Re: new barrel for Howa
Think seriously about what was said above!
I shoot a 7mm-08 in a rem 700, factory rifle. I could not ask for better accuracy, the recoil is milder than a .308 (Subjective, but it feels a LOT nicer to shoot than my buddy's .308, AND I'm shooting 150grn boolits).
I'm also building a couple of 6.5's at the moment as well.
Do I feel disadvantaged by not having a .308?? HELL NO!!
Last competition I shot in I came second with my 7mm-08. The winner was using a .243. We were comfortably ahead of all the .308's, although, admittedly, we were only shooting the McQueen competition at 200yds (British army snap shooting sniper comp)
There are a lot more choices out there for the .308 bolt face, some VERY accurate, high performance cartridges.
Don't be a sheeple, dont follow the herd.
Hope this helps.
Neil