Howa Barreled Actions, Thoughts?

[PaulyD]

Like the title says, any though’s?
I picked up a 24 inch heavy barrel in 6.5 CR and put it in a KRG Bravo. Very accurate for a factory rifle.
What are your experiences?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Like the title says, any though’s?
I picked up a 24 inch heavy barrel in 6.5 CR and put it in a KRG Bravo. Very accurate for a factory rifle.
What are your experiences?

I bought the same caliber and barrel type in the full built type this spring. It touches shots at 100 in that pillared Hogue rubberized stock. Barrel also looks great with bore scope and has a 2-2 1/4 pound trigger pull.
The bolt has a little zipper sound to it but I’m not that picky on a $450-500 rifle. I think there way overlooked in the rifle market.

 

[jghoghunter]

This is what I built for my dad. 6.5x55. Shoots under an 1" @ 100 with the second load we tried. Bought the barrelled action from Brownells on sale.

 

[PaulyD]

This is what I built for my dad. 6.5x55. Shoots under an 1" @ 100 with the second load we tried. Bought the barrelled action from Brownells on sale.

Very nice looking rifle and shooting!

 

[PaulyD]

Below are my targets for a 300 and 600 yard NRA vintage rifle sniper match. Ammo was Hornady ELD match 140 grain.
I own the 7 ring shot.
I agree that they are under-rated.

 

[LCazador]

Yep way underrated. I own a heavy barrel and a light weight one in 6ARC and one in 6.5 Grendel. Both are exceptional shooters. I wasn't too keen on the triggers so I replaced them with Jard 1 1/2 pound triggers. Both 1/2 MOA or less.

 

[joshb]

I bought a mini in 6.5 Grendel. It shoots better than I expected and makes a handy light rifle.

 

[LCazador]

The number one impression I observed was the interior finish of the barrel. Very good!

 

[JAlfred]

I would really like a 6.5 Grendle or 6.5x55.

Brother has an older 1-12" 223. He was very disappointed as it was sold to him as a 1-9". The he came up and shot it with reloads, sub 1" at 300 yards with 52gr Sierra Matchkings.

 

[jghoghunter]

I also have a mini 6.5 grendel with that cheap factory plastic stock and the little skinny hunting barrel. That shoots well under 1moa out to 600 yds. Some of my friends have shot it and can't believe it's a $350 rifle.

 

[joshb]

Yup! I paid $450 for my barreled action but still cheap compared to what just a good barrel costs these days. They’re a great way to play with a new cartridge without breaking the bank. Great youngster guns, too! I couldn’t live with a plastic stock, so I did what I do.

 

[JAlfred]

I also have a mini 6.5 grendel with that cheap factory plastic stock and the little skinny hunting barrel. That shoots well under 1moa out to 600 yds. Some of my friends have shot it and can't believe it's a $350 rifle.

Bell and Carson make some decent stocks for the Howa's. That would be my budget choice.

 

[anschuter2013]

The Howa 1500 24" Heavy Barreled .308 that I purchased from Brownells really suprised me. I borescoped the barrel straight out of the box. The lands and grooves are exceptionally clean with no flaws. The bolt lugs surprised me too being square with cleanly machined contact surfaces.

I installed it in a Bell & Carlson target stock and could not be more satisfied. It shoots 3/4" groups with Berger 115's and LT-30.

Howa makes a great product that a lot of folks don't consider or even know about. That's too bad, because they are excellent!

 

[JAlfred]

Bell and Carson make some decent stocks for the Howa's. That would be my budget choice.

Then again, I liked what Josh did much better.

 

[PaulyD]

Good to hear all the positive comments.
I started out looking at Defiance actions and Krieger or Bartlein barrels. Didn’t take long to realize I’d be over $2500. I still needed a stock and scope!
After some reading I figured I’d give the Howa a shot. Very happy I did.
Regarding stocks. Have a look at the KRG Bravo. Decent price and still has the features of a stock along with the ability to change it like a chassis.

Probably the only knock on the Howa is the stamped safety and the small bolt knob. Legacy does offer a larger bolt on knob.
Thanks for all your feed back.

 

[Presis Skytter]

Yup! I paid $450 for my barreled action but still cheap compared to what just a good barrel costs these days. They’re a great way to play with a new cartridge without breaking the bank. Great youngster guns, too! I couldn’t live with a plastic stock, so I did what I do.
View attachment 1596153

Like the stock. You built that? Wouldn’t mind getting one like that for myself.

 

[Gabe22BR]

I know where a 1500 on a onyx chassis is chambered in 223AI threaded for suppressor is.. for price of the chassis.. probably has a few more goodies to ride with it..

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Grayboe has told me in 2025 they will be inletting some stocks for the Howa. I would purchase a Phoenix II as soon as it hit the market.

 

[joshb]

Like the stock. You built that? Wouldn’t mind getting one like that for myself.

I wrote a whole “do it yourself stockmaking” tutorial thread so you can. Check it out in the Gunsmithing section.

Grayboe has told me in 2025 they will be inletting some stocks for the Howa. I would purchase a Phoenix II as soon as it hit the market.

I just can’t seem to get you to take up whittling.

 

[R&B]

I assembled this .204 with a Howa 1500 barreled actions straight from Legacy Sports. It shoots great! The gray rifle on the left is my Howa 1500 in a Bell & Carlson stock with a Timney trigger. Howa actions are solid! I plan on getting a Vartag barrel for this rifle one day. I am also thinking about building something with their mini action (6mm Grendel or 6mm Grinch).





R&B