New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

[elliottw]

Howdy all, didn't notice a new member section so I'll do it all here. I've been shooting all my life but mostly I'm hunting, either deer or varmints, not much from a bench. I bought my Howa on my 18th bday and haven't done a lot to it. Got a harris bipod and timney trigger, I load 165gr SSTs with varget powder and the rifle really likes it.I need a little direction from here on in. I'm looking at either a vortex viper 4x16 or a SS 3x9 which one would be the best for general hunting use and the occasional foray into longer ranges? And what would you do for rings? It has the lame nikko scope on it now. Eventually when my skill catches up I'd like to do a re barrel, what would be the optimal length for carrying around deer hunting but still be able to set on the bipod and touch something? Sorry for the wall of text and I appreciate all input!

 

[.308Shadow]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

22" Would be a good length. I have a Howa in .308 with the standard barrel, it's sub MOA every day.

BUT it gets really bad copper fouling, I would advice lapping the barrel to avoid this issue as it's a pain to get out later on.

 

[MWDG3]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

SS 3-9 Milquad. It's light so any 30mm ring should hold it. Check out SWFA selections and Seekins.

When the time comes pick Mr. Gordon's brain @ www.shortactioncustoms.com for upgrades.

Howa has an excellent new upgrade trigger so dont waste your money on Timney.

Mine shortly before Badlands Phase 1 Rifle...went a little overboard.

 

[r33prman]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

I've got a .308 heavy barrel and I'm thinking I'll knock mine down to 20" soon. As for scope I'd go the vortex. And rings..... I've had great success with warne

 

[elliottw]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

SAC was where I was planning on taking my business, figured he could tune it up and rebarrel. What else would make it a rock solid rig?

 

[Cacciatore]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: .308Shadow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">22" Would be a good length. I have a Howa in .308 with the standard barrel, it's sub MOA every day.

BUT it gets really bad copper fouling, I would advice lapping the barrel to avoid this issue as it's a pain to get out later on. </div></div>

I agree with this 100%. At 200 yds. I can hold 1"-1 1/4" groups with my handloads.

The barrel fouls 2x as much as my stainless barreled custom guns but that is expected with a factory barrel.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elliottw</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> SAC was where I was planning on taking my business, figured he could tune it up and rebarrel. What else would make it a rock solid rig?
</div></div>

You could buy an aftermarket stock or chassis. Stock wise you can go Manners, McMillan, and B&C.

Chassis wise you can go XLR or Roedale Precision. The latter I am ordering over the weekend for my Howa.

 

[MWDG3]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

The best upgrade bang for buck IMHO would be a stock with adj riser and vertical grip built for you. Manners has a new hunter with the T2A butt and T forearm. If that was available 2 years ago I'd have it!

You can bed it yourself and save a few pennies.

If you want a beefy low profile one piece rail with 8-40 screws, I have an extra just like the one in the pic above. pm me or check my past posts. It's nice.

 

[Cacciatore]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MWDG3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The best upgrade bang for buck IMHO would be a stock with adj riser and vertical grip built for you. Manners has a new hunter with the T2A butt and T forearm. If that was available 2 years ago I'd have it!

You can bed it yourself and save a few pennies.

If you want a beefy low profile one piece rail with 8-40 screws, I have an extra just like the one in the pic above. pm me or check my past posts. It's nice. </div></div>

Definitely get something adjustable. I bought the T2 for my Howa and the comb seems to be a bit low. I plan on ordering another Triad stock pack because the one on my A4 has been working so well.

The only thing is that you will probably have to send it out if you want to upgrade to the CDI DBM.

 

[MWDG3]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

Don't forget about Stockdoc. He can put the same riser Manners uses into a stock of your choice. Several stock options out there with Boyd's, Stocky's, Accurate Innovations, and Bell Carlson.

http://snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3227912

 

[Cacciatore]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MWDG3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't forget about Stockdoc. He can put the same riser Manners uses into a stock of your choice. Several stock options out there with Boyd's, Stocky's, Accurate Innovations, and Bell Carlson.

http://snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3227912 </div></div>

Right now the gun is at GAP getting rebarreled, painted and bedded. I might do that when it gets back.

BTW, what brand rail are you using? I was going to buy a 20 MOA steel warne rail, and I was wondering what rail you were using.

 

[elliottw]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

Decided to go with the SS 3x9 but it's on backorder. Not to worried though, not in that big of a hurry

 

[MWDG3]

Re: New member-.308 howa need help with a plan

You will lubs the milquad!

I had Ken Farrell make a steel low profile 20 MOA rail with left relief slot delete and 8-40 screws. SAC trued my action and opened the action holes to 8-40. Have one identical from another rejected project for sale. Also have a nice Roedale 20moa 6-48 rail that is melonited.

https://snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3247311&page=1