Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

[r33prman]

Well my new barrel action howa1500 varmint in .308 is on the way. As is a b&c medalist and a Egw 20moa base. Couple of questions:

1. I was looking at the barreled action the other day and noticed there's a sticky gunk on it they use for packing I assume. What's the get way to remove this? Its my first new gun I've always had 2nd hand ones

2. What's the best method for cleaning the barrel pre shooting it when it's brand new? Just run hoppes9 and a couple of patches?

3. What barrel brake in procedure did you use? Seems people are going against this these days and was wondering why?

4. Can anyone tell me the best torque settings for the action to stock? And recommend a good little torque wrench?

Thanks for all the responses in advance and a big thanks to all the guys on the forum. Reading through so much material really help me with some choices on the build. I've gleaned heaps from this forum!

R33PRMAN

 

[Cacciatore]

Re: Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

On my Howas I have never noticed any sticky gunk but, for that kind of stuff there is always a bottle of "Goo-Remover" laying around my house somewhere. Baby oil also works well if you don't have any of the specialty stuff.

When the barrel is new I usually clean it until there is no residual oil left from the factory.

As far as barrel break in I used this one that I found on the Legacy Sports International website. (Company that makes Howa)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the first ten shots we recommend using jacketed bullets with a nitro powder load (Most Factory Ammo). Clean the oil out of the barrel before each shot using a simple window cleaner (like Windex®) which will soak the oil out of the pores. After firing each cartridge, use a good copper cleaner (one with ammonia) to remove the copper fouling from the barrel. We do not recommend anything with an abrasive in it since you are trying to seal the barrel, not keep it agitated.

After cleaning with bore cleaner, clean again with window cleaner after each shot. Use window cleaner because many bore cleaners use a petroleum base which you want to remove before firing the next shot. This will keep the carbon from building up in the barrel (oil left in the pores, when burned, turns to carbon).

To keep the temperature cool in the barrel, wait at least 5 minutes between break-in shots. The barrel must remain cool during the break-in procedure. If the barrel is allowed to heat up during the break-in, it will destroy the steel's ability to develop a home registration point, or memory. It will have a tendency to make the barrel "walk" when it heats up in the future. We have all seen barrels that, as they heat up, start to shoot high and then "walk" to the right. This was caused by improperly breaking in the barrel (generally by sitting at a bench rest and shooting 20 rounds in 5 minutes or so). If you take a little time in the beginning and do it right, you will be much more pleased with the barrel in the future.

Look into the end of the barrel after firing a shot, and you will see a light copper-colored wash in the barrel. Remove this before firing the next shot. Somewhere during the procedure, around shot 6 or 7, it will be obvious that the copper color is no longer appearing in the barrel. Continue the window cleaner and bore cleaner applications through shot 10.

Following the initial ten shots, you then may shoot 2 rounds, cleaning between each pair of shots, for the next 10 shots. This is simply insuring that the burnishing process has been completed. In theory, you are closing the pores of the barrel metal that have been opened and exposed through the cutting and hand lapping procedures.</div></div>

For the action I usually torque mine down to 65in/lbs. This is the wrench I use and its worked excellent except that it does not come with the proper TORX bit used in the Howa action. That was solved by a quick trip to the local hardware store.

http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.com/wheeler-engineering/catalog.asp?product=fat-wrench

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

1. Try your normal solvent (Hoppes, whatever) if it doesn't work I'd call the company and see what they recommend

2. Run some hoppes down it and patch it till it's dry. The idea is to remove any preservatives that are in there.

3. I personally believe barrel break-in procedures are a form of voodoo and never do them. All my rifles shoot quite well, thank you. Think about it: if a barrel break-in were necessary, why are there so many different ones? Just shoot it.

4. 65 in. lbs. Get a Borka tool from Liberty Optics. You'll thank me later.

 

[r33prman]

Re: Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

Thanks guys. I'll try and pick up a good little torque wrech n set it all up correctly. I have been thinking barrel brake in may be myth! Is it just a civilian thing or do that teach it in the military?

Has anyone with a howa got a pet load or any recommendations as to what gr projectiles they like most? It'll be my 1st .308 but not my 1st time reloading or anything.

Man I wish the paper work would come back so I can go pick it up...... Damn Aussie licensing laws!

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

I use 43 gr. of Varget in a LC Match case and a 175 gr. Match King. Sorry, don't remember COAL off the top of my head, but experiment with what works for you.

Projectile weight is a matter of preference: some like a Palma style, some go for the heavy stuff like a 208 Amax. I'm more a middle-of-the-road type.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

None of your questions are unique to Howa.


For cleaning the "gunk", try any gun oil, or even acetone.

For cleaning the barrel initially, just use your preferred method. I have tried several ways, from Hoppes to the JB/Kroil method. Anymore, I just use a carbon remover and patch it out until somewhat clean.

For "break-in", just shoot it. Clean like normal.

As far as loads, there's nothing unique to the Howa. Try the appropriate bullet weight for your twist rate and standard loads from the manual. No two rifles, even of identical make, will shoot the same loads the same across the board.

Good luck with your new rifle! Howa is an underrated rifle maker in my opinion.

 

[kritos666]

Re: Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

My 1500 has a hart barrel.. so not sure if this applies ..

I use 45.5 of Varget and 175 Nosler CC. with very good results.

 

[kritos666]

Re: Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kritos666</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My 1500 has a hart barrel.. so not sure if this applies ..

I use 45.5 of Varget and 175 Nosler CC. with very good results.

</div></div>

actually 44.7 is the 175 .. I worked up a load for 168s that was 44.5

 

[hewlett260]

Re: Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

Try shooters choice instead of hoppes

 

[r33prman]

Re: Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

Borka is on its way. Thank for the help and recommendations. Can anyone recommend a good dbm system? What's the actual howa one like?

 

[hewlett260]

Re: Questions for the HOWA 1500 guys.

Go with the CDI system so you can use the AI magazines, you can thank me later.