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Picked up a new 1:8 twist howa mini the other day and finally got round to trying it out... very disappointing so far.
Tried the 55gr Hornady training ammo and 55gr HnF bulk (Belmont) best groups in the 2" range, most 2.5 -3".
Checked all the usual culprits; action screws, scope/mounts, good clean, shooter etc. No difference. How have others got on with these rifles with the 55gr ammo? Wondering if I need to try some heavier pills? Or take it back to the shop?
You've only tried one type of ammunition so far, you'd need to try some more to come to a fair conclusion.
Take it back and swap it with another one. Most shoot pretty well
Had a great time with the one I had, was definitely MOA out of the box using the Belmont 55gr SP ammo. A few mates have them all they all shoot well, strange yours isn't. How many rounds down it so far?
Im inclined to agree. Cut your losses early.
To convince the shop you might need to show the shop a couple of groups you shot on the same day with another known good rifle and the same ammo. I wouldnt pfaff around testing with premium ammo anew gun and scope should shoot 1-2” with anything commmercial.
Cheers guys, will take it back next week and see what shop says...
It has a sub-MOA guarantee.
Use it.
Out of interest, what scope and mounts are you using? Have you tried anything heavier than 55gr? 1/8 twist is good for heavier bullets. Have not had any issue with mine. 0.6moa with the heavier stuff, and shoots 55gr ok from memory.
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I've found that mine tack drives Buffalo 55gr Gameking, but sprays H&F's home brand ammo.
My one shoots good its a Grendel tho. It was pretty average with factory ammo but after putting pillars in the bottom plastic and some handloads im more than happy with it
That guarantee is only with Premium ammo , a local here a year or so ago had a lot of back & forth wasting months trying to get a new Howa to be replaced under the MOA guarantee , they tried to fob him off on the 223 Hornady 55gr GMX Superformance ammo at around $60 a box ,he ended up pillar beding & handloading .Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyblown
Sounds like something else.
Was the can loose?
Mine in 7.62 x39 with norinco steel case ammunition will shoot moa off a cushioned rest it's std profile barrel in factory stock and std rings so nothing has been altered. It shot that out of the box then went and got threaded and supressed and still does it. Yours should do better than what you are getting. I would suggest getting someone else to shoot it to remove another variable from the mix
No can fitted, so nope... all action bolts and ring screws checked too. Crown looks okay.
Took back to shop this morning. They seem suprised and blame the kahles scope sitting on it. Who knows, they maybe right though I'd be suprised as it was sitting on my 308 till I swapped it over and was bang on last week and has never lost zero. Also seemed to be tracking okay as tried adjusting 40clicks up/down and 'groups' moved correct amount. Will be interesting to hear what they come back with.....
Mine is the older 1/9 twist bought second hand off here.
Yet to feed it anything it wont shoot moa
Will shoot 1/2 moa 5 shot groups with handloads.
Id try another ammo and if it dont like that either take it back.
Mine shoots perfect. Pencil barrel. Averages 0.6" 5 shooters at 100.
FFS, why is 'reliable gun shop' pretty much an oxymoron wherever you go, almost as bad as 'honest and trustworthy politician'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunty1
I would come back at them ask them to measure the throat and borescope it (doing this and knowing the info won't necessarily change anything, but could highlight a fault).
They will more than likely cave and swap for you as the shop will either lack the knowledge or equipment to do this.
There is nothing more daunting to the customer service/sales guy who tries to fob people off than a knowledgeable and insistent person.
He never said they fobbed him off...
I'll give them the benefit of doubt first. Even premium scopes shit the bed, I would be very suprised however. They said they would test fire it yesterday afternoon. Will be interesting to hear how they got on.
Howa does recommend a 200 round break period if the rifle doesn't shoot out the box; It's not uncommon for them to tighten up at that mark. Its one of the hidden costs for being a lower price point barreled action/rifle - Don't expect them all to shoot like a Tikka or SAKO.
My 7.62x39 Mini-Action went from 3 MOA +/- to about 2 MOA with cheap FMJ, and 1.5 MOA to around 1 MOA with Hornady SST after a couple 100 rounds.
That said, I have a mate with a 6.5CM that shot MOA out the box, and a .223 Mini-Action that shot MOA with 77gr match ammo out the box. Those are starting to tighten up with use too.
My howa mini, initially vertically strung groups, so I free floated the barrel with great results, the groups on the left are outback 69gr
Attachment 153704
To be fair to the gun shop, they would have all has some wally come back and claim a gun won't shoot who hasn't tightened rings or just can't shoot for shit.
However having said that, every manufacturer spits out the occasional lemon. I would be inclined to put some heavier projies through it first, make sure it just doesn't just hate the 55's.
