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Howa 1500 6.5cm...would you???


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Hi all

 

I guess the title sort of says it really, although the question is more about the rifle than the chambering. I'm wanting a rifle legal for deer and to have a go at stretching it's, well my, legs a bit but just for my own satisfaction not competition...for now.

 

Ive heard and found mixed reviews on the howa 1500 but I've had a dry fire with one in a grs stock and although the stock was a bit 'fancy' for me I did quite like it, and to be honest the price of them in my area is also quite appealing to me. So really I'm hoping for people's thoughts and experiences with these rifles, do I steer well clear or give one a go?

 

many thanks in advance

 

towsey 

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I’ve Rebarrelled several howa 1500’s

 

All have shot really well, though the trigger in standard for leaves a bit to be desired.

 

The Howa action is ok, but not as slick as the equivalent TIkka (595/695/T3) etc

 

Persoanly If budget was limited I’d stick with Tikka

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48 minutes ago, Ronin said:

I’ve Rebarrelled several howa 1500’s

 

All have shot really well, though the trigger in standard for leaves a bit to be desired.

 

The Howa action is ok, but not as slick as the equivalent TIkka (595/695/T3) etc

 

Persoanly If budget was limited I’d stick with Tikka

Theres a clue there :)

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One of my mates has a 1500 that's just been re-barrelled in 6.5x47, and it shoots really well...........as does my M595 ?

Re-Pete

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For what it's worth, the big shop in the City that I frequent has had a short string of Bergara 6.5's on their second hand rack. ( don't know the model, it has a Ruger Precision-like chassis) These are rifles that they have sold and have had returned. I do not know the reason but our gun club treasurer bought one some time back and it wouldn't group so he took it back to the shop and they said it was a "known problem" with the crown and replaced the rifle on the spot.

Another curious thing is that  their long range expert (ahem!) used to push a Bergara on every one who mentioned the word 'rifle'. Not so much anymore. I have read great things here about Bergaras but at the dealership I have seen some mediocre representative grouping (MOA with Hornady  Match) and several returned rifles. It gives one the sense that these rifles may be a hit and miss affair. I have zero personal experience with them myself. ~Andrew

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1 hour ago, Andrew said:

For what it's worth, the big shop in the City that I frequent has had a short string of Bergara 6.5's on their second hand rack. ( don't know the model, it has a Ruger Precision-like chassis) These are rifles that they have sold and have had returned. I do not know the reason but our gun club treasurer bought one some time back and it wouldn't group so he took it back to the shop and they said it was a "known problem" with the crown and replaced the rifle on the spot.

Another curious thing is that  their long range expert (ahem!) used to push a Bergara on every one who mentioned the word 'rifle'. Not so much anymore. I have read great things here about Bergaras but at the dealership I have seen some mediocre representative grouping (MOA with Hornady  Match) and several returned rifles. It gives one the sense that these rifles may be a hit and miss affair. I have zero personal experience with them myself. ~Andrew

Well some are pretty good Bergara

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Thanks people for all the replies, really really grateful 

 

as I said before one of the things that attracts me to the howa is the price, around me I could get a new howa with aftermarket stock for the price of a standard tikka t3 which I would rather not have if there are other choices, not that I'm knocking them in the slightest just personal preference. That said I do like the look of the bergara hmr. I know that if I can't afford it I should just stay away till I can but it's more that I don't want to put too much money into this project at this point, but obviously enough to get the job done 

 

If I buy a rifle (of any make) and they have a known fault of something like bad crowning and the price to have a re crown needs to be factored in then that is fine, but if there is a more serious problem like general poor barrel manufacturing then that's more of an issue, for now I'm interested more in how a factory barrel performs rather than when one has been re barrelled with something of a better class 

 

one more thing, do you all think that 6.5cm should be my choice over 6.5x47 or .260. I'm wanting to start with factory ammo and may reload if the need or want arises and I've kind of decided on a short action 6.5 

 

thanks again

 

towsey 

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1 hour ago, petesv said:

Hi Towsey

If you are going to load your own 6.5 creedmoor ,if you are going to buy ready made get your rifle in 6.5x55 swede a great  caliber and plenty of ammo of the shelf.

Just my opinion Pete.

Loads of affordable factory ammo choices for the 6.5 Swede.

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Hmm thanks again for the advice

 

well I had decided on a short action but I suppose if that's the case I might have to think again, wot sort of difference am I likely to see in barrel life between 6.5cm and 6.5x55 if I load my own not too hot but look for accuracy not every last fps? 

 

Is is there any more info on the howas or bergaras floating about on here please

 

thanks

 

towsey 

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Coming a bit late into this thread but for what it’s worth, I have a Howa in 308 that I have just restocked in the KRG Bravo stock, it’s turned it from a decent rifle into a bloomin’ good rifle.

