Author Topic: Need help with Howa 1500.  (Read 1415 times)

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Offline JimG

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Need help with Howa 1500.
« on: February 10, 2007, 11:23:54 AM »
Having trouble finding bases/rings that will work on my Howa 1500. I tried the Leupold two piece bases/rings and found them not only to be a PIA but will not allow enough fore and aft movement of the scope to obtain the proper eye relief. The scope is an older but brand new  2.5x10x44 Simmons Aetec. The dealer had the basic Weaver bases which I would of been fine with however he had no 'high' rings other than Weaver Quad locks which I'm not partial to. For those of you with the Howas/Vanguards/Smith-Wessons what have you installed on yours? Thanks.

Offline kyelkhunter3006

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Re: Need help with Howa 1500.
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2007, 02:21:47 PM »
Any two piece bases for the Remington 700 will fit the Howa.  If you want a one piece base, it's the 700 short for the Howa short, 700 long for the Howa long.  Is your rifle the long action?  I know that the Aetec has a short tube, so that is probably the issue.  You could get an extension ring, which may or may not be cheaper than getting a whole new set-up, depends on the brand.

Offline JimG

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Re: Need help with Howa 1500.
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2007, 01:04:55 AM »
Short action, .308. Yes I do see that the Aetec has a shorter than usual tube. The bases I purchased are not ideal as the are extra high mounts as the dealer had no regular high mounts. Which I do understand has nothing to do with my current problem other than it may be forcing me to crane my neck slightly. I did look at the offset Leupolds and I do not think the aprox. 1" of offset will solve anything. I need like 3" of offset.

Offline kyelkhunter3006

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Re: Need help with Howa 1500.
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2007, 03:28:02 AM »
The Leupolds are the standard dovetail base on the front, and the windage screw on the base in the rear? I never liked that style of base, they look good, but that's about it.  You could try two extension rings, but for what that would cost, you could just get a different set of rings/bases.  You can get the Weaver extended front base or the Leupold Rifleman weaver style bases, as the front base has two slots on it to help with spacing, but it's only about a 1/4" of space, and you'd still need an extension ring. 

If an extension ring won't help, I'd get a one piece base that takes weaver rings.  Then you'd have multiple slots for the rings.  B-Square makes them, you can get them at Midway USA or at Natchez Shooter's Supply.  They are cheaper at Natchez, but Midway has superior service if you have any problems.  Only cost $6, it's an aluminum base.  I've used them several times, as I like the multiple slots myself.  Then you can use any brand of weaver style ring that you want to.

The only other one piece weaver style bases you can get are tactical bases.  Tactical bases are usually higher than regular bases, because of the bigger scopes that are popular now, so you may not need high rings, but you'd have to ask the company that makes the base.  They are very high quality, and you'd know it too, as they generally run $30-$130 each, depending on the brand.  There is a company that makes some of the OEM bases that come on tactical style rifles, I think it's call ECW.  They sell factory direct on eBAY, if you go to scope mounts, type in Remington 700, you should be able to find them.  I used one of their bases on a Savage tactical and liked it very much.  Cost $30-$40 each plus shipping.

Offline JimG

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Re: Need help with Howa 1500.
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2007, 05:36:12 AM »
Yup, they are the standard Leupold bases as you have described. I will be going back to the dealer on Tuesday and maybe we can get all of this straightened out.

Offline 31 bertram

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Re: Need help with Howa 1500.
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2007, 01:07:59 AM »
I have been using a older model Aetec on an older model model Smith and Wesson 1500 30 06.  This rig was set up new with the 2 piece burris/leupie rings and bases.  Although it's very close, the back ring sets almost against the zoom ring on the scope, it does'nt touch or hamper using the zoom nob.  It also sits very close on the forward mounting ring, right where the scope tube starts to flare into the objective.  It's very close but works fine.  Hope this helps.
31 bertram

Offline JimG

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Re: Need help with Howa 1500.
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2007, 03:04:04 AM »
Hmmm....my problem is that the eye relief is way screwed up. Way to far foreward and the front ring is up against the flare of the objective, will not go back far enough. If I get this figured out I'll post the solution.

Offline kyelkhunter3006

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Re: Need help with Howa 1500.
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2007, 01:13:48 PM »
Can you post a pic of the gun?  If we can see it, we'd be able to offer better solutions.

Offline JimG

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Re: Need help with Howa 1500.
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2007, 06:52:01 AM »
Sorry, can't post pics, need a camera first. This is where I'm at now, I'm now using a Leopold extended front base and a regular rear base. I tried the screwy Leopold extended front ring but that created more trouble than it was worth. Soooooooo....after several trips to gun shops and mocking up the bases/rings/scope/rifle each time, I think I've got it licked. The forementioned bases, the 'high' rings, and mount the scope as far back as it will go. A little off in the eye relief department on 10 power but is most certainly useable. Thanks for your help.