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+--- Thread: Howa Mini HB accuracy (/showthread.php?tid=24637)
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Howa Mini HB accuracy - igotta40 - 06-19-2022
Hey all,
I just got my rifle a couple weeks ago and so far have about 70-80 rounds through it, between sighting in @ 25, switching scopes and sighting in again and range time at 100 yards. The groups Im getting are 4-5, dismal at best. Im shooting factory Hornady Black 123 HPBT and ELD- Match. The initial optic was my Vortex Diamond back FFP then I switched to my Athlon Argos FFP with no change. Most of my rifles shoot 1 MOA or so. Im debating whether to keep shooting and do a barrel break in process, or just call Howa and send it back.
What results are others getting from theirs?
Howa Mini HB accuracy - northdude - 06-19-2022
Mine shoots better with handloads and 85 sierras or 90gr speers 10 to 12mm groups, I also tried it on the weekend with hornady factory ammo with the 123sst and was getting 1.5" groups off a bipod. Mines a std barrel tho but yours should shoot similar. I've never done a break in on any of my new rifles and would have no idea if my second hand ones have had one either and they all shoot how they are supposed to. I think they will either be shooters' or not regardless. With that many rounds down the tube it wont make any difference to yours doing a break in now..
Howa Mini HB accuracy - dexdog - 06-19-2022
Did you check that stock screws are properly torqued? I have had the heavy barrel version for about 3 years. I will shoot hornady black to about 1.0 MOA, but will do better with handloads. Yesterday morning I shot these groups at 100 yards off a rest, diameter of inner circle is one inch. The group on left os 0.69 MOA, group on right is 0.45 MMOA. Leupold scope at 20x. Bullet is being pushed by 27.2gr 8208xbr
[ATTACH=CONFIG]18916[/ATTACH]
Howa Mini HB accuracy - grayfox - 06-19-2022
Scope rail screws also... they tend to be a bit loose, need some blue loktite on them then torque to ~16 inch pds (if I recall this nbr from memory, use the EGW or outer impact instructions.)
Howa Mini HB accuracy - CJW - 06-19-2022
Something is not tight. All of my Howas shoot very well.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - Bearcat74 - 06-19-2022
Ive shot several 10 shot groups under 1 with mine and handloads.
Hornady factory 123 SST is consistently 1 or less for 5 shots.
Id check all my screws, sounds like something is loose.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - jasper2408 - 06-19-2022
Both Outer Impact and EGW recommend 20 in/lbs of torque and I think they are both Torx heads on the screws.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - igotta40 - 06-19-2022
I will put it back on the bench and go over everything. Thanks, Ill post again ASAP.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - igotta40 - 06-19-2022
Okay it all checks out. Receiver screws were tight but had no Locktite i re-torqued to just over 30# so as not to crack the bottom plastic. Scope to rail screws 20#, all 12 ring screws 18# and 18# on the receiver/rail screws. Using the Wheeler torque driver kit.
The only reason I bought the Howa Mini HB was because my CZ527 went back to the factory and they emailed saying it was unrepairable. The bolt wouldnt close unless there were only 2-3 rounds in the mag, and it was shooting 6-7 groups. They discontinued the 527 so it couldnt be replaced. They offered me a new 600 series of my choice but those were recalled pretty much before they even hit the stores, so I got a refund and bought the Howa. Pretty much back to square one. But I really like this caliber, and I have brass, bullets powder & dies ready to load.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - igotta40 - 06-19-2022
I have a Howa 1500 HCR in 6.5 Creedmoor and its one of my best shooting rifles.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - garyrapp55 - 06-20-2022
Did you get this rifle complete, or barreled action & you added a stock?
Howa Mini HB accuracy - igotta40 - 06-21-2022
I bought a complete rifle. It has a synthetic stock. It seems okay, nothing special.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - Feral - 06-21-2022
Sounds like you have done everything there is to do.
Personally I would call Howa and ask them what is "their" next move as they state "Sub-MOA guarantee" on your model.
See pg. 11 here:
https://www.legacysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022_LSI_Catalog_LQ.pdf
LSI doesn't make that same guarantee on my model (Carbon Stalker) which I hope to take to the range when the wind and rain die down..
Good luck!
Howa Mini HB accuracy - Jimla - 06-21-2022
Feral Wrote:Sounds like you have done everything there is to do.
Personally I would call Howa and ask them what is "their" next move as they state "Sub-MOA guarantee" on your model.
See pg. 11 here:
https://www.legacysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022_LSI_Catalog_LQ.pdf
LSI doesn't make that same guarantee on my model (Carbon Stalker) which I hope to take to the range when the wind and rain die down..
Good luck!
Carbon Stalker has a "SUB MOA Assurance" on the web page. https://www.howausa.com/carbon-stalker/
Catalog may be missing that detail. But you most likely covered.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - igotta40 - 06-21-2022
Yes Im starting to think I got a stinker. It wouldnt be the first time.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - igotta40 - 06-21-2022
Thanks for the info!
Howa Mini HB accuracy - EastTNHunter - 06-25-2022
Love my Howa mini 6.5G. Shoots great with every weight that I feed it (I cant recall shooting a 100yd group bigger than 1.5), but seems to really shine with the 85 and 100 gr bullets. Yours doesnt sound right
Howa Mini HB accuracy - grayfox - 06-26-2022
Mine wouldn't shoot until I put it into a better stock (true of even the first howa I owned and then sold, and a ruger RAP); I'm using an mdt chassis set up. The stock, the fit-up of the bottom/action screws and the "lug" snugness to the stock all come into play and there will always be some wiggle until you get a good stock. Keep the old one in case you need to send it to howa.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - igotta40 - 06-26-2022
I went back to the 100 yard line with some hand loads today, and I cant believe its the same rifle! Consistent grouping, not perfect but the difference is like night and day. Maybe my barrel wasnt fouled enough, maybe I got it too hot last time, maybe a number of things, but its a shooter now. My loads were 0.020 off the lands, using CFE223 under a 123 gr. Hornady SST in Hornady once fired brass. Best 5 shot group was a single hole, all holes touching.
Howa Mini HB accuracy - slammed68 - 07-07-2022
grayfox Wrote:Mine wouldn't shoot until I put it into a better stock (true of even the first howa I owned and then sold, and a ruger RAP); I'm using an mdt chassis set up. The stock, the fit-up of the bottom/action screws and the "lug" snugness to the stock all come into play and there will always be some wiggle until you get a good stock. Keep the old one in case you need to send it to howa.
Mine was pretty bad out of the box but I bedded the factory stock and it made a huge difference. I plan on purchasing a better stock but figured it wouldnt hurt to practice bedding with the factory stock first. Super happy with the outcome.