Ultralight bolt action - build one? Or just buy a Howa Superlite?

[diemaco]

So how’s the new HOWA shooting ? What’s it liking for factory ammo or handloads ? How’s the trigger ?
What’s the scope you are running ? Come on INFO UP Bud

I'm not the OP, but I did buy a discount Howa Superlite in 6.5CR.

I have some general complaints. The bolt is poorly machined and makes an awful zipper sound. The bottom plastic has fairly sharp edges. The factory rail sits pretty high. If I decide to keep the rifle, I'll likely switch to talleys to reduce weight and get the scope a bit lower. The stock is a bit on the slippery side.

I started with a 4x38 weaver on the rifle and determined that it shot well enough that it deserved more scope, so I mounted a VX-3HD 2.5-8. The rifle seems to be able to shoot MOA with some factory loads without too much trouble, which is about what I'd hope for out of a discount ultralight rifle. I'm not setup for reloading 6.5CR.

The trigger is OK, nothing exceptional, but it's usable out of the box. Recoil is quite pleasant, the recoil pad is thin but the 6.5CR is very mild. I suspect the .308 would be very manageable.

 

[Astute Observer]

So how’s the new HOWA shooting ? What’s it liking for factory ammo or handloads ? How’s the trigger ?
What’s the scope you are running ? Come on INFO UP Bud

I hate to say I've not shot it yet - I got it for this year's hunting season and I still gotta get out and zero + break in barrel. Life is getting in the way

Scope is a leupold 1.5-4 vari-x. Old, but only 8.6 oz

 

[Astute Observer]

So I'd bought a 20" but then found a 16" which I prefer. I'm selling the 20" walnut stock in .308 on the EE.



https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...alnut-stock-never-fired-750-shipping.2538420/

 

[Desjard]

That's a ridiculously good price for an unfired howa ultralight

 

[Astute Observer]

I'm moving. Gotta get rid of it

 

[dak47]

Short barrel ultralight rifles suck. They don't handle well, harder to shoot well off the bench and they're bloody blasty to shoot.

Buy a rifle in the 6.5lb range that handles well with a 20-22" bbl.

I stopped reading at SC’s comment, absolute truth - I almost threw the Kimber off a bridge trying to shoot it from the bench in the beginning, slowly figured it out and one very fussy rifle with load combinations. Go in with eyes open


.

 

[blakeyboy]

So I'd bought a 20" but then found a 16" which I prefer. I'm selling the 20" walnut stock in .308 on the EE.

View attachment 1010392

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...alnut-stock-never-fired-750-shipping.2538420/

One day, prolly soon, you’re gonna remember this post.

Swap the 20” into the other stock and sell the 16” walnut.

All good, had to learn all those lessons myself and expense etc so carry on.

Try to remember bulk of reason so many short threaded barrels now because suppressors are huge in non communist countries.

You’ll also probably regret the super light purchase all together and wished you had the extra weight of the walnut including that extra barrel length. She’s gonna be a handful, one you have a chance at shooting well when counts, good luck.