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Howa 1500 builds **post them**

I've gotten similar accuracy on mine but with 5 shot groups not ten. This was factory ammo tho, not even handloads!!!

if I ignored the clean cold bore shot that would be a .6 group for nine. That's freaking amazing.
 
I've gotten similar accuracy on mine but with 5 shot groups not ten. This was factory ammo tho, not even handloads!!!
Same here. Mine loves FGMM 168, 175 and 185s. Just starting to handload.
 


just got all the parts in for this. 20" barrel 308.
b&c m40 stock, timney trigger, NF rail and rings.
took it back apart tonight to bed, devcon drying now.
was able to snag a bunch of 175 gr prime when it was 165, anxious to see how it shoots.
 


just got all the parts in for this. 20" barrel 308.
b&c m40 stock, timney trigger, NF rail and rings.
took it back apart tonight to bed, devcon drying now.
was able to snag a bunch of 175 gr prime when it was 165, anxious to see how it shoots.

What scope is that?
 
It's a Leupold 3.5-10 mark 4
Got out this morning with xm118lr.
This is the last group I shot, so cherry picked (100 yards) ... But I'm real happy with it, put 40 rounds through it.
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I like the choate but man is it heavy. Seems to be a solid stock for a budget gun. Eventually will get changed out to a krg bravo.
Really like how heavy? Mine is in the B&C target comp, I thought about thebchoate but wanted adjustable comb. My gun seems almost light. 20" 308 thumps, more of a push but still.
 
First try at handloads, Nosler 175 CC over 41.0 gr Varget, Federal brass, CCI BR primers. Totally threw the one shot. Not bad for a 230$ barrelled action. Looks like I got lucky on my first handloads ever. Now gotta roll up 60r for a match.
 

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Really like how heavy? Mine is in the B&C target comp, I thought about thebchoate but wanted adjustable comb. My gun seems almost light. 20" 308 thumps, more of a push but still.
It’s 4.6 pounds!
The gun all set up is 12.6 pounds. Pretty stout for a 20 inch gun.
I looked long and hard at the B&C with adjustable comb. The choate is fine with the triad cheek rest for now.
 
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Nice Im loving the
B&C but see a Choate in my future for another howa build in a different cal.
It’s 4.6 pounds!
The gun all set up is 12.6 pounds. Pretty stout for a 20 inch gun.
I looked long and hard at the B&C with adjustable comb. The choate is fine with the triad cheek rest for now.
 
This is mainly for reference.
Before picture is a nightforce rail and nightforce 885 rings with the 40mm objective Leupold.
Was a lower jaw weld for me.
Replaced with DNA low height one piece Mount.
Lowered it a little over a quarter inch.
IMG_20180926_110252.jpg
IMG_20180926_111603.jpg
 
Always good to see the Howas getting some love on the forums!

Guess I'll just have to take part in that case huh?
Still very much a work in progress and most parts get extremely pricy in South Africa but here's my current setup

Forgive that cheek riser, took the rifle hunting 2 days after picking it up and needed something in a hurry:LOL:

WhatsApp Image 2018-09-26 at 19.48.25.jpeg
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Still want to build myself a new stock and possibly put in a DBM conversion
Might replace the optics as well sometime soon

Cheers
Alex
 
Two groups on the left 11$ 150 soft point on wally rollback. Needless to say went back and bought the rest. I like federal brass anyways which is why I bought it not expecting any kind of accuracey.
20181001_141441.jpg
 
One thing ive noticed with my howa it cloverleafs 4 then throws the 5th with several different loads. Its in a B&C torqued to 55 "lbs. Gonna bed it and hopefully that will fix it. Gets pretty good barrel mirage going after 20 rounds shot fairly quick.
 
One thing ive noticed with my howa it cloverleafs 4 then throws the 5th with several different loads. Its in a B&C torqued to 55 "lbs. Gonna bed it and hopefully that will fix it. Gets pretty good barrel mirage going after 20 rounds shot fairly quick.

Interesting you should say that, I had something similar when I was testing new powder. Haven't gotten a chance to test it out further but ill keep my eyes peeled for that
Let me know if the bedding works if you don't mind
 
Interesting you should say that, I had something similar when I was testing new powder. Haven't gotten a chance to test it out further but ill keep my eyes peeled for that
Let me know if the bedding works if you don't mind
Will do. I only "broke it in" with their method for 10 shots then just shot. I think the bedding will help over all anyways. Usually does.
 
Will do. I only "broke it in" with their method for 10 shots then just shot. I think the bedding will help over all anyways. Usually does.
Oh awesome, thanks(y)


Just out of curiosity, I was measuring to see what COL I needed to load to to get close to the lands, and I ended up with somewhere around 3.2 inches if i remember correctly. My first reaction is that that is a rather long throat for a .308 win, especially considering that the cartridge won'e even fit in the magazine if I load it anywhere near the lands...not sure if you (or anyone else in this thread for that matter) might be able to throw your 2c into the mix...

Cheers
Alex
 
Man!!!
I am extremely proud of my rattle can job.

Obviously, there's parts or areas that did not come out perfect. But for a 25dlr paint job, I am very proud of having it turn out as it did lol!

I have the buttstock painted as well but will assemble and post pics of that tomorrow!
 

