Well, after much anticipation, and delay I picked up my new HOWA 300win-mag Friday. This was the one on Bud's for $387. It came with a Nikko Stirling Gold Crown 3x9x42 scope.
So, I ran home, gave it a good cleaning, mounted the scope, and boresighted it.
After 2 LONG days, I got to take it out today. Ammo of choice was Winchester 150grn Power Point(XP2).
I was set up on 100yds, First shot was low right but scope adjustments qucikly fixed that(within 4 shots). While the scope is INCREDIBLY CLEAR and sharp, the gradient system sucks, it gives you tool-less adjustment, and a 60-minute scale, but no zero. so essentially the scale is useless, unless you make 12:00(as you look down barrel) 0:00.
I did not take pictures of my group, because I was not happy with MYSELF.(more on that later) Once I got the scope zeroed, at 100 yds I was 1" high(which is where I wanted). The next group of 3 were all within 1.5" That was acceptable for me, to hunt with. I kicked myself in the arse, because I forgot the "lead-sled", So I cannot vouch for the guns actual accuracy. I feel that this gun in this caliber is shooting quite well. With a little more practice(my first time out with 300 win-mag), and a more stable platform, I have no doubts this gun will shoot Sub M.O.A.. But, because I was a rookie, and I believe I was starting to anticipate(around round 12), I was not flinching , as I had a spotter, but I believe I was pushing my shots. I also believe the gun was moving around to much on the bag. I decided to call it good at 20 rounds. All in all, the groups remained consistent at 1.5"...not good enough to take pics of
I also used the Barrel Break in method for the first time, I don't know if it lends itself to accuracy, but I'm an obsessive person, so now I can rule that out in the future.
And, all I can say about the 300 winmag is...Yeah baby, What a barn burner. I've shot a lot of guns, but the power in this round is wicked...I like it much better than my .06, and 7-mag. I'll have to admit, when it comes to Rifles, I'm a bit of a recoil junkie.
Now about the gun itself...What an AWESOME gun, especially for the price paid. This thing is easily on par with any Remington 700 I have handled.
- Fit and finish is excellent!. The only thing I don't like is the idiot stamp on the barrel, and Howa's logo is outdated, and looks "bubbly" aside from that, no complaints! Bluing is deep and strong. Little to no tooling marks to be found. Bolt face is wide, and easily controls feeding from both in the mag, and, and from a shell just placed in the breech.
- The stock is the Hogue Overmold(I believe) It has a 1" recoil pad that did an excellent job of taming the 300 win-mag. The blows wore on me, only because I am out of practice. It was a big shove, as opposed to a sharp punch
- The trigger is excellent, it breaks at right around 4#, I know that can be adjusted, but I'm not sure as to how?
There is absolutley NO CREEP, it breaks like a glass rod, and the pad of my finger felt at home there.
- The Bolt handle angle is give-or take. It fits snug to the stock, which is great for hunting, but a PITA for quick follow-ups.
- Drilled and tapped for remington bases.
- Leupold bases and rings were included.
If I had to make complaints it would be
- Float the barrel better. I'm not sure if they consider it floated, but the foregrip of the stock barely touches the barrel.
- Knurl the bolt handle.
I felt the need to do a little bragging, as these Howas are like a "White Buffalo". I hear about them but never see them.(or see em' and never hear about them). I believe Howa will EASILY give Remington a run for the money. The build quality on this surpasses my Winchester Mod70, and My Savage.
I have been on an 8 year search for the "perfect" 300 win-mag, and I believe this is it.
SO, in short, if you were wondering about the Howas, I'd say jump! I really don't think this will be my last one. And after a trip to the gunsmith, This thing could only get better
