Second Howage barrel in second caliber?

[Wyobound]

I have 3 Howa 1500s. One each in 243 Win, 6.5x55, and 338 Win Mag. I am putting a new McGowen Howage bare on the Swede which is my go to rifle for antelope and deer. I hunt Wyoming the most. I use the 338 Win Mag for elk. There is a gap between the Swede and 338 Win Mag of about 1300 fps. There are times I'd like another 1500 in 7mm RM, just about between the Swede at 2200 fpe and the 338 Win Mag at 3500. Instead of another whole rifle, what about a Howage barrel in either 7mm RM or 300 Win Mag? The 300 WM can be loaded light or heavy and could be used for long distance deer or long distance shooting. I have action wrenches, go, no-go gauges. Advantage is a second barrel is no need for another scope, tigger, glass bedding job. Thoughts?

 

[Hickswr]

Think you’ve confused fps with ft-lbs.

I’d go 7mag-

 

[Wyobound]

Think you’ve confused fps with ft-lbs.

I’d go 7mag-

Typo. Fpe not fps. E and s are right next to each other on qwerty

 

[hereinaz]

If you reload, go 7 saum if you can, IMO. Run the 180 out long. It is more efficient and easier to load for. The Berger 180 VLD is an absolute terror of a bullet. You can't really beat it for performance with the 175 or the 168. Just get an 8.5ish twist.

Edited to add that the 180 vld out of any 7 mag really beats the 300 wm on ballistic performance at long range for hunting distances. You have to really step on the heavier/higher BC .308 bullets to match it with trajectory. And, the 180 is a fantastic bullet to kill at long range.

 

[Wyobound]

If you reload, go 7 saum if you can, IMO. Run the 180 out long. It is more efficient and easier to load for. The Berger 180 VLD is an absolute terror of a bullet. You can't really beat it for performance with the 175 or the 168. Just get an 8.5ish twist.

Edited to add that the 180 vld out of any 7 mag really beats the 300 wm on ballistic performance at long range for hunting distances. You have to really step on the heavier/higher BC .308 bullets to match it with trajectory. And, the 180 is a fantastic bullet to kill

Is it practical to swap out the barrels that use the Howage nut system? This is a Howa 1500 long action 338 Win Mag with the .532 bolt face, so I need to keep with a comparable rim diameter. My real question is whether it's practical to switch between the 338 Win Mag and a second barrel, back and forth, as needed. So Savage guys do that? Its something id do maybe once a season. Have to sight in again, but saves me the cost of an action, scope and mounts.

 

[Wyobound]

Is it practical to swap out the barrels that use the Howage nut system? This is a Howa 1500 long action 338 Win Mag with the .532 bolt face, so I need to keep with a comparable rim diameter. My real question is whether it's practical to switch between the 338 Win Mag and a second barrel, back and forth, as needed. So Savage guys do that? Its something id do maybe once a season. Have to sight in again, but saves me the cost of an action, scope and mounts.

The 7mm SAUM has a .534 rim versus the .532 on the 338 Win Mag, so that should work. How will the case diameyer and length affect feeding in the 338 magazine? The 7mm RM is perfect on those criteria

 

[nksmfamjp]

It’s not a bad idea. How convenient is it for you to change barrels and resight in? I can see it for something like seasonal PRS switching to a long range hunting round or varmint to hunting, but hunting to hunting makes the timeline tighter.

If the headspacing changes 0.002” will that screw up your super tuned loads? it will vary with a nut.

If you did shouldered barrels and an action wrench, headspacing would not change.....also, stock may not need removed.

Also, look at the Barloc from ARC and the WTO Switchlug.....could make things simpler....with those, loosen Allen bolt and remove barrel by hand....also, headspacing fixed.

 

[Wyobound]

My thought would to index each barrel with an indent on the receiver and each barrel. Only trying it out would tell me how it effects point of aim. I can also log the change in elevation and windage clcks to keep the switch as easy as possible.

The 338 Win Mag is my elk cartridge. The second barrel, say 7mm RM or 300 Win Mag, would be a long range, that is 600 yards and beyond, fun cartridge. My Swede is good to 600 from an energy standpoint.

 

[hereinaz]

My thought would to index each barrel with an indent on the receiver and each barrel. Only trying it out would tell me how it effects point of aim. I can also log the change in elevation and windage clcks to keep the switch as easy as possible.

The 338 Win Mag is my elk cartridge. The second barrel, say 7mm RM or 300 Win Mag, would be a long range, that is 600 yards and beyond, fun cartridge. My Swede is good to 600 from an energy standpoint.

Red loctite on the barrel nut works. A set screw adds even more security. Just check head space.

Like mentioned above, it isn't a big deal to swap if for seasons. Its no big deal to rezero. Done right, it might move a couple clicks. I swapped between my match barrel and a .308 for a specific hunt.

7mm rem mag would be plug and play for the action.

 

[Wyobound]

Yea, 7mm RM would be plug-play. No feeding or bolt face/rim issue. I was thinking green locktite, Guntite. Creating witness marks by lightly staking the barrels an receivers with a very small chisel would allow a near perfect return.

 

[hereinaz]

Yea, 7mm RM would be plug-play. No feeding or bolt face/rim issue. I was thinking green locktite, Guntite. Creating witness marks by lightly staking the barrels an receivers with a very small chisel would allow a near perfect return.

Use red, you don't want it to turn. Make index marks, on the barrel to barrel nut and barrel nut to action connection. Don't use excessive torque.

Check out www.savageshooters.com forum for more than you need to know about it.

 

[Wyobound]

Thanks for this. I bet the Savage boys have this all figured out