Several Companies are offering prefit barrels now for the Howa 1500 action. So that’s good news when we shoot these out.
I have shot my 6mm Creedmoor Howa barreled action out to 1300 yards here in Georgia at 1200' elevation with the 108 ELD-M's with excellent results on steel. Speed is still in the 3117-3130 range depending on temperature and groups in the .5-.6 MOA-range at 100 and 200 yards. I did install aluminum pillars in the stock and glass bedded (is that a word?) the front of the action and integral recoil lug using the Miles Gilbert bedrock kit. I talked to the OP and don't believe he got the results he was looking for. Also, Gavin, from Ultimatereloader.com was unable to get his to group consistently. I don't know if I was just lucky or if persistence paid off. I will say that the rifle shot factory 147 ELD-Match ammo very well from the very beginning. That is what gave me the hope that the barrel would shoot. If it means anything, I would buy another one as I really like the action and you can purchase a Remage or, I guess, Howage barrel for the action and keep the party going pretty easily.
Good luck with yours!
Hank
Out of desperation, I tried some of the 108 ELD-Match projectiles and since I had gotten the best results using H4350, I stopped experimenting with other powders.
Good catch, Triples. I meant 108 ELD-M. As another poster said, I believe my barrel is near the end. My same load has lost 100 fps and I have .07 of throat erosion after 850 rounds. I wasted a lot of barrel life load testing. I have a new criterion barrel to put on the action and will restart load testing soon. At 3130 fps, the Hornady 108s really shine at distance.