Still Undecided - Howa 1500 long term review

Published on September 30, 2023
Duration: 29:56

This long-term review of the Howa 1500 in .308 Winchester highlights the significant ergonomic and performance improvements gained by swapping the factory chassis for a KRG Bravo stock. While the rifle demonstrated potential accuracy around 1 MOA, a loose factory scope rail negatively impacted group consistency during range testing. The host ultimately grades the Howa 1500 favorably as a budget-to-mid-tier option, particularly when purchased as a barreled action.

Quick Summary

The Howa 1500 in .308 Winchester, when upgraded with a KRG Bravo stock, offers improved ergonomics and shootability. It can achieve around 1 MOA accuracy, but a loose factory scope rail was identified as a critical issue affecting consistency during testing.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Chassis Swap
  2. 01:39Disassembly & Reassembly
  3. 06:29Accessories & Optics Setup
  4. 11:13Range Testing & Accuracy
  5. 16:32Target Analysis & Technical Issues
  6. 18:19Final Assessment & Grading

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main findings of the Howa 1500 long-term review?

The review found that the Howa 1500 in .308 benefits greatly from an aftermarket chassis like the KRG Bravo for improved ergonomics. While capable of around 1 MOA accuracy, a loose factory scope rail caused issues. Overall, it's a solid budget-to-mid-tier option, especially as a barreled action.

How did the KRG Bravo stock affect the Howa 1500's performance?

The KRG Bravo stock significantly improved the rifle's ergonomics and shootability, earning an 'A' grade in that category. This upgrade addressed the host's dissatisfaction with the factory AB Arms chassis, making the rifle more comfortable and effective to handle.

What technical issues were encountered during the Howa 1500 review?

The primary technical issue discovered was a loose factory scope rail, which caused the rifle's zero to shift and accuracy to degrade during range testing. This problem negatively impacted the reliability score but was fixable with proper tightening.

What accuracy was achieved with the Howa 1500 during the review?

The Howa 1500, when properly assembled and with the KRG Bravo stock, averaged approximately 1.075 MOA during accuracy testing with match-grade .308 ammunition. Initial groups were around 1 MOA, but consistency suffered due to the loose rail.

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