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> Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win mag
Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win mag
@ 10:43 pm (GMT) |
Mike NeesonI have been considering the purchase of a Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win mag. I recently helped a friend of mine get a Howa 308 up and running and was pleasantly surprised with the construction and performance. Does anyone here have any experience with this particular model? It comes in the Hogue stock ( I have a fair bit of experience bedding these bastards). My concerns, the Varmint 24" barrel may be a real bugger to lug around when mated to to rather light hogue? I don't mind heavy as such, my Rem700 in a hogue is on the heavy side too. Just wondering if the stock is up to the recoil... even after bedding and stabilizing. Putting it in a Boyds a better option? or a B&C?At $650 to $700 the rifle seems like an absolute bargain. I would appreciate any thoughts you guys might have. PS I am on a budget, hence the interest. Would love a Sendero... |
Replies
@ 09:17 am (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magSet up heaps of S/A & L/A Howa's but no Mags Mike.Cleavers will do you a deal in a Boyds classic which is my preference over the stabilized/bedded Hogue and we have/use both. The Hogue shape is good just can't get used to the slimy feel of the rubber, if available the exact same in laminate would be great. Check your book for mag length, its ok one their L/A just not sure on the Mag action. |
@ 10:20 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magHi Mike, see if you can pursue Marty's suggestions.Mag length for the magnum is the same as the .270 etc. Runs around 91mm internally. Max OAL with the Howa throat geometry "should" be around 89.5mm max with the 208gr M but thats a big should. If it runs out to 91.5 to 92.5mm and only shoots well when loaded close, you may need to mod the mag box. I can send photos if need be, you'll need to have a smith mill the action. The thing is- its doable and they can be made quite long which is fantastic. |
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@ 01:09 pm (GMT) |
Mike NeesonRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magThanks Marty and Nathan,Marty, do you know if the heavy barrel will go into a "Boyds classic"? I note the thumbhole comes in "featherweight" and "Varmint" and was wondering if there would be an issue with the barrel channel in the classic? I presume you prefer the classic over the thumbhole? Nathan, I found the thread on extending the magazine of the action and had that at the back of my mind for an upgrade later down the line, but hadn't considered the individual throat cut and how there is little room to move in that regard. So thank you for that heads-up. I noted the magazine dimension had been milled out, does this mean the ramp would also need reshaping? I presume the mag box was cut and rewelded? |
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@ 02:37 pm (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magThe Classics are normally inletted for the Sporter but l don't see why they couldn't be opened up for the varmint. May end up a bit thin on the leading edge. Will measure juniors Howa 06 Sporter in the Classic tonight & give you some channel measurements to work with.I have set up & used all three and yes l prefer the classic though have had excellent results using both the Thumhole's. Just a personal taste thing, that's all. Its also a Classic on my 9.3mm though l modified the palm swell to my liking. Should say all needed bedding and bottom metal height set ups. From memory it will be a mod at the rear of the receiver mag box inletting (same as Rem) and an extension to box as you say with no ramp mod. Use these as a guide. http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/556-extended-well-magazine-boxes |
@ 09:30 pm (GMT) |
Ben LawRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magthe boyds classics fit the sporter barrel, but can be opened up quite easily.i have one on my 223 howa varmint, i used sand paper wrapped around appropriate sized deep drive sockets stepping up in size as i went. it does get a bit thin on top edge of the forend but i dont see any problem with it. interesting martin prefers the boyds classic to the thumbholes. in theory i prefer ambidextrous stocks so the rifle isnt limited to being used only right/left handed. the classic is a pretty nice shape but i would ideally like just a bit more meat in the forend. another stock option could be the boyds pro varmint, if that's your thing. I rate the howa's, unfortunately for me they're not available in left handed, otherwise i'd find them too hard to look past I think. |
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@ 08:38 am (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magSpot on Ben!A beefier forend would be a big plus which is why l would like the Hogue shape in a laminate. Emailed Boyd's to see if that could be done on the Classic but received no reply. Wanted to get Hatchers Rifle Stocks to duplicate the Hogue in laminate, leaving the combe slightly higher but some other projects have got in the way. Looking at it with limited budget in mind, the classic is just a straight recoiling, "relatively cheap", readily available option & like you say ambidextrous unlike their T/H. Mike our Howa Classic at tip measures 29mm outside & 20.5mm inside at the top edge. |
