Howa 1500 Barreled Action Build

[Matt @ LSI]

Ok lets do a build run down! I didnt know i was going to light a fire!
I have a few builds on stock barrels but these are my two favorites.
Tan MDT:
-Howa .223 action
-ESS Chassis, carbon forend, side folder
-Shillen Barrel chambered in .223 Ackley improved built by 782 Custom Gunworks
-Leupold Mark 5 5-25 with Tremor 3
-Ken Ferrrel bases, Leupold rings
-Silencer Co OMega 300

Black KRG
-Howa .308 short action
-Bravo center, whiskey 3 gen5 back, enclosed forend, arca rail
-Proof stianless m24 barrel in 6mm creedmoor
-SPUHR mount
-Leupold Mark6 with tremor3
-Ken Ferrel base
-Leupold Delta Point red dot (for target acquisition)
-Silencer Co OMega 300

 

[christopher.dow]

It's a Howa 1500 in Bravo chassis with a Whiskey 3 back end and the optional enclosed forend

Ah!

 

[christopher.dow]

Ok lets do a build run down! I didnt know i was going to light a fire!

Thanks!

 

[Ranger.RSA]

Not the greatest photos but here is mine:

6.5CM
24" heavy barrel
Smokings Guns fiberglass stock
Bushnell LRHS 4.5-18x44
Warne 20MOS rail
Seekins Precision rings

 

[308ftWIN]

Is $430 for the 24" Barreled Action in .300 Win a good deal?

 

[JOE62]

If you want a 300.

 

[j741]

I have a new, never mounted, & never fired 26" threaded heavy barrel version that I'd sell for $415 delivered. Receiving FFL will need to accept deliveries from an individual.

 

[pangelos]

Well I ordered a 308 barreled action from brownells tore it apart and built a 22 Creedmoor on one. Never threaded metric so as I always do it I build something for myself so I learn how. I am pretty impressed with the quality of the action

Bought the Bell and Carlson adjustable stock cause I like a more traditional stock

 

[Jibles]

Here's the start of my .308. This is my first foray into this kind of shooting so I'm trying to be budget friendly. An EGW base, TPS TSR rings, and a mil-mil SWFA SS 10x will be going on it as well.

 

[JOE62]

Well I ordered a 308 barreled action from brownells tore it apart and built a 22 Creedmoor on one. Never threaded metric so as I always do it I build something for myself so I learn how. I am pretty impressed with the quality of the action

Bought the Bell and Carlson adjustable stock cause I like a more traditional stock

View attachment 6949125

I built 1 in 6.5 Creedmoor and the metric threading was different but manageable. That’s the same color stock as I have on mine. I’m trying out the 308 right now but it will probably be converted to something else. The factory barrel is doing pretty good though. May just wind up putting a longer 308 barrel on it since I have a lot of 308 components. I also like the more traditional type stocks.

 

[PBWalsh]

Here's the start of my .308. This is my first foray into this kind of shooting so I'm trying to be budget friendly. An EGW base, TPS TSR rings, and a mil-mil SWFA SS 10x will be going on it as well.
View attachment 6949328

Excellent way to start off! Grab you a Harris or Atlas bipod and get going. You can always add a AICS style bottom metal later.

Great looking rifle, love the simplicity.

 

[tobylazur]

For you guys with the KRG Braco stock, what mags are you finding work the best?

 

[etn1type]

For you guys with the KRG Braco stock, what mags are you finding work the best?

I never had any feeding issues with the Magpul AICS pattern mags, they are a bit of a tight fight in my Bravo, so getting them to drop requires a bit of help. Right before I left for deployment in late August, I had ordered an AI AICS metal mag, that one fit and dropped with no issues, but I wasn't able to get it on the range to test out it if reliably worked feeding rounds to the Howa.

 

[A-Rob]

I got my 20" .308 deal from Brownells and finally finished the build. I got a great deal on the XLR Element gen 1. I added a MDT carbine stock, which is great. Added a Legacy Sports clamp on bolt knob, Burris steel 25moa base, lighter spring for the HACT trigger and the Anarchy Outdoors grip. If my local range finally finishes some repairs and opens back up I can see what it'll do.

 

[JOE62]

It’ll shoot. I’ve been doing some loading and breaking in the barrel and I’ve been getting .5 to .3 inch groups and cleaning is a breeze. The box magazine will feed rounds as long as 2.8750 which gets a 168 SMK within .015 of the lands. Got 50 rounds through it so far and it is slick as a gut.

 

[JOE62]

I’d like to add that the scope is 1 click off of dead nuts center of adjustment for the windage with a Talley 20MOA rail with Warne rings. Maybe I just got lucky?

