Handloads for Howa range report #2

[unwise11]

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Rifle Specs: Howa M-1500 .308, 22" sporter barrel, Pillar bedded Hogue stock, Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 BDC, Eagle cheek piece.

Today, despite the weather, I made it to the range, in wet 40 degree windy conditions I managed these not so fancy groups, and had fun doing so..

Load data: 168 grain Sierra Matchking, 40.0 grains Varget, CCI #200 Large rifle primer, Federal Case, full length sized only, no neck size this set.

All groups are 5 shots, no called flyers.


Me on the bench

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Group 1

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Group 2

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Group 3

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I had a good time, and got home, I pulled my Howa's action out of the stock, to clean out all the moisture, and got it back together no problems, However, after cleaning it, I noticed a rattleing noise, not coming from the bolt, I believe one of my scope base screws may have rattled out, but they were lok-tited, so I may be wrong, I am hoping this is just a stupid loose bolt, because I don't like being mad..
I called Legacy, (howa's distributor) and they sent all their techs to SHOT show..
Frustrating, I will have to wait until I can take this rifle to a gunsmith to figure out the problem, which is probably my fault..

 

[jpwilly]

Keep at it JD you'll quickly learn how to make the ammo work best for your rifle and you'll have the joys and pain of diagnosing and fixing problems. If you loosen the scope rings and remove you can then check the scope bases. It's a real simple fix with a set of allen wrenches.

 

[unwise11]

Problem is they are warne rings, If I removed them they would require a remounting of the scope, and I can't do it right, so I have friend do it, because he works at a gun shop and does it perfect, except I don't like to trouble him.. I'm taking the gun to a gunsmith soon, get the trigger lightened a bit maybe, I hate when things give me trouble.

 

[brandon_mcg]

thanks for keeping us in the loop. looks like you live somewhere down in the south. it has been wet and cold all day.....kept me from getting to the range.

 

[jpwilly]

Problem is they are warne rings, If I removed them they would require a remounting of the scope, and I can't do it right so I have friend do it, because he works at a gun shop and does it perfect, except I don't like to trouble him.. I'm taking the gun to a gunsmith soon, get the trigger lightened a bit maybe, I hate when things give me trouble.

JD, you CAN! If you make some realignment marks with a pencil, for example, you can remove and remount the scope for your self and it would be right back where it belongs.

 

[unwise11]

Yep, Georgia. Disgusting weather all year IMO, and I don't knof if I'll be staying here once I start a life.. though I will probably, can't go a week without going shooting with my dad. He didn't make it today, poor guy is in the peoples' republik of cali on a Gov. trip.

jp, that's what I'll do if it infact is the base, but I'm thinking it's internals of the scope or rifle.

 

[sappyg]

not bad... not bad at all... needs some fine tuning. what's the next load?
i woud consider seating the bullet out a bit farther with the same load.

 

[jpwilly]

Don't know if this would be helpful but I used some Google Fu and found an exploaded diagram of the Howa 1500

 

[unwise11]

Thanks, I was looking for one of those earlier, I might try to take the thing down again.

Next load is probably going to be 41 grains Varget, same bullet, with same depth, I don't want to mess with the seating too much.
.

 

[brandon_mcg]

good luck with the rifle and with the loads. hopefully the weather will improve here in GA for some better range time.

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

Give neck (only) resizing a shot. That and H335 really closed the groups up on my WIN M70 in 308. Keep at it.

 

[unwise11]

Ok, I'll set my die up this week, and I'll try a new powder once I'm out of Varget.

 

[Whiskey11]

Interesting, I'm using basically the same ammo setup, 168 gr SMKs, Federal Cases, CCI 200's and Varget, but 40gr is under the minimum suggested load for 168 grain bullets for Varget (which is 42gr). That is of course, going by the load data on Hodgdon's webpage....

I haven't had a chance to shoot my reloads yet at all (just started ) and have started at 42.1 gr and gone up to 44.6 gr, which is just about max pressure for the case according to Quickload based on Federal's case volume, etc.

Love the rifle though Good luck figuring out the rattling!

 

[wingman]

You also need a good adjustable bench rest in front with rabbit ear bag in back, your groups will improve.

 

[unwise11]

Wasn't the gun rattleing, it was the lug in my rings, I'm getting a tactical style set next week hopefully to say the least..
Nothing wrong with Warne rings on a gun that isn't used a ton.
I shoot so much I like to be able to take my scope off without losing zero, probably going with Leupold QRW rings..

 

[Coltdriver]

Google Optimum Charge Weight and give that a try.

Varget is outstanding for a .308. I have dialed in two using this method and varget.

It can be every bit as dangerous to underfill a case as it is to over fill it.

Welcome to a lifelong pursuit. Very little else is as gratifying as getting your rifle dialed in!

 

[unwise11]

I have looked at that, but I'm just working my confidence up going by book loads, very low..
until I gain some confidence in what I'm doing.

 

[nipprdog]

You also need a good adjustable bench rest in front with rabbit ear bag in back, your groups will improve.

Agreed. JD, you need to move your left arm back to help hold the buttstock steady. As Wingman suggested, use a rabbit ear pad, or something similar.

I shoot so much I like to be able to take my scope off without losing zero

Why???????????

 

[unwise11]

I go in the woods, sometimes gets wet, I like to take my rifle down and oil every bit, I am a perfectionist when it comes to this stuff..
I have a nice suede rear bag, I dont think you could see it, but I have one.
Honestly I like shooting prone 100% more than off a bench. but I can't shoot prone on the 100 yard line, only 200 and 300
I can't get an adjustable rest too soon, but I have other sandbags, I just shoot that one group that way.

 

[nipprdog]

I go in the woods, sometimes gets wet, I like to take my rifle down and oil every bit, I am a perfectionist when it comes to this stuff..

OK, thats bordering on OCD. There is no reason to do that.

 

[unwise11]

What I do to prolong the life of every part of my rifle has no negative effect?
I'd rather take 15 minutes to take my rifle's action out of the stock, and oil the trigger and safety group, than to find it rusty from moisture after not cleaning it..
There is plenty of reason to clean a rifle that has gotten wet, or a bit dirty, I don't take every bit apart, but I take the action out and drop oil into it.
Howa's are very solidly build, and the Action can be removed and installed to the stock like a snap.

 

[kis2]

I'm not against a well cleaned rifle, just be aware that if you are going for ultimate accuracy, removing the action from the stock every time it gets a little dirty will have you rezeroing frequently. especially when combined with QD rings.

waste of some nice hand loaded rounds IMO. keep up the practice though, you're in good shape!

 

[nipprdog]

I was't referring to cleaning the action of the rifle, I was referring to removing the scope frequently.

 

[unwise11]

Oh, I'm not planning on taking it off a whole bunch, but if it gets wet or dirty I will, and I have enough PMC left for about 4 or 5 Re- zero's, I'm trying to waste that junk anyway so I can get the brass.

 

[wingman]

In some rifles removing the action from stock will cause more problems then just removing the scope all depends on bedding. Personally I have a Marlin 22 rim fire with synthetic stock that is a nightmare after removing stock, the cheaper the stock greater the problem.