I wasn't aware Howa ever made a stainless version until I came across a few on Gunbroker recently, all from the same seller. I have an empty stock off of an Alpine to fill, so I bought one of the in a 6.5 Creedmoor. I haven't received it yet, but I expect it to be their 22" #2 contour barrel base on the GB add, so could take some work to open up the barrel channel.

Anyone have any experience with one of these in stainless, or dropping a #1 contour barrel in the Alpine?

The barrel channel will likely have to be opened up a little. I have owned a few of the stainless Howa 1500s and all have been very dependable and fairly accurate.

I had one in 300wm. Very solid rifle that shot very well. Hopefully yours is as good.

Not stainless Howa 1500, but two chrome moly blued Howa 1500 configurations: 308 Win (S&W 1500 version, which I gave to my niece), and a 270 Win (Weatherby Vanguard, S2 with 3 position safety and Hact trigger).

The Howa 1500 has got to be one of the best-designed and built rifle actions on the market. It is the greatest value on the market for a rifle action. The stainless is similar, just stainless.

My 270 Win Weatherby Vanguard shoots 0.75 moa and I just started my reloading for it. My 308 Win Howa/S&W 1500 shoots sub-moa.

You will be satisfied with the Howa 1500 action. Good luck with your project. I prefer slightly heavier barrel contours, than lighter, but that is personal preference. My 270 is a #2 factory contour, with 0.625" muzzle diameter ( 24" bbl) . I wish it was more like a 0.68" muzzle diameter but it is shooting just fine.

Thanks for the insight.

I picked up the rifle Thursday. Will definitely need to open up the barrel channel in the Alpine stock a bit. The barreled action seems to be great quality. Trigger feels pretty good for out of box. Floor plate latches positively and opens with no hassle. Only knock is the bolt binds just slightly in the last 3/4" or so of rearward travel.

Considering sending it to Kampfeld (other recommendations?) to have it bedded and potentially have the barrel and bolt fluted. Will probably top it with an SWFA 3-9.

If I may suggest. Open up the barrel channel to accept the barreled action. Apply bedding to the first 2" to 3" of the barrel directly in front of the action. Leave the rest of the barrel free floated. This should give excellent results & save you considerable $$$.

It's your gun, but I see no need to flute the barrel of action. It puts uneven stresses into the barrel. Not accuracy inducing

Bolt binding. Make sure scope base fasteners ( "screws") or filler plugs are not protruding through the rest action bridge. Back then out to see if that helps. If so, grind the action screws shorter by a thread or two, and retest. Repeat as needed. .when done with that step, consider using lapping paste on the bolt, and work the action forward/ backwards 50-100 times. Don't close the bolt- just trying to smooth out bolt bodh/action fight spots. Cycling the but can lap.the live-action perhaps too much.

Clean well when done ( ie mineral.spirits and toothbrus).