX25515 22/250 243 Win,25-06,270 Win,7mm Rem Mag,30-06 &300 Win Mag
1984 1989 Howa - Japan Vanguard V G S VS0001 - VS17870 22/250 243 Win,25-06,270 Win,7mm Rem Mag,30-06 &300 Win Mag
1984 1989 Howa - Japan Vanguard V G L VL0001 - VL17596 223 Rem,243 Win,270 Win,7mm Rem Mag,30-06 & 308 Win
1985 1989 Howa - Japan Vanguard Fiberguard VL06011 - VL17697 223 Rem,243 Win,270 Win,7mm Rem Mag,30-06 & 308 Win
1988 1989 Howa - Japan Vanguard V G X VX24267 - 25440 270 Wby Mag & 300 Wby Mag
1988 1989 Howa - Japan Vanguard V G S VS17143 - VS17804 270 Wby Mag & 300 Wby Mag
1989 - Howa - Japan Vanguard V G X Deluxe VX25516 - 22/250 243 Win,270 Win,7mm Rem Mag,30-06,300 Win Mag,338 Win Mag, plus 270 Wby Mag & 300 Wby Mag
1989 - Howa - Japan Vanguard Classic II VX17872 - 22/250 243 Win,270 Win,7mm Rem Mag,30-06,300 Win Mag,338 Win Mag, plus 270 Wby Mag & 300 Wby Mag
1989 - Howa - Japan Vanguard Classic I VL18757 - 223 Rem,243 Win,270 Win,7mm-08 Rem,7mm Rem Mag,30-06 & 308 Win
Prefix: Year Range of Production
V: 1970-1984
VS: 1984-2010
VL: 1984-1993
VX: 1984-1994
VB: 2010 to Present