Howa Superlite - my experience

[gle3105]

Well, here is where I have arrived. I do like this CF stock for its balance and weight reduction. Just makes the little rifle "point" better. Not a fan of the fat grip area and having the flutes of the comb so close to the action (why do they still do this?), but I can live with it. Length of pull is 13 1/4" which is a hair short for me but will probably work for most folks, especially with hunting clothes. I've put the walnut stock in a box for now. Maybe it will get it's own barreled action someday. Time will tell.

Overall I'm happy with this combination, but it did take some effort to get there. Went through three stocks (first got returned, second took a LOT of labor and a bedding job to get right) and had to add aftermarket bottom metal. Textured sponge paint job is going to work well, I think, and doesn't look half bad. Accuracy shows promise, with "real" load workup to come.

Room for improvement:

The action and bottom metal are still standing proud in this, my 2nd Stocky's CF stock although this one is better than the first. The inletting job needs to be reconfigured. They have the stock dimensions wrong (too short) between the action and bottom plastic/metal, and the inletting should be deeper. The rear tang screw only grabs a couple threads on the CF stock. Overall, the inletting was better on the wood stock.

Lasting concern:

A rough/fast work of the bolt still results in tripping the 1st stage of the trigger, and giving you a 6-ish pound single stage trigger. Howa really needs to fix this. This is Bush league stuff. I can't think of another factory action/trigger that does this. I mean, if I set the trigger adjustment too low on some models, I'd get a slam-fire, but this isn't a slam-fire. It's almost a malfunction. And you don't even have to work it that hard. I get this result even when I'm just trying to be fast, and not slamming the bolt all that hard. I can only guess it's a HACT issue, because I saw it (but not to this degree) on the Mini's as well. If anyone has put a Timney or other trigger in one of these, I'd love to know if you have any issues when you work the bolt hard. This rifle may get a replacement trigger for this reason alone, which is a shame because I like the two stage trigger it came with.

Anyway, signing off on this thread for now. That's about all I have to offer to anyone considering this rifle. At least you know what you're getting into.

Oh yea, 5 lbs. 9 oz. on my scale as shown, which is still damn impressive. Looking forward to some range and field time with this one now.

View attachment 357896

I tested my 7-08 Superlite for the trigger issue.Ran the bolt fast as suggested. Yep sure enough the issue is there. Work the bolt at a slower pace and trigger worked fine.
TriggerTech, please make a trigger for these.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I tested my 7-08 Superlite for the trigger issue.Ran the bolt fast as suggested. Yep sure enough the issue is there. Work the bolt at a slower pace and trigger worked fine.
TriggerTech, please make a trigger for these.

Or Howa, just fix this well known problem.

 

[oxn939]

Shooting these ultra light rifles is presenting a bit of a test on the bench and offhand. It's making me wonder how light is too light. I'm used to a 7 lb. all-in rifle for hunting. A sub-6 lb. all-in rifle might be a treat to carry, but the jury is still out on how it will effect my confident range in the field.

Late to the thread here, but I have a 1500 Alpine in .243 that is a "chopstick-" 6 pounds ish scoped and loaded with the Bansner stock. It's a fantastic rifle, but definitely not the easiest to shoot well at really long distances- which doesn't really matter for me since I never shoot past 300 at live animals anyway.

Glad it worked out for ya. A sub six pound rig delivering those LRXs is a hell of a setup!

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Late to the thread here, but I have a 1500 Alpine in .243 that is a "chopstick-" 6 pounds ish scoped and loaded with the Bansner stock. It's a fantastic rifle, but definitely not the easiest to shoot well at really long distances- which doesn't really matter for me since I never shoot past 300 at live animals anyway.

Glad it worked out for ya. A sub six pound rig delivering those LRXs is a hell of a setup!

Agreed. And that Bansner stock for the Alpine is legendary. I had one in 7mm-08 for a while and never should have gotten rid of it. But I'm happy with the Superlite now too. Great shooting rifles and a joy to carry all day.

 

[oxn939]

that Bansner stock for the Alpine is legendary. I had one in 7mm-08

Arguably the best factory hunting rifles ever made, possibly even over the Fieldcraft. Strong chance that comes on my first sheep hunt when I get AK residency

 

[Caseknife]

I have an Alpine in 6.5 CM, chopped the barrel to 20" and have the 123 AH clipping along at 2950. Might have to go shoot something with it this fall.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Arguably the best factory hunting rifles ever made, possibly even over the Fieldcraft. Strong chance that comes on my first sheep hunt when I get AK residency

I'd agree except for the sloppy bolt and premature wear on the rear baffle that I experienced on mine. Still, very accurate, light and fit great. That Bansner stock really soaked up recoil too.

 

[oxn939]

I'd agree except for the sloppy bolt and premature wear on the rear baffle that I experienced on mine.

First I'd heard of rear baffle wear. Wouldn't happen to have a pic or two would ya?

Always kinda babied mine honestly but never seen anything like that

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

First I'd heard of rear baffle wear. Wouldn't happen to have a pic or two would ya?

Always kinda babied mine honestly but never seen anything like that

nah, that puppy is long gone. Called Howa for a replacement and they said it would have to be installed by a smith and I was like thanks but no thanks. I don't think the person I spoke with understood how a bolt gun is headspaced. Anyway, I just got another bolt for the gun, checked headspace (it was perfect) and rolled along. But that premature wear really didn't sit well with me. The sloppy bolt on the Superlite doesn't sit well with me either, not when you can get a buttery smooth and tight Tikka for the same money (or less). But I'll live with it.

