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Howa Discussion

TriggerHappy0125

Private
Minuteman
Apr 5, 2019
75
55
I am a few weeks away from my first Howa Barreled Action build. I would love to your rifles to round out my plans. Plesse show me your rifles and comment on the parts used and also what kind of groups you are getting with that setup
 
This my is howa mini action in 6.5 Grendel. Sits in an mdt LSS chassis. Sub moa groups.
 

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I have a kuiu verde 22-250 with 20" barrel.
Mostly factory stock, except schuler brake and lightened factory trigger.
Sub moa with 40,50,52 gr handloads.
 
Here’s my Mini in 6.5 Grendel. Ultralight 20” pencil barrel, trigger tuned down to ~2.5lbs, Tally lw rings and a light Leupy 4-12x40 on top.

It’s my mountain/hiking rifle (or was before I moved from CO to the Midwest, ha). Under 6.5lbs with a loaded mag.

7070887


I’ve also got a standard 22” barrel 7mm-08 in a Boyd’s stock (in CO so no pics with me, sorry) and a barreled action I’m building a long range rifle on. That one’s a 26” heavy barrel in 6.5CM and will be in a chassis and topped with a gen 2 Razor by summer.

I love the Howas, my experience with the 6.5G and 7mm-08 have been GREAT. They’re so affordable you couldn’t give me a Remington.
 
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7070916

6mm Creedmoor, Criterion barrel, HCR/Accurate Mag chassis, XLR tactical buttstock w/ bag rider, Henderson Precision Arca rail, Timney trigger, Razor 2, Seekins rings, MPA grip, Badger bolt knob. .5 moa groups with 115 DTACS and H4350.
 
6.5 Grendel 20" Heavy contour mini action
Sits in a Boyds Thumbhole At-one
Topped with a Nikkon Black FX1000 4x16 MOA
Pillar bedded and glass bedded lug
 
Good day,
I’m new to precision shooting so bare with me. After purchasing and shooting Howa APC 308, I decided that chassis is not for me and I’m going to sell them. But now the question what stock to get? Jump on KRG Bravo bandwagon? Or buy once cry once and get HS precision, Manners or GRS Bifrost?

Thanks
 
Forgot to mention I’m not planning to get in to matches, just shooting and hunting.
 
Good day,
I’m new to precision shooting so bare with me. After purchasing and shooting Howa APC 308, I decided that chassis is not for me and I’m going to sell them. But now the question what stock to get? Jump on KRG Bravo bandwagon? Or buy once cry once and get HS precision, Manners or GRS Bifrost?

Thanks
I like my bravo but I love my manners. The manners was 3x as expensive though.
The hs is probably the least attractive option, the biforst is probably equal to the bravo and the manners is cream of the crop. All of that depends on how it feels to you though. I assume you don’t like the tactical stylings of the chassis so any of these will do. Really if you can’t feel them then get whatever looks best to your aesthetics.
 
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Nice — I’d love a Manners for my long range Howa build but the additional upfront cost plus having to bed it makes the Bravo tough to walk away from if you don’t like a traditional chassis.
 
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It hard to choose, every stock have their positive and negative sides. Manners most expensive if purchasing full meal deal, stocky have T3 for 550$. Bifrost around 650$ looks great and great modularity. Looks like KRG but something stopping me from buying it.
 
I will think over it while my bolt handle at SAC being modified. I still have 2 weeks to sell chassis and make decision.
 
what type of hunting are you planning for this rifle?
 
Ok I will look for the thread again, I have read everything but I it was late and maybe I just don’t remember, thanks for the heads up.

I have been shooting my entire life. All of my rifles are essentially hunting rigs. I have the time and $$ to spend more time shooting. So the goal is to buy a rifle that is capable of 1000 yards. I also want something that is more capable than me. I am about .5-.75 MOA shooter. So essentially a good rifle that can support some growth while I further develop my shooting and reloading abilities. At some point I expect to purchase a custom rifle but that is really not in my budget this year. So my plan is:

Howa 26” 6.5CM BA
KRG Bravo - not set on this but I like the quality and price for this stage of my development
Muzzle Break, scope base TBD
Athlon Ares ETR
Maybe trigger upgrade but I want to feel the HACT trigger and if need mod it then decide
 
Here's my 6mm creedmoor Howa bravo at last weekend's guardian match at arena training facility in Blakley, GA. It's got a area 419 hellfire break, Talley 20moa rail, seekins rings, and a Bushnell hdmr 2 scope. Thing is a hammer, I on the other hand am a work in progress.
 

