Gunsmithing Rebarreling a Howa 1500

[firestorm1284]

Hey Hiders,

I've had a few questions lately, thanks for all the help. I'm looking at doing some work on Howa actions. I have a suitable lathe, but I'm new to home gunsmithing. I've watched the Rem 700 video series on truing an action, which was unbelievably helpful. I'm looking to do the same things at home to my Howa 1500, plus I want to replace the barrel with a match barrel.

However, from what I have read, getting the barrel off of a Howa is a real PITA. Can anyone provide a detailed description of how to do it, hopefully even with pics? Maybe Pete Lincoln from Roedale?

Any help would be great. Thanks guys.

 

[AKA-Spook]

Re: Rebarreling a Howa 1500

Use your parting tool to cut a relief groove in the barrel just ahead of the receiver about .100 deep...comes off easily with barrel wrench afterward.

 

[firestorm1284]

Re: Rebarreling a Howa 1500

Thanks Spook - I had read that somewhere else as well. However, If you do that, are you destroying the barrel? I know I said I was wanting to do it to replace the barrel - which is correct, but I would like to do it in such a way that the barrel COULD be re-used.

Also, with the relief cut, how far forward from the receiver do you go?

 

[gregt]

Re: Rebarreling a Howa 1500

If you have it set up properly and measure the width of the cut you make with the parting tool, you could turn up a ring the same width to use if you wanted to refit the original barrel.

You could check to make sure it's ok with some headspace gauges once it's done and adjust the width of the spacer to suit.

 

[firestorm1284]

Re: Rebarreling a Howa 1500

Hey, its my Aussie Howa guru! Thanks for the idea, that is a good one.

I have a PM for you inbound.

 

[gregt]

Re: Rebarreling a Howa 1500

No worries mate, it's not actually my idea, Mark at Wild Dog in Brisbane, Aus. told me how to do it. He's rebarreling one of my rifles if I ever get off my arse and get it to him.