New Howa .223 finally finished! Pics...

[chrispy88]

Hey All, a few pics quickly of my new Howa 1500 as promised over the last few months. It's a stainless steel bull barrel, mainly for target shooting and a bit of varminting.

I was lucky enough to get the stock from Die Judicii here on Enough Gun, it's a Boyds. Also got onto the scope second hand, but as new for the right price, it's a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP.

I recently had the action bedded in the stock and the trigger schmicked up by a gunsmith in Orange NSW n couldn't be happier with the result.

Last week I managed to get out for a shot, got it sighted and had a lot of fun doing it! So thanks to everyone who offered their advice when I was asking questions about this one.

[PaWNTANK]

That is a nice stock, what kind is it? I was going to get a Tacticool XLR Chassis for my .308 but this looks really good.

[Baldrick314]

Looks good mate. How'd it shoot?

[chrispy88]

Cheers PaWNTANK, it's a Boyds laminate, I think they just call it a varmint stock. Also available in thumbhole style. Colour is called Pepper. I was going to import straight from the US to save a little coin over what they charge in shops here, until this one came up in the classifieds.

[bigfellascott]

Lovely!

[chrispy88]

Shoots as per the reputation Baldrick. Once I got sighted at 100m, I set up my gongs at about 300m and was hitting the 117mm gong with relative ease using Federal blue box soft points.

[chrispy88]

Cheers Scott, thought it might be one you'd approve of!

[Apollo]

It does look good.

Trust Big Fella, he likes anything that makes a noise. Short on words tonight.

"chrispy88" sent you a PM. Hope I can help you some time.

[Baldrick314]

Shoots as per the reputation Baldrick. Once I got sighted at 100m, I set up my gongs at about 300m and was hitting the 117mm gong with relative ease using Federal blue box soft points.

Good to hear

[tom604]

very nice

[rsj223]

Very nice, I thought the Pepper colour was grey this looks greenish on my screen? I was thinking on getting one from USA as well to save a bit but not sure how hard that would be

[bretty1307]

Nice man. Very nice. Awesome colours! How did you find the vortex compared to the leupold vx1 & 2 you have?

[chrispy88]

It definitely looks grey-er on their website. I guess it depends on the batch. I don't imagine you'd have too much trouble importing as long as you don't add any extras, that way it stays under the US$100 export limit.

[chrispy88]

Cheers Bretty, I love the look of how it has come out too. The Vortex is awesome. This is the first 50mm objective scope I've used, first one with 30mm tube too so hard for me to compare with my limited experience but the glass is crystal clear as it is with the Leupolds. My eyes can't fault it.

Cant wait to do some late night pest control n flick the illuminated reticle on!

[CustomPC]

That's a nice looking rifle.

I put a .223 Fluted Heavy Barrelled Action on Layby last week. Just waiting for the PTA now.
I plan on it being a short term project as it will take me a while to save up the $$ for the stock and optics.

I like the looks of your stock. I was tossing up between the Boyds thumbhole or a Bell & Carlson. Now i've got a 3rd option.

I'm thinking i will move my Meopta Meopro 6-18x50 to the Howa, which means i'll have to find a new scope for my .22LR

[bigfellascott]

You sure its a Boyds Stock? Can't say I've seen one like it before. Looks more like a Richards Microfit.

[Gwion]

You sure its a Boyds Stock? Can't say I've seen one like it before. Looks more like a Richards Microfit.

Certainly looks the good, mate.

The comb does look different to any Boyds i've seen available, but it is definitely a Boyds laminate. They do sell a lot of stock stock.... Love to know what model/maker it is. Nice looking stock,


So... how does the rifle shoot?

[chrispy88]

I was in the same boat CustomPC, an upcoming trip to Europe (and not even for hunting, just to keep the other half happy!) meant I had to acquire the bits over time. Started in December last year so glad to finally have it together.

As far as the stock goes guys I bought it second hand here on the forum and it was sold as a Boyds, which I believe it is. I looked on their website and they seem to no longer have this design available for the Howa, I could only see the thumbhole style.