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So my plan is:

Howa 26” 6.5CM BA
KRG Bravo - not set on this but I like the quality and price for this stage of my development
Muzzle Break, scope base TBD
Athlon Ares ETR
Maybe trigger upgrade but I want to feel the HACT trigger and if need mod it then decide

I'm in a similar spot building out my first true LR rig. I've got the Howa 26" threaded heavy contour barreled action in 6.5CM, I'm down to two chassis options or the Bravo but still deciding, pretty sure I'll be doing a Heathen brake and Burris 25MOA scope base, a Razor Gen 2 sitting on top, and a modded HACT trigger down to ~1.5-2.0lbs. Goal is to finish putting it together in the next two months or so. If I beat you to it I'll let you know how it sings :)

Oh quick note for you: the BA is listed at 7lbs on Brownells' site but mine actually weighed 6lbs 4oz.
 
I'm in a similar spot building out my first true LR rig. I've got the Howa 26" threaded heavy contour barreled action in 6.5CM, I'm down to two chassis options or the Bravo but still deciding, pretty sure I'll be doing a Heathen brake and Burris 25MOA scope base, a Razor Gen 2 sitting on top, and a modded HACT trigger down to ~1.5-2.0lbs. Goal is to finish putting it together in the next two months or so. If I beat you to it I'll let you know how it sings :)

Oh quick note for you: the BA is listed at 7lbs on Brownells' site but mine actually weighed 6lbs 4oz.

What other chassis are you looking at? At this point I am waiting hoping Brownells will run one of the 10% off one day only sales. Worse case I hope they have a good Father’s Day sale. I hope to be complete by end of June if I can stay patient.
 
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Howa 6.5 CM Barreled Action
KRG Chassis
Atlas Bi Pod
Timney trigger
Razor Gen 2
Seekins Rings.

Handload 147 ELD M with H4350. Farthest hit was 1550 yds a couple years ago.
 
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What other chassis are you looking at? At this point I am waiting hoping Brownells will run one of the 10% off one day only sales. Worse case I hope they have a good Father’s Day sale. I hope to be complete by end of June if I can stay patient.

XLR Element, Accurate Mag, and Bravo. I’ve gone back and forth between the three like every other day for a couple months now. All have pluses and minuses, and one member on here who’s had both the Bravo and the Accurate Mag sold the Bravo so I’m thinking that through too.

Also I love the Magpul PRS Gen3 stock for the AR platform but hear it might not work (too long and not enough cheek height) on a chassis for a bolt rifle, which is pushing me back towards the Bravo...
 
I have HOWA 300wm barreled action in a MDT chassis. I like the action very smooth would like to change the trigger out to a flat one. haven't shot it yet, no glass yet
 
Time to update my post from above! New burnt bronze cerakote!
23F2C514-DBAB-4116-9BE1-AEAC34E389EB.jpeg

6mm Creedmoor, Criterion barrel, HCR/Accurate Mag chassis, XLR tactical buttstock w/ bag rider, Henderson Precision Arca rail, Timney trigger, Razor 2, Seekins rings, MPA grip, Badger bolt knob. .5 moa groups with 115 DTACS and H4350
 
Finally got my new build to the range. Shot 0.6 MOA at 100 yards with factory 147 grain Hornady Eld M. Very happy. Can’t wait to see what I can get hand loads down to.

Howa 26” 6.5 CM
KRG Bravo
Timmey Trigger set to 2 lbs
Seekins Rings
EGW Steel Base
Athalon Eres ETR Scope
APA Muzzle Break
 

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I’m in the same boat as OP. I purchased a Howa 24” BA in 6mm Creedmoor on a recent Brownells sale ($429 & free shipping). Also picked up a Nightforce 20moa base and Vortex rings. Plan to temporarily throw a Bushnell Engage 3-12x42 on it until I can manage a PST Gen II 5-25. I bought the Bushnell for a price you wouldn’t believe with the intention of a precision .22 rifle...which hasn’t happened yet. One of my many unfinished projects.