 

[MDStroup]

Here's the start of my .308. This is my first foray into this kind of shooting so I'm trying to be budget friendly. An EGW base, TPS TSR rings, and a mil-mil SWFA SS 10x will be going on it as well.
View attachment 6949328

Great start to your build. I wanted to do something similar. I assume that is the new Bell&Carlson M40 stock?

 

[Jibles]

Great start to your build. I wanted to do something similar. I assume that is the new Bell&Carlson M40 stock?

I dont know if it's a new model but it is the B&C M40 stock. I was trying go budget with this and I am definitely pleased with the stock. I just got it all together on Friday and wont be able to shoot until Tuesday but I think it's going to be a good setup.

 

[D Richardson]

How is the bolt lift on the newer barreled actions with the hact trigger? I have an older single stage trigger Howa that the bolt lift is pretty heavy. Also are the bolt handles threaded and do the action still require modifications to run AICS mags?

 

[Messer]

How is the bolt lift on the newer barreled actions with the hact trigger? I have an older single stage trigger Howa that the bolt lift is pretty heavy. Also are the bolt handles threaded and do the action still require modifications to run AICS mags?

I don't feel the bolt lift is heavy - to me it's very easy to run from the bench.

The bolt handles are not threaded - you either get someone to do that, or order the bolt on quick load knob.

I think it depends on the stock/chassis - I have the KRG Bravo chassis, and it needed no modifications to run AICS mags.

Hope this helps,
Bob S.

 

[CavReconScout]

I have 2 6.5 Creedmoor I bought last year the bolt lift is not heavy at all.

I bought another barreled action this summer it has a threaded bolt handle the other two do not. I put a Badger bolt knob on it now waiting for my 6mm Creedmoor barrel.

 

[JOE62]

I have 3 different Howa’s and they don’t seem any harder to open than a 700. They are the best factory actions IMHO.

 

[308ftWIN]

In talking with Stocky's CS, I was told that they have plans in the works for their AccuBlock stocks inletted for Howa 1500's coming out in hopefully the next few months.

Not sure if that's enough to get me to wait, but, considering I was blindly on my way to get a Boyd's, I may save my cash for a little longer.

 

[JOE62]

Got a Bartlein 3b contour in 6.5 Creedmoor on mine. 25 1/2 inches long and.725 at the muzzle. I chambered and threaded myself. Third one I’ve done, first Howa.

 

[JOE62]

I put my B/A 308 20 inch heavy barrel in a B&C Medalist stock and it is shooting great. I’ve got a hundred rounds through it so far and it cleans very easy. This was my third Howa.

 

[Penatrator]

I put this one together for a buddy. I was really happy with the inlet and overall quality of the bell and Carlson. The CDI bottom metal was great too though we did have to mill a little tab off of the action in the magazine well to get the AI mags to feed. No big deal.

That's a gorgeous gun? What's the barrel length? Looks short and fat just how I like em lol

 

[JOE62]

That’s a great looking rifle. Looks like the same barreled action I have. Mine is 20” and.830 at the muzzle.

 

[308ftWIN]

Is the KRG Bravo SA only for the Howa?

 

[Jackalope]

That's a gorgeous gun? What's the barrel length? Looks short and fat just how I like em lol

Yup, it’s the factory 20”

 

[memilanuk]

Question for y'all... some of the pics look like they've got more of a 'sweep' or angle to the bolt handle than others. Are there different styles out there (besides just the knob), or is it just a trick of the camera angle?

 

[Penatrator]

Question for y'all... some of the pics look like they've got more of a 'sweep' or angle to the bolt handle than others. Are there different styles out there (besides just the knob), or is it just a trick of the camera angle?

Very good eye, I see the same kinda trickery as well

Curious the answer

 

[308pirate]

Question for y'all... some of the pics look like they've got more of a 'sweep' or angle to the bolt handle than others. Are there different styles out there (besides just the knob), or is it just a trick of the camera angle?

There's only one as far as I know, I think it's just camera angles

 

[308pirate]

Is the KRG Bravo SA only for the Howa?

If you mean is the Bravo the only KRG stock inletted for the 1500, the answer is yes.

Brownells may have some of the discontinued 180-Xrays (Howa 1500 SA inlet) in stock still.

 

[308pirate]

How is the bolt lift on the newer barreled actions with the hact trigger? I have an older single stage trigger Howa that the bolt lift is pretty heavy. Also are the bolt handles threaded and do the action still require modifications to run AICS mags?

My old 1500 (came with the single stage trigger) is smooth as silk but I've used it a lot and grease the crap out of all the camming surfaces in the cocking piece and the lugs.

