HOWA Grendel 6.5 Out of the Box, Early Impressions

[Drift]

Thanks for the report! I believe the Howa will be a success if their factory rifle can function and shoot factory ammo... accurately

[bwaites]

I have no doubt it is going to be accurate, after seeing the 130 Berger groups. Alexander Arms no longer uses Lapua brass for factory loadings, I assume because it got ridiculously expensive. So far as I know, no one uses it for factory ammunition, although some of the boutique manufacturers may still load it at user request.

I am going to check my resized brass and see if it will extract.

[Matt @ LSI]

an update from our end, we have submitted all info to the factory and are awaiting their response. Lapua brass does run smaller than hornady, this can be fixed easily by fitting the extractor but the factory should be able to fix this issue before the first production run. The rifles that were sent out for testing are in fact prototypes. Its always a gamble to send out prototypes to writers and etc.. the only ammo i have available to use is Hornady and weve never experienced an issue. Our rifles are warrantied for using factory ammo so thats what we go by.

I hope this clears up some worries, if there are any other questions you can email me @ mhornback@legacysports.com

[bwaites]

Thanks Matt. No real gamble from my perspective. You've told everyone these are prototypes, and the reason manufacturers build prototypes is to test them.

This was completely unexpected from my view and it isn't a difficult fix.

[BluntForceTrauma]

No worries here, Matt. All of us here are rooting for this project's success!

[Drift]

You betcha I am rooting for the rifles success!

[Matt @ LSI]

Is this the boltie bbl. being used to test the Cerb from BFT? If so, Hawwww whatttt?

Have the howa ceo. produce a group of less than 2 " at 100 yd. Good luck on that quest - ceo guy. PROVE that it shoots...

You'll sell more that way!

i dont know what it is you are getting at.

[Matt @ LSI]

Howa Mini Action
Bolt OAL = 6.050” (13% shorter)
Bolt Body Diameter: .616” (9.4% smaller)
Front Ring Dia: 1.175” (12.7% smaller)
Rear Bridge Dia: 1.175” (12.7% smaller)
Receiver OAL: 7.175” (9.2% shorter)
Tang Length: 2.020” (virtually the same)
Tang Width: .865” (virtually the same)
Ejection Port Length: 2.1” (25.5% shorter)

[bwaites]

i dont know what it is you are getting at.

Sneaky uses a shorthand that takes some deciphering! He is asking of the bolt gun barrel came from BluntForceTrauma, the board owner.

Then he is saying, "The Howa CEO should be shooting the rifle, and let's see if he can create a 2" group at 100 yards, prove that it's the bullet and not the rifle that's at fault" (My interpretation!)

The last line means, "If the suits at Howa can shoot 2" groups, then anyone with a brain will know that the guys who know how to shoot will do much better and you'll sell a ton of rifles!" (My interpretation, again!)

Don't worry, lots of us have had to figure out what he is saying. More experience helps!

[Matt @ LSI]

https://youtu.be/ke5Mr5eCF2U

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ke5Mr5eCF2U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

my mind instantly goes here.

[xlcc]

Howa Mini Action
Bolt OAL = 6.050” (13% shorter)
Bolt Body Diameter: .616” (9.4% smaller)
Front Ring Dia: 1.175” (12.7% smaller)
Rear Bridge Dia: 1.175” (12.7% smaller)
Receiver OAL: 7.175” (9.2% shorter)
Tang Length: 2.020” (virtually the same)
Tang Width: .865” (virtually the same)
Ejection Port Length: 2.1” (25.5% shorter)

Sounds just right to me.I'm really excited but looks like I'll have a long time to wait for them to be available in Canada.

[bwaites]

https://youtu.be/ke5mr5ecf2u

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ke5mr5ecf2u" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

my mind instantly goes here.

lol!!!!

[Rainman]

bwaites: thank you for all your efforts so far and the good reporting. When this all comes together and you end up with a production rifle for final evaluation this will take a lot of unknowns out of the projects we usually expect when opening the box on a new factory firearm. Your efforts and dedication are appreciated. I for one will not be buying one with the intent of swapping barrels or stocks and based on my experience with Howa and hand loading I anticipate it will be possible to be get into the half MOA range with minimal tweaking of the rifle using proven 6.5 Grendel loads from the forum that have been accurate across a wide range of member's rifles. Hopefully

[Matt @ LSI]

bwaites: thank you for all your efforts so far and the good reporting. When this all comes together and you end up with a production rifle for final evaluation this will take a lot of unknowns out of the projects we usually expect when opening the box on a new factory firearm. Your efforts and dedication are appreciated. I for one will not be buying one with the intent of swapping barrels or stocks and based on my experience with Howa and hand loading I anticipate it will be possible to be get into the half MOA range with minimal tweaking of the rifle using proven 6.5 Grendel loads from the forum that have been accurate across a wide range of member's rifles. Hopefully

you sir, are much better with words than i am. well said!

[Rainman]

...as I started to say, hopefully we will also have a production 20 MOA picatinny rail from EGW or some other quality manufacturer by the time the production rifles are ready for retail sales.