Howa HCR- 6.5 CM

Got through barrel break in and had a chance to shoot to 500 yds. yesterday.
Have a bud with a grass landing strip right outside of town that we shoot steel on occasionally. It's convenient being 15 minutes from my door.

Was shooting Hornady "American Gunner" 140 gr OTM.
Had used this for barrel break in and had a rough sight in at 100 yds. Hadn't bothered chron'ing because I'll load 140 gr. ELD's, but am still waiting on a 6.5 pilot for the case trimmer...........

Standard 20 MOA rail with a Trijicon 5-20 mil reticle scope.

Took a wag at velocity and ran data for "come ups".
Was "on paper" (steel) at 500.
Conditions sucked per usual; 16 to 25 mph quartering winds from SW.

First two shots were the low ones. Dialed a couple clicks and shot four more rds.
Head shot was first attempt/hit.
Not the most accurate rifle, but overall seems to have potential.
The ELD's with RL 16 should be more accurate- and certainly have better BC for extended range at the ranch.
Additionally I'm going with a Steiner 3-15 FFP, mil/mil scope. The Trijicon is good glass but the mil reticle/MOA adjustments doesn't work for me.

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Good shooting dude. Ive heard good things about those Howa HCRs.

Completed load work up/ladder test yesterday.

Average group size was 3/4", best was 5/8" (100 yds- grid size of target reduced to 3/4" on copier).

The Standard Deviation numbers were crazy low (using RL16 due to reported temperature stability), smallest being 2.52- which was also accuracy load.
Anxious to shoot this at distance.
Overall favorable impression for a $1K, entry level precision rifle.


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I got mine a couple months ago and am snowed out of my range along with cold and wind. I've done a few 10 shot ladder tests in my woods with H4350, Superformance and IMR4350 all with 143gr ELD-X. I found a couple nodes with each powder and am waiting for a decent day to get out.

If this rifle pans out at the range I want to Creakote the chassis. The factory black is pretty matte and chalky. I love the trigger; mine breaks at 3lbs give or take an ounce.

Nice.
I’ve toyed with shooting mine with camo paint.

You’re right though, the chassis is chalky.

I’m in the “pretty is as pretty does” camp for the most part.
If it shoots, guess I’m not too concerned about appearance.

Good luck with an early Spring and getting to the range.

Just ordered a Howa 1500 26” .308 barreled action. It checked all the boxes such as 1:10, heavy profile, threaded. I’m dropping in either MPA BA or MDT ESS. Read, heard, and witnessed nothing but great things about this manufacturer. Can’t wait to shoot it!