jimblowscash Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Hi gang, I've recently bought a Howa 1500 in .22-250 and have had a little issue with it, it came as a kit with bipod, scope, mod and mag conversion from my local dealer at a very reasonable price, the stock is a houge over mould sporter and although its supposed to be free floating I've noticed that when on the bipod the end of the stock is flexing to the point of meeting the barrel as I shoulder the gun. In fairness to highland outdoors ( the dealers for Howa ) after a quick telephone conversation they agreed without fuss to my dealer returning it to them to be looked at and sorted as they haven't had an issue before with them but I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone else has had this issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 I'm considering a Howa and have looked at these - but I had been pre-warned about preloading the bipod because of the stock being so flexible. There's more on a similar problem here: http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/207734-hogue-stock-on-howa-1500/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanl50 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 I have a Howa 1500 St/St in .243 and yes my Hogue stock does flex near to touching the barrel but its never affected the accuracy. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 My Hogue stock was doing the same so I ended up removing about 1/16th of an inch from the barrel channel giving better clearance. My problem was affecting accuracy so it needed doing but if your accuracy isn't affected leave it alone. I used a Dremmel to open up the channel. I've ended up putting a Boyds Stock on mine as the Hogue stock was a bit ugly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimblowscash Posted August 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 I'm hoping it gets sorted out but if not and if accuracy is impeded I'm going to go for a boyds laminate thumb home stock.... We will see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted August 17, 2013 Report Share Posted August 17, 2013 my howa stock is flexy at front but even on bipod with heavy moderator on with me loading the stock it still allows a banknote to slide up and down ,thing I love about the howa stock is its got a lovely grippy stock almost glue like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walt1980 Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 Mine flexes like mad, moves all over the place! Can't stand it, ordered new stock and it hopefully should be here tomorrow! Will post a pic, didnt go for a boyds, wanted something different. Mine shot a Pred 8 on it, anyone else find them heavy? Wondered if that might effect it too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tharsus Posted August 19, 2013 Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 You need the aluminium bedded Hogue stock if you want to stop the flex, or a Boyds as said, the laminate IS heavy and slippy when wet. My Howa had a Boyds stock, now it has a PSE carbon/kevlar stock, very light, very rigid but expensive too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted August 19, 2013 Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 My Boyds laminate thumbhole is actually lighter than my Hogue stock was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tharsus Posted August 19, 2013 Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 Like i said my Howa had the laminate not the Hogue so i have no idea what that weighs, i do know the laminate is close to 3 lbs and i saved over a 1lb fitting the PSE stock. Howas are not the lightest of rifles, i ended up getting the barrel chopped to 18" on mine to save more weight and make it more practical for stalking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted August 19, 2013 Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 Agree that Howa's aren't the lightest. My laminate comes in at a shade under 2.3lbs and the Hogue was a shade over. Saving over a 1lb in weight will make a big difference on the stock. How much extra did you lose by chopping the barrel? Not practical for my rifle (204) I would lose too much of it's good qualities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tharsus Posted August 19, 2013 Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 (edited) Mines .308 so the barrel length is fine, you are lucky your stock is lighter than mine was, Boyds site says 2.8lb but i guess each stock is different, density etc I saved another pound plus on the barrel chop, from what i can remember the rifle is about 7 3/4 lb now. Does the job. [/url] Edited August 19, 2013 by tharsus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted August 19, 2013 Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 Standard laminates come in at around 2.8lbs but the thumbhole is around 2.3lb. I really like you short barrel, it looks really neat and tidy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimblowscash Posted August 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2013 R1steele Is hat the Boyds laminate? If so it looks really nice! I was on there site yesterday and if my school boy maths is correct a new thumb hole stock can be sent to the UK for £138 all in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted August 21, 2013 Report Share Posted August 21, 2013 It is a Boyds. £108 delivered from Boyds then £28 import duty/tax. Can't go wrong for £138 all in. I've also just received a Rifle Basix trigger unit (haven't fitted it yet) from Rimfire Magic so I can get my perfect trigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 I'm hoping it gets sorted out but if not and if accuracy is impeded I'm going to go for a boyds laminate thumb home stock.... We will see what happens. Why don't you order the ambidextrous thumbhole from Highland. I had the same problem with my Howa, I got the thumbhole and it's been fine since: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 It is a Boyds. £108 delivered from Boyds then £28 import duty/tax. Can't go wrong for £138 all in. I've also just received a Rifle Basix trigger unit (haven't fitted it yet) from Rimfire Magic so I can get my perfect trigger. Sorry £136 Nice stock but the price is quite a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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