Howa 1500 in 300 WSM

[BigN]

I prefer the smaller and very fast centerfires. I have most everything from a 17 up to a 308 and about 15 calibers in between. I felt I needed a big boomer, bigger than my 7 Mag. I got a great deal on a new Howa 1500 in 300 WSM. Since I already had about 50 pcs of brass I've collected at the range, and bullets I use in a 308, I figured I'd pick one up. I loaded up some 125 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips to about midrange in the manual, just to shoot. Finally took it to the range yesterday. I was very nervous about shooting it the first time. Kinda scared actually, since I've never owned or even shot one that big. I was especially careful to keep my eye away from the scope as we've all seen someone get a nasty bite above their eye with a big magnum. Well, I pulled the trigger and it wasn't as bad as I thought. I ended up shooting about 10 shells. Not bad at all, certainly nothing to be afraid of. You do have to keep it tight against your shoulder and keep your eye away from the scope. It's very loud with it's short barrel and it does have a good pop backward but really not bad at all. Even with just throwing some loads together to shoot, I was getting 2" groups at 100 yards. Not sure what I'll shoot with the thing but I like to shoot coyotes with every rifle I have, take turns, so to speak. I'm happy with my purchase but I'm thinking that's the largest rifle I'll ever own. Going back down the ladder now and pick up something else. I don't have a 25-06 yet

 

[jmr40]

I like my 300 WSM, but honestly if you already own a 7mm mag it will outperform the 300 WSM by a slight margin. You didn't really get anything any more powerful than what you had. It was more of a lateral move.

Recoil as you said isn't bad at all. Slightly more than a 30-06 or 7 mag. Anyone who can shoot a 30-06 will have a hard time telling the differece when shooting either a 7mm or 300 WSM.

 

[courtgreene]

I love mine as well, and completely agree with JMR40's post. Some one is bound to come along and say it's overkill and blah blah blah... be prepared to ignore them. I would say that your groups can get MUCH smaller, depending on your twist rate, as you move up in bullet weights. Mine likes mid range 150 gr loads, but each rifle is different.

 

[trex1310]

The best thing I did for my Howa 1500 was toss the stock and
replace it with a Bell & Carlson with aluminum bedding. Fit was
like a glove and it made all the difference.