Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Howa Alpine Mountain rifle 6.5 Creedmoor.

Yep. 20" is a sweet spot for a Creedmoor in a hunting setup.

Any updates? Anyone else get a Howa Alpine?

I've held and fondled these rifle many times now and every time I say damn these feel great....

I'm thinking about trying one, I'd like a 6.5 CM in either a Kimber Hunter, a Kimber Montana or an Alpine. I've handled all three at the local SW, I think I like the Alpine's stock and floorplate magazine setup better, but I would prefer a 22" barrel. It seems like in terms of getting an out of the box shooter the Howa might be the best bet.

SMACK,
You said that your Alpine had a rough bore and coppered badly, has that stopped with continued shooting or is it still a problem? Are you able to shoot a reasonable number of rounds before the fouling affects accuracy?

My 308 has arrived, but have not been able to take delivery due to work and home commitments. Soon, though....

I did have on in my hands that belongs to a buddy. If it shoots as well as it seems to handle, then some other much larger rigs might be put out to pasture.


Okie John

I want one too

I bought one but have not popped off a cap yet, real soon!

Any updates? Can we get a review? These look like dandy hunting rifles.

We've lost some time to family health issues, so I just picked it up yesterday. Hope to mount a scope and get to the range this week.


Okie John

very nice

I bought this Howa Alpine from SMACK and it is an absolute joy to shoot! I haven't spent a lot of time shooting paper to try and get the best groups but I sighted it in shooting factory Hornady 143 ELD-X and it's damn sure accurate enough for me

Glad to see it's shooting well for you also!!! That barrel was a bear to break in! Took 70 or so rounds before it settled down and cleaned up well.

Did the barrel smooth up nicely now? What was "wrong" with it to start with? And are all the Alpines suffering from that same affliction?

What's the barrel diameter at the muzzle?

It took about 70 rounds to break in and settle down. This particular barrel was rough out of the gate. I can't speak for any other " Howa Alpine's". Once it settled down it shot super well and cleaned up quick.

I can't recal the muzzle diameter. Huntsonora may jump in here and give you that dimension. Since he is the new owner. It went to a good home, I foresee it dirt napping some cool stuff in the future.😊

I got a Howa Alpine Mtn rifle in 308 to shoot quite well. That was with factory Federal GMM and Black Hills. Don't recall if it was 168 or 175 SMks. I ended up running some Tubbs Final Finish through it. Eventually it settled into a nice shooter. Didn't feed real well with the detachable mag though. Worked great with bottom metal. I really love the feel of the stock.

This is an interesting thread and that's an impressive hunting rifle ... after bedding anyway. I prefer two-stage triggers and the ability to lock the bolt closed makes the Alpine very appealing. As another point of reference, I also use Reloder 17 for my 6.5 Creedmoor handloads with 140gr A-MAX or 140gr ELD bullets. I have a 24" barrel on an AI AW and am up around 2,900 fps suppressed and 2,850 without the suppressor with no pressure issues. Here are two 5-shot groups at 100 yards with the velocity data from a CED M2 chronograph and with a Dead Air Armament SANDMAN-S attached.

Very good shooter. I have a Vanguard S2 in 6.5 Creedmoor, good shooter also.

The Reloader 17, gives quite the speed increase over H4350. Reloader 17 has been shooting well in my 6mm Creedmoor also.

Have a 6.5 Creedmoor Alpine.


It shoots alright, but is finicky with 60 through it so far. I am going to bed it and see if it gets more consistent.


10 rounds of Hornady Precision Hunter 143gr ELD-X

Formidilosus--nice rifle, what scope is that? I have a 243 I'm getting ready to scope her up! Thanks.