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Gunsmithing new barrel for Howa

avd

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 9, 2010
120
0
52
ho, tx
I want to order a new barrel for my Howa. However, I am uncertain what to ask for. What will i need to specify to the barrel maker and what will the barrel maker provide? What will the gunsmith have to do to install the barrel?

Thanks in advance,

avd
 
Re: new barrel for Howa

For the barrel maker- all he needs to know is what caliber (308, 7mm, 6.5mm, etc), twist rate, and how long. The barrel comes as a barrel blank (unchambered and unthreaded)

For the gunsmith- he'll need to know the caliber to chamber and the threading on the Howa action to thread the barrel (he should know this).
This should get you done.
 
Re: new barrel for Howa

.308. Im afraid to ask this here but im gonna do it, what twist rate? I am shooting paper and pigs, mostly paper.
 
Re: new barrel for Howa

If you don't go heavier than a 190 SMK, then a 1:12 twist will work fine. But a anything between a 1:10" to 1:12 twist will work.
If you're going to rechamber, why a 308? Just curious. A 7mm-08 or 260 Rem would be better for longer range with higher BC bullets. But then again, you can't go wrong with a 308.
 
Re: new barrel for Howa

i have only shot 168 to 175, but i havent shot farther than 200 yards, yet. As far as a caliber change, i have thought about it but i keep going back to the fact that i have dies, and more dies, and brass and so on for the .308. I still may try the .260.
 
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
 
Re: new barrel for Howa

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: avd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have only shot 168 to 175, but i havent shot farther than 200 yards, yet. As far as a caliber change, i have thought about it but i keep going back to the fact that i have dies, and more dies, and brass and so on for the .308. I still may try the .260. </div></div>

Dies are cheep, your brass can be used for either the 7-08 or 260, plus they will both beat the hell out of any 308.