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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,736 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,736 Likes: 1 |
Thanks mathman.
I'm thinking about building a 338win on a stainless Howa, Mickey stock, and Timney trigger. My thought is, if it doesn't shoot with the stock barrel I will put a new one on.
I wish I could find a Howa or Rem action cheap and just put a barrel on, but I can't find one. I can buy the Howa for about $400.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1 |
I haven't shot a single Howa barreled action I've bought, but I am running 2 Vanguards with factory barrels and they shoot just fine.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,219
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,219 |
Back in 85 when I had my S&W customized I wanted to swap out the barrel for a 26" one. A few days after dropping it off the gunsmith calls and tells me that the barrel is to good not to use. The man could have sold me a new barrel and I would have been none the wiser. Remember,back then the new Japanese factories were(and probably still are)state of the art and held close tolerances. I've got a pickup truck and chainsaw from the 80's and both are still at it. Back then people did not want to admit that Japanese products were any count!
til later
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 13,401
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 13,401 |
EZ, which McMillan stock is that on the one in your picture? Thx
“There are some who can live without wild things and some who cannot.” ALDO LEOPOLD
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,219
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,219 |
Kimber7man, It's an 80's model Brown Precision. Of course they were'nt being made for S&Ws(HOWA)so the gunsmith used one for a Sako.
til later
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 68
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 68 |
Here's a 1993 manufactured 30-06 Weatherby Vanguard "work in progress" : I was originally looking for a Tikka but actually a former Sako gunsmith convinced me to get one of these instead. I like the solid feel of the action and the bolt. The extractor claw, bolt fluting and gas vents are good design, and while having a really skinny barrel and not being a sub-MOA model, ( I wonder if such a thing existed in '93 ) I don't feel undergunned accuracy-wise. Of course it would benefit from a varmint barrel and that is exactly the kind of work I was planning on progressing Hensoldt 3-12x56 FF. All the quality of Zeiss added with a mil-spec sticker on the underbelly of the ocular. EGW provided me with a 25MOA one-piece picatinny rail. The rail arrived across the big pond in exactly one week from ordering, which was nice. Due to a 2 1/3" LOS-bore, a 56 mm objective lens and the fact that 34 mm Optilocks are made in only one height, I have to cope with a DIY cheekpiece until I make up my mind what to do with the stock. It's not too bad but I'm thinking McMillan/Manners/Bell & Carlson. That'll probably have to wait until I rebarrel, though, to avoid the need for re-bedding. Last weekend I shot two test groups at 150 m (165 yd) , the 1 ring is MOA and I managed to ruin both groups with fliers I called right at the moment they left the barrel. (or, if you can't see the video, http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5006297477456385127 ) She's not too easy to shoot prone due to a slightly short LOP and stiff(ish) recoil that is directed to 10 o'clock. The bipod feet actually leave the floor but that's hard to see due to video compression. Overall I couldn't be happier, especially considering the price. I *was* originally going to just use it for hunting moose and deer ( for which 2 MOA is more than sufficient ) but I can already see myself going down the slippery slope...
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,254 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,254 Likes: 1 |
Lookout dude, there is a giant tricky-scope trying to eat your rifle.
Now with even more aplomb
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,447
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,447 |
How does this puppy look? http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=96169906Drop it into a McMillan, and I think that would hunt TX whitetails just fine as a 243... Your thoughts? Looks like a good deal..
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,716
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,716 |
What is the advantage of the Howa over a $250-$300 Rem ADL that are easy to find? After selling the stock and barrel, you have a $200 action.
Can do the same with stainless for about $350.
You guys like the Howa better?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,447
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,447 |
If you can find Rem ADL in 243 for $300 or less, I would gladly take a look. Nothing under $350 at gunbroker. I've been waiting for one to pop up on the classifieds here, but dont' think that will happen. Everyone wants the action.
Plus, I don't want the 20in barrel on the youth adl. I have yet to find a non-youth ADL in 243 for around $300. They all go $400+
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,716
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,716 |
I don't care about the caliber since the barrel would be pulled.
You can buy nice new pulled factory Rem barrels from Goforth, he could probably sell you a 243 barrel cheap.
