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AR15.COM
5/14/2026 4:59:14 PM EDT
[Last Edit: WillieTangoFox][Edited]
Picked up my new 24" heavy barrel action from my ffl.

Attached File


Have to do a bit of traveling for work, so have some time to ponder the rest of the parts to order.

Looking for some feedback, as I am not super familiar with bolt action stuff.

Stock:

Currently thinking KRG Bravo or MDT Oryx. Seems like these are some decent low cost options. I will have to add an arca to both...... which is like another $100 from Area 419. Lol. Not sure if I should spend more on something already with Arca for my Atlas CAL bipod.

Scope rail: Nightforce 20Moa or EGW 20Moa??

Scope: I have a 6-24 Arken on my Tikka T1x that I used for a 22lr match....... might steal that scope and put it on here. That huge thing looks retarded on the 22. Lol

Hoping the trigger is good enough to not have to drop $200 on a trigger
5/15/2026 10:32:51 AM EDT
[Last Edit: MSC182][Edited] [#1]
I’m a fan of the Bravo for an entry level stock-they also sell an Arca rail as an accessory.
Any quality 20 MOA rail will be fine, the MDT would be really hard to beat.
Your Arken scope will be fine as you start out.
I have no experience with Howa triggers, so I’ll just say a proper trigger is essential in a precision rifle in my opinion.

Have fun as you put it all together. Shooting small groups and hitting targets a long ways off is a blast!
5/16/2026 5:04:53 PM EDT
[#2]
On the KRG Bravo, will the bolt come in/out without dropping the cheek rest?
5/17/2026 2:10:56 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox:
On the KRG Bravo, will the bolt come in/out without dropping the cheek rest?
View Quote



Yes, it will come out with the cheek riser up.

I have both the Bravo and Oryx chassis and the Bravo has allot more options then the Oryx like an aluminum front enclosed rail that has a built in arca rail. For an arca clamp, look at the Aera 419 one, its one the cheapest for its build quality.

For the 20 moa scope rail, I would look at the ones MDT makes, I have a few of them and they are well worth the money. There scope rings are just as good and hold up well and both are a good friendly budget option.
5/17/2026 2:16:07 PM EDT
[#4]
I think the MDT XRS is worth the few hundred more versus the Oryx or KRG Bravo
5/17/2026 5:07:00 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Lost_Phil:



Yes, it will come out with the cheek riser up.

I have both the Bravo and Oryx chassis and the Bravo has allot more options then the Oryx like an aluminum front enclosed rail that has a built in arca rail. For an arca clamp, look at the Aera 419 one, its one the cheapest for its build quality.

For the 20 moa scope rail, I would look at the ones MDT makes, I have a few of them and they are well worth the money. There scope rings are just as good and hold up well and both are a good friendly budget option.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By Lost_Phil:
Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox:
On the KRG Bravo, will the bolt come in/out without dropping the cheek rest?



Yes, it will come out with the cheek riser up.

I have both the Bravo and Oryx chassis and the Bravo has allot more options then the Oryx like an aluminum front enclosed rail that has a built in arca rail. For an arca clamp, look at the Aera 419 one, its one the cheapest for its build quality.

For the 20 moa scope rail, I would look at the ones MDT makes, I have a few of them and they are well worth the money. There scope rings are just as good and hold up well and both are a good friendly budget option.


Already have an area 419 mount on my atlas CAL and their rails on other rifles. I do like their stuff.
5/19/2026 11:17:23 PM EDT
[#6]
Ended up ordering the krg bravo, with the current brownells 12% off memorial day sale. Thanks for the input guys.
5/21/2026 10:20:25 PM EDT
[#7]
Got it put together. Did some measurements and ordered an arca rail.

Once that comes, i will mount the optic.

Plan to do some ladder tests with 140 ELDMs and 140 Hybrid Targets.

One side note: on the Howa short action, bravo..... the bolt will not come out with the cheek riser installed. Its a couple mm off..... not a big deal, i can use a chamber flag at matches.

Attached File
5/24/2026 10:49:35 PM EDT
[Last Edit: WillieTangoFox][Edited] [#8]
Went to the range and did the 20 shot break in Howa recommends. Then shot a 5 shot group at 600 yards, with ammo I reloaded for a different rifle already.

Attached File


Attached File


Not too bad. I had a shitty bag I was using for a front rest, and ammo for a different rifle. I will take it. Lol
5/26/2026 11:55:16 PM EDT
[#9]
Mine is at a measured 2.0lbs after doing this:
Howa 1500 HACT Trigger Job (reducing the trigger pull weight)

"I think we should get a Machine Gun. We can use it to hunt game, spell out things, or ring in the New Year!" - Bart Simpson
5/27/2026 2:56:19 PM EDT
[#10]
Cool, i might look into that.

The trigger really isnt too bad...... but could be a touch lighter I guess.

Did a ladder test with 140g eldm and 140g hybrids. Grouped very well at 200 yards.

Looks like mebership expired, cant post pics anymore.
5/27/2026 5:41:23 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Originally Posted By parshooter:
Mine is at a measured 2.0lbs after doing this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWTAuu-neNo|615
View Quote


Had to invent some new profanities, but got the trigger modded and put back together.

Had a head injury years ago, and my near sighted vision has never been the same. Hard to see putting these little bits back together.
5/27/2026 5:54:55 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote History
Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox:
Had to invent some new profanities, but got the trigger modded and put back together.
View Quote
BTDT.  

How's the weight now though? Trust it was worth the trouble for you.
"I think we should get a Machine Gun. We can use it to hunt game, spell out things, or ring in the New Year!" - Bart Simpson
5/27/2026 7:05:10 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Originally Posted By parshooter:
BTDT.  

How's the weight now though? Trust it was worth the trouble for you.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By parshooter:
Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox:
Had to invent some new profanities, but got the trigger modded and put back together.
BTDT.  

How's the weight now though? Trust it was worth the trouble for you.


For sure. I think it is roughly half what it was in pull weight, still a very crisp break and seems to still be drop safe.
7/13/2026 10:13:33 PM EDT
[#14]
Quick update on project Howa.

Have about 400 rounds on the rifle now.

Have settled on 147gr eldms and Reloder 17. Shooting about 2670 fps.

Shot a match last weekend. Best group at 600 yards was just a hair over 4". First time shooting paper at distance in a match. Lots to learn.
7/14/2026 6:28:18 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote History
Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox:
Quick update on project Howa.

Have about 400 rounds on the rifle now.

Have settled on 147gr eldms and Reloder 17. Shooting about 2670 fps.

Shot a match last weekend. Best group at 600 yards was just a hair over 4". First time shooting paper at distance in a match. Lots to learn.
View Quote
Very Nice.
7/14/2026 6:40:11 AM EDT
[#16]
I bought one of these like ten years ago, brownells used to sell the barreled actions for 150. Crazy cheap back then.

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