I am kind of a tinkerer by nature and have spent quite a bit of time putting together Remington 700s and am looking to take on a different project. I don't do my own rebarrel work but do pretty much everything else.
I am thinking of putting together a rifle starting with a Howa 1500 sporter in 308 and sticking it in a high tech specialties stock throwing on a set of talleys and go from there. I know they make a lightweight model now but I am pretty sure I can throw one together cheaper than that. The question is how are how as for accuracy and are they as well built as they seem in the stores?
Thanks
I'm not familiar with a High Tech Specialities stock but I can tell you that the Howa isn't the best action to use if you want UBER light. And you'll more than likely have a very tough time getting lighter than a factory Alpine Light.
I own lightened actions and the standard SA Howa's. The lightened actions ain't much lighter. They shave some off the left side and drill out the bolt handle. Those little bits of shavings don't add up to much. I've used barrels about as skinny as you can go and down to 16". I've also used #3's up to 22" (I think) and I've used the detachable plastic, mag box type, and the standard issue aluminum bottom metal. I've used Edge fill, and I've used standard fill McSwirley types. They all end up in that 7.5-8lb range after you add glass and rings.
Now the Mini could be as light as they say, and dropping into an Edge could likely get a guy into UBER light territory for very cheap. But at this time, McMillan won't inlet for the Mini. So that's out.
So at the end of the day, if you really want to trump the Alpine I highly recommend you buy an Alpine and a grinder, or get a Kimber Montana.
I also wouldn't go .308 on something as light as you want to go. But then again, I wouldn't go .308 on an 8lb rifle either.
Whittaker can get you the Lightning to your door for about $350 as well. And you're going to have a tough time beating that price.
Regarding accuracy, the Howa will flat out fugking shoot. And it is by far the best value in the new rifle category today.
Hope this helps and GFY.
Travis