Howa 1500 223

riggins_83 · April 21, 2009, 08:39 AM

I picked up a Howa 1500 .223, really like the setup. Going to mount a Nikon Buckmasters 4x40 on it with Burris Zee rings, Leupold bases, probably a Harris 6-9" swivel as some point too. Anybody have experience with this rifle, loads, overall opinion, etc?

bobn · April 21, 2009, 08:45 AM

the one i had shot dime size groups with a 2.5x8 luepold scope. used win 748 powder and 52 gr horn match bullets. bobn

garryc · April 21, 2009, 09:15 AM

I was down at the range a while back and a guy had a M1500 he custom stocked. He was shooting and getting dismal groups. He loaded it it and asked me to try. Again dismal groups. He gave me some more ammo, which was 5.56 military green tip. Nope, that ain't gonna work. I used my load of 27gr Varget and a 50gr V-Max. My group was .375!!

sholling · April 21, 2009, 10:26 AM

They have a very slow twist rate so will tend to like light bullets.

Scorch · April 21, 2009, 11:09 AM

Years ago, I bought a S&W 1500 (Howa 1500) in 223 for $99. I loaded Hornady 53 gr HP over 22.5 gr of IMR 3031. It was scary accurate, just one big hole at 100 yds. And you know what I did? Like an idiot, I sold it to a friend. Worse yet, he took the barrel off and had it chambered for 7mmTCU.

riggins_83 · April 21, 2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

They have a very slow twist rate so will tend to like light bullets.

Fine by me, everything I have is 55 grain. The trigger on this gun breaks so cleanly.. feels better than the trigger on my 10FP!

StiveC2007 · April 21, 2009, 09:36 PM

went and looked at one this past fall for doin some coyote hunting and when i picked it up and check the bolt when fully extended out it was amazingly loose seemed kinda of not very well put togeather. the funny thing is i didnt buy it and later in febuary i picked up one of the HOWA's in.30-06 and this thing rivals the rem 700 line and in my opinion i like the HOWA's better, the gun shoots amazingly accurate at 100 yards im picking off half dollar sized pieces of clay birds with a bipod and very slow and controlled breathing( and trust me i was having a good day at the range im not usally that good) even when i suck the gun is still on all and all it was worth the 500 i spent on it (came with a 300 dollar leupold scope)

riggins_83 · April 26, 2009, 12:02 AM

All finished!! Haven't had a chance to take her out yet though

j.chappell · April 26, 2009, 12:28 AM

You have a handy little setup there. I happen to like fixed power scopes for many applications.

I happen to have a fixed 4x Redfield on a walking varminter and have never felt under scoped inside of 300 yards on varmints as small as groundhogs.

Good luck and you will have to give us a range report when you get around to it.

J.

riggins_83 · April 26, 2009, 12:17 PM

I will give a range report, probably be shooting Remington VMC 55 grain through it, not exactly match grade.. we'll see how she does!

awpk03s · April 26, 2009, 04:30 PM

Is that a bull bbl or a standard one? Nice rifle. I have a stainless Howa 1500 in .308WIN, very nice rifle.

SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 · April 26, 2009, 05:06 PM

G'day. I went Roo shooting with a "professional" shooter who has a Howa .223, using Sierra 55gr GameKing #1355. He is looking at getting a 22-250 so he can push it a little faster, but it seemed to do the job.

garryc · April 26, 2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

G'day. I went Roo shooting with a "professional" shooter who has a Howa .223, using Sierra 55gr GameKing #1355. He is looking at getting a 22-250 so he can push it a little faster, but it seemed to do the job.

That bunny having a bad day?

StiveC2007 · April 26, 2009, 07:00 PM

if its got that synthetic stock make sure the bipod doesnt put to much pressure on the sling stud or it will pull the stud out like it did on my howa .30-06

April 21, 2009, 10:26 AM	#4
sholling Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 1999 Location: Hemet (middle of nowhere) California Posts: 4,261	They have a very slow twist rate so will tend to like light bullets. __________________ Proud Life Member: National Rifle Association, California Rifle & Pistol Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation. Annual Member: Revolutionary War Veterans Association (Project Appleseed) and the Madison Society. Last edited by sholling; April 21, 2009 at 12:05 PM.

April 21, 2009, 11:09 AM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Years ago, I bought a S&W 1500 (Howa 1500) in 223 for $99. I loaded Hornady 53 gr HP over 22.5 gr of IMR 3031. It was scary accurate, just one big hole at 100 yds. And you know what I did? Like an idiot, I sold it to a friend. Worse yet, he took the barrel off and had it chambered for 7mmTCU. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 26, 2009, 05:06 PM	#12
SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Location: Far Nth Wst QLD Australia Posts: 992	G'day. I went Roo shooting with a "professional" shooter who has a Howa .223, using Sierra 55gr GameKing #1355. He is looking at getting a 22-250 so he can push it a little faster, but it seemed to do the job. __________________ If you're not confused, you're not trying hard enough! When you're confused, I'll try to use smaller words!!!

April 21, 2009, 08:45 AM	#2
bobn Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2006 Location: midwest Posts: 1,105	the one i had shot dime size groups with a 2.5x8 luepold scope. used win 748 powder and 52 gr horn match bullets. bobn

April 21, 2009, 09:15 AM	#3
garryc Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2005 Posts: 2,536	I was down at the range a while back and a guy had a M1500 he custom stocked. He was shooting and getting dismal groups. He loaded it it and asked me to try. Again dismal groups. He gave me some more ammo, which was 5.56 military green tip. Nope, that ain't gonna work. I used my load of 27gr Varget and a 50gr V-Max. My group was .375!!

April 21, 2009, 09:36 PM	#7
StiveC2007 Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2009 Posts: 237	went and looked at one this past fall for doin some coyote hunting and when i picked it up and check the bolt when fully extended out it was amazingly loose seemed kinda of not very well put togeather. the funny thing is i didnt buy it and later in febuary i picked up one of the HOWA's in.30-06 and this thing rivals the rem 700 line and in my opinion i like the HOWA's better, the gun shoots amazingly accurate at 100 yards im picking off half dollar sized pieces of clay birds with a bipod and very slow and controlled breathing( and trust me i was having a good day at the range im not usally that good) even when i suck the gun is still on all and all it was worth the 500 i spent on it (came with a 300 dollar leupold scope)

April 26, 2009, 12:28 AM	#9
j.chappell Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2008 Posts: 1,125	You have a handy little setup there. I happen to like fixed power scopes for many applications. I happen to have a fixed 4x Redfield on a walking varminter and have never felt under scoped inside of 300 yards on varmints as small as groundhogs. Good luck and you will have to give us a range report when you get around to it. J.

April 26, 2009, 12:17 PM	#10
riggins_83 Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2009 Location: Wherever I may roam Posts: 1,506	I will give a range report, probably be shooting Remington VMC 55 grain through it, not exactly match grade.. we'll see how she does!

April 26, 2009, 04:30 PM	#11
awpk03s Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2005 Location: Midwest OH Posts: 452	Is that a bull bbl or a standard one? Nice rifle. I have a stainless Howa 1500 in .308WIN, very nice rifle.

April 26, 2009, 07:00 PM	#14
StiveC2007 Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2009 Posts: 237	if its got that synthetic stock make sure the bipod doesnt put to much pressure on the sling stud or it will pull the stud out like it did on my howa .30-06