@ 09:12 am (GMT) |
Thomas KitchenRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magHave a look at the platinum boyd stock believe it similar lines to the classic but with wider forend but can't confirm thatthere's also the tactical ones, as much as I prefer the more traditional look, there is some advantages to it |
@ 04:13 pm (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magHi all.There's a guy in Victoria named Ken Noye (ph.03 5367 1062) he laminates timber stocks, any shape you want any action & barrel channel. He actually laminates the timber. Ken makes stocks for a lot of the top bench-rest shooters. He made me a great stock for my Remington Mohawk 243win, wide fore end nice palm swell, cheek piece, recoil pad. It came with a fine sand finish, all I had to do was coat it with Z epoxy & fit sling swivels. $350 plus delivery. Cheers Bob |
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@ 02:49 am (GMT) |
Mike NeesonRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magThanks all, plenty to think about there and as usual Bob, you add the final gem. That guy in Vic sounds excellent.I am still working up the right time to present all this to the Minister for War and Finance, so wish me luck. But the game is afoot! Cheers |
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@ 07:28 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magHi Mike, the box is cut at the rear. The action is milled at the rear.I guess one could go forwards a wee bit as well. Feed ramps are not so difficult but one does have to be aware that there is a lug rebate ahead of the ramp. On the M98, the feed ramp is taken quite a way fowards (e.g. Holland & Holland). |
@ 07:51 pm (GMT) |
Andrew MurrayRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magHi Mike,I have the 308 version. Hogue stock varmint profile... I haven't done anything to the action other than shorten the internal well by a very small amount and lap the lugs. It was very easy to front and rear bed plus stabilise and is a great platform moving forward for me. The overall weight came to just over 4.8kg and my trigger weight is closer to 800g but I will lighten it some more at the 1 yr clean. Hope that helps. |
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@ 07:54 pm (GMT) |
Mike NeesonRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magI have ordered the action. 300 Win Mag Varmint contour. Spoken to Ken Noye and he can do me a "McMillan A-3" in laminated Walnut or plywood. $445 roughly sanded. He can also lengthen the forend if required. I have considered the Boyds Classic, but opening up the forend makes me nervous. There doesn't seem to be a lot of wiggle room, so to speak.Ken offers, recoil pad, pillars etc but they really do add up so will do it myself in a controlled manner. In regards to Pillars, Bunnings has aluminium pipe (10mm x 1mmthick).. would this be suitable? A friend has a small lathe so could cut some grooves for glue/grip. As I type this I realise I could just turn some up! What would be the ideal dimensions for a set of pillars? I presume you glue the pillars and then do the Matchgrade over the top? |
@ 08:32 pm (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magHere you go Mikehttps://www.stockysstocks.com/epoxy-instructions/#pillar |
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@ 09:57 pm (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magG'day Mike.The stock I received from Ken was smooth as, I just coated it with coats of z epoxy till I got sick of doing it,,,, Came up great. I rubbed it back with steel wool & Lanox to take the gloss off. He does a great job!! |
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@ 10:08 pm (GMT) |
Mike NeesonRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magSweet as, Thanks guys. |
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@ 09:25 am (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magSounds like a good stock Mike, just make sure you are happy with the vertical grip for your shooting positions/style.I like around 1mm clearance inside the pillars keeping the wall thickness small so the stock doesn't need as much material removed for gluing them in. Set them as per Instructions in the Rifle Accurising book using the TBR compound as the bed interface not the pillar top (most will say otherwise!). Also set the bottom metal height up the same way so the compound is doing the bulk of the load bearing. If you have some, use heat shrink on the action bolts as a quick way to centralise the pillars but even raps of tape will work as well. |
