Howa 1500 243 Varmint, stuck between two choices of Howa

[crows2332]

Howdy,

Looking at two variations of a similar Howa 1500 243 Varmint 24" barrel.

First option: Brand New, Howa 1500 243 Blued Varmint 24" barrel, older synthetic stock (not hogue), not pillar bedded, internal mag, $550 new price, but extra $100 for courier and Local gun store fees transfer/accepting fee, so it's $650 all up couriered to Local gun store & transfer fee.

Second option: 2nd hand, Howa 1500 243 Stainless Varmint 24" Barrel, between 700 & 900 rounds through it. Hogue pillar bedded stock, after market trigger, but unable to ascertain brand/fitting details, internal mag, for $650 total as is local rifle. Has possible inclusion of load data for a good grouping reload suited to it.

I like new and un muddled with rifle, but also like the "idea" of stainless & possible all ready to go suitable reload for it.
Negative is I don't have reloading gear (sold), so either rifle will be using factory ammo for a while until saved enough coin for the reloading gear.

Possibly be re-barrel in future to 260 or 243 improved once either barrel is shot out, but doesn't really effect the choice of which one. May stay with the 243 barrel if it proves great to me.

Both are the same price, slight variations between them.
One is brand new, the other stainless but 900 rounds through it. Both are available now.

It'd be used mostly with a bipod or some kind of front rest, so the flex in the 2nd hand Howa with the hogue stock may be a pain/negative.

Does one toss a coin, or is there a more scientific way of coming to a conclusion

Don't plan on using it in a rain forest, high humidity, or bucketing down with rain (fair weather shooter).

Cheers

 

[JRS]

If stainless steel isn't necessary, why buy used for the same price?

 

[crows2332]

If stainless steel isn't necessary, why buy used for the same price?

Howdy GSXR,
You know, I seriously complicate the simplest of things. Just looking at it that way you suggested, it makes sense.
If it's basically the same rifle, new over old every day.
I wasn't sure how much benefit the reload data already being done for the stainless barrel weighed in on the choice/cost (dollars saved on rounds for testing/loading).
thanks for the input.

 

[mac86951]

With 243, buy new and care for it. That would be my opinion. You don't want to pay extra to replace a barrel earlier.

-Mac

 

[JRS]

Realizing you will be using factory loaded ammo [at least temporarily], reload data is a moot point. Start out fresh with that new gun and enjoy it.

 

[crows2332]

With 243, buy new and care for it. That would be my opinion. You don't want to pay extra to replace a barrel earlier.

-Mac

Hey Mac,
I had wondered on the barrel life left in the stainless if it's guessed to have 900 rounds through it. A 223 would be just warming up there, but the 243, not so much by the sounds.
Cheers
Rob

 

[crows2332]

Realizing you will be using factory loaded ammo [at least temporarily], reload data is a moot point. Start out fresh with that new gun and enjoy it.

yes, factory at first. never know when the bills will come in to take away from the reloading gear coin pile, so a bunch of factory rounds until then in the new barrel might be the order. Bonus is warranty also I guess. 2nd hand one, no warranty, may look okay to my blind eyes, but might have a fault I couldn't pick up.

 

[JRS]

Don't worry about the stainless steel v. chrome moly. The chrome moly barrel will last just as long, and shoot just as well. You can get good, or, not so good in either flavor.

 

[crows2332]

Don't worry about the stainless steel v. chrome moly. The chrome moly barrel will last just as long, and shoot just as well. You can get good, or, not so good in either flavor.

Thanks GSXR, Good to hear the blued barrel doesn't given anything away accuracy wise to the stainless. Both are more accurate than me from all accounts of my current grouping efforts

 

[drover]

You did not specify the use for the rifle but since you are buying a heavy barrel varmint model I would deduce that it is for varmints, if that is so then buy the new one.
I have owned quite a few 243's and in my experience throat erosion is getting severe by 1500 rounds, especially if run hot a few times, also that seems to be about the same time that accuracy begins to degrade.

drover

 

[crows2332]

You did not specify the use for the rifle but since you are buying a heavy barrel varmint model I would deduce that it is for varmints, if that is so then buy the new one.
I have owned quite a few 243's and in my experience throat erosion is getting severe by 1500 rounds, especially if run hot a few times, also that seems to be about the same time that accuracy begins to degrade.

drover

Hi Drover,
Thanks for the input and info. Dang! I didn't realise the 243 throat may start to deteriorate that quickly. From 900 rounds where it is now, if I wanted to use it on the odd paper target, the accuracy would be handy. Not much life left in that case before a new 243 or 260 barrel target barrel on it then.
Thanks for the advice Drover, and to all who advised. I'd say, from the posts, the thoughts from the thread for new rifle, outweigh the 2nd hand stainless with the inherent safety net of new with no damage, as I'm not a gunsmith, don't have a bore scope, couldn't tell if the throat was eroded myself, so new might be the safe choice. Thanks for the help all.
Cheers