That looks like a good shooting rifle. Howa makes nice stuff.Reba delivered a magnificent performance today. There are just a few rifles I have felt deeply connected to and this is one of them, along with my Noveske AR and my Howa 308 being the other.
I began with the slow, boring and mostly annoying process of breaking the barrel in per Howa's procedure. I don't normally do break in procedures, but my precision mentors insisted otherwise. I should mention that I bore sighted the rifle at the range by using the tried and trued way of removing the bolt and looking down the barrel at the target, then adjusting the scope to the same point of aim. I have had great success doing this and many times I've had bullseyes starting out, this was one of those times.
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After 20 rounds, it was time for initial ammo testing. Wolf Gold 55gr put together a stellar 3 shots on group #3 at 0.361", but I couldn't duplicate it. I am going to reattempt at a later date, because I was still getting to know the rifle and hadn't quite found my rhythm just yet, so I kinda feel like the ammo didn't get a fair shake. The target shows horizontal and vertical stringing as I ironed out my issues that gmcttr is coaching me on.
After slapping the suppressor on, it took the rifle from being a rumbling punchy little fellow to a more quiet & refined gentleman. It made the rifle a downright joy to shoot. The experience became zen like the more acquainted we became. I only shot Wolf Gold for the first 35 rounds unsuppressed, everything after that had the can on during testing.
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Now the good stuff begins to show. Australian Outback 69gr was impressive, but Norma 77gr stole the show. Which doesn't surprise me, because that stuff performs like high octane race fuel in my 5.56 Noveske AR.
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Sounds like a menage a trois sprinkled with gunpowderReba? Let me introduce you to Norma...Travis will be joining you both.
Reba? Let me introduce you to Norma...Travis will be joining you both.
If you find any, please let me know where.You're on a roll now, Spicy !
I'ma gonna get me some of that Norma 77 grain, and give it a whirl in my Ruger Ranch rifle.
My Rec7 loves the Razor Core. Worth checking out.FWIW, IMI has 77gr SMK also. They call it Razor Core.
If you find any, please let me know where.
Although I found their lighter bullets too 'hot', I've been building a small stash of this to try out. (yes, based on your previous recommendation) Someday, I will !FWIW, IMI has 77gr SMK also. They call it Razor Core.
He'll hath no fury like a cannon, spermed.Beware the jealous cannon.
I'm familiar and have some (that I got from you ), but that's 5.56 and the Howa is chambered in .223. That being said, I know some .223 rifles are rated to handle 5.56, for example CZ.FWIW, IMI has 77gr SMK also. They call it Razor Core.