Oldbloke wrote:One would think they check such a basic requirements prior to leaving the factory.
Piss poor if you ask me. But typical of business.
Gamerancher wrote:"New from the factory with stuffed barrels"? I seriously doubt that bigfella. Why didn't he return them? Seems strange to me. Perhaps they weren't really "new"?
What are the odds of the same bloke getting two "new" rifles that looked like someone had "used a chisel" on them? Sorry ol' mate , calling B.S on that one.
Gamerancher wrote:I'd say somewhere between factory and your mate getting them, someone f#cked with them. I've seen a brand new barrel completely f#cked by a gunshop using a bore-sighter to set up a scope for a bloke. The fact that they were both from the same gunshop makes me think you may have isolated the problem.
Easier for Sako, or, ( most likely ), the shop in question, to just exchange than prove, not worth the hassle.
As for the ejection problems, even the "expert" in your video states that he didn't know whether it was just a scope mounting problem or not.
There is always the "idiot" factor to contend with no matter what brand of rifle you are talking about.
Fact: Sakos are renowned for their extraction, that's why people get Sako extractors put in their Remingtons, ( and their clones ) , especially in high end target rifles. They do this for reliability.
It's pretty obvious that you like your Howas, that's good, each to his own. But, putting s**t on other brands when a problem with them is discussed, doesn't solve the problem.
Happy hunting.
Gamerancher wrote:I own and use Sako's, 9 of them all up, that I've put thousands of rounds through each without any of the problems you seem to think are intrinsic to the brand, or even heard of anyone else other than this "evidence" here in this post. What calibres are supposed to be problematic?
Cases hitting the scope is hardly a problem you can blame on the rifle manufacturer, you are after all, talking about a bolt-on, aftermarket accessory. Tried higher mounts to give enough clearance for longer brass? Just because they are Optilocks, doesn't mean they are suited to that particular chambering wearing that particular scope.
There needs to be enough clearance between the scope and action to allow brass to eject at the angle it comes out at. That angle is fixed and determined by the length of the case, the position of the ejector and is independent of how fast or slow you cycle the bolt. The speed will usually only effect how far you send the case off into the dirt.
What this has to do with a problem with Howa's is beyond me , but anyway, that's usually the nature of forums 'ay?
I've owned 3 Sako 85's, the only one that didn't have an ejection issue was the .223. The 25-06 would fling cases into the scope, this resulted in a lot of dings and blemishes on the underside of the scope and windage turret cap.
The 30-06 Black Bear would fling the cases up into the scope and then they would drop back down into the action, it also left a lot of marks on the scope.
On the first hunting trip with the 30-06 I fired 3 shots and got 2 jams from ejected cases falling back into the action.
After consulting with the gun shop and the distributer the recommended solution was to fit higher scope mounts (all 3 rifles had medium height mounts). End result I no longer own any model 85 Sako's.
One mate has an 85 in 9.3x62 and that had no issues. Another has one in 270 and that does have an ejection problem.
I'd suggest trying it out with a scope fitted before buying or at least have an understanding with your dealer before buying that they take it back if it has an ejection issue.
Yep 300wsm. Loved that rifle but couldn't trust it. Turned me to proper Crf rifles and haven't looked back.
My .223 has had issues I don't like the rifle had I known I aould never have bought it.
I had a Sako Finnlight in 270WSM do it. Cases would hit the scope and fall back into the action jamming it when trying to chamber the next round. The rifle was returned for a refund.
Yep had a couple of 85's, 1st Varmit 22-250, wouldn't eject shells properly just dropping them in the breach, 2nd Hunter .223, same problem. 3rd Hunter .338, never had a problem easy over 1,000 rounds, shoots and kills good. Which I've still got and is one of my favourite guns. Got gun cerekoted thou because bluing is poor, same as on Tikka's, buy stainless. Just my thoughts. Frito.
My 85 in 9.3x62 pelted the cases into the scope hard enough to bend the mouth. Then they usually bounced back into the action. :ummmno:
The cure. Mauser M12.
+1 nya: That is exactly what I would be doing from now on with the 85 series.
However I own three Sako 85's (well two as I sold one). A Black Bear in 9.3x62, Sako 85 Varmint Walnut/Fluted Stainless in 22/250 and my 85 Finnlight in 300WSM. I have NEVER had an ejection problem with any of these rifles and all have low mounted scopes. My Black Bear and Finnlight actually have Extra Low Optilocks.
well count yourself as lucky. I also had a blackbear, and it threw the cases into the scope turret. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but then Ive also been cycling bolt actions longer than you've been alive
defend the 85 all you like, I wouldn't buy another one just in case it was also a lemon
Sounds like you got lucky. Mate bought a 7/08 and 223 both at the same time - both do it
pete1 wrote:Ive never heard of one in stainless having any problems all i've heard of is blued. maybe when they make them out of different materials something in the process is different causing imperfections.
pete1 wrote:Ive got a older howa in 223 Probably 15 years old now, loved it so brought a 308 brand new both work fine no feeding issues what so ever.
marksman wrote:pete1 wrote:Ive got a older howa in 223 Probably 15 years old now, loved it so brought a 308 brand new both work fine no feeding issues what so ever.
I have my old deceased uncles cmc mountaineer made in japan by howa (howa butt plate) and it's a beauty has awesome fiddleback in the walnut
your right bigfella all makes can have issues, I've seen tikka's with the same ejection problems as you talk about, still rate them though
obviously the howa's are not getting as much or as good QC at the moment, they are good rifle's and I recon the company's under the pump trying to compete and keep there prices down, I would rather have to do a little tweaking than replace but it all puts off the new buyer
what ******'s me though is the "you can buy an aftermarket replacement part to fix that" attitude, you can make a budget rifle very costly
some people want to bling there latest toy and good for them but me I buy a rifle because I want that rifle and expect it to work
FlyingStick wrote:Hi All,
Just a quick one. In summary, I've had a few feed issues with my 2 month old 223 Howa 1500 (internal 5 round mag). The first couple rounds that are stacked on the right hand side of the mag are flicking up at the rear and jamming between the bolt and chamber. The dealer has swapped the internal mag out but the problem still exists (in starting to think it has something to do with the lips of the action and the round is bouncing out too early).
I am now being told that I am not cycling fast enough as it is a double stacked internal mag system (and because it's a push feed system), so I need to slam them in (and consequently have every animal in the area aware of my presence).
In short - am I being bs'd?
Rikta wrote:FlyingStick wrote:Hi All,
Just a quick one. In summary, I've had a few feed issues with my 2 month old 223 Howa 1500 (internal 5 round mag). The first couple rounds that are stacked on the right hand side of the mag are flicking up at the rear and jamming between the bolt and chamber. The dealer has swapped the internal mag out but the problem still exists (in starting to think it has something to do with the lips of the action and the round is bouncing out too early).
I am now being told that I am not cycling fast enough as it is a double stacked internal mag system (and because it's a push feed system), so I need to slam them in (and consequently have every animal in the area aware of my presence).
In short - am I being bs'd?
if youre laying in wait why dont you have one chambered already? and stalking.... De-cock the rifle with one in the chamber or do the unholy and single most unsafe thing in my mind and use the safety.
bigfellascott wrote:What was the repair they did to it?
kb1 wrote:have a look on aussie reviews on youtube for howa 223 , big feed problems straight outta the box.
seems like its common
Member-Deleted wrote:kb1 wrote:have a look on aussie reviews on youtube for howa 223 , big feed problems straight outta the box.
seems like its common
If we're talking about the same Ozzie Reviews video, the problem there was a dodgy box magazine. He makes the point in the video that they sent him a new magazine and problem solved.