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My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Printable Version

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My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

Howa Mini
Boyds Spike Camp Stock
Epoxy bedded
Jefferson bottom metal
Talley lightweight rings
Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 CDS
Custom made muzzle brake

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

I tried both the Oregunsmithing and Jefferson hinged floor plate bottom metal. I prefer the Jefferson due to the location of the floor plate release. The quality of the Oregunsmithing was very good, however the release is located at the front of the trigger guard. The first time I took the rifle hunting, I threw it over my shoulder and the release hit my daypack causing it to open and dump my cartridges on the ground. Can’t have that in a rough and tumble hunting rifle.

The Jefferson has been great. Smooth operation with no feeding issues.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

I worked up load using Hornady brass, Federal primers, IMR 8208 XBR powder, 99 grain Hammer Hunter bullets, 2800 ft/sec with remarkable accuracy. It has accounted for two large bodied whitetail. The one shown at 210 yards, another at 240 yards.
I do not use this load in my AR Grendel.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

I have mixed feelings about the Spike Camp on a hunting rifle. The pistol grip is great to shoot on the bench. However, in a hunting situation, you have to take your hand completely off the grip to flip the safety off. Not a big deal…but something to think about. Also, the bottom of the stock in the area of the floor plate is kind of squared off. For me, it makes it mildly uncomfortable to carry for long periods of time. The edges could have a little more radius. Other than that, the quality and fit and finish is top notch. I opened up the area for the action with a dremel and epoxy bedded it. Very solid now.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

I have an economically priced bipod on it. Turns out that I don’t actually use it enough to justify carrying it around all day. A daypack works great for a steady rest. Might just take that off and leave it off.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

As for the Talley rings…what can I say…worth the money.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

The Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 CDS is about perfect for me in a hunting rifle. Great glass, enough magnification, CDS tracks great, relatively light weight.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - grayfox - 12-27-2023

Nice shooter and great buck! You've got a setup. Yeah I have leaned away from bipods, on the bench they cause bounce, so went to a traditional caldwell rest. In the field I'm usually seated so tripod works for that - getting too old to chase things on foot!
I had a couple boyds, they're not for everyone. Did a bedding job but that particular stock (prairie hunter) was just too bulky overall for me. I have since gone to mdt style chassis, the pistol grip setup and adjustable cheek weld both suit me fine. The howa now wears a 22" preferred barrel, I'm dialing in a 115 gr Barnes tac-tx for it, with AR comp.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - MOW - 12-27-2023

Very nice.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - biodsl - 12-27-2023

Kurtis Wrote:The Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 CDS is about perfect for me in a hunting rifle. Great glass, enough magnification, CDS tracks great, relatively light weight.

It's tough to be a Leupold on weight. Congratulations on a great build.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - VASCAR2 - 12-27-2023

Thanks for posting Kurtis!

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - just_john - 12-27-2023

Kurtis Wrote:I have mixed feelings about the Spike Camp on a hunting rifle. The pistol grip is great to shoot on the bench. However, in a hunting situation, you have to take your hand completely off the grip to flip the safety off. Not a big deal…but something to think about. Also, the bottom of the stock in the area of the floor plate is kind of squared off. For me, it makes it mildly uncomfortable to carry for long periods of time. The edges could have a little more radius. Other than that, the quality and fit and finish is top notch. I opened up the area for the action with a dremel and epoxy bedded it. Very solid now.

I have the Boyd's Thumbhole on several toys. They seem to have an affinity for squared or semisquared corners in all the wrong places. First was an At-One on my Howa Grrr. Squared edge in stock grip area just under a thumb joint - a bit of arthritis in that joint and it became a very painful experience. Dremel fixed a lot of that nut I felt like I shouldn't have had ot do it.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

grayfox Wrote:Nice shooter and great buck! You've got a setup. Yeah I have leaned away from bipods, on the bench they cause bounce, so went to a traditional caldwell rest. In the field I'm usually seated so tripod works for that - getting too old to chase things on foot!
I had a couple boyds, they're not for everyone. Did a bedding job but that particular stock (prairie hunter) was just too bulky overall for me. I have since gone to mdt style chassis, the pistol grip setup and adjustable cheek weld both suit me fine. The howa now wears a 22" preferred barrel, I'm dialing in a 115 gr Barnes tac-tx for it, with AR comp.

Thanks. Yes, it is nice. So light and easy to carry all day. On this last Wyoming trip, the other guys took notice. One fellow was lugging around a heavy barreled Bergara in 6.5 PRC. Beautiful rifle and great shooter, but dang it’s like carrying a truck axle.

I put a Boyds Heritage on my wife’s Rem 700. It’s nice and slim in the forearm and wrist. Probably should have went with that…oh well.

Sounds like you have a nice project going on as well.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

biodsl Wrote:It's tough to be a Leupold on weight. Congratulations on a great build.

Thanks. I’m very happy with it. Might look into the 4.5-14x40 for a possible upgrade in the future. My old eyes could use a little more help.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

VASCAR2 Wrote:Thanks for posting Kurtis!

Good to be here.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Kurtis - 12-27-2023

MOW Wrote:Very nice.

Thanks. It’s quickly becoming my favorite. Don’t tell my No.1 that, tho…

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Timitus - 12-27-2023

There is just something about the Grendel. I almost went to the dark side this Christmas and got a Creedmoor but the Grendel just does so many thing nicely.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - LRRPF52 - 12-27-2023

Timitus Wrote:There is just something about the Grendel. I almost went to the dark side this Christmas and got a Creedmoor but the Grendel just does so many thing nicely.

For the larger 6.5mm options out there, you could skip over the Creedmoor and get a 6.5 PRC.

It’s good to have a 6.5 Grendel or 3, and a 6.5 PRC. That covers all your bases for hunting.

You can shoot light varmint bullets in Grendel for yotes and hogs, use those same loads for smaller deer, then step up if you want into 100-130gr for medium/heavy deer.

For longer range hunts, use the 6.5 PRC or whenever you prefer it, after getting the bulk of your trigger time with the Grendel at more affordable shooting sessions.

You won’t be able to shoot the PRC in high round count sessions without consequences to barrel life.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - LRRPF52 - 12-27-2023

Nice rifle Kurtis!

That mv with a 99gr Hammer doesn’t seem out of the ordinary for a 22” AR-15 using AA2520.

On Hammer’s load data page for the 99gr Hammer Hunter in 6.5 Grendel, they list 24” velocities in the 2850-3000fps region.

My Howa build. Pros Cons Success - Timitus - 12-27-2023

LRRPF52 Wrote:For the larger 6.5mm options out there, you could skip over the Creedmoor and get a 6.5 PRC.

It’s good to have a 6.5 Grendel or 3, and a 6.5 PRC. That covers all your bases for hunting.

You can shoot light varmint bullets in Grendel for yotes and hogs, use those same loads for smaller deer, then step up if you want into 100-130gr for medium/heavy deer.

For longer range hunts, use the 6.5 PRC or whenever you prefer it, after getting the bulk of your trigger time with the Grendel at more affordable shooting sessions.

You won’t be able to shoot the PRC in high round count sessions without consequences to barrel life.

I appreciate the info. Like many others here I suffer from gunnitis (collecting and rifle over lap syndrome)