Howa 1500 Caliber Change Suggestions

[aslrookie]

I got a good deal on a Howa 1500 tactical. It's chambered in .308win with a 24" barrel. It was originally supposed to be for me, but then I got buyers guilt because it was near christmas, so I gave it to the wife lol. Anyway, she bought a Burris 4-20x and atlas bipod for it. The problem is she doesn't like shooting it. The two main things she doesn't like is the recoil and the OEM buttstock.

One is a lot easier to change than the other. She's brand new to LR shooting, so I figured leave it in .308win for now so she's not burning out a barrel learning how to shoot LR. This has backfired on me because even with a suppressor, it's a lot better for her but whenever we go out to shoot, she has zero interest in taking it out of the safe. She can shoot my .224val and 6.5 grendel all day long. Obviously the recoil is much less.

She loves bolt action rifles for LR type shooting vs carbines, so taking the bolt action and building her a precision gas gun wouldn't do the trick.

Here's what I am thinking:

Rebarrel the Howa in 6mm creedmoor. Great ballistics, factory ammo, and much less recoil than a .308win. I would like to keep it a .473 bolt face so all I have to change is the barrel. I played with the idea of .224val conversion so we can buy one type of ammo that we can both shoot, but the bolt face diameter is the limiting factor.

Also, in WA state you need a minimum of 6mm caliber to hunt big game (even deer), so the 6mm creedmoor also fits that bill.

Anyone have any experience or knowledge with Howa 1500 pre-fit barrels? https://criterionbarrels.com/products/prefits/howa/howa-pre-fit-barrel/

Lastly, anyone have any other caliber suggestions or ideas?

 

[JaoeyP]

So I have two Criterions, one a Remage Prefit, the other a Savage Prefit (on a Bighorn). Both shoot very well, but no better than my Howas (which all shoot very well also).

For what you will spend on the barrel, nut, and possibly tools, might I suggest a different route? Most of the Howa barreled actions are available for $400-500 from Brownells. I would, instead of rebarrelling, purchase another barreled action, keep or sell your 308.

 

[aslrookie]

So I have two Criterions, one a Remage Prefit, the other a Savage Prefit (on a Bighorn). Both shoot very well, but no better than my Howas (which all shoot very well also).

For what you will spend on the barrel, nut, and possibly tools, might I suggest a different route? Most of the Howa barreled actions are available for $400-500 from Brownells. I would, instead of rebarrelling, purchase another barreled action, keep or sell your 308.

I will take a look on Brownells and see what's there. Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't think to check for barreled actions.

 

[bfglowkey]

I second the barreled action route. Cheaper and they have the 6.5 Grendel Mini action 20" BBL threaded barrel on sale ( not sure when it ends but it was like 100+ off and the codes add even more savings. I say the Grendel since you mentioned she shoots it ( in AR I am guessing ). The Grendel will be able to reach 1K and it is mild to shoot. 6 Creed is nice but it is a barrel burner and you may do better with the 6.5 Creed. Factory ammo seems to feed well in just about all folks who shoot the 6.5 Creed.
I just built a Mini Grendel and wow is it a fun cartridge in bolt. Handloads make it even more fun. Keep the 308 for a future you project

 

[JaoeyP]

I will take a look on Brownells and see what's there. Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't think to check for barreled actions.

Definitely worth looking at. They started doing a 6mm Creed with a 7.5" twist last year that may fit the bill for you. I'm a huge fan of the Howa. EVERY one that I have or have owned is easily sub MOA, some are 1/2 MOA. If your wife likes 6.5 Grendel Howa makes one in their Mini action. The Mini Action won't fit your current stock, but there are some options out there, including the new MDT Oryx chassis.

In my opinion, the best reason to rebarrel a Howa is to get a caliber or caliber/twist not available already from Howa, for instance if you wanted a 6mmBR or a 243 Win with 8" or faster twist (factory is a 10"). Otherwise, especially as inexpensive as they are, I would stick with their barreled actions. Very few complaints out there on these in the accuracy department.

 

[aslrookie]

The accuracy has been good from my experience. I didn't know the 6.5 grendel action would not work with the MDT chassis that the tactical version comes with. If I went that route, I would basically be building a whole new rifle for her and stuck with a .308win. Maybe the 6.5 creedmoor would be the better route. I have never shot 6.5c, how is it in recoil vs .308?

 

[b6graham]

The accuracy has been good from my experience. I didn't know the 6.5 grendel action would not work with the MDT chassis that the tactical version comes with. If I went that route, I would basically be building a whole new rifle for her and stuck with a .308win. Maybe the 6.5 creedmoor would be the better route. I have never shot 6.5c, how is it in recoil vs .308?

less, by a little

or look at a howa bravo

 

[American Infidel]

I got a good deal on a Howa 1500 tactical. It's chambered in .308win with a 24" barrel. It was originally supposed to be for me, but then I got buyers guilt because it was near christmas, so I gave it to the wife lol. Anyway, she bought a Burris 4-20x and atlas bipod for it. The problem is she doesn't like shooting it. The two main things she doesn't like is the recoil and the OEM buttstock.

One is a lot easier to change than the other. She's brand new to LR shooting, so I figured leave it in .308win for now so she's not burning out a barrel learning how to shoot LR. This has backfired on me because even with a suppressor, it's a lot better for her but whenever we go out to shoot, she has zero interest in taking it out of the safe. She can shoot my .224val and 6.5 grendel all day long. Obviously the recoil is much less.

