I'm posting for a friend. He bought a new vanguard in .300 wsm. He was going to keep it unfired. I pulled the bolt the other day and the bore and bolt showed evidence of shooting. Is this normal?

Uh every gun gets shot at the factory before they are shipped. Mr Yamaoke is the chief shooter at Howa

If the factories didn't test fire guns before sending them out, they would opening themselves up for a huge liability.

My Weatherby came with the actual target. At least I think it was the original target. Maybe somebody's job is to punch three holes in targets with a hole puncher and put them in the box .

I believe the Vanguards have a 3 shot 1.5" accuracy guarantee (1" on the more expensive version) so, obviously someone has to shoot them to verify this.

While Iknow Howa has a very strong commitment to manufacturing a high quality product, I was perfectly happy to let someone elsebe the first one to shoot my Vanguard in .300 WBY Mag.right afterit came off the assembly line.

Caldoc

The target to the right is the factory target that comes with a Weatherby.

They are shot at all factorys. My question is why would anyone want to put a Vanguard in storage as a hopeful collector? Strange things happen, but I can't see them ever becoming a unfired collector? Just curious why?
Thanks
Mike

Yeah, that is interesting. Why keep it unfired. That gun is meant to be shot. It's a great gun and will surely put a lot of game in the freezer. However, I don't see it becoming a collectable. There are too many out there and the company isn't discontinuing. Not too mention they are not all that fancy and are inexpensive.

If he could find an old, German-made Mark V Deluxe, that might be a different story. Doubt you'd find one of those unfired.

From my understanding all rifles are proof tested using high pressure loads (2 shots). If there is a flaw in the action or barrel the first shot will find it and the second one will open it up.
And I agree with the other posts. Why keep it unfired? The Vangard is by no means a collector's piece. Heck, I've seen them at Walmart for less than a Remington 700.