Thread: Howa based custom builds

I'm still thinking about a very light but seriously accurate 223, my Bighorn Origin/Mullerworks combo is consistently 1/2 moa for ten, but it's not a hunting rifle. The S&L Legacy is a delight to hunt with but is only barely adequate in the accuracy dept.

I've been having a lot of fun with factor Howa minis, they go pretty good, and with a Jefferson BM have great mag length for "heavies" . But the bedding arrangement with the front action screw in the recoil lug is a fairly major detraction - they are quite "bedding sensitive" - even in a chassis like the Elude.

I'd be very interested to hear from people who have used one for a custom build with a high end barrel and what was done to it to get it shooting well.

Beside having the barrel chambered properly and ensuring that the lugs of the bolts bear evenly on the action lug abutments, do a real pillar bedding with the aluminium or steel pillars with the front one contacting the bottom of the recoil lug. From memory the action screws are m6, so a 12mm diameter pillar will do the job. I have done a 204 like that which was printing clover leaf at 100 and accounted for dozen of varmints shot between 350 and 400m.

Murf has done some pretty interesting builds using them and reckons bedding is the key but I know others who have struggled with them . . .

Murf did some of mine, he slabbed the action and fitted up a Trueflite in .223AI.
To be honest I'm not sure of the true capability of how precise this could be as its very lightweight and only a 2.5-8x scope but it's an amazing hunting rifle and a joy to carry.




Early tests with factory Hornady 55SP


Early 75ELDM test loads before I started using 10 shot groups


A rushed 10 shot 55SP group while fireforming, hot barrel, hot suppressor, off a MTNGEAR bipod, 2" sticker, I'm happy with that for the work I've been doing knocking back pest numbers.


I've finally got a bunch more 75ELDMs that I'm hoping to load up in the next week and get a few more 10 shot groups.

Its cost a bunch but its one that'll never get sold.

Originally Posted by Tentman

Murf has done some pretty interesting builds using them and reckons bedding is the key but I know others who have struggled with them . . .

Bedding the normal stock?
From memory the normal Howa stocks are pretty flimsy, whereas the Houge stock (with aluminum pillars) seems to be pretty stiff
Considering bedding the Houge stock I have.

I've only recently picked up a Howa Mini (2nd one I've had) and it came with a chassis but for a lightweight short range rifle I'm thinking the normal stock would be better suited than a chassis. Although I think the rifle shoots a little better in the chassis.

Not a real custom just a rebarelled superlite. 8 twist Truflite 18.5" turned down to original superlite profile chambered in 6 creed.HG Precision Alluminium bottom metal. Did the "chop spring" trigger job on it and bedded it. Shoots awesome and the 6 creed is so well mannered to shoot easily in a lightweight rifle. Have a hard time convincing myself that I need any other rifles everytime I get it out.