HOWA 1500 accuracy in .308

[Hamo]

I'm going to start by saying that I'm a competative Palma shooter. I have a very nice barnard with a kreiger barrel that punches 1/4 MOA groups with handloads. I have high expectations when it comes to accuracy. However, I want a "Farm" rifle, and I really don't want to spend more than I have to. Its duties will be vermin out to around 300m, and I'd love to bowl over coke cans up to around 4-500m for fun (don't expect a guaranteed hit). I want a .308 as I have about 2,000 once fired brass sitting in the corner so it will be cheap to feed.

Here in Australia, Howa's are about the cheapest brand new rifle you can get. From cheapest to most expensive, it would tyically go Howa - Savage - Remington - Tikka. My dad has a Weatherby Vanguard (same thing re branded) in 22-250 that I can punch around 1" 3 shot groups with when its cold. Second 3 shot group starts to go all over the place. The barrel is not free floated and I know its resting on that crappy plastic stock... I blame it. The trigger on the old mans rifle was awful, but I worked my magic and it now breaks just as good as an after-market trigger... I'd prefer a 2 stage though. Overall, I'm quite impressed with the amount of rifle you get for the money.

The local shop has a Howa 1500 in .308 with a heavy fluted barrel, and an MDT LSS stock. Its more of a 'tacticool' stock, but I do like the aluminium chassis system, and the fact the forend is nice and close to the barrel. It allows AR furnature so I'm sure I can get a nice grip and butt for it too. I think its a winner! Just wondering what people have to say about the Howa and how much accuracy I can expect. I don't want to go to the extent of blueprinting or re-barrelling, but I feel the MDT stock will go a long way to addressing the shortcomings of a standard plastic stock. Just to put it in perspective, I can get this rifle+Stock cheaper than a TIKKA or Rem (with standard stock), and I could pay slightly less for a savage with the standard stock. Seems like a good deal. I'd like a 1 MOA all day shooter (20-30 shots) with no fuss - I'm not expecting bench rest accuracy.

Any feedback would be appreciated (also, I did do a lot of reading first on the forum, and there are a lot of different thoughts on the howa, but it was generally quite positive)

 

[rogn]

I have the limit of only one Howa, mines a 375 Ruger with the rubbermaid type stock-no chassis. The price was low middle of the pack.(615USD)The trigger(early style) is not great but I think I can improve it . The barrel seems sensitive to heating, but how many 300 gr loads do you want in close sequence.The accuracy seems to fall in the < moa for 3 shots fairly consistently. Surprise is that it does stay<moa with 13-1400 fps 255 gr cast bullets. Less heating I guess-16 gr powder. Overall Im pleased with the quality, but mine is an outlying example. Generally I hear that in the varmint callers they are a good deal. Im sure more specific and better reports will follow.

 

[Hamo]

Thanks Rogn.

I went to the gunshop today and had another look. I'm putting in my order. Very impressed with the howa compared to whats out there for similar money. I had a look at the mossberg MVP as well. It takes AR and M14 mags which I thought was a pretty novel idea, but the bolt action was AWFUL. I mean, I had to take the mag out to cycle it, and even then it felt like someone had poured sand into it. The howa was smooth as silk and felt like a bolt action should. I think its a good deal.

the TIKKA was pretty nice, but double the price, and the remington and savage were as expected - I didn't see the value in paying extra over the howa. I personally think that remingtons are over-rated (still a great rifle, but there are lots of shooters who feel rems are the ultimate and I just don't feel it is), and I didn't really like the savage trigger, seems a bit gimicky.

Here is a pic of the rifle I'm ordering. Only difference is that I'm getting the unfluted varmint barrel. Very excited about this one. Should be a good (sub MOA i hope) shooter out of the box, and with some load development and a trigger job i'm hoping to better that. I have a few 'shot out' target barrels at home that won't hold match grade accuracy anymore, but they are still good for a couple thousand more rounds and might be a good swap in the future if i want to pursue .5moa groups.

