As the title says, finally got to shoot my new Howa today at Angeles Shooting Ranch in So. Cal today. It was an overcast day with the sun peeking through at times. Almost no wind, 60 - 65F temperature. I am encouraged by the results and believe this rifle has potential as long as I do my part. Next step will be getting a DBM setup for it as loading the internal mag is not really fun, not to mention being limited to 4 rounds...
I am showing two of my better group sets today, one with factory Black Hills ammo with Sierra 175 HPBT, and another with my own reload (Sierra 175, Black Hills brass, Reloder 15 powder 44gn, CCI BR-2 primer, 2.780" OAL). I loaded a hundred rounds with Varget of varying charge weights, and also with OAL about .003" off the rifling. None of them shot as well as the RE-15 round I shot the second group sets below with... I think I will still with RE-15 as my powder of choice from now on.
I apologize for the four-round groupings. My internal mag only accepts 4 rounds and I decided to just shoot all groups that way.
Anyway, here are some pics:
Rifle: Howa 1500 .308, 23.5" barrel with Holland style brake installed by Randall, 1-10 twist. USO SN3-TPAL.
Black Hills factory ammo groups:
My reloads, only shot three groups on my last shots:
After I shot groups at the black benches, I moved to the concrete benches after some freed up, proceeded to shoot steel from 200 to 600 yards and I was pleasantly surprised that I could hit them with regularity after I found the proper hold over elevation (I'm new at this, so please excuse my excitement
)... I am hooked...
Much more to learn, but I like the start.
Peter
I am showing two of my better group sets today, one with factory Black Hills ammo with Sierra 175 HPBT, and another with my own reload (Sierra 175, Black Hills brass, Reloder 15 powder 44gn, CCI BR-2 primer, 2.780" OAL). I loaded a hundred rounds with Varget of varying charge weights, and also with OAL about .003" off the rifling. None of them shot as well as the RE-15 round I shot the second group sets below with... I think I will still with RE-15 as my powder of choice from now on.
I apologize for the four-round groupings. My internal mag only accepts 4 rounds and I decided to just shoot all groups that way.
Anyway, here are some pics:
Rifle: Howa 1500 .308, 23.5" barrel with Holland style brake installed by Randall, 1-10 twist. USO SN3-TPAL.
Black Hills factory ammo groups:
My reloads, only shot three groups on my last shots:
After I shot groups at the black benches, I moved to the concrete benches after some freed up, proceeded to shoot steel from 200 to 600 yards and I was pleasantly surprised that I could hit them with regularity after I found the proper hold over elevation (I'm new at this, so please excuse my excitement
)... I am hooked...Much more to learn, but I like the start.
Peter
