Howa Ranchland

[Idaho Dana]

I just bought a Howa Ranchland in .308. My first trip into the desert was less than thrilling. It was very windy which made it hard to hold on target. I shot a box of cheap Rem. Green Box FMJ's to season the barrel and to get on paper.

While I was on paper, I was all over it. I shot a half a box of pretty good ammo which printed a 2" group +/- at 100 yards. I think a little of the problem was me not knowing what to expect recoil wise out of a 20" barrel. I think both the rifle and I got better over time.

Here is the question. Does anyone out there have one of these and what kind of accuracy are you getting and with what bullet?

Mine has a very crisp trigger, very smooth action and I love the Hogue stock.

 

[hardluk1]

Did you follow any break-in procesure on the barrel as you were shooting? If you just shot away you might have some copper build up allready. What weight ammo? 150gr. My 2 centerfire rifle don't like remington ammo that well. Might get a box of something in a ballistic tip, they do tend to fly well. Those rifles do tend to shoot groups around 1 to an 1 1/2" Your problem my just be ammo.

 

[Idaho Dana]

Yes, I cleaned every 5 rounds for 20 and then shot another 20. I waited for the barrel to cool between strings. I took it out again today and fired another 10 or so with 165 Horandy SSTs. I came in right at 1" MOA but could have been better. The wind was still up a bit and I was not on my game. All in all, I am happy.
The rifle weights next to nothing even with the Monarch on it. Recoil is very managable and with the recoil pad that came with the Hogue stock, I could shoot it all day.

 

[mdThanatos]

I'm going to second the suggestion on ammo. I am not a fan of Remington, at all, but especially with their ammo. Their UMC stuff has got to be the dirtiest stuff I have ever shot, in .223, .38 and .357. For store ammo, I like Federal. My .308, Marlin XS-7, loves it but then again almost everyone who has shot that through their 7's has had good results.

 

[dprice3844444]

try federal ammo

 

[hardluk1]

Idaho dang Sounds like it's comeing around. Good group for a light barreled rifle. Get one of those simm's rubber tuners for your barrel and see at the next range trip if that helps tight'n groups a bit more. They do work but 1" in a breeze ain't bad at all.