As stated, I’d been planning this rifle for a while and wanted to purchase a KRG X-Ray. Bought the barreled action not knowing they stopped making the X-Ray for Howa’s. ? I’ve checked the marketplace to no avail.

Currently trying to figure out if I want to go with an HS Precision Varmint (love the one on my CZ527 Varmint Kevlar), or the KRG Bravo. HS will end up being more expensive after purchasing Atlasworx bottom metal, but I already know I like the ergonomics.

The option to purchase a barreled action is great in theory, but now I’m left holding an action I can’t shoot until I make up my mind...it’s torture.
 
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I’m in the same boat as OP. I purchased a Howa 24” BA in 6mm Creedmoor on a recent Brownells sale ($429 & free shipping). Also picked up a Nightforce 20moa base and Vortex rings. Plan to temporarily throw a Bushnell Engage 3-12x42 on it until I can manage a PST Gen II 5-25. I bought the Bushnell for a price you wouldn’t believe with the intention of a precision .22 rifle...which hasn’t happened yet. One of my many unfinished projects.

As stated, I’d been planning this rifle for a while and wanted to purchase a KRG X-Ray. Bought the barreled action not knowing they stopped making the X-Ray for Howa’s. ? I’ve checked the marketplace to no avail.

Currently trying to figure out if I want to go with an HS Precision Varmint (love the one on my CZ527 Varmint Kevlar), or the KRG Bravo. HS will end up being more expensive after purchasing Atlasworx bottom metal, but I already know I like the ergonomics.

The option to purchase a barreled action is great in theory, but now I’m left holding an action I can’t shoot until I make up my mind...it’s torture.
I sold my xray once I tried the bravo.
 
I just picked up a new Howa 1500 308 for $350 from a local gun shop and found a used KRG Bravo for $350. As long as it can shoot FGMM under 1” I’ll be a happy camper.

Took the HACT trigger down to 1-1.5 pounds and scope base and rings are in the mail.

Once I get it all put together I’ll post some pics and range photos.
 
- KRG Bravo
- Burris XTR 25 MOA Rail (bedded)
- HACT Trigger Job - 1.5 coils cut
- Vortex Razor G2 4.5-27x56mm
- Vortex PMR 34mm 1.26" Rings

I have Vortex Defender caps in the mail and will be sending the bolt to Short Action Customs for their bolt knob modification.

The action feels great and is very smooth. I'll be doing some load testing next range day and am hoping the groups tighten up.
 

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First round of hand loads last week with Howa 1500 rig posted above. 42.6 gr H4350 Hornady 147 gr ELD Match loaded magazine length (2.212 ogive), 26” barrel shot 0.4 MOA 5 shot group. Fine tuning and moving out to 300 tomorrow if the weather holds up
 
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Went out for this morning for the second range session. The barrel has finally settled in after 60 rounds and is now grouping consistently.

All below groups were Federal GMM 168gr.

Prvi 308 Match was inconsistent and went from 1/2” to 2” with sporadic flyers.

Black Hills 168gr was around 1.5”.
 

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Some damn fine shooters in this thread ?

I got home a day early from my Labor Day vacay so I’m going to dig the trigger back out and clip a coil or two off the 2nd stage spring in the HACT, see if I can get this thing consistently at or slightly under a pound and still pass all safety tests with a healthy margin.

TriggerTech has their new Diamond AR trigger on sale for the holiday and it just further drives home how all I want is for them to release one for Howas!
 
Really like my HB 308. Only got to shoot it twice but like it so far.
 
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I know I'm late to the party ty but here's my howa miniaction 222 Remington and 300 win mag
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Both have oryx chassis, the 300 has a 26" factory barrel and vortex viper 6.5-20x50, and the 222 has a 20" heavy factory barrel with bass pro pursuit-x1 6-24x44 scope.
 
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