Thread: Howa M1500 .308 accuracy

Hi People,

Trying to get good accuracy out of my rig and haven't had the best results as of lately. Am using commercial ammo, doesn't seem to like the 150 grainers all too much. Shooting about 1.5inch to 2 inches (on average) at 100m.

Was thinking of moving to a heavier bullet, like 168gr Hornady Match? Any recommendations on what other folks here are using would be much appreciated. What sort of accuracy are you getting etc? I find also once the barrel heats up she's all over as for tight groups.

And does anyone happen to know the twist rate of the SS .308 Howas?

Regards
Sas

Can't help with twist rate off the top of my head, but mine will shoot 1inch groups at 100 with 150gn hornady Sst

Are you shooting off a bipod? The fore end is pretty flexible.

How many types of ammo have you tried?
Are you shooting off a bipod?
Is it copper fouling?
Have you tried Belmont 130grhp? if it wont shoot that its fucked, will give you 20 dollars for it.

+ 1 on the Belmont 130 s mine I sold to @possummatti made really good holes with that In fact it was awesome !

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

Hi People,

Trying to get good accuracy out of my rig and haven't had the best results as of lately. Am using commercial ammo, doesn't seem to like the 150 grainers all too much. Shooting about 1.5inch to 2 inches (on average) at 100m.

Was thinking of moving to a heavier bullet, like 168gr Hornady Match? Any recommendations on what other folks here are using would be much appreciated. What sort of accuracy are you getting etc? I find also once the barrel heats up she's all over as for tight groups.

And does anyone happen to know the twist rate of the SS .308 Howas?

Regards
Sas

1 in 10 twist. Did you put the Nikko Sterling in the bin?

Tried the Hornady sst 150gr best would of been 1 inch, most where over that. Not shooting with a bi-pod. Shooting of front & rear bags. And i ditched the factory stock for a Bell & Carlson one. Which definitely improved the accuracy that's for sure.

I've heard they're 1/10 twist so thought it might be able to stabilize a heavier bullet for better accuracy over distance. I like my rifles zeroed at 200m but couldn't produce a group better then 2-2.5 inches at that range...

Gave it a good clean the other day, had alot of copper. Used Bore Tech copper remover. So it's spic & span now.

I've tried: Hornady White-tail 150gr, Winchester Super x 150gr sp, Federal 150gr sp, Hornady sst 150gr so far...

Haven't tried Belmont 130grhp yet...

Originally Posted by Happy

+ 1 on the Belmont 130 s mine I sold to @possummatti made really good holes with that In fact it was awesome !

Cool, how did the thin contour barrel handle after a few rounds for you? Mines struggling to finish a box... lol

Originally Posted by kokako

1 in 10 twist. Did you put the Nikko Sterling in the bin?

Thanks. Thought it was 1/10

Yup, sure did. Running a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 EBR-1 MOA/MOA scope

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

Cool, how did the thin contour barrel handle after a few rounds for you? Mines struggling to finish a box... lol

Yep they get hot. Suppressed is worse but they were never designed for that usage yours will be awesome when you can figure what it likes 200 Mtrs zero 2 to 2.5 is that bad if consistent for a budget rifle. I know Tikka is better lol.

Originally Posted by Happy

Yep they get hot. Suppressed is worse but they were never designed for that usage yours will be awesome when you can figure what it likes 200 Mtrs zero 2 to 2.5 is that bad if consistent for a budget rifle. I know Tikka is better lol.

Yup i'm shooting it suppressed (hardy gen IV) so she's smoking after 10 rounds. Yeah ideally this would be better suited shooting with a bull barrel but this was my "budget" rifle build...

one year & 4k later lol

So what you're saying Happy is that's not bad results for 200m? Either you've had a typo or I've misread sorry.

Haha true about the Tikka!

I can shoot a 50c size group at 200m with mine and I'm dang proud of it

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

Cool, how did the thin contour barrel handle after a few rounds for you? Mines struggling to finish a box... lol

You are expecting to shoot 20 rounds in one go? jeebus I get all precious about my barrel getting hot after 3 !

Try a full clean and shoot a couple of groups waiting for very cool barrel in between groups and a copper and carbon clean before changing ammo.

If it is a hunting rifle then you only need to be sure of the first couple of shots.
Unless bombing up on goats etc, but then I would guess you wouldn't have got a 308 for that purpose

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

You are expecting to shoot 20 rounds in one go? jeebus I get all precious about my barrel getting hot after 3 !

Try a full clean and shoot a couple of groups waiting for very cool barrel in between groups and a copper and carbon clean before changing ammo.

Nah, but it was Easter weekend man so this was the rifle of choice for my range session. I staggered the groups about 5-10mins cool down in between shots but don't think twas enough...

Couldn't find the Belmont ammo you suggested on GC's website but I have some Hornady match 168gr HPBT & Sellier & Bellot match 168gr HPBT to try so I will shoot them how you suggested with cleaning in between. Thank you

I've been a bit lazy cleaning lately... lol

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

Yup i'm shooting it suppressed (hardy gen IV) so she's smoking after 10 rounds. Yeah ideally this would be better suited shooting with a bull barrel but this was my "budget" rifle build...

one year & 4k later lol

So what you're saying Happy is that's not bad results for 200m? Either you've had a typo or I've misread sorry.

Haha true about the Tikka!

I can shoot a 50c size group at 200m with mine and I'm dang proud of it

Ha ha how come my 2K Tikka shoots better than my 3.5k sako? Oops did I say that out loud ?