 

[stacy]

THAT GUN WITH A LITTLE TLC WILL SHOOT AS GOOD AS ANY THE OTHERS I HAVE 3 HOWA ACTION THAT I'VE BUILT OFF OF THEY SHOOT JUST AS GOOD ANY OF THE OTHER CUSTOM VARMINT RIFLES THAT I HAVE IN MY SHOP DOES YOU'LL BE PLEASED GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KMart]

I'd prefer a 2 stage though.

Hamo
Check the specs on the rifle you are looking at. The new Howas that have been sold in the states in the last year or two, have adjustable 2 stage triggers installed. And they are pretty good.

 

[strut64]

Hamo, I looked in the Howa website and cannot find a model that looks like the one you pictured. the only thing close is the AXIOM. Could you give the model description and /or the model number? thanks, Steve Good luck. I believe your 308 ought to do just fine.

 

[Hamo]

Hamo, I looked in the Howa website and cannot find a model that looks like the one you pictured. the only thing close is the AXIOM. Could you give the model description and /or the model number? thanks, Steve Good luck. I believe your 308 ought to do just fine.

Its NOT a howa stock Steve. Its a MDT-LSS chassis system on a HOWA barrelled action. You can find more info at their website, http://mdttac.ca/lss-xl-chassis-system.html.
Basically, is an alluminium forend and bedding block you bolt an AR style butt and grip to.

 

[Hamo]

Well I just bit the bullet and put my order in. All up it came in about $100 more than the synthetic stocked Ruger Gunsight Scout that my dad got a few weeks ago (It was sort of what prompted me to get one... I really only have target guns and a 'fun' .22 that wouldn't hit the broadside of a barn. Wanted something that I'm happy to throw around a bit... well in theory, I'll baby it so much when I actually get it, haha). I'm pretty happy with that as a deal. It comes with the Hogue stock which I might sell to try and get some cash back on it, and an extra mag, so i feel all in all it will be much the same cost as the gunsight scout and that's a great deal for a varmint barrelled rifle in a chassis system, regardless of what make it is.

I have to say, the dealer was completely useless. I sent a few emails asking if it was in stock and got no reply. Finally drove up to see in person (its a 1:45 drive t this dealer). Had all the pieces. Inspected and saw what I liked. The guy serving me said to do the order online so that way I can pick exactly what I want, as some items aren't on the shelf or in stock. Easy I thought. I went online and pieced everything together, but there were a few parts that weren't listed that I knew they had, so sent an email with all the parts I want, and a request for a quote. Response was "call us and we'll do it over the phone". Called up, got told to do it over their webpage or in store.... Sorted now (finally) but its very frustrating. If their prices weren't several hundred dollars cheaper than any other deal I foudn wouldn't have dealt with them. Customer service was crap! At least I trust Howa and the MDT stuff seemed great quality, so hopefully won't ever need to deal with them again.

Also, I upgraded the butt to this one. It was a bit extra, but its awesomely adjustable. I have an adjustable alloy stock on my palma rifle and I LOVE it. The feature I end up using the most is actually the adjustable cheek piece. Line up on position and a turn or two either way to get the perfect sight picture. I found it shrunk my groups considerably and made my scores more consistent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tPDjAT56HY
It takes stupid long to get things in stock and all the paperwork sorted, but I'll be sure to post a review when it all comes together. Probably in 10 weeks or so. Anticipation is awful right now.

 

[SmokinJoe]

You probably made a very good choice, Hamo. The Howa is basically an asian Sako. My son has a 308 HB varmint version with the molded stock & it shoots pretty well. With the more custom stuff & some personal attention, you'll most likely have more than you expect.

 

[boltfluter]

That is a good looking rifle. Looking forward to a range report.

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[Hamo]

Thanks for your interest guys. I just heard back from the gunshop, a few parts they told me were in stock were actually not and have been placed on backorder. Typical.

