HOWA .308 Build

[kennyhollingsworth]

Finally got everything in to put my .308 HOWA package together. So far everything is just drop in. No bedding or lapping of rings as of yet.

.308 HOWA 1500 barreled action.
20" Fluted Hvy barrel
Bell & Carlson tactical Medalist stock
Leupold VX-R 4x12-40mm with Firedot Reticle-500yd Custom turret/
Hornady 168gr BTHP Match Ammo
Harris Bipod







I was able to put 40 rds down range yesterday. I shot these two groups using my last 9 rds. (I know, I should've saved 10 for this.lol)

100yds off bench using non-firing hand for support with bipod. Did not have a rear bag with me.

I think the rifle is capable of .75 MOA as it is. Thoughts?

 

[hewlett260]

Not a bad start, bed it and do a trigger job and feed it 175's, it should be a .5 shooter. Make a sand sock for the rear and that will also help tighten up a bit as well. Nice project though, keep us updated.

 

[kennyhollingsworth]

Roger that. Trigger feels good to me tho. 2.8lbs. I will probably get it bedded . Thx

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[valkyries]

Beautiful rifle. Howas rock.

 

[Daryl licht]

my howa is the same 20" fluted barreled action and bc medalist a2 stock although i shaved the wings off my frontend. i put a rifle basix trigger in it an set it at 20 ounces and bedded the stock. ive found that some rifles like the first couple inches of the reciever bedded and none are hurt by it. mine liked it. with 175 berger otm's, lc cases, fed match primers and 41.7 gns of 4064 it shoots 1/4 to 1/2" groups with monotomy. enjoy my friend

 

[kennyhollingsworth]

Awesome Daryl! Quite impressive.

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[Low_drag]

I did the same but had it in a Boyds laminate stock. It shot .5 or better after bedding and lapping. Dollar for dollar, these are hard to beat.

 

[fdkay]

Not a bad start, bed it and do a trigger job and feed it 175's, it should be a .5 shooter. Make a sand sock for the rear and that will also help tighten up a bit as well. Nice project though, keep us updated.

Why do a trigger job on a rifle that comes with a very good adjustable trigger from the factory?
Understanding that sometimes a barrel doesn't like a certain weight, why would the 175's shoot better at 100 yards than the 168 hornady match?
I have found the Hornady 168 BTHP to be a very accurate bullet.
Bedding may or may not help.
It is a well made, flat bottom receiver, skim bedding may help, but may not make a difference.

I do agree that he needs a sand sock and that sill aid him in shooting a bit tighter.
I think the big answer here is some quality dry fire practice.
I'm sure by the time he had 25 or so rounds down range with a short barrel rifle, some flinching was present.

 

[hewlett260]

Why do a trigger job on a rifle that comes with a very good adjustable trigger from the factory?
Understanding that sometimes a barrel doesn't like a certain weight, why would the 175's shoot better at 100 yards than the 168 hornady match?
I have found the Hornady 168 BTHP to be a very accurate bullet.
Bedding may or may not help.
It is a well made, flat bottom receiver, skim bedding may help, but may not make a difference.

I do agree that he needs a sand sock and that sill aid him in shooting a bit tighter.
I think the big answer here is some quality dry fire practice.
I'm sure by the time he had 25 or so rounds down range with a short barrel rifle, some flinching was present.

All good counter points. As for ammo selection and understanding different barrels may like different bullets, out of the three Howa's I have owned(all 308) and the ones my friends bought off of my recommendation, I have yet to see one that didn't shoot noticeably better with 175's over 168's.

As for the trigger if it feels good leave it however two of my three to include the one I still have ended up with Timney triggers. Also with bedding, again out of the small handful of Howa rifles I have had direct experience with(13 total) only one didn't improve accuracy wise when bedded(that one sat in a Manners T3 that had good contact on the pillars already and shot 1/2 MOA before and after bedding).

These reasons are why I recommended the items I listed above. And I agree on the dry fire practice100%.

 

[kennyhollingsworth]

Thanks for all the input! Great info I will take heed of. I like the trigger, so I will be trying it for a while first.

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[Daryl licht]

My factory trigger was crap. Replaced it. Never said 175,s shot better at a hundred than 168 gn bullets. I occasionally let fly at a hog out here at 850 or so, the otm holds together better at that range both ballistically and terminally. Believe I said bedding it never hurt.