HOWA 1500 .223 REM Chamber Dimensions Different Between Barrel Profiles

[BlindSpider]

Relatively new shooter here, I've got a Howa 1500 in 223 short action, Varmint profile, 1 in 8'. I've spoken to another bloke who's wife has a M1500 with the sporter barrel she shoots out to 1000m. His reloads CBTO are 1.991' with a .005' jump to lands. Mine are 1.900 with a larger jump than his.

My issue is that I'm already starting to crunch powder with the 73gr 75gr projectiles I'm using and 23.5gr of AR2208. Am I right in thinking the difference in chambers is because Howa is expecting me to use a lighter projectile for *varminting*, compared to the sporter barrel.

From what I understand, I'll need to get a gunsmith to increase the freebore. Does anybody have any recommendations for a 223 chamber freebore with heavier projectiles, my plan was to seat CBTO to 2'. Is that sound unreasonable for a 75gr projectile? What should I be working with in terms of jump to lands?

Cheers

 

[fdkay]

What kind of velocities and accuracy are you getting with your current load?

 

[BlindSpider]

What kind of velocities and accuracy are you getting with your current load?

No idea with velocities, have no way to measure. but after putting a proper stock on, I'm getting 5 shot groups sub MOA. The best 4 of those are easily .5", with some being cloverleaf/one hole.

 

[BlindSpider]

What kind of velocities and accuracy are you getting with your current load?

 

[fdkay]

Don't fix something that isn't broken.

 

[jLorenzo]

Howa makes a 1:8 twist 223?

 

[fdkay]

Howa makes a 1:8 twist 223?

all of their .223's in the current catalog sport 1-8 twist, oddly enough the 22-250 still sports a 1-12

 

[jLorenzo]

Good to know, is it marked on the barrel? Always a struggle to figure that out with other brands besides Tikka. At least its not easy to find immediate confirmation of the twist rate.

 

[BlindSpider]

Good to know, is it marked on the barrel? Always a struggle to figure that out with other brands besides Tikka. At least its not easy to find immediate confirmation of the twist rate.

I was actually expecting a 1:10 twist when I ordered it, wherever I found online said 1:10. I was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Howa makes a 1:8 twist 223?

Yes, I have a mini Howa in 223 with a 1:8 twist heavy. It's a pretty good shooter, just under MOA.

I don't know how the bigger 1500 is but if you load anything beyond normal 223 pressures, it has a hard time extracting cases.