Howa Actions at Brownells

[dantiff2]

Im kinda the same with my 308 weatherby vanguard (re branded howa) in that I shoot 5 shot groups and I seem to get 3 in a tight group then half inch over I get 2 holes in a tight group. Its a deer rifle and shoots 5 into 1-1.3" at 100 yards with cheap speer 150gr hot cors so Im not complaining just kinda confused I guess.

shoots 5 into 1-1.3" at 100 yards with cheap speer 150gr hot cors so Im not complaining just kinda confused I guess.

That's probably the answer to your own question of confusion. Try a different bullets.
It's also worth noting that the older generation of gunsmiths would commonly bed a section of the barrel out in front of the recoil lug on guns that had this phenomenon and most often that would correct it. Where as todays smiths leave everything free float.
Dan

 

[LiveFire]

Ive tried more than one bullet. I was simply concluding at the end of the day its a deer rifle for me and with those cheap bullets it does well enough. Ive tried 175smk, 168smk, 150 smk, barnes 175 match burners, 150 hot cors, 165 speers, 150gr interlocks and a few more im sure. Ive used imr4064, aa4064, varget, SW precision rifle, cfe 223, imr8208xbr, SW tactical rifle, tac, RL15 and probably a few others. New starline, sig, and lapua palma brass. I like to tinker. This is the only gun ive owned that does this weird grouping. It was worse with the factory stock. I put it in a hogue with aluminum bedding block and it tightened up but still has the 3 and 2 group.

 

[dantiff2]

Ive tried more than one bullet. I was simply concluding at the end of the day its a deer rifle for me and with those cheap bullets it does well enough. Ive tried 175smk, 168smk, 150 smk, barnes 175 match burners, 150 hot cors, 165 speers, 150gr interlocks and a few more im sure. Ive used imr4064, aa4064, varget, SW precision rifle, cfe 223, imr8208xbr, SW tactical rifle, tac, RL15 and probably a few others. New starline, sig, and lapua palma brass. I like to tinker. This is the only gun ive owned that does this weird grouping. It was worse with the factory stock. I put it in a hogue with aluminum bedding block and it tightened up but still has the 3 and 2 group.

Sounds like you’ve certainly put in the work to try to remedy the problems! You could always just shoot a three shot group ba ha ha ha
Dan

 

[LiveFire]

Could easily be something silly on my part but Ive noted a few comments about it on other forums. Specifically the 20" 308.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Im kinda the same with my 308 weatherby vanguard (re branded howa) in that I shoot 5 shot groups and I seem to get 3 in a tight group then half inch over I get 2 holes in a tight group. Its a deer rifle and shoots 5 into 1-1.3" at 100 yards with cheap speer 150gr hot cors so Im not complaining just kinda confused I guess.

They are cheap rifles so the factory barrel quality is a crap shoot and that’s why I just tear them off immediately to put on a custom barrel. The action itself is very nice and extremely robust and that’s the true value I see when buying the barreled action. Much nicer than most other factory actions at a lesser price point. I would gladly pay the same price for the Howa action without a barrel. I ask my smith to check and true the action if needed every time I build on a Howa and he always tells me it really did need anything.

I see the barrel as just an extra commodity that comes with it. If the barrel shoots good then great, if not then you still got a good deal for the action and bottom metal alone. Throw a custom barrel on the Howa and it will bring a smile to your face

 

[LiveFire]

Throw a custom barrel on the Howa and it will bring a smile to your face

I will do that some day. The actions are pretty slick. Even the factory adjustable trigger is alright for hunting and informal target shooting.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I will do that some day. The actions are pretty slick. Even the factory adjustable trigger is alright for hunting and informal target shooting.

With a spring kit from “Gun Blokes” the triggers are really good. Can be made to break clean and safely well below a pound

 

[jlorenzo]

Been thinking about rebarreling mine. Don't want to give up the 308 because of the component availability but I'm sick of the recoil. Tried 178 ELDs and BTHPS, 155 ELD and BTHPs, 175 Nosler CCs, finally settling on the 155 SMK. Really no difference in accuracy with any of those. The Sierras might just be a touch more consistent but still no consistent bugholes from the factory barrel.

 

[MDof2]

They are a great bargain. I bought one in 6CM a while back, shot through the lighter weight barrel and then spun up an MTU profile Bartlein on it. Shoots a single ragged hole without a lot of effort. For a production action, they are hard to beat.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I like the good report. I just picked one up.

Just what you need, another rifle.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Just what you need, another rifle.

Ha, ha Nick! I think if any of us here say that, it really is like the pot calling the kettle black.