She loves bolt action rifles for LR type shooting vs carbines, so taking the bolt action and building her a precision gas gun wouldn't do the trick.

Here's what I am thinking:

Rebarrel the Howa in 6mm creedmoor. Great ballistics, factory ammo, and much less recoil than a .308win. I would like to keep it a .473 bolt face so all I have to change is the barrel. I played with the idea of .224val conversion so we can buy one type of ammo that we can both shoot, but the bolt face diameter is the limiting factor.

Also, in WA state you need a minimum of 6mm caliber to hunt big game (even deer), so the 6mm creedmoor also fits that bill.

Anyone have any experience or knowledge with Howa 1500 pre-fit barrels? https://criterionbarrels.com/products/prefits/howa/howa-pre-fit-barrel/

Lastly, anyone have any other caliber suggestions or ideas?

First suggestion to knock down the recoil is an obvious one: muzzle brake. Makes it louder since it directs sound back at the shooter but the VG6 Lambda I put on my 300 win mag made it super comfy to shoot.

 

[aslrookie]

First suggestion to knock down the recoil is an obvious one: muzzle brake. Makes it louder since it directs sound back at the shooter but the VG6 Lambda I put on my 300 win mag made it super comfy to shoot.

Not an option. I shoot suppressed pretty much exclusively, so I am not dealing with a cannon being shot next to me during practice.

 

[spife7980]

Not an option. I shoot suppressed pretty much exclusively, so I am not dealing with a cannon being shot next to me during practice.

We thank you.

I think you will be pleased either way you go, a criterion howage or a new barreled action.
Can probably do the barreled action cheaper, price straight up is pretty darn close between the two but the tools push the new barrel route a bit higher in price.
60 for a barrel vice
60 for an action wrench (possibly 125 for the brownells since howa is a flat bottom)
30 for a go gauge
30 for a barrel nut
30 for a lug.
Adds up but makes it cheaper later on with more barrel swaps.

 

[stello1001]

I think buying a barreled action in 6 creed would be the answer. You put that in the stock she already has, and the .308 that was originally for you, well let's just say now you buy a chassis or stock of your choosing and there you go.

 

[BurnOut]

In the midst of a 6 Creedmoor Howa build myself; I bought a barreled action from Brownell's for just under $300 (in .308), and pulled the barrel. I'm planning on going with the Bugnut and an 8 twist Brux at 22". I already have a Boyd's stock to drop it in, the GO gauge, and the optic to go on top (LRHSi).

The intent of the build is kind of a walking hunter.

 

[mgrs]

The Brownells Howa Barreled actions are shooting so well, it is hard to justify rebuilding one unless long term with a 'howage' as stated above.

Wait for a 10% code, grab an active junky subscription, and pick up a 6.5 barreled action for less than $400.

Here are two consecutive 100y groups from the first 30 rounds on one....ammunition is bulk american gunner:

 

[stello1001]

In the midst of a 6 Creedmoor Howa build myself; I bought a barreled action from Brownell's for just under $300 (in .308), and pulled the barrel. I'm planning on going with the Bugnut and an 8 twist Brux at 22". I already have a Boyd's stock to drop it in, the GO gauge, and the optic to go on top (LRHSi).

The intent of the build is kind of a walking hunter.

Please show us once the build is complete

 

[aslrookie]

I am reviving this thread. I haven’t made any decisions on what to do with it yet. The idea of a compact bolt action is appealing to me. I could chop the 308 barrel down to 18” and then use my reflex suppressor for a super compact setup.

I’ve played with the idea of just buying a barreled action in 6 or 6.5, but then I am still stuck with a spare barreled action in 308 sitting around.

The compact 308 would be fun for hunting, and still could be used for matches if the wife wanted to.

I know a 18” 308 will drop considerably fast. I’ve already ran the numbers with estimated velocities, and it would be 1.6 mils more than my 224V at 600 yards. But this seems like the most ideal route so far.

 

[Ryridesmotox]

I am reviving this thread. I haven’t made any decisions on what to do with it yet. The idea of a compact bolt action is appealing to me. I could chop the 308 barrel down to 18” and then use my reflex suppressor for a super compact setup.

I’ve played with the idea of just buying a barreled action in 6 or 6.5, but then I am still stuck with a spare barreled action in 308 sitting around.

The compact 308 would be fun for hunting, and still could be used for matches if the wife wanted to.

I know a 18” 308 will drop considerably fast. I’ve already ran the numbers with estimated velocities, and it would be 1.6 mils more than my 224V at 600 yards. But this seems like the most ideal route so far.

If you do howage swap it, let me know if you want to sell the barrel. I have a 20 inch heavy barrel howa 308, wouldnt mind a 24 inch heavy barrel for later on.

 

[CavReconScout]

I put a Criterion 6mm med Palma on my Howa HCR. Using 115 DTACS at 3000 FPS it is a laser and recoils like a 223 with the LB brake. I used the Bighorn barrel nut, NSS offers another as well. I like it well enough that I have another heavy Palma 6mm Creedmoor on order.

 

[aslrookie]

If you do howage swap it, let me know if you want to sell the barrel. I have a 20 inch heavy barrel howa 308, wouldnt mind a 24 inch heavy barrel for later on.

The one I have measures out to be 26", so it's excessively long for my needs. How much would you pay for it?