 

[oxn939]

nah, that puppy is long gone. Called Howa for a replacement and they said it would have to be installed by a smith and I was like thanks but no thanks. I don't think the person I spoke with understood how a bolt gun is headspaced. Anyway, I just got another bolt for the gun, checked headspace (it was perfect) and rolled along. But that premature wear really didn't sit well with me. The sloppy bolt on the Superlite doesn't sit well with me either, not when you can get a buttery smooth and tight Tikka for the same money (or less). But I'll live with it.

Man that's funny, I had the exact inverse experience... finally caved and bought a brand new T3X and its headspace was off, would put deep ejector marks into 3 of 5 brands of factory ammo I tried just cycling them through the action without firing. Sent it in and they said "seems fine to us"

Do suppose that's a chance you take with really any factory rifle out there

 

[rogerthat]

Tikka feels like a lead pipe compared to a superlite. Imo they are completely different use case rifles. My superlite is for when I want to hike around like I’m not packing

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Tikka feels like a lead pipe compared to a superlite. Imo they are completely different use case rifles. My superlite is for when I want to hike around like I’m not packing

To be fair, my Tikka comment was in reference to their action, not the weight, although they are also much lighter than comparable factory rifles.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Man that's funny, I had the exact inverse experience... finally caved and bought a brand new T3X and its headspace was off, would put deep ejector marks into 3 of 5 brands of factory ammo I tried just cycling them through the action without firing. Sent it in and they said "seems fine to us"

Do suppose that's a chance you take with really any factory rifle out there

You got a 1-off and I'm sorry for the bad experience. Overwhelmingly, Tikka has become the benchmark for factory guns for price, accuracy, smooth actions and weight. Every one I ever owned was a tack driver. I just wasn't a fan of the closed-top action, the long action only offering, or the factory stocks. Otherwise, I have zero complaints.

 

[gle3105]

Well, here is where I have arrived. I do like this CF stock for its balance and weight reduction. Just makes the little rifle "point" better. Not a fan of the fat grip area and having the flutes of the comb so close to the action (why do they still do this?), but I can live with it. Length of pull is 13 1/4" which is a hair short for me but will probably work for most folks, especially with hunting clothes. I've put the walnut stock in a box for now. Maybe it will get it's own barreled action someday. Time will tell.

Overall I'm happy with this combination, but it did take some effort to get there. Went through three stocks (first got returned, second took a LOT of labor and a bedding job to get right) and had to add aftermarket bottom metal. Textured sponge paint job is going to work well, I think, and doesn't look half bad. Accuracy shows promise, with "real" load workup to come.

Room for improvement:

The action and bottom metal are still standing proud in this, my 2nd Stocky's CF stock although this one is better than the first. The inletting job needs to be reconfigured. They have the stock dimensions wrong (too short) between the action and bottom plastic/metal, and the inletting should be deeper. The rear tang screw only grabs a couple threads on the CF stock. Overall, the inletting was better on the wood stock.

Lasting concern:

A rough/fast work of the bolt still results in tripping the 1st stage of the trigger, and giving you a 6-ish pound single stage trigger. Howa really needs to fix this. This is Bush league stuff. I can't think of another factory action/trigger that does this. I mean, if I set the trigger adjustment too low on some models, I'd get a slam-fire, but this isn't a slam-fire. It's almost a malfunction. And you don't even have to work it that hard. I get this result even when I'm just trying to be fast, and not slamming the bolt all that hard. I can only guess it's a HACT issue, because I saw it (but not to this degree) on the Mini's as well. If anyone has put a Timney or other trigger in one of these, I'd love to know if you have any issues when you work the bolt hard. This rifle may get a replacement trigger for this reason alone, which is a shame because I like the two stage trigger it came with.

Anyway, signing off on this thread for now. That's about all I have to offer to anyone considering this rifle. At least you know what you're getting into.

Oh yea, 5 lbs. 9 oz. on my scale as shown, which is still damn impressive. Looking forward to some range and field time with this one now.

View attachment 357896

Did you bed the 2nd Stocky’s CF?

I did read where you went 40” in the front and 35” rear.
Made the barrel lift a bit in the channel I reckon.

Is the barrel floated all the way back to the receiver ring?
I sent my Howa SL 7-08 back for evaluation.
Returned test targets revealed 150 ELD-X Horn Precision would not MOA. 139SST did. Target depicted a horizontal group but in the MOA realm.
Sad.
I just shot my 50 cal flintlock that I had relined to 1/20. 270 Fed Bore Locs. Three shots 100 yds . 1.08 “ 1700 avg fps chrono’d. Iron sights of course. 70 year old eyes .
Wished my Howa SL would do as good.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Did you bed the 2nd Stocky’s CF?

I did read where you went 40” in the front and 35” rear.
Made the barrel lift a bit in the channel I reckon.

Is the barrel floated all the way back to the receiver ring?
I sent my Howa SL 7-08 back for evaluation.
Returned test targets revealed 150 ELD-X Horn Precision would not MOA. 139SST did. Target depicted a horizontal group but in the MOA realm.
Sad.
I just shot my 50 cal flintlock that I had relined to 1/20. 270 Fed Bore Locs. Three shots 100 yds . 1.08 “ 1700 avg fps chrono’d. Iron sights of course. 70 year old eyes .
Wished my Howa SL would do as good.

No, I didn't bed either of the Stockys CF stocks. The second one didn't need it.

The second stock had great barrel fit with the torque specs I mentioned. Very even, clean float.

I never had any luck with those 150 ELD-X out of any 7mm-08 I've owned. I had great luck with 139 SST's out of every one though.