Re: Howa factory polymer dbm's???
I bought one for my Howa .223 a year ago and I used that until February of this year. That gun has since been sent to GAP for a makeover. (I put a CDI DBM on it)
My Howa .308 inherited the .223 DBM (With different mags of course). The .308 has been working well for me and I have shot approx. 500 rds. using the DBM. Before I got my torque wrench I just tightened it down with my TORX wrench. After 50rds it worked its self loose and the barreled action almost came out of the stock. I since have it torqued down to 65 in/lb with a torque wrench and there has been no movement after 450 rounds of use.
A few draw backs... At 2.807" C.O.A.L. the bullets were dragging on the front of the mag causing a slightly delayed feed but there was never any problems. I have to seat bullets a little deeper into the case for the Howa. The plastic is also very cheap. I don't see it as a problem for me though because this is not a rifle that sees any abuse. The mag release also seems flimsy, but it has held up well.
So far both the 5 and 10 round mags have fed flawless for me. The springs seem weak, but that has not caused any problems yet.
It cost me $150 for DBM and mags. The next thing $210 for a CDI DBM plus the cost of the AICS mag. I am very happy with the product so far and I has served me well.
Soon, I order a Roedale RCS II chassis, as I hate the wood stock. You won't be disappointed for the price.
