03-06-2024, 06:03 PM
First handloads for the 20" Howa are in reformed Starline 6.5 Grendel brass, F205 primers, Hornady 75gr VMax with Benchmark. I used Forster dies, but had to take several thousandths off the top of the shell holder so that the cases would chamber easily. They will not go in my Faxon barrel!
Hornady lists 2.095" OAL, but I seemed to touch at 2.15" so loaded just shorter at 2.135". Powder charges were thrown through a Redding BR measure and NOT weighed. I started at Hornady's midlevel gas gun data 27.5gr, 28.0, 28.5, and 29.0 where 28.7 is the top of their gas gun data, but 29.5 is top for the boltgun.
The little Howa has had 50 rounds of Hornady Black through it, and seems to do fine for a hunting rifle. The scope provided is a scope, but not the clarity that my eyes need, so will be remedied shortly. From a clean barrel, 27.5gr shot right at MOA at 100 yards. It was misty, and the scope and my choice of target for the day didn't help. 28.0 went 3/4 MOA, 28.5 went MOA all for 5 shot groups. The conditions worsened, and I chose to pack up rather than get wet with the increasing mist blowing in. Primers look mild at 28.5gr. I'll load more, use different targets, and mount a different scope by this weekend.
Hornady lists 2.095" OAL, but I seemed to touch at 2.15" so loaded just shorter at 2.135". Powder charges were thrown through a Redding BR measure and NOT weighed. I started at Hornady's midlevel gas gun data 27.5gr, 28.0, 28.5, and 29.0 where 28.7 is the top of their gas gun data, but 29.5 is top for the boltgun.
The little Howa has had 50 rounds of Hornady Black through it, and seems to do fine for a hunting rifle. The scope provided is a scope, but not the clarity that my eyes need, so will be remedied shortly. From a clean barrel, 27.5gr shot right at MOA at 100 yards. It was misty, and the scope and my choice of target for the day didn't help. 28.0 went 3/4 MOA, 28.5 went MOA all for 5 shot groups. The conditions worsened, and I chose to pack up rather than get wet with the increasing mist blowing in. Primers look mild at 28.5gr. I'll load more, use different targets, and mount a different scope by this weekend.