Howa 1500 Optic Mount

Hi all, I've just purchased this:
https://www.turners.com/howa/howa-m...in-22-barrel-with-4-12x40-scope-combo-1523811

I will be replacing the optic that comes on the rifle with this, among other mods I plan on doing.
https://www.turners.com/vortex-optics/vortex-diamondback-tactical-6-24x50-ffp-moa-700503

This optic has a 30mm tube and the one that comes on the rifle has a 1-inch tube therefore the rings arent compatible.

Some of what I have read states that Remington 700 optic mounts are compatible, and I am not seeing too much about Howa 1500 optic mounts for sale other than this:

https://www.talleymanufacturing.com/product/howa-1500-scope-mounts/


This is the other option that I do prefer, which is buying this:

$56 Talley Picatinny Base for Howa 1500 w/ 20 MOA (Short Action) , Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DB81QII

and putting on these optic rings:

$79 Vortex Optics Pro Series Riflescope Rings - 30mm - Medium Height [1.0"es | 25.4 mm], Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7LDSG1

I cannot find out if this rifle is a short or long action. I am being led to believe that it is a short action though...


What I am looking for here is anyone's knowledge on this in general and any input you all may have.

I do not want to buy the optic mount and find it doesn't fit.
I also cannot find out the information as to if the rifle is a mini, short, or long action.

 

While not exactly the same.
The Howa and Weatherby Vanguard share basically the same action.
I’d go with the one that says it fits the vanguard as well..

 

Do you know if the howa 1500 .308 is a short or long action?

 

308 caliber is almost always built on a short action receiver.
I have never seen a long action 308.

 

Thank you sir!

 

Any mount made for a long action Rem 700 will fit a long action Howa. If it is a short action Howa you need a specific one piece mount. While the actions are the same length, the loading/ejection port on a Howa is longer and the mounting holes are farther apart on a Howa. If you are using 2 piece mounts they are fully interchangeable between Howa and Rem 700. It is only short actions that are different and only if using a one piece base or some type of rail

 

Tikka only makes one action length, long. Winchester didn't make short actions until the 1980's. And many custom rifles are built on long actions even though they are shooting short cartridges. The 308 sniper rifle used by the Army was built on a long action. Having a longer mag box and loading/ejection port gives you more versatility to use long high BC bullets that might not fit in a short action.

 

How do I figure out if my howa is a long or short action though.


Either way I’m just going to call tally and speak with them. They’d know it’s their mounts.

 

I was keeping it simple.
I actually had seen a few short action cartridges on a long action receiver.
22-250/220 swift

But not to confuse OP.
I said most all new(er) 308s are built on a short action.


This is the best I can do as for “How to” know what one you have
Found it in their catalogue.
https://www.howausa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022_LSI_Howa_Catalog_LQ.pdf

 

I have not yet received my howa 308, however I just measured the bolt on my fathers howa 308 and it came out to be:

6 15/16 inches

Just one small hash mark on a ruler away from 7 inches so I would assume it’s the short action.

 

That would be my guess as well.
15/16 = .9375” close enough

 

As stated it is considered a short action. The Vanguard and Rem700 are close enough to work for some pieces. I can’t remember but 90% sure I used Rem700 rings on mine and a Wyatt box magazine/floorplate for a Rem700 as that’s all I could find at the time. Any hardware will be metric, BTW.

 

Yup. If only they put “short action” in their overview or specs list.

 

They did on some.
But not on your model? Weird huh?

 

Not on howas website unless I blatantly missed it, nor on the local dealer I bought it at…
links to both:

https://www.howausa.com/rifles/gamepro-2-0/


https://www.turners.com/howa/howa-m...in-22-barrel-with-4-12x40-scope-combo-1523811

 

They did on other models.
Like the Stalker.

 

Yeah that’s odd that it isn’t universally stated per model

 

This website does say short
https://internationalshootingsuppli...ro-2-package-308win-22-threaded-barrel-black/

 

I think I will do the tally short action picatinny rail and vortex optic rings. Not sure if I want to do 0 or 20 MOA rails

 

There’s no harm in doing a 20 moa. If you’re not dialing, out to 1000t+ then it’s unnecessary. I might just double check you have the right rings size, so the objective bell doesn’t hit the barrel.

Very seldom are .308s put into long actions from the factory. As a general rule. Even the M24s were a special consideration, as they were intended to be reconfigured to a .300 wm.