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@ 09:26 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magHi Mike, the Bunnings stuff may be the go. Thomas picked some up a while ago (Mitre10 Mega) and the walls appear more concentric than other lots. So it might be easy to work with. In any case, look through the pipe to check that it is not too thick on one side as this can bugger things up a bit. Turned stainless would be ideal.No need for grooves in the pillar if the surface is very rough, just a good epoxy. Seat flush or proud, its up to you, see my thoughts on this in the Accurizing book. The key, is to not stress the action or stock during bedding (which can happen with the Howa). In other words, minimal bungee tension no matter which way you go. Consider using a forend tip dam so that you only need the one bungee at the rear scope base as opposed to two bungees. But make sure the tip dam is complementary to the main barrel channel dam. No height discrepancies. |
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@ 09:31 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magNice reply from Marty, very helpful input. |
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@ 04:53 pm (GMT) |
Mike NeesonRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magThanks Marty and Nathan.Just re-read the pillar section. All makes sense. Marty, when you talk about setting up the bottom metal, firstly is that so it is flush with the stock and secondly, do you do it at the same time you bed the action? I’m guessing here, slide the bottom metal (well coated in release) onto the screws aligning the action and hold it in place with the bungee or tape? Maybe trowel the epoxy on bottom metal before pushing it up and in? |
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@ 05:26 pm (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magYeah Mike, l set up the bottom metal just like if it where the action, plasticine and release agent and chop out material under/around giving a nice big solid footing.So pillars first, leaving a void at top and bottom of the pillar, bedding to correct action height/position then check over mag or mag box fit/capacity adjusting if needed. Action may have ended slightly higher or lower depending on stock shape etc. and my preferred position. So as the bedding compound/s bare most of the compression forces with the pillar in support. During bedding both the action & bottom metal can float non-stressed during the cure using the double barrel support method Nathan has listed above. May see a little confusing or different but remember Nathan & Steph are only a email or Skype away with support which another reason their kits are second to none! |
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@ 05:35 pm (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magOh just to be clear after reading that back,Do the bottom metal set up after the action bedding has cured and is all cleaned up. I find this critical for mag/box clearances and the action screws will do up with a nice solid feel when done this way. |
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@ 06:14 pm (GMT) |
Mike NeesonRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magGot it. Thanks mate. Will get all my ducks in a row... it’ll take a while to come together but I’ll keep you updated. |
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@ 09:21 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magHi Mike, as soon as you get a measurement of the max OAL (208gr ELD-M), could you let me know please as I would like to compare this with previous data. Length of the individual projectile would also be helpful. Thanks. |
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@ 03:32 pm (GMT) |
Mike NeesonRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magHello all, the action has arrived. Very nice. Ended up buying it from Owen Guns in Gympie. Mr Ron Owen is a true gentleman and I was happy to pay a bit more than Cleavers were selling it at with the peace of mind Ron will look after me if there were problems. (He spent a couple of hours with me getting my .22 extraction problems sorted) Anyhoo some questions:1. Horsley Park has nightforce rails at a fair price, will these work with Burris Signature Rings 2. Are Medium height Burris rings a good match for my S111 6-24LRMD? 3. Are the XTR rings worth the extra $40 4. 300 Winmag brass is rarer than I thought. Found some Winchester at Horsley Park, and Owens have Sellier Bellot... opinions? Another Supplier? TIA |
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@ 10:14 am (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: Howa 1500 Varmint 300 Win magHard to go past good service Mike, l buy most of mine from H&S in Sale, 3 hours from home for the same reasons!Had no issues with the Nightforce gear! I use the Med height Burris rings with all my 50mm's, 2 piece & rails. Now going to XTR Sig rings on all mine after having a few 25mm Zee's move, though all my 30mm have stayed true. Small price to pay for extra peace of mind. Try David at Reloaders Haven, he should have new & once fired brass at reasonable prices. He lets me pick through the S/H stuff to match brands but mot sure if he offers that to shipped stuff. reloadershaven.com.au |
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