And the important part : it shoots straighter than I can. I need some more time with it, and to try some more ammo. Not reloading yet but hoping to change that soon. It seems to shoot the Federal blue box soft points well which aren't too hard on the wallet thankfully.

[bigfellascott]

Sounds good Chrispy, tell me does the butt pad have the word Boyd's on it? it's a good looking stock alright, if it is a Boyds I hope they bring it back into production, I'd buy one happily. You'll have to ask who ever you got it from how long ago they bought it from Boyds and what it was called, I would be interested to know more about it.

Cheers mate and enjoy the Howso, they are a great little rifle for the $$.

[Rippah]

Once I got sighted at 100m, I set up my gongs at about 300m and was hitting the 117mm gong with relative ease using Federal blue box soft points.

That'll see some varmints in trouble

[rsj223]

Sounds good Chrispy, tell me does the butt pad have the word Boyd's on it? it's a good looking stock alright, if it is a Boyds I hope they bring it back into production, I'd buy one happily. You'll have to ask who ever you got it from how long ago they bought it from Boyds and what it was called, I would be interested to know more about it.

Cheers mate and enjoy the Howso, they are a great little rifle for the $$.

It look like this type I think http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/ProductDe ... e-finished

[Gwion]

Sounds good Chrispy, tell me does the butt pad have the word Boyd's on it? it's a good looking stock alright, if it is a Boyds I hope they bring it back into production, I'd buy one happily. You'll have to ask who ever you got it from how long ago they bought it from Boyds and what it was called, I would be interested to know more about it.

Cheers mate and enjoy the Howso, they are a great little rifle for the $$.

It look like this type I think http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/ProductDe ... e-finished

Don't think so. The comb is much higher and the pistol grip more vertical on Chrispy's stock.

[bigfellascott]

Sounds good Chrispy, tell me does the butt pad have the word Boyd's on it? it's a good looking stock alright, if it is a Boyds I hope they bring it back into production, I'd buy one happily. You'll have to ask who ever you got it from how long ago they bought it from Boyds and what it was called, I would be interested to know more about it.

Cheers mate and enjoy the Howso, they are a great little rifle for the $$.

It look like this type I think http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/ProductDe ... e-finished

Don't think so. The comb is much higher and the pistol grip more vertical on Chrispy's stock.

Yep completely diff, I've got a Prairie Hunter Stock and she ain't like that one, as G said the Pistol Grip is More Tactical and the Hemorrhoid is shorter and higher than mine.

I'd like to find out more about it to be honest, I like the look of it.

[chrispy88]

Hmm the plot thickens! Seems to be the original Howa recoil pad!

I'll send Ed a message and see if he can clear it up.

[bigfellascott]

Hmm the plot thickens! Seems to be the original Howa recoil pad!

I'll send Ed a message and see if he can clear it up.

I look forward to seeing what he has to say about it.

[chrispy88]

Ok, guys, straight from the horse's mouth:

"It is a Boyds. It was an original package deal. Howa rifle, Boyds 'target' stock, and Nikko Nighteater 6-20x56 scope. Cant remember what year I bought it. Will look it up when I get home."

[bigfellascott]

Ok, guys, straight from the horse's mouth:

"It is a Boyds. It was an original package deal. Howa rifle, Boyds 'target' stock, and Nikko Nighteater 6-20x56 scope. Cant remember what year I bought it. Will look it up when I get home."

Well that is interesting - I do remember them putting out a package a few years back with a boyds on it, perhaps that's the stock on em then? I wish they'd produce them again if that's the case.

[chrispy88]

I didn't realise I'd scored such a rare gem!

[bigfellascott]

found this write up, looks very similar/same.

http://www.ssaa.org.au/officialreviews/ ... ifles.html

[Sender]

I didn't realise I'd scored such a rare gem!

Could turn a profit on it too down the road if you ended up changing it again. People would pay a bit for something different.