Howa 270 Win build

[puddleglum]

Hi all,

I bought a Howa 270 Win 22" barreled action from Brownells, that I am going to be using for whitetail hunting in WI. A Stocky's carbon fiber VG hunter is getting delivered today. I have an AB Raptor 8 and one of ABs 1/2x28 - 5/8x24 adaptors. I haven't gotten into reloading yet, but have most of the equipment, just gotta set up my bench/space. I likely will re-barrel to a PBB Taperless .75 in a faster twist rate eventually, but hope I can find a decent factory ammo that the Howa barrel likes with my Raptor hanging on it for at least this winter, maybe the next as well.

I know that hammer forged barrels don't require a break in the way cut barrels do, but will a hammer forged barrel speed up noticeably with use? Would it be worth putting some cheaper ammo through it before finding what ammo it likes best?

Thanks,
-pg

 

[puddleglum]

I am happier with this stock than I thought I would be. I originally had though I might sponge more colors in and cover all of it, since I don’t normally like carbon fiber weave, but this actually looks kind of cool, IMO.

Feels good, if a little short. I have orangutang arms, about 15” LOP, so I am going to talk to some friends with a 3D printer about printing some spacers.

 

[AZ_squid]

Looking good!

 

[puddleglum]

I picked up a lightly used Trijicon Credo 2.5-15x42 and a DNZ Game Reaper Medium height mount.
I thought I would need a cheek riser, but I am looking pretty much perfectly through the middle of the scope as is. I put a Victor Titan cheek riser on it, with no inserts, and it was a little too high and moves me a little too much to the side.

For the record, the Victor Titan fit really well, and the green one looks great with this “forest” carbon fiber Stocky’s Stock. I have a big head and round cheeks. Someone else might find the cheek rest beneficial.

 

[puddleglum]

I pulled the pad off the stock, traced and scanned it, and drew up some spacers in CAD. Sent the file to my buddy and he 3D printed a few of different thicknesses, so I can get my LOP right.

Here is the 1/2”, I also have 3/8”, 1/4” and 1/8” so I can stack and vary them until it feels right.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Looks good makes me want to pick up a 270win barrel, I still regret selling mine. Let us know how it shoots!
What’s the mag length in these?

 

[puddleglum]

I am only set up for shooting about 65 yards right now, but I got a tip for a nice range not just too far away with 100, 200, and 300 yard berms, and a very reasonable annual membership fee. Gonna check it out soon and, if I decide to join, will need to look into a spotting scope. Definitely looking forward to seeing how it shoots.

I am not sure what the mag length is on these, but I think it must be at least 3.56 since the Weatherby Vanguard is a Howa 1500 and they chamber their long action in 300 Weatherby. Maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I am only set up for shooting about 65 yards right now, but I got a tip for a nice range not just too far away with 100, 200, and 300 yard berms, and a very reasonable annual membership fee. Gonna check it out soon and, if I decide to join, will need to look into a spotting scope. Definitely looking forward to seeing how it shoots.

I am not sure what the mag length is on these, but I think it must be at least 3.56 since the Weatherby Vanguard is a Howa 1500 and they chamber their long action in 300 Weatherby. Maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in.

I was just thinking if you get the PBB barrel later down the road and have the option to load longer it could open up some options to tinker with heavier offerings (even limited in .277) might be fun to see what it can do. Just for shits and gigs

 

[puddleglum]

That is definitely in the back of my mind. Something like the hammer hunter 160 grain tipped should slip the wind nicely. I am sure that pill could benefit by a longer throat. At the same time I wouldn't want to lose my ability to use commonly available ammo in a pinch, since I decided to go with 270 as a very easy to find round. Maybe there will be a middle ground of adding a little free bore, but not too much. I am not familiar enough with reloading and throating barrels yet to know what will be best but I don't need to yet. It will be fun to figure out when/if the time comes, and I think the Howa magazine should give me plenty of room to stretch the COAL.

 

[bymers311]

What pattern did you order that stock in? I like how it looks as well!

 

[puddleglum]

This is the VG Hunter in carbon fiber, forest paint.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Is your trigger reach insanely long like mine?, I have LA smith&wesson M1500 in a VG and I’m currently working on building up the grip area

 

[puddleglum]

It is a long trigger reach, for sure. I have long fingers so I find it reasonable, but it probably would be a little more comfortable it it were a little shorter. I also find the angle of my hand to be slightly odd, but I don’t find it too off putting. After I shoot it a little and try some different field positions I will have a more informed opinion.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Yes I wish the grip was the same as it is on my VG I have for my Winchester M70. its perfect, short reach and an angle that makes my grip very repeatable and neutral.

The M1500 VG is still very comfortable to shoot from I have a little over 200 rounds with that setup and don't regret the purchase.

 

[puddleglum]

Yes I wish the grip was the same as it is on my VG I have for my Winchester M70. its perfect, short reach and an angle that makes my grip very repeatable and neutral.

The M1500 VG is still very comfortable to shoot from I have a little over 200 rounds with that setup and don't regret the purchase.

Do you use a chrony at all? I am wondering if the Howa barrel will "speed up" and if I should run some cheap ammo through it. I know hammer forged barrels don't wear in as much, but some people think there are still changes in the throat area that can cause the barrel to speed up as rounds are put through it. Did you notice any shift in impact as the barrel was broken in?

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Well my particular M1500 is circa 1980's when smith&wesson had Howa make some rifles for them and this was a gift from my Dad so I am far from an expert on the matter. Since I have read about barrel speed up with round count I have purchased. 2 new tikkas in that time frame (over the last year or so) and yeah those barrels all things being equal sped up with the same loads mostly factory with same lot# 6.5CM, 7mm08. tracked with a Garmin chrono. I bought 300 rounds for 6.5CM and 150 rounds for 7mm08 and shot that before I started loading for them. they both jumped about 50ish fps. once it started to get up over 100 rounds.
I know other people on here track that stuff very close and probably have way more insight than me I just do it to learn and see for myself the results.

 

[puddleglum]

Well my particular M1500 is circa 1980's when smith&wesson had Howa make some rifles for them and this was a gift from my Dad so I am far from an expert on the matter. Since I have read about barrel speed up with round count I have purchased. 2 new tikkas in that time frame (over the last year or so) and yeah those barrels all things being equal sped up with the same loads mostly factory with same lot# 6.5CM, 7mm08. tracked with a Garmin chrono. I bought 300 rounds for 6.5CM and 150 rounds for 7mm08 and shot that before I started loading for them. they both jumped about 50ish fps. once it started to get up over 100 rounds.
I know other people on here track that stuff very close and probably have way more insight than me I just do it to learn and see for myself the results.

That is good info, since Tikka barrels are also hammer forged. Thanks.