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Budget'06

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2024
Messages
127
Location
Upstate NY
Hey all, looking to put together possible a pair of rifles one for me and my girlfriend. I wanted to go barreled action, and a reasonably priced stock. I was looking at a Howa 1500 24" 308 with a heavy barrel for her, but I wanted to try a 300 Win mag for myself however, they don't have one with a heavy barrel as far as I can tell, as well as there being less stock options for a Long action howa 1500.

So for the price range of around $1000, what would people suggest for a barreled action and stock combo? Preferably a stock with a varmint/target style forend and a more traditional style comb and pistol grip. I don't have a problem spending more than that for the 300wm but really like the plan I already had for the 308 as my gf doesn't shoot all that much and the cost would be relatively inexpensive. Any ideas are much appreciated.
 
I honestly don't think you can go wrong with the Howa's.
My wife has a 1500 270 and I have a 1500 7RM and they have the smoothest actions of any factory rifle I've ever messed with.
Both rifles are tack drivers.
I've heard great things, my dad has had a few howas and weatherbys and loved them. Just no heavy barrel 300wm and not a lot of stocks I like for a long action
 
I can't complain about Howa rifles, have had several, they are well made and shoot very well. Only have one left these days in 223, it is a fantastic shooter and holds .5MoA groups with handloads.
The 300WM I had was a camo pattern stock from several years ago, it shot under MoA without difficulty.
If that's all your budget can afford, you won't go wrong.

Cheers.
 
I'd just get these. One order for each rifle and done! No worrying about extra parts that may be needed, other than scope base & rings and scope which is the same either way. Get it home, clean it, mount a scope and go shoot. You may find cheaper prices elsewhere, but probably not by much. According to the descriptions, both have aluminum bedding block stocks. You did mean $1000 each, right? Just remember, if you buy cheap, you get cheap and we all know what happens with that. The quality of the stock is just as important as everything else in the system, unless you want to pull your hair out chasing problems.


 
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I like Howas and have 2 I bought as barreled actions. The 6.5 Creedmoor came from Brownells, and I also ordered one of their green rubber stocks with it. I found that stock too flexible in the forend -- when I put a bipod on it and shot it off a bench, it was all over the place. When I put a more rigid stock it settled down.
 
Hey all, looking to put together possible a pair of rifles one for me and my girlfriend. I wanted to go barreled action, and a reasonably priced stock. I was looking at a Howa 1500 24" 308 with a heavy barrel for her, but I wanted to try a 300 Win mag for myself however, they don't have one with a heavy barrel as far as I can tell, as well as there being less stock options for a Long action howa 1500.

So for the price range of around $1000, what would people suggest for a barreled action and stock combo? Preferably a stock with a varmint/target style forend and a more traditional style comb and pistol grip. I don't have a problem spending more than that for the 300wm but really like the plan I already had for the 308 as my gf doesn't shoot all that much and the cost would be relatively inexpensive. Any ideas are much appreciated.
If I understand you correctly, is your idea of a semi-custom rifle to have a barreled action and mate it with a choice stock? I guess mine is a little bit different. I start with a donor action, piece it with my choice of barrel and stock, and bed it accordingly. I have done a few DIY budget builds with pre-fits under $1K but went over due to my component choices and afterthought options/upgrades.

If you want to stay with the Howa 1500 action, a few companies now make pre-fit barrels for Howa actions. Here is an example of pre-fit barrel upgrades for you to ponder. A word of caution: this can lead to an addiction. OK, you've been warned. 🤣



https://mcgowenbarrel.com/the-howage/

https://carbonsixllc.com/howa-1500-pre-fit-barrels/

https://criterionbarrels.com/product-category/howa/?v=7516fd43adaa
 
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