I wouldn't build anything now anyway. I have everything I need for now.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 68
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 68 |
In Finland it doesn't really matter which US made action you choose. For example, Rem700 parts are equally hard to come by and there's zero market for second-hand factory parts. So I accept the fact I'll be stuck with the stock and barrel even if I fit a Lothar Walther and a McMillan onto the action. No big deal, the factory parts are just fine for hunting ( if less for target shooting ) should one choose to screw them back on.
I personally just happened to pick one up and I got the overall impression the workmanship is top notch for a mass-produced standard rifle. My personal opinion is, I buy 90's made factory rifles whenever possible -- most cold forged factory barrels started to reach more-than-adequate accuracy levels, yet the rifles weren't ruined by the "cost-effectiveness" of 2000's business thinking that's brought us the cheapest plastic bits and some flimsy synthetic stocks into rifles that up until now were supposed to go from father to son.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,473
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,473 |
Does the Vanguard come in a short action? Or do the use one action length and a mag spacer for everything?
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,607 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,607 Likes: 5 |
I know there are Howa 1500 in short action (mine has a Mossberg nameplate) I can't see weatherby not using the 1500 SA for their vanguards in 308, 243, 22-250, etc.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 68
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 68 |
Good for a custom build or not, this "semi-custom Vanguard" is the route I chose to take. I sold my TRG-42 so this better be good for my long range shooting needs as well... Time will tell as I'm a decent stock short of finishing her up. A mountain rifle by no means, rather a general hunting / target hybrid. Heavy enough to be stable, light enough to carry, especially in my Eberlestock Just One. 10.3 lbs at the moment ( without the bipod ) , but the stock is 2.4 lbs with the adjustable buttplate. I'm opting for the High Tech Specialties classic to save some weight. The scope sitting on Talleys is now a Zeiss 3-12x56 Victory Diavari with a target elevation turret ( the new type that needs to be lifted to rotate, so it doesn't turn on its own ) , and a lit mildot reticle. This is pretty much the scope I wanted, I don't need 24x to shoot 1K+ but I do prefer 10x+, I want the 3x for close-up shots, and I need the 50 or 56 objective lense because I regularly hunt at night. The barrel is a 26" 1:9 twist #5 Shilen select match stainless in 7mm Rem Mag, I gained 1.5 lbs over the featherweight 30-06 but I'm willing to live with it as I have high hopes for its accuracy. Hasn't been fired as of yet. I might've just as well gone with a #3 or #4 but for a complete stab in the dark I'm pretty happy as the contour turned out pretty darn close to what I imagined. Besides, I want to have the option to maybe return to sniper competitions, and that might mean I'll have to be able to take 10 shots in 10 minutes, or even faster -- I'm not sure any featherweight regardless of manufacturer can keep the POI with that kind of heat, especially in a magnum caliber. This'll probably turn out not best for anything, good for everything kind of deal.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,722
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,722 |
I like it. When I rebarrel my Vanguard it will be lighter, but I have other uses for mine.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,935
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,935 |
I have this theory floating around in my head that the Nosler M48 starts off life as a Howa action. The result is a rifle that shoots well, so a custom using one of the various Howa actions would be good. I think they are all forged actions as well. The Nosler folks I have tried this theory on get all funny around the lips and won't talk. jim
LCDR Jim Dodd, USN (Ret.) "If you're too busy to hunt, you're too busy."
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,047 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,047 Likes: 3 |
Here in Texas, Academy outlets sell Howa 1500 youth models in 243 and 7mm-08 for 389 with a scope.
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 97 Likes: 1
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 97 Likes: 1 |
howa 243ai factory barrel,recrowned,lugs lapped,reworked factory trigger crisp 2lb letoff. barrel floated,action pillar devcon bedded into a much reworked boyds jrs classic laminate stock.leupy vxiii 3.5-10x40,leupy dd rings bases.now wears a leupy fxiii 6x42 with lr dotz,very accurate rig,with only minimal load development so far.plus it feeds those ackley improved cases as slick as snot on glass.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,883
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,883 |
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