Howa 1500 project...

[YEW PLUCKER]

Ok, so I was thinking of buying a faced and squared 700 action along with bottom metal and magazine, from PT&G. Price would have been about a grand. Was gonna build a .300 WinMag or a PRC. I decided on the WinMag because it is more common. I am always thinking of worst case scenario and what would be available (the Zombie Pockyclypse could still happen!)

Then I remembered I had bought a Howa 1500 last Sept. (2020 A.D.), in .300 WinMag and it was sitting in my safe and I could just use it instead.

So... I called Dan Lilja and ordered a Mk 13 Mod 7 barrel. There is a local smith I have dealt with there in Plains who will pick up the barrel for me and do the work. I asked him to face up the action and lugs, and asked him about throating. I told him I would be shooting 200's and 220's. He told me the reamer he uses should give me what I want, given that he shoots 210's. He measured the mag box and showed me one of his loaded rounds. There should be plenty of room.

I'll have a local guy cerakote it in OD green, when I get it back from the smith.

I ordered an M40 stock in OD green from B&C, which has already arrived.

I ordered a couple of Burris XTR II's. One in 4-20, the other in 5-25. I should have the first one here tomorrow.

So, with the scope, I should have less than $2000 in the rifle when it is done.

So, I am anxious to get it done and get shooting. Wish me luck!

 

[GNERGY]

I used a Lilja barrel in 270 win. for a customer on a Howa action and it shoots great. way better than he thought, already killed an elk and a bear with it.
You will like that Lilja barrel.
Tarey

 

[std7mag]

If your looking for a PRC, Euro Optics is having a sale on their Mauser M18.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Is Dennis Olson still alive and kickin’ down there?

 

[YEW PLUCKER]

Is Dennis Olson still alive and kickin’ down there?

Yes he is. He's still working.

The smith doing the work on this project is Matt Cockrell.

 

[YEW PLUCKER]

I used a Lilja barrel in 270 win. for a customer on a Howa action and it shoots great. way better than he thought, already killed an elk and a bear with it.
You will like that Lilja barrel.
Tarey

Thank you, sir. I hope so!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yes he is. He's still working.

The smith doing the work on this project is Matt Cockrell.

Dennis built my first ever custom rifle many years ago on a Ruger M77 with Lilja barrel in 358 Norma Mag and full custom hand built AA fancy walnut stock. I designed the stock and he brought it to life from a bare block of wood. He is a heck of a good stock maker and he loves those old Ruger 77 tang actions

 

[YEW PLUCKER]

Dennis built my first ever custom rifle many years ago on a Ruger M77 with Lilja barrel in 358 Norma Mag and full custom hand built AA fancy walnut stock that I designed myself. He loves those old Ruger 77 tang actions

Back when I had a store in Missoula, he came in one time and introduced himself. He's a very mild mannered and polite, soft spoken gentleman. He told me his all time favorite cartridge is .270 Win. Said he could do all with it.

That sounds like a nice rifle too.

 

[msalm]

With the Howa you likely don’t need to face the action or lugs, they are likely straight as is. JMO