.204R Howa accuracy issues

[Engineman]

I've got a Howa supreme varminter (mini action, heavy 24" barrel, laminated target stock) chambered in .204R that I bought used a few years ago. I've been beating my head against a wall ever since trying to get it to shoot better. I've tried pretty much every bullet, seating depth and powder combination between 26 and 40 grains, re-crowned, switched scopes and glass bedded the rifle and still can't get anything to shoot any better than .85 MOA. Factory 32 and 40 grain loads from hornady are 1.25 MOA or larger.

I don't know how many rounds have been through this thing and I don't have a borescope that will fit the barrel. At this point should I just assume it needs a new barrel? Anything else? What level of accuracy should I expect from a good barrel with factory ammo?

Thanks

 

[Tommie]

Check the basic mechanical stuff first. Are the action screws torqued correctly? Is the scope base torqued correctly? Are the scope rings torqued correctly? Is the barrel touching the stock? Is the bolt handle touching the stock?

 

[Engineman]

Check the basic mechanical stuff first. Are the action screws torqued correctly? Is the scope base torqued correctly? Are the scope rings torqued correctly? Is the barrel touching the stock? Is the bolt handle touching the stock?

Think I've got all that covered. Bought a torque screwdriver just for this rifle to check all that. Barrel is free floated other than the first 1.5" which is bedded with the receiver

 

[jpx2rk]

Check out Teslong bore scopes, they advertise one that will fit, but the one I received would not fit in a 20 cal bore ( the stiff or metal shaft wont fit), but I have a flexible shaft Teslong, and I sanded/buffed the mirror head down a little bit to where it fits good in a 20 cal bore. Be careful when sanding/buffing, don't scratch the mirror or knock it loose. I used an old/used emory board from the wife.

The 204R will usually shoot decent to good with some jump, as most factory barrels have too much freebore to touch the lands, etc.

 

[B23]

I have both Teslong bore scopes, rigid and flexible, they'll both fit down any of my 20 cal barrels but I have to make sure they go in the bore straight. If it's tilted or angled at all it won't fit in.

They can sometimes take a little tweaking screwing the mirror in/out to get the best focused image but the image quality is remarkable good and when you consider what they cost it's amazing how good it is.

 

[charlie b]

Howa says they have a 1MOA guarantee. I have a barreled action in 6.5 that I've used in a build. I can get sub MOA with quite a few loads. But, getting much below that is tough. I've had decent luck with Berger 140's, but that means 3/4 groups, not less than 1/2. It is good enough for hunting, just is not that interesting to me.

When I get around to it, there will be a new barrel purchased for it. Not decided on cartridge yet.

 

[L.Sherm]

I would be looking at a new barrel, you can smoke a 204R barrel in a high volume rat patch on a warm day just like a 22-250 if your not careful.
If your convinced its nothing mechanical its time. After so long doesn't make sense to put more rounds and energy into a barrel your not happy with.

 

[jlorenzo]

I had a Howa that would only shoot a rough 1 moa not matter what I did. It would stack 3 then throw 4 and 5 out away from the group. I would get it rebarrelled.

 

[TheCZKid]

I had / have same issue with a Howa with 22-250 barrel. I had high hopes of small groups, and best I've been able to finally get is 1/2" to 5/8" after trying all kinds of options of bullets and powders. I am tempted to get a better barrel, but for coyotes, it'll do okay for now.

I feel your frustration, been there, done that, got the T-shirt!