Scope Base: Howa 1500 = Remiington 700 Long Action

[Samgotit]

Just wondering if someone can confirm that Howa 1500's take the same scope base as a Rem.700 LA.

I assume they are the same given this from Brownells:

Remington 700 LA also fits Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguard

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=23786&title=PICATINNY SCOPE BASE

My confusion stems from the fact that some Howa 1500's are Short Actions and some are Long:
http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/specs/specs_baractions.html

So, do all 700 LA bases fit both Howa Actions?

 

[dakotasin]

if you are using a 2-piece bases, same same.

if you are using a 1-piece base, la rem is la howa...

 

[Arkel23]

Yes, they do, I have a Weatherby Vanguard and have remington 700 bases on it. Plus on the back of the pack it says it fits Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguards.

 

[ArmedBear]

So, do all 700 LA bases fit both Howa Actions?

No.

1-piece 700 LA bases apparently fit Howa LA rifles.

The SA Howa is shorter than the LA Howa, but may be a slightly different length from the Remington.

All 2-piece 700 bases fit all Howa rifles.

I used two-piece Warne bases and QD rings on my .30-06 Vanguard. They work great. I wouldn't be too excited to put that big one-piece Picatinny thing where it makes loading more difficult, anyway.

 

[Arkel23]

I used two-piece Warne bases and QD rings on my .30-06 Vanguard.

Does your Vanguard shoot tight groups?

 

[Samgotit]

Thanks all.

I wouldn't be too excited to put that big one-piece Picatinny thing where it makes loading more difficult, anyway.

I'm am a little worried about it myself, but I'm going to try the one-piece Ken Ferrel 20 MOA SA base. They are in stock again, FYI:

Their site shows they are out of stock, but they do have them. I called today.
http://www.kenfarrell.com/scan/st=db/co=yes/sf=category/se=Howa 1500/op=eq.html

 

[ArmedBear]

Does your Vanguard shoot tight groups?

3-shot groups are 1 3/8" at 200 yards off bags (.30-06 Vanguard Sporter, walnut stock). Yes, that's 200 yards. Under 3/4" at 100.

That's with my 165 grain hunting handloads, nothing special: no special case or primer pocket prep and I just use an RCBS measure with IMR 4350 stick powder, don't even weigh every round. And the thing doesn't work very well with stick powder. Hornady BTSP bullets in used Winchester cases farmed from Wal-Mart ammo, some ancient Remington primers I scrounged up because primers seem nonexistent these days.

I'm going to try the one-piece Ken Ferrel 20 MOA SA base.

My Vanguard was perfectly bore-sighted when I just stuck the 2-piece Warne bases/rings and the scope on the gun. There is absolutely no reason to use some unwieldy 20 MOA one-piece base on this gun IMO. They machine them straight.