Howa HCA .308 - 24" or 20"?

[PNW_Steve]

Hello Everyone,

I have been a little chaotic in my quest for my new bolt rifle project. I stumbled across a Howa HCR ..308 24" at a great price. I pulled the trigger on it only to get a call back telling me "sorry, we sold the last one at that price"..... Disappointment

They do have the 20" barrel version. I am wanting to start stretching out but the nearest range that goes beyond 600 yards is 2+ hours away. I have 100 yards just down the road, 600 yards almost an hour away. I would like to say that I will be shooting out to 1000 and beyond. But that would be a rare trip. 95% of my shooting will be 100-600 yards.

What do you all think? Would you hold out for the 24" and miss the good deal or run with the 20"?

 

[spife7980]

A 175 will get you to 1k yards and still be stable in a 20” barrel.

I like short barrels. Only my dedicated match rifle wears a long one.

 

[PNW_Steve]

Thanks.

I am riding the fence. I have the "longer is better" mindset stuck in my head.

How would you compare the ease of shooting 600-1000 yards with long barrel vs a 20" barrel?

 

[Distaste]

Realistically you're only losing ~100fps in those 4", so not a huge loss. That said if it's a range gun only, longer would give you the best chance at 1000+yds. Are you married to 308, will you be using a silencer, and are you just punching paper? What's your budget and ultimate plans? I mean if it's a steal by all means, but ~$750 for the HCR was doable most weeks pre-pandemic, at least it was for the 6.5 I was looking at. Then again who knows what prices will do, they are going up due to lack of supply but that doesn't mean when supply returns that prices will lower. Not sure if the HCR is discontinued either since they are putting out the TSP-X and they also have the Oryx, ACR, and Bravo. Ultimately if you do buy the 20" you can just rebarrel it down the line if it doesn't meet your goals. As long as you're happy with that chassis/stock it's probably cheaper to get a new barrel than it is to buy the action in a barrel length you want and then buy a chassis. The cheapest chassis' are $350-$400 and most don't include the grip/stock, except the oryx.

I would say if you want the gun in the next month or so? Buy the 20". If you have no plans of a chassis/stock upgrade, Buy the 20". If you plan to use it in part for hunting and have to carry it into the woods, buy the 20".

 

[PNW_Steve]

Realistically you're only losing ~100fps in those 4", so not a huge loss. That said if it's a range gun only, longer would give you the best chance at 1000+yds. Are you married to 308, will you be using a silencer, and are you just punching paper? What's your budget and ultimate plans? I mean if it's a steal by all means, but ~$750 for the HCR was doable most weeks pre-pandemic, at least it was for the 6.5 I was looking at. Then again who knows what prices will do, they are going up due to lack of supply but that doesn't mean when supply returns that prices will lower. Not sure if the HCR is discontinued either since they are putting out the TSP-X and they also have the Oryx, ACR, and Bravo. Ultimately if you do buy the 20" you can just rebarrel it down the line if it doesn't meet your goals. As long as you're happy with that chassis/stock it's probably cheaper to get a new barrel than it is to buy the action in a barrel length you want and then buy a chassis. The cheapest chassis' are $350-$400 and most don't include the grip/stock, except the oryx.

I would say if you want the gun in the next month or so? Buy the 20". If you have no plans of a chassis/stock upgrade, Buy the 20". If you plan to use it in part for hunting and have to carry it into the woods, buy the 20".

Thanks for the input.

As far as how it will be used, most of my shooting is at the range. I do hunt as well but is a small part of my shooting. I have about four week this year of potential hunting. The rest of the year is range time. I am looking to expand my shooting beyond 200yards at the range. There is a range that goes out to 600 yards that is doable. If I want to push 1000 yards I have to travel a couple of hours. I don't do that often.

I am not married to the .308 but it will definitely do what I am looking for. Other options that I would consider are 6mm Creedmoor, .243 Winchester or. 243 LBC. The LBC would be giving up on some case capacity but would give me a common cartridge with my 6mm AR-15.

Another consideration for .308 is that I can effectively cast, gas check and powder coat bullets for basic practice and plinking. I don't want to turn this into a discussion on cast bullets. Yes, I cast and I shoot them as I see fit. I have not mastered small bullets but .30 caliber 150gr+ and up I do OK. That would make practice and play much more affordable.

.308 is not nearly the "flat shooter" like the 6mm's but would do what I need punching paper and handle medium size game if I choose to hunt it. The HCR's in every caliber other than. 308 that I have looked at have been $1000-1300. A barreled action from Brownells would be around $600.

On down the road i could rebarrel with a .243 Win barrel or go barrel and bolt for 6mm Creedmore on down the road.

 

[BP 3papa 7sierra]

I wouldn't get too hung up on the barrel length. Like was previously said, you aren't losing that much speed and you are picking up maneuverability. the .308 is still relevant in many circles and if you are already capable of loading for it then I say go for it. 100-600 yards is very much in the range of the .308 and you will learn a lot about wind as you push the distance out. I say grab it, suppress it and have a good time.

 

[hereinaz]

All you lose is a little velocity. Don't over think it. Get the 20" and go shoot.

 

[Mute]

Get it so you can start shooting. It's more than capable with the right ammo. You can't learn and improve if you don't actually shoot.