.270 Win or .308 Win

[oleman]

 I have been thinking and longing for the Hoiwa 1500 with the overmolded stock i either .270 win. or a .308 .  Hoping one of you guys that has one already can tell me how the rifle performs and how you like the stock. I have not been able to see or "fondle" one yet. None of our local retailers carries these rifles.

     Ole Man
     Baker, La.

[JimG]

I own a .308Win with the sporter barrel and the piller bedded Hogue stock. Can't say enough good about it. My main complaint is that the rifle is heavy, however it's a minor complaint. Rem 700 bases fit the rifle which makes mounting optics easy. I also own a Howa chambered in .204Ruger heavy barrel with the fore mentioned Hogue but have not done much with it yet. I think I'll like it as much as the .308Win. Stock is very 'grippy' which some don't like.

[oleman]

 JimG
   is the standard overmolded stock pillar bedded or is that something you did after you bought the rifle?
How is the accuracy? I own a Howa ultra light .243 and am most satisfied with the rifle and accuracy, but not the firepower of the .243. The ultralight barrel heats up very fast. In fact two shots (summertime in south Louisiana) is all I can do before the POI moves around some. Have you had similar results with your .308.  Thanks for the reply.

  Ole Man
  Baker, La.

[JimG]

The .308Win is completely factory except for filling the hollow buttstock with low-expanding foam to deaden sound. The POI does indeed slightly wander a bit with a warm barrel but not enough to cause concern. I'm talking about a 1/4" or 1/2" shift of the entire 3 or 5 shot group at 100 yards, usually up and left, and that's with a very warm barrel. What I'm saying is, shoot a 5 shot group at target. Barrel is now warm, immediately shoot a second 5 shot group at a second target. Compare targets and find the 'center' of each group. The overall group will shift up and left by the fore-mentioned amount everytime. It's not enough to concern me at all. Group size remains the same. When barrel cools down the POI will shift back down and to the right. Hope that made some sense. Actually all I care about is the first and second shot POI from a cold barrel. That duplicates a real hunting situation. I've been told via the internet that SOME Howa/Vanguard/S-W/etc rifles exibit issues with the amount of torque applied to the takedown screws, especially the front screw. Maybe your's is too loose or too tight? My average group size at 100 yards with either 150gr Win PowerPoints or 150gr Rem CoreLokts is right at 1.125" CTC. Some may cry "that's terrible", well I'm honest and that's with factory ammunition with a factory built straight out of the box rifle. I've shot sub MOA (barely) groups a few times but 1.125" CTC is average at this point. Might get better groups if I handloaded or bought premium ammunition. Have shot some groups at 200 meters at another range I belong to the other day. Best group was 1.625" and worst was 3.5625". Most where in the 2 1/2"-3 1/2" range Groups where shot off of a benchrest and some were shot prone and some were shot sitting. I'm very happy. Maybe some think that's great, some may think it's terrible but I don't think a deer or black bear will care. Now my .204Ruger has a heavy barrel and it is 2" longer (24"). Other than that it has the same features as the .308Win. Howa. Same Hogue piller bed stock, blued steel, etc. Now it has a very crappy trigger compared to the very nice trigger on the .308Win. I'll either see if it can be worked over or I'll buy a Timney. It's currently rough and creepy. Was not enough to kill the sale though. Have no idea as to how accurate it will end up being.

[Mac11700]

I had the Weatherby Sub-MOA & regular Vanguard in 270..no over molded stock...but with the tupperware one that comes with it...then with the medalist and pro-medalist stocks...both shot exceptionally well..both shot sub-moa as well...There is a big difference between the 270 & the 308...If your wanting more of a range gun...then go for the 308...if your wanting a long range hunting gun...go for the 270. I like the long actions myself...they give more room in the magazine well and will allow you to seat bullets much further out which will aid in reloading..and is one of the reasons I got a new 30-06 Sub-MOA...  If I was building a target gun...I would use the shorter action...and that's just a personal preference. Both are good guns..

Mac

[billy]

I have a howa 1500 in 270 with lam. stock 22 inch barrel,it will shoot 3\4 to 1 inch group off bench at 100 yards .I really like this rifle ,great hunting rig.

[tn_junk]

I have a 1500 with composite stock in .270. It will shoot 1" groups at 100 yards all day long and kill anything I'll ever hunt in the lower 48.

alan

[lucky guy]

I have one in 308 and I'm really happy with it - accurate, decent trigger, and it doesn't show a mark every time you touch something with it.  It's not the lightest but it's not heavy enough to be a negative IMO.

I got the 308 mostly because of the wider range of loads, especially for larger game.  Here's a pic of mine! 



Sneaky way to get in a pic of my elk huh?   

[JerryNH]

Sneaky but nice elk!!!!

[saltydog]

Stocks are nice - rigid compared to some stocks like the basic Savage synthetic. What are you going to be hunting with the rifle ? Both calibers are essentially equal on game up to elk - a larger variety of bullets and weights for 30 cal. If you are considering a 270 then why not a 30:06 ?

[oleman]

   Saltydog

   I was looking for a short, light rifle to hunt deer in deep, thick woods from a open ladder stand. I thought the Howa would be a good choice. However I received a Handi-Rifle in .45/70 as a gift from my wife. ( Mississippi allows this combo during B/P season) My search is over. I love it. Thanks for your reply.

    Oleman