Howa 1500

calaper · 08-29-2009, 05:09 AM

I just took my howa 1500 .243 to the range and was EXTREMELY impressed with the accuracy of this little beauty. I used a range of different loads, all starting loads and most achieved MOA or better. I will post some photos and a report later in this thread but firstly i have a quick question.

Before going to the range, my barrel was free floating and now when i go to clean it and slide some thin thin cloth under it gets obstructed half way along....this wasn't the case prior to shooting.

What causes this? Is it the plastic stock or what? I haven't tried to fix it up yet but im just curious.

nathangdad · 08-29-2009, 06:50 AM

plus it comes with a realistic price.

Howa makes the Weathergy Vanguard line.

samuel · 08-29-2009, 08:32 AM

Sounds like you warmed the barrel up fairly good.Sometimes the stock warps a little when this happens.Find where it touches the barrel and work it out until it is free floating again and try it out again.Should be ok but if it presists a new stock is advised.I believe Howa uses an injection mold stock as well as Hogue overmold.The Hogue should eleminate this problem. ,,,sam.

calaper · 08-31-2009, 07:18 AM

I went to go and remove the stock tonight and i found that for some reason the barrel was floated again.....i presume it was the heat from the barrel which caused an obstruction on the plastic stock.

Here are some pictures of my trip to the range. All of my reloads were with an Aussie powder from ADI, its AR2208 which is equivalent to one of the imr powders. The wind was quite strong and gusty, certainly not ideal but i couldn't wait. All shots were at 100yards. The groups aren't amazing, some were with cheap quality projectiles which is pretty obvious.

I had the best results with Remington 80gr SP. My first three shots were through the same hole but then i get the nervous trigger finger and ruined the next 2 shots - as always. The trigger has a bit of creep and is my only complain!

photo(4).jpg

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photo(4)6.jpg

calaper · 09-23-2009, 09:33 PM

Hey guys,

I love my howa but hate the trigger. Apart from getting a timney or something what can you suggest to make it better?

Sir Elwood · 10-05-2009, 03:54 PM

My vanguard came with a good trigger. That's why I chose it.

I'm not sure that the Howa trigger can be adjusted much.

08-29-2009, 05:09 AM	#1
calaper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 217	Howa 1500 I just took my howa 1500 .243 to the range and was EXTREMELY impressed with the accuracy of this little beauty. I used a range of different loads, all starting loads and most achieved MOA or better. I will post some photos and a report later in this thread but firstly i have a quick question. Before going to the range, my barrel was free floating and now when i go to clean it and slide some thin thin cloth under it gets obstructed half way along....this wasn't the case prior to shooting. What causes this? Is it the plastic stock or what? I haven't tried to fix it up yet but im just curious.

08-29-2009, 06:50 AM	#2
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,172	Howa has a really top notch reputation plus it comes with a realistic price. Howa makes the Weathergy Vanguard line.

09-23-2009, 09:33 PM	#5
calaper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 217	Trigger Hey guys, I love my howa but hate the trigger. Apart from getting a timney or something what can you suggest to make it better?

08-29-2009, 08:32 AM	#3
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10,915	Sounds like you warmed the barrel up fairly good.Sometimes the stock warps a little when this happens.Find where it touches the barrel and work it out until it is free floating again and try it out again.Should be ok but if it presists a new stock is advised.I believe Howa uses an injection mold stock as well as Hogue overmold.The Hogue should eleminate this problem. ,,,sam.

08-31-2009, 07:18 AM	#4
calaper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 217	I went to go and remove the stock tonight and i found that for some reason the barrel was floated again.....i presume it was the heat from the barrel which caused an obstruction on the plastic stock. Here are some pictures of my trip to the range. All of my reloads were with an Aussie powder from ADI, its AR2208 which is equivalent to one of the imr powders. The wind was quite strong and gusty, certainly not ideal but i couldn't wait. All shots were at 100yards. The groups aren't amazing, some were with cheap quality projectiles which is pretty obvious. I had the best results with Remington 80gr SP. My first three shots were through the same hole but then i get the nervous trigger finger and ruined the next 2 shots - as always. The trigger has a bit of creep and is my only complain! photo(4).jpg photo(4)2.jpg photo(4)4.jpg photo(4)6.jpg

10-05-2009, 03:54 PM	#6
Sir Elwood Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 76	My vanguard came with a good trigger. That's why I chose it. I'm not sure that the Howa trigger can be adjusted much.