Looks good enough for me - a new .308
- Thread starter Big Fin
- Start date
Calif. Hunter
Active member
Howas are a good gun, but I have had a couple that I never got to shoot to my satisfaction. I had a S&W 1500 Deluxe in .30-06 that was made by Howa and was the first sub-MOA rifle with factory ammo that I ever had. The action is very similar ( a copy?) of the Rem 700, although a little difference in appearance. My .257 Wthby Sub-MOA is a Vanguard and it shoots well.
OKED
Active member
My son has a 257 wby. mag in a vanguard,made by howa, and it is a good gun. I just wish they would offer a gun with a bell & carlson medalist stock. The houge stocks are heavy and I do not care for plastic stocks that come on most rifles.
ismith
Well-known member
Nice shootin Randy!
Horn Seeker
New member
That is pretty tasty for factory ammo.... make a guy put the press back in the box and stuff it up on the top shelf.... dang.
I too like the 308, I am an 06' guy...they are very close. The 308 is inherently more accurrate, but geesh...splitting hairs big time!!
NIce job Randy... Black bears beware...
I too like the 308, I am an 06' guy...they are very close. The 308 is inherently more accurrate, but geesh...splitting hairs big time!!
NIce job Randy... Black bears beware...
So today I decided to take this rifle out to the range for some "non-vice" shooting and while I was there, abuse a few of the gongs. Needed to get the full comfort level before packing to Alaska next week.
Howa also sent me a new .300 Win to play with. Pretty much the twin of the .308, with a longer barrel.
Both were new Howa rifles with Hogue stocks and Leupold CDS scopes. Once you get the 100 yard dial set on those scopes it is almost like playing a video game. I would say the CDS system falls into the "How did I live without it" category.
Both rifles shot 180 grain Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Tip bullets. At 100 yards the groups were not like what you saw in the first post when they were shot from a vice, but the groups were right at 1.25", which given the wind, and the shooter, I am more than comfortable with that.
The gongs at our range are 200, 300, and 430. One is further than that, but I leave that to the guys who can really shoot.
Both rifles handled the 200 and 300 yard gongs hitting 3 for 3 at each spot. At 430, the .308 hit 2 of 3 and the .300 was 3 for 3. This was in a very stiff and fickle 45 degree crosswind. I attribute the one miss on the .308 mostly to operator error ........ and a bad wind did nothing to help my marginal talent.
I see no black bear shots at 400 yards, but feel if needed, one would die if that shot was presented. I hope to report that these rifles have done the task of each taking an Alaskan black bear. All indicators are that that rifles will be more capable than this hunter.
These rifles look like they can take some serious abuse. The airline will probably do their normal job of beating them on the tarmac. Then I will cram them into back compartment of the Beaver, along with a week of bouncing around in the skiff, a few spills on the rocks, and drinking the ocean salt spray. All that should be a pretty good test of these rifles.
Howa also sent me a new .300 Win to play with. Pretty much the twin of the .308, with a longer barrel.
Both were new Howa rifles with Hogue stocks and Leupold CDS scopes. Once you get the 100 yard dial set on those scopes it is almost like playing a video game. I would say the CDS system falls into the "How did I live without it" category.
Both rifles shot 180 grain Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Tip bullets. At 100 yards the groups were not like what you saw in the first post when they were shot from a vice, but the groups were right at 1.25", which given the wind, and the shooter, I am more than comfortable with that.
The gongs at our range are 200, 300, and 430. One is further than that, but I leave that to the guys who can really shoot.
Both rifles handled the 200 and 300 yard gongs hitting 3 for 3 at each spot. At 430, the .308 hit 2 of 3 and the .300 was 3 for 3. This was in a very stiff and fickle 45 degree crosswind. I attribute the one miss on the .308 mostly to operator error ........ and a bad wind did nothing to help my marginal talent.
I see no black bear shots at 400 yards, but feel if needed, one would die if that shot was presented. I hope to report that these rifles have done the task of each taking an Alaskan black bear. All indicators are that that rifles will be more capable than this hunter.
These rifles look like they can take some serious abuse. The airline will probably do their normal job of beating them on the tarmac. Then I will cram them into back compartment of the Beaver, along with a week of bouncing around in the skiff, a few spills on the rocks, and drinking the ocean salt spray. All that should be a pretty good test of these rifles.
MuddyBull
New member
Great group and great rifle-ammo combo. That has to give some confidence in the field!
shoots-straight
Well-known member
Starting to feel your excitement level building. I'm excited and I'm not going anywhere.
Lawnboy
Well-known member
I was thinking about your upcoming trip just this morning. I'm like SS and am excited for you. I watched last years hunt up there and am wishing I could be there with you. You guys are going to have a blast regardless of the outcome.
Good shooting!! Though I've not used it, you may want to consider applying some of this stuff to your rifle before heading off. I've read some great reviews of it's being able to fend off moisture/salt. It's clear so it won't change the look of the rifle.
http://dynamicfinishes.com/companies/dynatek-coatings/ultra-gun-shield/
http://dynamicfinishes.com/companies/dynatek-coatings/ultra-gun-shield/
gundog
New member
I love the .308. I do 90% of my gun hunting with 2 Winchester 88s in that caliber.
MuddyBull
New member
I won a Howa in 243 at a RMEF banquet last month. I have never shot one, but I am anxious to get this one scoped up and try it out. It does have a very nice laminated wood thumb hole stock. The action feels really nice as well. My 12 year old is mighty fired up to hunt his deer and antelope with it this Fall!
highmountian
New member
I think it was the sierra match kings. They just seem to group like that. Great shooting randy.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
I just sold a Vanguard 7 mag stnlss after multiple attempts at accuracy improvement.
DavidKeenan
New member
I'm looking at a new one also. Either 7mm or .308 I already have a other calibers and thinking of those two... If its the one i'm looking at You just made a good salesman with that kind of a group....
David, that group was with a Howa .308, shot from a vice. They are now the official rifle of On Your Own Adventures and I couldn't be any happier. More about that in the coming days.
idnative1948
Well-known member
What brand of vise? The Dink will want to know if he can mount one on his pickup window. Sorry, my bad. Just couldn't pass it up.
Sorry Dink. Not picking on you or anything, but you are just fun to have around with your off-handed humor without being a douche.
Sorry Dink. Not picking on you or anything, but you are just fun to have around with your off-handed humor without being a douche.
DavidKeenan
New member
Howa
Randy,
Thats is what i've been looking at. That's funny that i was looking at them and was really leaning toward it. I'm still undecided on caliber. What did you top it off with. Oh yea i forgot you have the scope sponsor. I have Nikon on my others. I guess it depends on caliber I choose as to what size I go with. You can tell your sponser you made the sale with the picture of the group. :hump:
Randy,
Thats is what i've been looking at. That's funny that i was looking at them and was really leaning toward it. I'm still undecided on caliber. What did you top it off with. Oh yea i forgot you have the scope sponsor. I have Nikon on my others. I guess it depends on caliber I choose as to what size I go with. You can tell your sponser you made the sale with the picture of the group. :hump:
DavidKeenan
New member
That was a good one!!!!!!!!!!! You have to have have Dink around for those quick ones. Not a lot gets by him..