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Oh awesome, thanks(y)


Just out of curiosity, I was measuring to see what COL I needed to load to to get close to the lands, and I ended up with somewhere around 3.2 inches if i remember correctly. My first reaction is that that is a rather long throat for a .308 win, especially considering that the cartridge won'e even fit in the magazine if I load it anywhere near the lands...not sure if you (or anyone else in this thread for that matter) might be able to throw your 2c into the mix...

Cheers
Alex
Im very new to reloading, been shooting nosler CC175s and Hornady 155 bthps with varget and cci br2s. I still havent figures out the whole findinf the lands thing. I just set my die down on a loading FGGM 175 round for the 175s and federal xm80 for the 155s for the seating die. Ive had some still end up too long and have a very hard bolt close. I use a 10 rd legacy sports mag so usually load to mag length (dont remeber the # specifically of the top of my head)
 
Hey Stello1001, I was checking your earlier photos. I think you're ring caps are supposed to match the ring markings. In your original photos you have the caps on the wrong bases. The F and R on the sides mean "Front" and "Rear" Probably not a huge deal which is front and rear but you should make sure the F caps go with the F bases, and the R caps go with the R bases.
 
Hey Stello1001, I was checking your earlier photos. I think you're ring caps are supposed to match the ring markings. In your original photos you have the caps on the wrong bases. The F and R on the sides mean "Front" and "Rear" Probably not a huge deal which is front and rear but you should make sure the F caps go with the F bases, and the R caps go with the R bases.

I see what you're saying. I honestly just three the rings and scope together so I could have a complete rifle but nothing was torqued down. I knew I had to send the scope back for repair anyways. But really, thank you for noticing! I actually had not lol!
 
I have a Howa 1500 .243 from 2003 I believe . Would anything be different on this rifle compared to the new ones? I want to put a Timney trigger in it. Would also like to change stock out. If anyone else has been in this boat let me know . The gun shoots incredible .
 
What kind of trigger and safety do you have? That will determine which Timney you would use. Actually call Timney they were very helpful when I was switching my trigger out in my match rifle.
 
Interesting you should say that, I had something similar when I was testing new powder. Haven't gotten a chance to test it out further but ill keep my eyes peeled for that
Let me know if the bedding works if you don't mind
Bedding is drying tonight. We shall see in the next couple days. Shot this with 168 gmm today. Thats 5 the shot high left is another group different ammo. I was shooting all kinds of stuff today for practice and to get some brass.
20181004_121741.jpg
 
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That looks sleek(y)
What do you think of the SWFA optics? Was thinking of maybe getting one of their 6x42's for my Galil for pest control

Cheers
Alex

I just got everything together on Friday and havent been able to shoot it yet but the SWFA is a great budget scope with clear glass and good clicks. This is the mil-mil model and I got it used with a set of SWFA rings for $240 shipped so I am pretty happy.
 
Its the pro varmint. The cheek piece is just a piece of aluminum that I bent to fit. I'm getting ready to do some load development and I'll post some pics

Boyd's doesn't offer a Long Action Heavy Barrel Contour Option. Did you have to remove a lot of material from the barrel channel to FF?
 
Dunno if this one really counts since it's a mini action, but here it is, anyhow:

Howa mini 223AI 1.jpg

Howa mini action chambered in .223 AI
7-twist, 26" K&P heavy palma barrel recontoured at breach to match action (5/8-24 muzzle threads)
barreled action cerakoted in graphite black
bolt handle threading by local 'smith (Penty Wheeler in Royse City, TX)
Glades Armory bolt knob
Boyd's pro varmint stock in royal jacaranda w/ adjustable comb and Limbsaver buttpad (to tame the massive recoil ;-) )
DIP bottom metal
Rifle Basix WTHBY-V trigger
Warne 0 MOA rail
Area 419 30-caliber Hellfire brake
ARC medium height 34mm rings
Sig Tango6 5-30 x 56 w/ DEV-L MRAD

Barreled action work performed by LRI

Primary use will be as a bench-rested prairie dog rig shooting 50-60 grain projectiles, but I also plan to load up some heavier (80+ gr) projectiles (which I fully expect will need to be single-fed) for long range plinking.
 
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Dunno if this one really counts since it's a mini action, but here it is, anyhow:

Howa mini action chambered in .223 AI
7-twist, 26" K&P heavy palma barrel recontoured at breach to match action (5/8-24 muzzle threads)
barreled action cerakoted in graphite black
bolt handle threading by local 'smith (Penty Wheeler in Royse City, TX)
Glades Armory bolt knob
Boyd's pro varmint stock in royal jacaranda w/ adjustable comb and Limbsaver buttpad (to tame the massive recoil ;-) )
DIP bottom metal
Rifle Basix WTHBY-V trigger
Warne 0 MOA rail
Area 419 30-caliber Hellfire brake
ARC medium height 34mm rings
Sig Tango6 5-30 x 56 w/ DEV-L MRAD

Barreled action work performed by LRI

Primary use will be as a bench-rested prairie dog rig shooting 50-60 grain projectiles, but I also plan to load up some heavier (80+ gr) projectiles (which I fully expect will need to be single-fed) for long range plinking.

That is fucking awesome
 
Those of you with the HCR chassis, can someone give me the width of the forearm. Throwing around some ideas and need the width before I decide to purchase one of those chassis.
 
thanks, i reeeeaally like these howas. just be a while before the aftermarket catches up w/ them.
and by that i mean a cheap guy like me can find a used mcmillan stock on ebay or something to fit one as easy as a rme. 700
may not happen?