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HOWA build
This may take a while....or not :) The original goal was to build a long range cast bullet gun, either .30-06 or .308 with a slower twist (1-13 or 1-14). So I started looking.
Initially I wanted to buy an old Mauser action, refinish/rebuild, stock, rebarrel, etc. But, they are not that common anymore and most look like they have spent a century in a flooded basement. If I had my old machine shop I'd have gone that route anyway, but, not now. Then I started looking for other actions. Rem 700's and std Savage actions were close to or over $500. I was leaning toward one of the Rem 700's from PTG. A Shilen barrel would be added.
Then I stumbled on the Brownell's website and saw their Howa barreled actions. They had some on sale a while back for just under $400. So, I kinda waffled. They had a heavy barrel in 6.5CM (24"). Changed plan. I'd go ahead and build it as a 6.5 and when I shoot it out, then get the cast barrel. Was also curious about the 'hype' about Howa so figured I'd try this as is, stock trigger and all.
The stock I wanted to do the fine tuning on it and also wanted a walnut stock, not laminated. I will put in pillars and bed it. I chose the Richard's Microfit Benchmark. Also paid a bit more for better figured wood.
While I was waiting on the stock I was looking for a scope. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on one (like a NightForce). One day I spotted a Burris XTR FClass scope on optics planet on clearance. I snagged it up. It is now on my 6BR and the Vortex PST (5-25x50) will go on this build.
So that's the story. Will post pics as I go. Most of this will simply be a stock finish thread since the barreled action really doesn't need much of anything.
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I was pleased with the fit and finish of the stock. If someone did not want to do a bedding job, all it needs is a little cleaning up. I spent about 30min with some sandpaper and it was fitted. The last pic you can see how well it is in there.
The good thing is there is quite a bit of 'beef' left on the stock so the user can do whatever final shaping they want. A good swell to the grip area.
I'll be opening up the barrel channel quite a bit so the barrel has plenty of gap. Then will do the pillars and bedding, shaping and final sanding. Finish will be a rubbed oil.
So far I am pleased with the action. Not a glass smooth but seems to cycle well. The trigger is interesting. If I pull in the middle of it, it is a bit on the heavy side but has almost no creep. But, if I pull on the bottom of the trigger is just seems better and much lighter. Yes, I know leverage is part of that but I've not seen that much difference in a trigger before. Will measure it and see what's going on.
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Charlie b, thanks for sharing. A lot of folks buy a Vanguard or Howa and want to make some improvements. i am sure there will be guys benefiting from your post!
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First step is to inlet everything the way I want it. Barrel channel and mag well recess needed some extra work. The barrel was free floated with about 1/16"-1/8" clearance all around. Also the vented area was opened up a bit more. The mag well recess was easier as the CNC cut was just incomplete. A little work with a flat chisel and sanding sticks fixed it.
Here are my barrel channel tools :)
https://i.ibb.co/nstJPFN/20240513-133543.jpg
Results
https://i.ibb.co/CP0Sfrv/20240513-133548.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/Jvn3tsx/20240513-133625.jpg
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Good friend of mine is doing the same thing, think his is 308. Look forward to more build pics!
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I probably should have gotten the .308 since I already load for it. I just didn't want another 1-10 twist barrel. So, I figured I'd try the CM.
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So, will post some more pics on Sat or Sun. I have the stock ready for bedding and pillars. The pillars were sourced from the local hardware store (True Value). Yes, the bolts on the Howa are metric 6mmx1.0 and the store had steel spacers for metric stuff. One of the only things I think Pres Carter did right. We should have changed to metric a LONG time ago.
In between I've done a lot of shaping of the stock. Richard's leaves a lot of 'meat' on the stock, especially in the grip area. I will leave the butt and fore end 'fat' but the grip will be narrowed a lot, probably same thickness as the butt section.
