New Howa build officially underway!

[JeremyC]

Howa stainless 24" heavy barreled action in .308
B&C tactical stock
Harris 6-9" brm bipod and #9 adapter
SWFA SS10x42MQ and sunshade
Warne 20MOA Picatinny rail and Maxima rings
triad stock pack
TIS quick cuff detatchable sling

Just painted the bipod, adapter, and stock in OD green Alumahyde II, and the barreled action in Alumahyde II in Earth brown, Which is close to FDE.
Only thing left to paint is the scope and rings.

 

[Cacciatore]

If you ever feel like you want a larger bolt knob, Mark at Short Action Customs did a great job on my 2 Howas. The fit is seamless between the knob and handle. You are on the right track so far.

 

[BlackWhiskey]

Sounds like a good build! I've helped a lot of friends put together Howas and they have been more than pleased. In my opinion, it is the best kept secret in budget precision shooting. Keep us up to date on the build!

 

[wk05]

We need pictures!

 

[ZombieSlayer]

My howa 308 was almost identical to yours before it got an extra 6" of barrel and single feed bench stock. Hopefully it's new barrel shoots as well, asking for better is asking too much. Twas a tack driver.

Currently building my 3rd Howa a 338 375ruger switch barrel.

 

[17874]

X2 for pictures.

 

[ridenrunwv]

Good luck with the build. I almost bought a Howa recently but decided on Remington only because of the aftermarket. Wouldn't be surprised if Howa doesn't shoot better based on the one I've shot.

 

[Low_drag]

I did that same build a few years ago too. Howa SS Varmint in 308, and it was under 1/2 MOA most of the time. When the barrel got hot it would open up, but let it cool back down and it would shrink back. It's hard to beat 1/2 MOA for a $600 barreled action.

 

[JeremyC]

Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys. I will most definitely snap some pics when I get a chance. Right now, the stock and barreled action are hanging for the Alumahyde to cure. I'll be painting the scope and rings on my next days off. I do have a question on painting the scope: should I keep the rings on the scope in the same position they'll be when mounted to the rifle, or is it ok to spray the whole scope, even where the rings will ride? I sprayed the barreled action with the picatinny rail mounted, because I was worried that it may throw off accuracy painting them as separate parts.

 

[Boats]

Yes photo's! My 24 inch Howa action came in to the FFL yesterday I'll pick it up on Tuesday and finally get started on my first build. Where did you find your B &C stock? I have been following the Howa build threads but any help would be great.

Jim

 

[sulcop96]

Love my Howa and I am finally done with her. Started as a simple .308 with 20" and now....

 

[JeremyC]

I found a B&C stock at redhawk rifles, for less than anywhere else I had looked online. HTTP://www.redhawkrifles.com

Any pointers on my question about painting the scope and rings?

 

[JeremyC]

sulcop96, That thing is sick! What chassis is that, and what did it set you back?

 

[sulcop96]

Jeremy, It is the XLR and around $800 with all the options. As for the B&C, it was a good stock and I had that for over a year before I upgraded and I picked it up from Red Hawk. It shipped out same day and I had great CS with them. As far as painting scope and rings, if it is a DIY then there are a ton of tutorials on this site. Simple Krylon or in my case Rustolium, clean and prep the surfaces, hit it with a bit of fine grain sandpaper to rough of the surfaces, hit it with primer and then spray. It will wear off so if you want something longer lasting then creakote is best.

And on the Howa, they make a DBM system made of hard plastic. I picked one up to T&E and it worked great. I had no issues with breakage and my rifles see heavy field work and I am not a bench shooter. I still have the system, although replaced with the XLR magazine system, and it held up with over 1000 rounds. It goes against the grain, not getting the metal, but I give the Legacy DBM system five stars. So if you want a magazine system that is a very good and cheep alternative.


Sully

 

[JeremyC]

That XLR is awesome, but way out of my budget. I painted the scope rings today by rolling up some heavy paper and sliding them on. The last thing to paint is the scope, then wait for all of it to cure before assembly!

 

[pklin1297]

Some pictures of my old one and one I assembled for a friend:

5 round group at 100 yards, hand load 175 HPBT and Varget.

Friend's

Action and DBM was eventually ceracoated.

 

[JeremyC]

Very nice, and I'm hoping mine will lay groups down like that! Can you give details on your load you worked up?

 

[AKA-Spook]

A few I've done



6 X 47 Lapua


338 BR / Whisper


300 / 221 , way before there was a blackout.

Best kept secret in straight shooting rifles out there.

 

[JeremyC]

Very nice, Spook! I'm trying to figure out how to hang the scope to paint it. If I can figure that out, it'll get some color either this afternoon or tomorrow... then it'll all be painted! The only thing I can think of is to use thin wire and wrap around a turret after masking everything off.

 

[JeremyC]

Scope, butler creek caps and killflash are painted! Now, I just have to wait for all of it to cure.

 

[junkyarddog4852]

I've got one that I put together last fall in .243 that I shot a .5 inch group with just a couple hours ago. I'm super glad I chose the Howa, Plus I like to go against the grain and shoot something different from everyone else.

 

[sulcop96]

I have four bolt guns and the Howa is the only "out of box" of the three, other then the XLR stock, and keeps up with my custom FN SPR action and my build Rem 700. Not saying it can meet the groups of the other two, but it is really not that far off. The action has such a nice feel to it and for a factory barrel it really is quality work.

Sully

 

[JeremyC]

You can definitely tell that they hold their work to tighter tolerances. I went with the Howa after owning a Weatherby Vanguard for a couple years, so I knew what kind of quality I could expect... I'm not disappointed! I handled a few Remintons and honestly wasn't nearly as impressed.

 

[JeremyC]

It's officially done, but I bumped the muzzle on my ceiling and messed up the paint a little. I'll get some pics sometime tomorrow!

 

[RUMrunner]

I just bought one with a heavy barrel too. excited to see how it shoots!

 

[plunker20]

did you go pick it up yet rum? it shot great for me with the factory ammo in the thumbhole stock i never shot it in the bell and carlson.

 

[JeremyC]

Here ya go!

Stock is OD green and the barreled action and scope are earth brown. For some reason, the pic is way smaller on here when you open it, than it is on my computer.

 

[sulcop96]

Nice job! Look into a Tac bolt knob in black to set it off. Will not cost much and there are a few vendors here that do excellent bolt know work.

Sully

 

[JeremyC]

I've already been thinking about it!