Questions about the Howa actions

[dtucker]

Are the Howa receiver threads metric and if so can they be recut and opened up to a standard thread size?

 

[Kings X]

I threaded the barrel stub down making it an "adapter". Worked on a 416 Remington to take Big 5 in Africa

 

[jdh47]

From what I can find out the thread is M26x1.5 and that is about a 17 thread but it is 55* instead of 60*. It would not be too difficult to cut for anyone having a lathe capable of cutting metric threads. It is just sort of a PITA because of the inch lead screw.

I have not done one but I can see it in my future if I can find a reasonable barreled action to work on. From all accounts it is a great receiver and has all the refinements of a good custom action. There is just not a lot of aftermarket support for the Howa but that is always subject to change.

Joe

 

[jfseaman]

Yes it is M26x1.5mm
Yes metric is 55*
"prefit" barrels can be had from Pac-Nor
Any gunsmith can thread and fit a barrel. They may not want to but they can.

It's a good strong action.

 

[wwbrown]

The hardest part of using Howa 1500's for semi-custom builds is getting the original barrel off, after trying brute force on a number of them I just use my parting tool to cut a relief just forward of the action on the original barrel. Yes, the relief cut makes reuse of the original barrel difficult or not a good idea depending upon the barrel contour, but you don't run the risk of twisting the action. Yes they are metric threads but most gunsmiths should have no problem with that, they may not like it though.
One issue to keep in mind if you tend to build and sell your guns after shooting them a bit, Howas have limited retail value, they shoot so well you probably won't want to sell them so probably not a problem.

 

[22BRGUY]

I have one in 7mm Rem Mag under the name of Smith and Wesson. It is very nice IMHO and I couldn't believe how low I could adjust the trigger.

 

[JohnKielly]

I hear that they make them under the name of Weatherby too.

 

[KRP]

I hear that they make them under the name of Weatherby too.

Mossberg imported/branded them for a few years also. Metric threads are standard, I see no reason to change them. There isn't a gunsmith near me that will do metric barrels, whether they "can" or not...they won't.

 

[jdh47]

Lots of the older lathes have to have change gearing for metric. Most don't have that as it was an extra cost option.

It is a sort of PITA to cut them with any inch leader screw lathe though quite doable.

Joe

 

[Ggmac]

Dang , it'll take me more time to FIND the metric gears then to install and cut . I'm not very organized anymore . TMS ( Too Much S###)

 

[hogpatrol]

I cut some external ones on an older Grizzly and had to keep the lead screw engaged. PITA against a shoulder. I wouldn't want to do it on internal threads on that lathe.

As far as changing them to English, there's a lot to be said against bastard rifle parts.

 

[Concha]

I cut some external ones on an older Grizzly and had to keep the lead screw engaged. PITA against a shoulder. I wouldn't want to do it on internal threads on that lathe.

As far as changing them to English, there's a lot to be said against bastard rifle parts.

I turn the tool upside down and run the chuck in reverse cutting from the shoulder to the breech. Light cuts but you can cut faster speeds.

 

[Ein]

Do you stop the lathe to enter the cut or do you have a full thread depth relief adjacent to the shoulder?

 

[jfseaman]

I turn the tool upside down and run the chuck in reverse cutting from the shoulder to the breech. Light cuts but you can cut faster speeds.

Just started doing this. Much better than trying to stop perfectly in the relief. I just threaded a barrel for an extension for my 1879 Trapdoor that I converted into 257 Roberts.

You can leave the lead screw engaged the whole time.

 

[pikespeakgoat]

....... TMS ( Too Much S###)

My wife tells me I have too much S###, I tell her there's no such thing, just don't have enough room for all my S###.

 

[jdh47]

Threading backwards like that you must start in a relief groove.

I just thread at the fastest speed I am comfortable with and use a dial indicator mounted on the way and stop the carriage when I reach 0, giving it less than one full revolution to get ready to kick out. That way I can thread without a relief groove.

I plunge cut my threads by advancing the cross feed and start out taking .005 and as I go deeper advance the tool less each pass. You will end up with good threads.

Joe

 

[Concha]

And a relief groove is bad? There is no recoil lug to cover the partial depth thread. Can you post a picture of those you have done?

On my machine I have to keep the threading nut engaged. So I don't have the option of pulling up on a lever. Maybe I need to use high speed steel in 45 rpms.

 

[jdh47]

I will try to get a pic on one that I have done. I am not saying that a relief groove is bad. I used to use them but I quit. That is just the way I do it now.

I have a pic of a Krieger 8 1/2tw barrel I did in 6.5 Creedmoor. I can't figure out how to resize on windows 10 and import it from the Elements organizer. It is too big a file to drag and drop. it is going to take a while to get this straight.

Joe

 

[jdh47]

View attachment 999711

This is it. Hope it is not too big.

Joe

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

My gunsmith cusses me most of the time when I walk in his door. I can just imagine what this sort of a response a project like this would elicit...