Howa APC M1500 and some questions

shotfun

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Minuteman
Aug 14, 2020
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hey everyone, this is my first post on the forum and I hope some of these questions aren't too basic. I just ordered a HOWA APC M1500 and I'm clear to pick it up on Thursday. The rifle comes with no scope or mount. I haven't had the gun in my hand but it appears to me ill need a picatinny rail, scope mounts, a scope and a bi-pod to get started. as far as the picatinny rail goes...is a Outerimpact 20 MOA rail any good? after that im looking at Nikon glass. if anyone has some good ideas I'm all ears. what's the general consensus on Caldwell bi pods? if they're no good can anyone point me in the way of something introductory? thanks in advance for your time. JC
 
I've also got a Howa. I'm not familiar with that brand of rail, but they take any rail that will got a rem 700 short action. I've got an EGW that was affordable and hasn't caused any problems. I'd definitely get a 20 moa version.

You're going to want a Harris bipod at minimum for the cheaper ones. Magpul is alright too. Take your pick.

Plenty of good options for rings. I've had good luck with the Burris ctr signatures lately, but really anything from a known brand will hold just fine. You don't need to blow $200 on rings.

I'd advise against Nikon scopes. They're getting out of the scope game so any support down the road is probably not gonna happen. Too many great options at similar prices to go with someone that's giving up on scopes. I've been buying up athlons lately, but vortex, Burris, Bushnell, etc all have great options. Just decide on a budget and what features you want.
 
Oh, I always forget tiptop bipods too. I've got one that I like more than my Harris. They're a Harris clone/type but have the better lock lever and pan/cant from the factory. You never see them mentioned here, don't know why. I think you have to buy direct from them.
 
I've also got a Howa. I'm not familiar with that brand of rail, but they take any rail that will got a rem 700 short action. I've got an EGW that was affordable and hasn't caused any problems. I'd definitely get a 20 moa version.

Ok cool. So short action rem 700. (I almost went 700)

You're going to want a Harris bipod at minimum for the cheaper ones. Magpul is alright too. Take your pick.

Noted

Plenty of good options for rings. I've had good luck with the Burris ctr signatures lately, but really anything from a known brand will hold just fine. You don't need to blow $200 on rings

ok cool

I'd advise against Nikon scopes. They're getting out of the scope game so any support down the road is probably not gonna happen. Too many great options at similar prices to go with someone that's giving up on scopes. I've been buying up athlons lately, but vortex, Burris, Bushnell, etc all have great options. Just decide on a budget and what features you want.

this makes all the sense in the world. I really appreciate the help. I’ve been eyeballing the vortex. have a great night and thanks again
 
A rem700 rail will not work on your rifle so please do not get one for it. A howa 1500 rail will fit on your rifle just make sure it's proper size. There are some for long action and some for short action. You do not mention which one you got by the way.

Look for Harris or Atlas bipods. The magpul is decent too, or so I hear. Stay away from cheap Chinese bipods.
 
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A rem700 rail will not work on your rifle so please do not get one for it. A howa 1500 rail will fit on your rifle just make sure it's proper size. There are some for long action and some for short action. You do not mention which one you got by the way.

Look for Harris or Atlas bipods. The magpul is decent too, or so I hear. Stay away from cheap Chinese bipods.
I picked up this one. I thought it was the long action but now I’m questioning myself. I was after a Howa for my entry into precision shooting so I chased down the 1500 in this tactical setup It’s the .308
56F92AB0-FCCE-4288-BA69-7D8BF7B3C57F.png
 
A rem700 rail will not work on your rifle so please do not get one for it. A howa 1500 rail will fit on your rifle just make sure it's proper size. There are some for long action and some for short action. You do not mention which one you got by the way.

Look for Harris or Atlas bipods. The magpul is decent too, or so I hear. Stay away from cheap Chinese bipods.
So I would say mine is the short action
 
You're right. Thought I'd seen that the 700/Howa rails were interchangable. They are not. Good catch.

While the receiver's contour is the same and the distance between screw holes on each receiver bridge is the same, the distance between the front set of holes and the rear set of holes is NOT the same. So while two-piece bases from a Rem 700 will fit, one-piece bases will not.
 
Awesome. So I’m square on the mount for the scope. I know the scope question is one that’s going to have tons of answers, but more opinions are better. I’m new to all of this but I’m looking to start out at a hundred yards I’d like to get good at that distance and hopefully get to 500. So I would think I’d need something in the 10x range? Not sure.
 
Are you going with capped turrets on purpose? I'd suggest the diamondback tactical as a decent entry level vortex, its going to give you much more usability than the crossfire will. I do understand that budgets are budgets though...

What are you looking for in a scope?
 
Are you going with capped turrets on purpose? I'd suggest the diamondback tactical as a decent entry level vortex, its going to give you much more usability than the crossfire will. I do understand that budgets are budgets though...

What are you looking for in a scope?
I’m new to precision shooting and I’d like to master 100 yards and move out to 500 with a single scope. Does this seem doable with a single scope or should I start at 100-200 and then get another scope to move out to 500?
 
Are you going with capped turrets on purpose? I'd suggest the diamondback tactical as a decent entry level vortex, its going to give you much more usability than the crossfire will. I do understand that budgets are budgets though...

What are you looking for in a scope?
And around 300 or less
 
The range you shoot won't really be the problem, the problem would be making adjustments between 100, 200, 500, etc. It looks like you can grab a 4-16 diamondback tac for $350 brand new, or less than 300 used on the PX here.

Its not that the scopes you've linked are bad, they're just not designed to be used in the way most people on this forum are shooting. That is going quickly from tea gets at 100, 300, 275, 460, 700 yards, or whatever. The exposed dials make that pretty easy once youve got a hang of it. Even if you get one of the other ones with a BDC reticle, its not going to work except for 3 or 4 specific ranges, and they won't be 1, 2, 3, and 400.

I'm not trying to say vortex is the only option either, its just one off the top of my head. Athlon has some good options around those prices, so does Bushnell. If you call Doug at camerland NY and tell him what you're looking for and what you want to do he should be able to hook you up.

There is also the optics forum on here. Lots of the threads are on $2000 plus glass, but there are some on entry level stuff too to give you an idea of what you can shop for.
 
The range you shoot won't really be the problem, the problem would be making adjustments between 100, 200, 500, etc. It looks like you can grab a 4-16 diamondback tac for $350 brand new, or less than 300 used on the PX here.

Its not that the scopes you've linked are bad, they're just not designed to be used in the way most people on this forum are shooting. That is going quickly from tea gets at 100, 300, 275, 460, 700 yards, or whatever. The exposed dials make that pretty easy once youve got a hang of it. Even if you get one of the other ones with a BDC reticle, its not going to work except for 3 or 4 specific ranges, and they won't be 1, 2, 3, and 400.

I'm not trying to say vortex is the only option either, its just one off the top of my head. Athlon has some good options around those prices, so does Bushnell. If you call Doug at camerland NY and tell him what you're looking for and what you want to do he should be able to hook you up.

There is also the optics forum on here. Lots of the threads are on $2000 plus glass, but there are some on entry level stuff too to give you an idea of what you can shop for.
hey there. thanks so much. I really dig that 4-16. im having a hell of a time searching the PX but ill figure it out.
 
Hello everyone from Wyoming, this is my first post on this forums. I recently bought a Howa 1500 APC in 308 and was looking to upgrade the muzzle brake that comes with it. Does anyone have any affordable quality suggestion? I have already upgraded my scope to a 4x16 FFP that I got a great deal on. Since I am on a harsh budget I am trying to do likewise withe the muzzle break.