Howa Ranchland 308

D

Dana C

New member
I just bought a Howa Ranchland in .308. My first trip into the desert was less than thrilling. It was very windy which made it hard to hold on target. I shot a box of cheap Rem. Green Box FMJ's to season the barrel and to get on paper.

While I was on paper, I was all over it. I shot a half a box of pretty good ammo which printed a 2" group +/- at 100 yards. I think a little of the problem was me not knowing what to expect recoil wise out of a 20" barrel. I think both the rifle and I got better over time.

Here is the question. Does anyone out there have one of these and what kind of accuracy are you getting and with what bullet?

Mine has a very crisp trigger, very smooth action and I love the Hogue stock.
 
I do, but not in 308. So I should STFU. I have the Howa/Hogue in .223. However I think your investment is sound.

I once or twice shot a small group with FMJs but 2MOA with FMJ is about average in my experience. I think with your Howa the area to concentrate on is simple glass mounted low with good rings and bases. Get that right and you'll be laughing. What scope are you using?

Digression:
I favor fixed parallax scopes up to about 9X or 12X because I have never had an adjustable stay still, but that's probably because of the price range I shop within. I have to cast a vote here for Nikon Prostaff scopes in that respect. Nikon make their own glass and it is camera glass. One of the only scopes within my price range that I can get to stay put, and they are beautifully bright and clear, and very rugged.
-SS-

P.S. It shoots very small groups.
 
I don't have a Howa but I do have a Savage 10 PC with a 20" barrell. At 100 yards with either the 165grn Noslet BTs or the Sierra 165grn HPBT Gamekings I get 1/2" MOA or better depending on me.
 
I have a Nikon Monarch 5-20 x 44, BDC on it for now. I know, the scope cost more than the rifle. LOL. I like being able to really bring in a target or critter and with eyes that are aging, it is helpful to have the power. Having said that, I seldon if ever set it over 16x.
 
I have a .308 Howa that shot the last 5 shot group at .89 inches @ 100. The best has been .63

A windy day can make all the difference. What were you using as a rest?

Beentown
 
A car hood. The range is just to far to go with gas prices what they are. I can be in the desert in 10 miles and can shoot in an old quarry. The hood is bad I know. I should give the rifle more credit. I guess.s
 
You'd be surprised how many of us use a car or truck hood as a rest. It may not be the very best rest, but it's certainly better than nothing. I have a roll of carpet padding that I keep behind the seat of the pickup for use as a field-expedient rest.

handi04.jpg


That's my son shooting a 45-70 from the hood of the truck. Take care to not shoot your radio antennae. Or to put muzzle blast marks in the paint.

Howa's are normally pretty good shooters. Try some Federal Gold Metal Match and see how that works for you.
 
I took it out again today. It was hot and windy but between gusts, I managed a 5 shot group of a little over 1" and was pleased. I also was having a trigger jerk day as well. I shot some locally remanufactured ammo with 165 Hornady SST's.

The rifle even with the Monarch scope weighs very little and the recoil, with the Hogue stock and pad is really manageable. I am thinking more kindly about my Howa now. :)
 
That's great, but, you can still improve on that with handloads if you've a mind to.

Also check out how robust that action is. Integral recoil lug— look how deep the receiver is at the tail about 5 times bigger (more thread) than 700s— look at that one-piece bolt— look at those three holes on the side of that bolt (those will save your face if ever a case goes wrong)— look at the quality of the bottom metal compared to 700s— look at that massive extractor... also that receiver has a flat bottom which stays still better on those pillars in the Hogue.

I still like my 700's too. But there's not much to beat a Howa 1500. That's not a very humble opinion. Because it doesn't need to be.

Congrats...
-SS-
 
Be careful shooting off the hood of your vehicle.I've put powder burns or maybe it was just residue on the hood of a white truck once and a buddy of mine actually put a bullet crease in his hood.
 
Maybe I'm getting strange in my old age but I take a folding table and chairs when I go shooting out in the boonies. I also bring a shooting rest and a spotting scope. It takes longer to set up but sighting in is less work and I get to shoot more and run back and forth to my targets less.

To keep this on topic, I have a deluxe (or what ever the called it) grade 1500 heavy barreled .223 varmint rifle. It's the one that came with the laminated Boyd's stock. I bought it used about a month ago and I've only shot one round out of it. It didn't have a scope on it when I picked it up but I had an one on hand and had it bore sighted when I picked up the gun from the shop. Any way the rings are too low and it can't get a good look through the scope with out straining my neck. I'll pick up a new set of rings for it soon and then I'll try it again. From all that I've heard it should be great...

Tony
 
What Sweetshooter said. My Howa shot factory ammo OK, but with no consistency (just used for break in). I have fine tuned my hand loads so it now shoot sub-MOA with regularity, if I do my part.
 
Doesn't the Ranchland have a 20" barrel? Sounds like it shoots pretty well.
I have a Weatherby Vanguard (Howa 1500) .243 that shoots under 1"
at 100 yards.
 
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