Howa 7.62x39 project
- Thread starter ford8nr
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First job was deciding on a stock. Picked out a Boyds Lam Pro Varmint.
Threw the rifle into the stock, mounted a scope and proceeded to shoot 2"+, five shot groups at 100yds. -- NOT GOOD -
The stock did have a lot of play in the barrel lug area so it would have to be bedded.
I measured the recoil lug .947 x .395, lug inlet measures 1.090 x .500.
Threw the rifle into the stock, mounted a scope and proceeded to shoot 2"+, five shot groups at 100yds. -- NOT GOOD -
The stock did have a lot of play in the barrel lug area so it would have to be bedded.
I measured the recoil lug .947 x .395, lug inlet measures 1.090 x .500.
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adcoch1
Member
Looks nice, but hopefully a bedding job can shrink those groups! Might want to try a few different types of ammo, I have one rifle that loves tula, and most people can't get any kind of good accuracy with it.
troy fairweather
Member
what ammo did u try?. you have to find out what chamber you have, a saami or a cip. most foreign steel case will shoot good with a cip chamber, brass case may be better in the saami chamber
Didn't like the balance or look of the full size stock on the mini action so out to the saw ...
Only problem was I wasn't paying attention to where the inletting ended and cut too short.
So I cut a patch and a little glue ...
Only problem was I wasn't paying attention to where the inletting ended and cut too short.
So I cut a patch and a little glue ...
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Once the pillars were in place I waxed the action, mixed up some epoxy, placed the epoxy on the recoil lug and chamber areas and clamped the action into the stock using plastic bolts as guides in the pillars. Here's how the initial 'pour' came out. Action is very tight in the stock with no movement in any direction. Will try to shoot it in this condition before I add more bedding.
troy fairweather
Member
you could make a nice little forend tip to cover that up.
troy fairweather
Member
i should have gotten one but got the cz. good news zastava is coming back out with the mini mauser and there 98 both will be offered in a full stock/mannlicher.
Newtosavage
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I bought a 7.62x39 Howa mini barreled action too. Mine was the 20" sporter version. I think I got it shipped to my FFL for $207 or something. Fantastic shooter. I would put 3 rounds under an inch so often it kinda got boring.
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I got the lightweight barrel. This is what I did with mine. Lots of fun to shoot, and very accurate.
I got the lightweight barrel. This is what I did with mine. Lots of fun to shoot, and very accurate.
My 7.62x39 Howa Mini in light weight barrel shoot around 2 MOA when I put in a Boyd's stock without bedding and it was load sensitive, with good load, it shrinks group by 1/2. Heavy barrel should do better. I know the stock is loose and bedding will help. Have it bedded this winter but I haven't shot it yet. I had a Zastava 7.62x39 Mini "Mauser" offered by Remington, in standard barrel, it shoots 1 MOA if I do my part with good ammo. The Remington factory stock is made by Boyds and factory bedding is some kind of RTV at barrel shank, it works! Zastava mini "Mauser" is not a real mauser action and extractor is weak. Chipped only after 50 or so rounds steel case, I had it fixed under warranty and sold the rifle. I also have a 7.62x39 that I built on a Turk mauser action, the issue is the extractor does not hold case tight while 7.62x39 base diameter is smaller. Shoot OK but not as well as my 308s. Honestly, since I reload now, there really isn't much reason to mess with a 7.62x39 bolt gun if looking for accuracy. 7.62x39 is fun and cheap if steel case, ignore the "flyers", "accuracy" is not too hateful with Bears or Golden Tiger!
Newtosavage
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Hank, I dropped my light barrel mini in a Boyd's stock, but quickly bedded it and after that it was a solid 3/4" gun.
I think the action and extractor on the Howa is fantastic for the 7.62x39. Never an issue.
I think the action and extractor on the Howa is fantastic for the 7.62x39. Never an issue.
CoalTrain49
Member
I think you may have the std. #2 barrel. The #1 is their light barrel is 0.57"/22" and their #6 heavy is 0.85" dia./20". There is also a #4 and that may be what you have. I don't have one but it's listed for their precision rifle. The #6 is massive. This is a #6 in a Carlson stock.
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CoalTrain49
Member
I have a Mini with a #1 barrel also but I don't shoot it anymore since I built my BR rifle. The stock that comes with most Howa rifles is garbage. They build this really nice 1 moa barreled action and put it in a $50 stock to beat the competition. My advice to anyone buying a Howa rifle is to buy the barreled action and stock it yourself, you'll be miles ahead. Mine dropped right into a B&C stock.
CoalTrain49
Member
I have one (.223) that shoots fine for about 5 rounds. The barrel heats up real fast and POI starts walking left. It wasn't meant to be a BR rifle however.
Great lightweight sporter/varmint rifle. The Mini is a fantastic rifle.Newtosavage
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I spent an afternoon working down my Howa plastic stock. Narrowed the forend and rounded it, cut the pistol grip down and thinned out the grip palm swells. Then I painted it with some textured paint. I managed to pull 4 oz. of plastic off that stock, and it feels a lot better in the hands now, not to mention looks better. The aluminum pillars are nice, and I bedded my action around the front lug and rear screw. It's a very accurate and consistent stock.
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