Trigger warning to the Howa boys - Do I pretty up this pig, or dump ‘er?

[TostitosChipDetector]

Gents,

I need the clarity that can only come from writing a forum post after a frustrating day at the range.

My Howa 1500 in a KRG Bravo jumps around, and won’t balance on a schmedium. I have all the KRG things, but its just too light up front. I am having a really hard time spotting my shots.

The next logical step is to rebarrel and buy a more effective brake. A 28” bull will be $575 if I want it inside of 2 weeks. But why would I put a $575 barrel on a $394 barreled action? My marriage with the howa is already on the fritz, and I don’t think getting her a BBL will fix that.

That’s a double entendre in case you missed it.

So, do I abandon this platform and go to something else? What else could even be delivered before the beginning of the season for less than, say, $2500 including mags, dies, and brass?

The used Solus market seems reasonable. Maybe an 2-season-old solus competition + a rebarrel with a COTS prefit in 6 GT.

I’m leaning towards dumping the howa. I could use some input from people who have been in my shoes, or avoided my shoes.

 

[oldrifleman]

Was this a one time fight or is this beyond marriage counseling? If you are serious it sounds more like time for a divorce. Sell the rig and look for a 2 year old Origen or other rem 700 clone that takes prefits. Find a stock/chassis on the PX as well and get a new barrel. It’s spring and new love is in the air.

 

[FuhQ]

Dump it, get something better. If you're shooting matches, or training to shoot matches, you will want something much nicer, refined, and easier to simply swap prefit barrels on at home yourself, in the event you burn one out.

 

[OREGUN]

Well, while there’s nothing wrong with the Howa, I don’t think it’s going to have the industry support that you want. In terms of compatibility with chassis, triggers, and pre-fit barrels, you really need to go with something that fits in a standard Remington 700 package. Unfortunately, the answer is to dump it and start over again.

If you really want to hold onto it, dump the KRG bravo in favor of an MDT premier or an XLR element or any other competition ready chassis system that has an howa inlet. Foundation? Get an Ace Brake, a CHAD, or something similar.

What’s it chambered in and how many rounds on it? Why is the next step to re-barrel? If your stock and brake didn’t suck, does the rifle shoot? Also, “the season” started in January. You’re late.

 

[hlee]

I’m assuming this is some sort of short action 6mm.

So, the gun is jumping around?

Here’s a 130lb 14 year old behind a sporter weight 7mm Rem Mag.



The problem isn’t the rifle…

 

[powdahound76]

Get a real brake.
A 419 hellfire or APA little Bastard will do wonders over that one you have.
(I mention those because I use them, other good brakes mentioned, but that CHAD cost as much as your rifle!!)

I can spot my shots with a brake or can in a 10-12 lb .308.
And I am mediocre at best on a good day.

I will say, recoil control off a bag on a tripod or prop is tougher than prone.
And very doable with practice/training.
The KRG Bravo is fine. No need to chase another chassis

And yes, plan on getting something on a rem 700 platform as your progress and shoot more.

 

[Ty21]

Sounds like you’ve already thought about dumping it….so just dumb it and buy something else that you want eather an origin or a solus if that’s what you want.

 

[Mike Casselton]

OP
Just for fun, dump the extra long diving board of a bipod mount you got going on.
Put your bipod back on the spigot. Square up behind the rifle and use a good rear bag.
What you have going on reminds me of this:

 

[roostercogburn98]

My howa shot fine

 

[ma smith]

You need an 26x MTU to balance a KRG bravo, plus all the crap they sell.