If they're on a long action I wish I woulda seen in before I built the gun I just did. I wanted the savage but 6.5prc in a short action sux with the throat where it is and only a 3" magazine. The Tupperware accustock isn't exciting. All that aside I've seen some happy people with them...I also like the fact it's a long action, I like the potential for a longer seating, an action 3/4" longer does not concern me.
I would send it back, what a shame!Pics of the crown are horrifying. Are you going to send it back to Howa (what a hassle!) or just have it recrowned?
I ruled out the Howa months ago.Nomosendero: Rather than a Howa at 7.8 lbs, consider this at 6.7 lbs. https://www.eurooptic.com/Sauer-100-Classic-65-PRC-Rifle-S1W65P.aspx
Cheaper still is the synthetic stock https://www.eurooptic.com/Sauer-100-Classic-XT-65-PRC-Rifle-S1S65P.aspx
But if heavy is what you want this one puts the weight in the barrel. https://www.eurooptic.com/Sauer-100-Fieldshoot-65-PRC-Rifle-S1F65PRC.aspx
Oh, wow! I didn't realize you were so close to me. I live in Paragould. Congrats to your wife on her elk tag. Let me know if you need help with anything or just keep me in the loop so I can enjoy vicariously. My wife and I loved staying in a cabin in Ponca, AR and listening to the Elk bugle and seeing them out in the pastures. I got within 25 yards of elk a couple of times there.I ruled out the Howa months ago.
I saw a Wea. Vanguard PRC for $495.00, someone bought it and brought it back a traded for another round, probably could not find ammo. The feed ramp didn't have a scratch, I could not tell if it had been fired.
My Wife drew an AR Elk tag, so I will be working on a load for her 6.5x55 and I will be using my 25-06AI Sendero this Deer season. I am swamped and may not try loads for the PRC any time soon. At that price I had to buy it, if it does not perform REALLY well, I will get my money back at the least.
I talked with a warranty rep at Howa/Legacy about it. He said because I'm in Canada they can't help me and gave me contact info for the shop that handles their warranty stuff in Canada. I called that shop and had a good chat with the owner. I sent him the pictures while we were on the phone and agreed it looks like junk. He's really backed up on work and said it would be 2 months before he'd even get a chance to look at it if I did send it to him so he suggested trying to lap the crown recess myself or bringing it to a gunsmith and have the recess re-cut. He said I can't screw it up any worse then it already is so if it still shoots poorly after I try to fix it he will not hold it against me as far as voiding the warranty goes. It's just a shame to have to do this on a 2,400 dollar rifle (Canadian dollars that is)Pics of the crown are horrifying. Are you going to send it back to Howa (what a hassle!) or just have it recrowned?