I have an old Howa that I picked up last year as a project gun, and I'm finally getting around to building it. I don't have everything planned out yet, but parts are starting to arrive. Here are the specs so far:
Action: Howa 1500 Long Action (have it)
Barrel: Bartlein stainless, #3 contour, 1:8 twist (have it)
Chambering: 260 Remington
Muzzle brake: Defensive Edge .750 (have it)
Trigger: stock trigger, for now. (Have it)
Stock: original stock (have it)
Bottom "metal": Weatherby magazine conversion kit, polymer, with magazine (have it)
Bedding: metal-epoxy glass bedding
Finish: KG GunKote
Optics: Vortex Viper HS-T 4-16x44 (ordered)
Scope rail: Nightforce 20 MOA (have it)
Rings: Vortex (ordered)
Bipod: GG&G quick detachable XDS standard (ordered)
Comments and questions are welcome. Once the rifle is built, and while working up loads, I'll see if I can tune the trigger into something acceptable. It does have some adjustments, but when I set it previously, it still had more creep than I would like. If I can't stand it, I'll upgrade to a Rifle Basix or Timney.
I considered an aftermarket stock, but since this one came with a Bell and Carlson (not Hogue), I'll see how it works out. It doesn't have standard sling swivel studs, so I'll be adding in some method for mounting the bipod.
I like the idea of detachable mags, especially since the scope rail will make top loading more difficult, but I don't like the idea of paying $120-$250 for bottom metal and $75 for a mag. I wish the Weatherby conversion kit were more robust, but I think it will be strong enough, and it is certainly light!
Action: Howa 1500 Long Action (have it)
Barrel: Bartlein stainless, #3 contour, 1:8 twist (have it)
Chambering: 260 Remington
Muzzle brake: Defensive Edge .750 (have it)
Trigger: stock trigger, for now. (Have it)
Stock: original stock (have it)
Bottom "metal": Weatherby magazine conversion kit, polymer, with magazine (have it)
Bedding: metal-epoxy glass bedding
Finish: KG GunKote
Optics: Vortex Viper HS-T 4-16x44 (ordered)
Scope rail: Nightforce 20 MOA (have it)
Rings: Vortex (ordered)
Bipod: GG&G quick detachable XDS standard (ordered)
Comments and questions are welcome. Once the rifle is built, and while working up loads, I'll see if I can tune the trigger into something acceptable. It does have some adjustments, but when I set it previously, it still had more creep than I would like. If I can't stand it, I'll upgrade to a Rifle Basix or Timney.
I considered an aftermarket stock, but since this one came with a Bell and Carlson (not Hogue), I'll see how it works out. It doesn't have standard sling swivel studs, so I'll be adding in some method for mounting the bipod.
I like the idea of detachable mags, especially since the scope rail will make top loading more difficult, but I don't like the idea of paying $120-$250 for bottom metal and $75 for a mag. I wish the Weatherby conversion kit were more robust, but I think it will be strong enough, and it is certainly light!