Got the sections I want to bed relieved a bit (tang and forward end of action. I won't bed in between. I have thought about a cross bolt, but, I probably won't do one. IMHO the bedded section in the stock and the pillars will serve to 'protect' the wood from splitting, at least on cartridges as mild as the CM or a .308.
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For those who don't know, the Howa action is flat bottomed (will get a pic of it later) with a recoil lug machined into the front end. It seems to be a perfect design for someone who wanted to make a chassis for it. Something I had not considered, but, given all the accessories out there I may take a stab at it in the future.
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Cant wait to see your progress.
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Me either. Waiting for bedding to cure is frustrating :)
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Here are pics after bedding and pillars. Obviously there was a LOT more volume in there than I planned on so have done a second fill.
https://i.ibb.co/D1LGHcS/20240607-084720.jpg
Here is the bottom of the action.
https://i.ibb.co/DpBZq1j/20240607-084739.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/8c3Nz3D/20240607-084743.jpg
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Hope you don't mind a story...it meets all the criteria its about HOWA's and SAVAGE rifles!
In 2007 I hunted yotes' with a new yote hunter. He proclaimed his HOWA would hit the target every time. He went on and on how his HOWA was good for 600 yards with .22-250 factory ammo. I mean I thought he was going to tell me it drove him to the range also!!!
Well I called in 2 yotes' on one stand and I let him shoot up close. Boom Boom Boom Boom... the HOWA was firing as fast as he could eject and slam the bolt shut. I heard him yell "Im out!" Luckily I got one runner at around 250 yds. It let out a yelp and that stopped the other, I dropped around 325 with my Savage Varmint special in .22-250.
Next stand he missed again and I tagged one.
Next stand the same.
Next the same.
I said a few words on the way home listening to him talk about how many we called in. He shook my hand as I dropped him off, and said he never seen so many yotes running at a call. Not quite releasing his hand from the hand shake, I looked him in the eye and said I said "HOWA did you miss so many?" Tell me please, HOWA could you???...we laughed.
Heres the old Varmint Special with my Camera mounted with my upside down ring mount. That gun and camera was stolen out of my garage in 2010.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw...-gm?authuser=0
Thanks for letting me tell the story. Its good to make fun of guys once in awhile.
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LOL Don't give up your day job :)
Second fill on bedding did better
https://i.ibb.co/pJ0HcG0/20240607-200719.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/ZLCZFj2/20240607-200727.jpg
PS found two issues I didn't see before. First, the opening for the bolt handle wasn't quite long enough so fixed that with a dowel and sandpaper. Second the bolt (actually the FP) was touching the comb of the stock. So, a rasp came out and I lowered the forward portion of the comb about 1/4".
PPS that blotchy look on the bedding material is wax. I use Johnson's Paste Wax as a release agent. I think the can I have is about 10yrs old. I also used to use it for making cast bullet lubricant as well as wax finish for some of my older wood projects.
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looks like a near perfect bedding
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Well, after the bedding and pillars I did finish sanding and put on the first coat of poly. Don't know what I did wrong but I ended up with little white specs in the open grain of the stock, but, only on one portion. So...will sand it all back and try again. If it wasn't 100deg and almost zero humidity I'd think I had some moisture left in the stock. The other thing is I found one spot I didn't get as smooth as I wanted anyway. Oh well.
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Got it where I wanted it. Only the third coat. It is darker than the pics (kinda like the butt part in the first pic), probably due to flash. Maybe only 3 more coats, maybe 6. It is a satin finish.
https://i.ibb.co/4Ss1sfB/20240615-105218.jpghttps://i.ibb.co/WWCXgjB/20240615-105228.jpghttps://i.ibb.co/9TgDt97/20240615-105232.jpg
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Thanks.
In between I couldn't help myself. Took it out for a shoot today. Not great, not bad. Looks like sub MOA will be the norm. Will have to do some work in the trigger, or buy a new one.
If you guys think bolt lift is bad on a Savage, try a HOWA :) Even polished up a bit it is kind of stiff.