Can't wait for a range test either. Got a great deal on a used nikko stirling targetmaster, 10-50x60 scope. Seems ok quality up to around 35x zoom, but ill put it to the real test on this rifle. Hope it tracks ok and holds a zero. Until i can afford some quality glass, it will suffice. Would be even better if it turns out great and can stick around.

Uther option is to sell it and get a Bushnell elite 10x40 fixed power. Big fan of the bushnell scopes.

 

[Hamo]

Well just spoke to the gun shop... Again. Worst customer service that I have EVER dealt with. I was told when I ordered originally that it was all in stock, then when I get the invoice one of the main chassis components was on backorder... It really wouldn't have bothered me if I was told originally. Anyway, It had been 3 weeks and no news so I called up and asked if it was in stock - yes, there was one on the shelf, I'm looking at it now. Ok, can you send it to me as its part of my order... Oh, sorry, made a mistake, we don't have it in stock, and it was left out of the order from overseas, so you will have to wait until our next order.

I'm VERY unhappy about their total lack of customer service. I finally got transferred to someone who was vaguly helpful, then when he found out he only had Black not dark earth, got told "oh, the boss wants me for something, can you call back in 15 minutes" and hung up on. Wow. If I were his boss, he wouldn't have a job in 15 minutes if he treated a customer like that. When I called back (I tried to be polite but I think i was starting to get a bit abrupt) he said "oh, were still unpacking, you can call back tomorrow if you want to check". I asked if he had an invoice from the order he could check on, and he had no idea what I was talking about.

I am fuming. If I was told originally 10 weeks, I understand that. No problem. To be told 10 different things, transferred to a bunch of incompetent staff, hung up on, lied to, and charged twice for postage. I'm not happy. Not happy at all.

Rant over.

 

[stacy]

HAMO BEEN GLAD TO HAVE GOTTEN YOU A RIFLE AND SHIPPED TOO YOUR FFL HOLDER!!
ALL I CAN SAY IS GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[DHuffman]

Bought a Howa 1500 targetmaster in .308 for my son and loaded up some once fired PMC brass with 43.2-44.7 gr Varget pushing 168 gr amaxs. I'm impressed and thinking I'll test seating depths on the 44.4 gr load. 100 yd 3 shot groups.

Bought used with less than 30 rounds shot PO put a Nikon Monarch 3 on in place of the Nikko Sterling. The gun has the Houge stock.

 

[Hamo]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Stacy, Unfortunately I'm in Australia so shipping a rifle here is big problems.

6.5 Creed, your getting great accuracy out of that rifle for a factory rifle! I use 155 grain Berger's on my target rifle and they are surprisingly cheap compared to what else is around for a very accurate projectile. I'm hoping to start with the same load for this rifle and hopefully it shoots well too, I can always tinker with the powder a bit to tune it in

 

[stacy]

I THINK U WILL BE PLEASED WITH IT.

HAMO U RITE MY HAVE BEEN PROBLEM GETTIN U A RIFLE !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DHuffman]

Hamo, like I said it's the targetmaster 20" fluted heavy barrel in the Houge stock. Was hoping to get out and shoot the seating depth test rounds this evening but the wind wouldn't let up.

None the less I'm impressed also. Thats with the fairly heavy trigger as well. Nice smooth action also with a long enough magazine to stretch the seating depth out.

 

[DHuffman]

Here's the bullet seating depth on the Howa 308 44.4 gr Varget. Going with 2.877 COAL

 

[Hamo]

great shooting! interesting to see how much of a difference the seating depth was making to group sizes. Can't wait to start playing with mine and developing a load that works

 

[Hamo]

Got an email today saying the rest of my chassis is in stock and packed for shipping tomorrow. Its so close!!!

Can't wait to put this bad boy together. I'm really excited. Just trying to figure out glass. I have a super high zoom nikko stirling 10-50x60 which would be monstrous on a rifle like this, but I'm tempted to sell it and buy a better quality scope. I can deal with poor clarity, but if it won't hold a zero, its no use to me. Hoping it will go well enough to keep