Howa 1500 Build

[Junkel87]

Has anyone built a rifle off a howa 1500 action? If so how do you like it? I got a free one from my dad and I'm debating on rebarreling it and getting a new stock vs buying a factory tikka.

 

[NV HUNTER]

I built 2 . They both shoot lights out.

 

[sndmn11]

I built 2 . They both shoot lights out.

You were who came to mind!

I have a long action with multiple barrels I can switch around. Seems A-OK enough that we are doing up a short action as well.

 

[DeadSound]

I can help, I was with Weatherby for a number of years. This is doable, its not the easiest gun to make but you can do it.

First, removing the barrel. I've never seen a barrel torqued so much. I've seen spiral flutes straightened haha. Easiest way to do it is cut the barrel off about 1/2" in front of the receiver. Find a gunsmith who can do that.

Second, barrel replacement, Howa uses metric threads, again, you'll need a gunsmith that can do that.

Third, you will have to have that bolt trued to the chamber. I've seen some bolt faces that were a few thousands out of square.

Fourth, trigger, I believe Timney still makes one. If they discontinued it you may have to find an old one somewhere.

Fifth, Stock/Chassis, MDT makes a couple chassis and you can get several different stocks for a Howa 1500.

Let me know if that helps. I can go more in depth if you need help.

 

[NV HUNTER]

28 nosler and 257 Weatherby…working on a 6.5prc as well

 

[Junkel87]

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28 nosler and 257 Weatherby…working on a 6.5prc as well

What stock is that?

 

[Kaleb]

I’ve done a couple on Howa/Vanguard and like them very much. They are kinda heavy so keep that in mind when choosing stocks and barrel contour. I think areal light barrel would be kinda but heavy. A current rifle I have is a shot out #3 Douglas 23” in a Sako classic standard fill gel coat stock. 3-9swfa. So not a real light barrel or stock. Balance is front of the action. Waiting on a #3 Lilja to rebarrel. New barrel will be 16-18” and suppressed and hope it will balance in a lighter stock. Specifically the rokstock if I can ever catch one available to confirm I like them.

I said all that to say I think they are a great action to build off just a little heavier than a Remington.

 

[HandgunHTR]

What stock is that?

That looks to be a Stocky's VG2.

 

[NV HUNTER]

What stock is that?

It is a stockys vg2, and OMR barrel

 

[NV HUNTER]

What stock is that?

It is a stockys vg2, and OMR barrel

 

[Junkel87]

It is a stockys vg2, and OMR barrel

How do you like the stock? I was looking at those.

 

[NV HUNTER]

How do you like the stock? I was looking at those.

I love the feel and weight of the stock. Very comfortable

 

[sndmn11]

I can help, I was with Weatherby for a number of years. This is doable, its not the easiest gun to make but you can do it.

First, removing the barrel. I've never seen a barrel torqued so much. I've seen spiral flutes straightened haha. Easiest way to do it is cut the barrel off about 1/2" in front of the receiver. Find a gunsmith who can do that.

Second, barrel replacement, Howa uses metric threads, again, you'll need a gunsmith that can do that.

Third, you will have to have that bolt trued to the chamber. I've seen some bolt faces that were a few thousands out of square.

Fourth, trigger, I believe Timney still makes one. If they discontinued it you may have to find an old one somewhere.

Fifth, Stock/Chassis, MDT makes a couple chassis and you can get several different stocks for a Howa 1500.

Let me know if that helps. I can go more in depth if you need help.

The barrel torque is no joke! My gunsmith still said it sucked after making relief cuts.

 

[Wacko]

It is definitely doable.

Several manufacturers make barrel nut pre-fits for howas...so once you have the old barrel off...buy some tools and spin on your own is in the cards. Make it a switch barrel even !

Lots of aftermarket stocks and chassis. MDT, KRG, Stockys, Boyds, H&S precision, XLR, Bell and carlson..etc

Then jard makes a trigger, timney makes one, rifle basix makes a trigger....or you can keep the original and get a spring kit.

I don't think they leave anything on the table for customization...

 

[sndmn11]

The green/brown rifle is a long action that I have a 26" 6creed barrel (shown weight), a 20/22" 22creed, and a 22/24" 30-06 barrel for. Stockys vg2. I can swap barrels in a few minutes without taking the stock off. I had the stock off to add a wiser arca plate, and it reminded me to get some pictures.

The fire rifle is a short action in a vg2 as well.

I like them; the recoil lig makes a lot of sense to me, the Timney is an easy install. We have two others as well as one Tikka with multiple barrels.

 

[Junkel87]

The green/brown rifle is a long action that I have a 26" 6creed barrel (shown weight), a 20/22" 22creed, and a 22/24" 30-06 barrel for. Stockys vg2. I can swap barrels in a few minutes without taking the stock off. I had the stock off to add a wiser arca plate, and it reminded me to get some pictures.

The fire rifle is a short action in a vg2 as well.

I like them; the recoil lig makes a lot of sense to me, the Timney is an easy install. We have two others as well as one Tikka with multiple barrels.

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where did you get the receiver hitch you mounted vice on?

 

[sndmn11]

where did you get the receiver hitch you mounted vice on?

That's just 2" square sign post that I bolted the vise to. Any scrap you can find will do, I pulled mine from a dumpster. Using the vehicle hitch is a great anchor and makes it so I can swap in the field or at the range.

 

[Pilsner]

It is a stockys vg2, and OMR barrel

I used the same combo for my Howa build. Was really happy how it came out. Went from 270 Win to 6.5-284 Norma. First 3 rounds went into 0.22" which I call a solid start.
Looking for a screaming deal on a Howa mini for my next build.
-Doc