Thread: Howa M1500 .308 accuracy

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

Hi People,

Trying to get good accuracy out of my rig and haven't had the best results as of lately. Am using commercial ammo, doesn't seem to like the 150 grainers all too much. Shooting about 1.5inch to 2 inches (on average) at 100m.

Was thinking of moving to a heavier bullet, like 168gr Hornady Match? Any recommendations on what other folks here are using would be much appreciated. What sort of accuracy are you getting etc? I find also once the barrel heats up she's all over as for tight groups.

And does anyone happen to know the twist rate of the SS .308 Howas?

Regards
Sas

1 in 10 twist. Did you put the Nikko Sterling in the bin?

Originally Posted by kokako

1 in 10 twist. Did you put the Nikko Sterling in the bin?

Thanks. Thought it was 1/10

Yup, sure did. Running a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 EBR-1 MOA/MOA scope

Tried the Hornady sst 150gr best would of been 1 inch, most where over that. Not shooting with a bi-pod. Shooting of front & rear bags. And i ditched the factory stock for a Bell & Carlson one. Which definitely improved the accuracy that's for sure.

I've heard they're 1/10 twist so thought it might be able to stabilize a heavier bullet for better accuracy over distance. I like my rifles zeroed at 200m but couldn't produce a group better then 2-2.5 inches at that range...

Gave it a good clean the other day, had alot of copper. Used Bore Tech copper remover. So it's spic & span now.

I've tried: Hornady White-tail 150gr, Winchester Super x 150gr sp, Federal 150gr sp, Hornady sst 150gr so far...

Haven't tried Belmont 130grhp yet...

If it is a hunting rifle then you only need to be sure of the first couple of shots.
Unless bombing up on goats etc, but then I would guess you wouldn't have got a 308 for that purpose

Your tikka could shoot a 50c coin at 1000m but its still a tikka

Why spend 4k on a howa? 2inchs at 200m is still a dead rabbit to be fair I wouldnt get too hung up on it myself

Originally Posted by Toby

Your tikka could shoot a 50c coin at 1000m but its still a tikka

Why spend 4k on a howa? 2inchs at 200m is still a dead rabbit to be fair I wouldnt get too hung up on it myself

Haha ease up on the Tikka's Toby they're awesome ;-)

If you had of asked me that a year ago, Yo Sasquatch you wanna spend 4k on a Howa?? I would of been rolling on the ground

But,

Here I am, one year later... lol!

To be honest though, I actually like underdog rifles that out perform top tier ones. It's kind of an addiction really, a sick one at that.

Each to their own, but you could have a Blaser for that sort of money...............................then everyone could laugh at you

Originally Posted by Pengy

Each to their own, but you could have a Blaser for that sort of money...............................then everyone could laugh at you

Haha

It doesn't seem half as bad being that I gradually put money in to this rig over a longer period. Hindsight is a wonderful thing

Like this Tikka 3 or less kgs with full mag and VX 3 30 mm CD S scope
Stock has since been "improved"

I have the same model Howa as you, standard stock and Hardy can. Has a 2.5-10 Superslam and shoots hand loads 168 Amax and 165 sst's under an inch @ 100m. Mine shot shit with factory ammo too.

Try rolling your own :-)

Originally Posted by HOWA308

I have the same model Howa as you, standard stock and Hardy can. Has a 2.5-10 Superslam and shoots hand loads 168 Amax and 165 sst's under an inch @ 100m. Mine shot shit with factory ammo too.

Try rolling your own :-)

I have heard they like the 168, but haven't found any in the shops yet, and cant be arsed doing a police form to buy ammo. Will have to keep an eye out in my travels

Originally Posted by HOWA308

I have the same model Howa as you, standard stock and Hardy can. Has a 2.5-10 Superslam and shoots hand loads 168 Amax and 165 sst's under an inch @ 100m. Mine shot shit with factory ammo too.

Try rolling your own :-)

That's awesome man once I'm better equipped will look in to getting gear setup to reload. As for now it'll be factory stuff for a wee while yet... :S

Looking forward to shooting the 168gr factory stuff soon so see how that goes.

Here is mine in all it's glory today shooting at my local range

Reloading gear is cheap, if you go Lee. Cheaper than 40-60 dollars a box of factory ammo that won't shoot.
But like most loaders will tell you that you don't save money in the long run as just shoot heaps more!

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

That's awesome man once I'm better equipped will look in to getting gear setup to reload. As for now it'll be factory stuff for a wee while yet... :S

Looking forward to shooting the 168gr factory stuff soon so see how that goes.

Here is mine in all it's glory today shooting at my local range

Attachment 35557Attachment 35558

No wonder it heats up, with that bloody great big mag begging to be emptied.
It makes the rifle look like it's got a hemeroid hanging out of its arse.

Your grouping at 200 yards sounds fine to me. I would doubt you will do much better without going to hand loads. But I would be pleased to be wrong.

Originally Posted by Tahr

No wonder it heats up, with that bloody great big mag begging to be emptied.
It makes the rifle look like it's got a hemeroid hanging out of its arse.

Your grouping at 200 yards sounds fine to me. I would doubt you will do much better without going to hand loads. But I would be pleased to be wrong.

Haha ouch... Was trying to mimic the look of the M40A5 lol But thank you

I've noted down from you fella's to let my barrel cool down a bit longer. Will post results at 200m with match ammo when I get around to it