I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them.

Zeroed it at 100 yards the other week, see picture, a really good group without really trying.

Get the blued action, as mentioned, seems much smoother.

first zero group howa + krg bravo @100 yds.jpg

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ive got 2 Howa 1500 one 223 one 308  both in GRS stocks both blue action not had any problems .The 308 shoots out to 100 yards with the  NRA target 155 gr well enough with no fuss .

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1 hour ago, Dellboy said:

ive got 2 Howa 1500 one 223 one 308  both in GRS stocks both blue action not had any problems .The 308 shoots out to 100 yards with the  NRA target 155 gr well enough with no fuss .

I hope you mean "1,000 yards"?☺️

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I can certainly vouch for Bergara barrels.................if the actions are as good, they're a no-brainer at the price.

Re-Pete

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Thank for all the help

 

SMLE...are you saying that you saw a good improvement from just fitting a better stock alone, if so do you think it's from quality and rigidity or being comfier behind the rifle and that in turn helping your fundamentals? 

 

As i said before I do like the look of the bergara and il be asking round my local rfd's to see if they are stockist. 

 

The 2 things drawing me to the howa (rifle, not chambering) is mainly price and feel of the action seems ok, and for now I'd like to try and keep build price down as much as realistically possible so although I know there are better options out there I'm curious as to whether a howa rifle will be accurate enough for a reliable fox and deer rifle and to push it out for my own pleaseure, I'm happy to improve on things as I go along 

 

cheers 

 

towsey

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The Tikka / Howa thing is not quite comparing apples with apples as you described it.  If it is a 'standard' Tikka then why are you assuming you should have an aftermarket stock on the Howa and not the Tikka ??  I have a semi custom Howa bedded into their Bell & Carlson offering. A bit heavy for many I suspect but damn solid and does the job very well.  Personally I could not imagine me buying a Tikka and not changing the stock either.

Its not really a fair comparison, as IMO both need work to get good consistent performance out of them. The tikka is probably a better starting point as it is easier to change components sans gunsmith ??

On the other hand, the Bergara HMR looks the part and comes 'pre-pimped' - adj stock, tactical bolt handle, aics mag system, a #5 barrel profile, 308/6.5CM and at a very competitive price point. Basically less than you pay for the Howa or Tikka by the time you had sorted it out. If it shoots, then why buy anything else at this price point (and quite a bit above)? Does it shoot ? Anyone know, (i.e. own one) ...?

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I had a bug hole shooting Howa 1500 in .223.  Mike Norris polished the trigger and it shot every factory ammunition I could put through it into 0.6MOA.

I now have a Bergara HMR 6.5CM.  It shoots factory into 0.5MOA and one hole three shots "groups" into a ragged holw.  £1088.  Heavy, lovely.

The Bergara Timber version is worth a look.  As for the range of ammunition available for 6.5CM - how many choices does one need ??  Norma and Hornady shoot fine from 123 gn to 143gn.

The Bergara bolt race and trigger are very good.  Game Fair - chance to try . . . 

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Thanks. Sounds like we have similar ideas about what makes a good rifle. I have a B&N Contractor in 308 a bit less than 0.5moa consistently with untuned handloads . Solid as hell. 

I like the sound of the HMR, adjustment, aics and a heavy barrel without being varmint.

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CHANONRY... Maybe wot I have written reads wrong but I agree with you, wot I'm saying is that I can buy a howa and aftermarket stock for a similar price to a standard tikka...but then STILL probably want to buy a stock for the tikka as well. I too think that they, like most other rifles, will benefit from a better stock.

With the bergara I am keen to get my paws on one as I've never come across one, the only thing that keeps popping into my head is what they say about when something seems too good to be true...so I guess the question is are they, or are they genuinely a good deal???...

thanks 

towsey

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Towsey 

In my opinion, my rifle, the Howa,was significantly improved by getting rid of the Hogue stock it came with.

The KRG stock is well made, very rigid and significantly for me adjustable so that I can get it to fit me perfectly. Again, in my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with the Howa action and barrel, I’m sure the Tikka is a better rifle, but not sure the extra cost translates into significantly better performance. But it’s like comparing a Ford Escort with a VW Passat. The Escort will still get you from A to B, but the Passat will do it with a little more flair... :)

so, if budget is a factor, go for the Howa and opt for a good stock, like the KRG, if you’ve got a bit extra in the pot, go for the Tikka, you’ll get more kudos at the range if that’s important to you. Me, I’m going to stick with Howa, but I must admit, the Bergara looks a good buy for similar money.

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Howa bout it.

I've never bothered looking at them.personly I stick with what I know and if I buy a factory rifle again it would be tikka or sako.my 284 is a T3 action with a 26 inch bartlein screwed on it.

It's super accurate.i am.out with it now waiting in ambush ?

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