Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

General discussion and information about the 204 Ruger.
sco_aus
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Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2016 8:08 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Howa 1500 Sporter
Location: Canberra, Australia

Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by sco_aus »

Hi everyone,

I recently took up hand loading as I purchased a new Howa 1500 in .204R. I have been trying different loads and can not get groups under 1 inch. In fact my group sizes don't seem to vary much at all. I am a confident and experienced shooter, so I don't believe it is my ability holding it back. My local gun shop pro has had two of these in 204 and can't figure out what is wrong either. We have checked all stock and scope screws, checked the barrel with a bore scope and I have tried different hand loads without luck. So can you guys please give me some ideas on what else I can do to figure this out please? It's frustrating me to no end! :mad: :mad:

My next plan is to try with my Night Force scope to eliminate the scope as the problem. I have also loaded some ammo with a OAL of 2.375 to make sure it isn't the cartridge length.

I will list the rifle specs and my load specs to give you some info to work from. All items are new and the barrel has fired 150-200 rounds (40 Hornady factory rounds and the rest my hand loads).

Howa 1500 Sporter (from memory) in 204
Boyds pro varmint stock, it has pillar bedding and the barrel is floating.
Vortex Viper HS-T 6-24x50

Norma brass
Remington primers
approx. 27 grains of ADI 2206H powder
39gr SBK
OAL 2.275

Thank you
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futuretrades
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Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:16 am
.204 Ruger Guns: HOWA 1500 .204 Ruger Varmint, Bull Bbl, Lupy 6-18x40 custom

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by futuretrades »

Sounds like the bullets are the biggest problem. Most 204's won't shoot the 40 grain pills worth a darn. I am not familiar with ADI powders. I would try some 39gr. Sierra Blitz Kings. Also try varying your seating depth. My Howa loves the 39's. I did have to seat the bullets as close to the lands as possible, and still have approximately .165 bullet in the case. My rifle is a Varminter 1500. My loads consist of 24.7grs of RE10x powder, with Rem 7 1/2 primers, bullet seated at 1.980. OAL, with comparator. Looking at your OAL, you are not using a comparator. To get an idea of your optimum seating depth you will need a comparator. Other powders that the 204 seems to like, include, Benchmark, H4895, and some others that you will find in the favorite loads section on this forum. You will have to work out what your rifle likes. Keep us informed on your progress.
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HOWA 1500 Varmint 204 Ruger, Bull Barrel, Hogue Overmold Stock, Leupold VXII 6-18x40mm AO LRV Custom Reticle Timney Trigger
Cooper Mdl 21 20VarTargW/Leupold VXIII, 6-20x40AO Varmint Hunter reticle.
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chuckhunter
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Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:08 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage Model 25 thumbhole, Savage Model 12
Location: BUFFALO, NEW YORK

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by chuckhunter »

He is shooting 39gr sbk's......look further down.
Bill K
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Posts: 2324
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by Bill K »

Think I would try another powder and/or also play with the bullet seating, closer or just touching the lands, see what that does to the grouping. Most all the 204's will shoot the 39 SBK's, as you are using just fine. Also have you tried and compared their 32 gr SBK ? Bill K
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Bodei
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Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 9:23 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Howa Mod 1500 24" BBL .204R; Cooper M21 20 VT; CZ 527 17HH
Location: Reno, NV
Contact:

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by Bodei »

Try 8208XBR i get awesome groups w/40 gn Vmax
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sco_aus
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2016 8:08 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Howa 1500 Sporter
Location: Canberra, Australia

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by sco_aus »

Thanks everyone.

I am using the 39 grain SBKs.

I have loaded some that will be much closer to the loads. I purchased a comparator, but haven't had a chance to measure yet. Hopefully tonight. I haven't compared against the 32 grains, but I'll try the v-max that i already have first if this doesn't work.

Unfortunately ADI powder is the only easily obtainable powder here in Australia, but is has a good reputation. I'll leave that until last to change.

Thanks!
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SShooterZ
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Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:23 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527 Varmint - Savage 12 w/ Custom PacNor 1:11

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by SShooterZ »

I don't hear too often that there is a poor shooting Howa so I'm a bit surprised.

Have you ladder tested and if so, do the groups open and close up at all or all pretty much look the same?
soother223
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Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 4:18 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: none

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by soother223 »

Hogden blc2 is very good and gives good velocity but I've personally found rl10x to the most accurate in my Howa! To be honest I loaded it as per loading manual for oal and it just worked! 25grains 3550fps job done!
BillyTee
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.204 Ruger Guns: Tikka T3 varmint

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by BillyTee »

ADI A2206h = Hogdon H4895
jim46ok
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Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:26 am
.204 Ruger Guns: none

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by jim46ok »

39 gr Sierra BK and Varget= .672 MOA at 375 yds.

32 gr Nosler Varmageddon and Accurate 2015+ .665 MOA at 375.

Both near 3700 fps. Don't remember grains at the moment. My previous .204 wouldn't shoot 39 Amax or 45 grain worth a darn. Love my Howa. :D
sco_aus
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2016 8:08 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Howa 1500 Sporter
Location: Canberra, Australia

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by sco_aus »

Thanks everyone. I had a gun smith take a look and it was a combination of the B&C stock needing bedding and the bolt handle touching the stock when down. I also addressed some parallax issues and am shooting clover leaves. Very happy it wasn't the action/barrels fault at all.

Cheers
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SShooterZ
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Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:23 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: CZ 527 Varmint - Savage 12 w/ Custom PacNor 1:11

Re: Howa 1500 accuracy issues!

Post by SShooterZ »

Glad to hear you figured it out. I've not heard too many bad things about Howa and their shooting accuracy.
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