My new 1500 (HACT trigger) is quickly approaching it in smoothness.

A Bolt On Quick Load bolt knob gives significantly more leverage for less than $40 and 5 min of work.

 

[308pirate]

For you guys with the KRG Braco stock, what mags are you finding work the best?

Everything I've used works fine with no adjustments or screwing around: Magpul, MDT steel, Alpha Industries.

That's in a KRG 180-Xray, the Bravo is no different.

 

[308pirate]

In talking with Stocky's CS, I was told that they have plans in the works for their AccuBlock stocks inletted for Howa 1500's coming out in hopefully the next few months.

That is excellent news. Been wondering why it's taken them so long.

 

[308ftWIN]

If you mean is the Bravo the only KRG stock inletted for the 1500, the answer is yes.

Brownells may have some of the discontinued 180-Xrays (Howa 1500 SA inlet) in stock still.

I wanted to know if they made the Bravo in Long Action. Should have phrased my question more directly.

I just ordered the BRN-1 (LSS XL2) from Brownell's. In FDE with their $30 off $300 code today I got it down to $370.

 

[308ftWIN]

Damn. I thought I got a good deal at $430 post FFL fees. $350 now + CC Codes to get at least another $20 off pre-FFL.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...hreaded-heavy-barreled-action-prod113619.aspx


Anyone have this action? What projectiles are working well?

 

[Jibles]

 

[308ftWIN]

Let's see how mobile uploads work.

 

[tobylazur]

Finally got a Bravo stock for my 24", 6.5CM barreled action i purchased when Brownells was having their sale.

I'm debating if i should trim a little off my rail, or take out a spacer on the stock and slide the scope a little forward. The scope currently touches at the forward edge of the rail.

 

[Bosn54]

First post. Thank you everyone for the info found here.

I have a Howa 1500 standard barrel in 308 and love it. Looking to do a 6.5 creed build. Brownell's has the 24" heavy on sale right now for $429. Is that about the best I can expect to buy one for or should I expect prices to drop around Christmas? Wish they had the 26.

 

[stello1001]

Finally got a Bravo stock for my 24", 6.5CM barreled action i purchased when Brownells was having their sale.

I'm debating if i should trim a little off my rail, or take out a spacer on the stock and slide the scope a little forward. The scope currently touches at the forward edge of the rail.

View attachment 6964630

I'd chop off but that's just me!

 

[Hawk in WY]

I'd chop off but that's just me!

Yup. Doesn't look like the scope should be moved forward.

 

[CavReconScout]

My Howa started as a barreled action from Brownells. It now has a Criterion 6mm Creedmoor barrel, Vortex Razor II

, Timney trigger, KRG Bravo chassis, little bastard brake. If I can get it to shoot I am going to run it in the Border Wars series.

 

[tobylazur]

I got out last weekend and was able to shoot my howa/bravo setup. I got on paper at 50 yards, then went straight back to 200. It got really windy after that. I'd guess the gusts were 35-40mph from right to left. I tried 3 rounds of 120gr, and 5 rounds of 143gr (both Hornady eld factory loads) in the wind without very favorable results.

Then i shot 3 rounds of the 143 eld between gusts at the lower right corner. I was pleased with those results. I think I'm going to need more magnification if I'm going to do better than that, since my cross hairs at 10x covered the orange dot.

I'm very happy with this rifle.

 

[Sauce06]

I know this post is a little old, but I have some info on the Howa and the mdt chassis. Everyone should already know the metal magazine issues with these rifles and the chassis. It should also be known that the chassis will NOT fit the pre 2016/ pre HACT trigger Howa 1500 without some inletting for the older single stage triggers. This same problem occurs with aftermarket triggers that have both the sear and pull weight adjustment nuts. Additional material needs to be removed to accommodate the rear adjustment nut and the safety selector switch/lever. Found this out the hard way, so just wanted to let you guys know. Thanks

 

[Jkedsnake]

I got the 26" heavy barrel 300WM, with tHE zROdELTA cowl comp, Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 FFP, on the MDT LSX G-2 MDT, adjustable grip and skeleton stock and harris cant bipod.
It comes in at 14.4 lbs.

 

[mgrs]

An update to the brownells sale 6.5creedmoor action build. I am surprised how well and easily this rifle shoots.

Rounds 22 through 32 at 100 yards; American Gunner bulk:

 

[Carlos0311B4]

This

I put this one together for a buddy. I was really happy with the inlet and overall quality of the bell and Carlson. The CDI bottom metal was great too though we did have to mill a little tab off of the action in the magazine well to get the AI mags to feed. No big deal.

this is really close to what I’m looking at next as a budget build. I wish The GB renegade was available in a Howa inlet.