Howa Specialist Gunsmith

[Winkfish]

Another option for you to consider are the folks at long range rifles in SD. I sent them one of my Howa rifles. They also fluted the barrel and bolt, along with a cerakoate job.

I couldn't be happier with the work they did and the turn around at the time was just a couple weeks.

 

[TC338]

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Stewart Rifles wants to be your trusted source for custom rifle building, accuracy enhancements and rifle modifications. Specializing in Custom, Tactical, Hunting & Varmint Rifles Rifle Accurizing Metal Finishing Barrel

stewartrifles.com

Here's you guy. He built mine and did an amazing job. He even installed a WTO Switchlug on my rifle so I could change barrels in the field. His work is absolutely amazing. And he guaranteed 1/2 MOA on his builds. He went the extra mile on my build, when he cerakoted my rifle, he took apart the manners stock and cerakoted all if the hardware on the stock, just to make sure it didn't rust.

 

[PowellSixO]

Another option for you to consider are the folks at long range rifles in SD. I sent them one of my Howa rifles. They also fluted the barrel and bolt, along with a cerakoate job.

I couldn't be happier with the work they did and the turn around at the time was just a couple weeks.

Home

Stewart Rifles wants to be your trusted source for custom rifle building, accuracy enhancements and rifle modifications. Specializing in Custom, Tactical, Hunting & Varmint Rifles Rifle Accurizing Metal Finishing Barrel

stewartrifles.com

Here's you guy. He built mine and did an amazing job. He even installed a WTO Switchlug on my rifle so I could change barrels in the field. His work is absolutely amazing. And he guaranteed 1/2 MOA on his builds. He went the extra mile on my build, when he cerakoted my rifle, he took apart the manners stock and cerakoted all if the hardware on the stock, just to make sure it didn't rust.

Now that's the kind of information I'm looking for. Thanks!

 

[PowellSixO]

Thanks all for the replies. I spoke with LRI, and Stewart Rifles. Both were extremely helpful, and treated me like they wanted my business. They both had proficient knowledge of the Howa actions, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I think I'm leaning towards LRI. They seem to have a reputation of excellence from what I can find. They're not cheap, but I wasn't looking for cheap. I wanted someone capable. Thanks!!

 

[tobnpr]

Chad (and Kalli) are top notch. You won't be disappointed.

I don't care if I supply the parts or not- but I insist on being involved and "approving" of what the customer is buying.
Certainly much easier if the customer gets them all together and sends them in at once, rather than me ordering and them coming in piece-meal. But to say there's no "discount" is deceptive. Yes, not a money maker- but 20% is enough to cover my time sourcing, tracking, and coordinating. We're paid for the expertise of building a system to meet the customers' needs- not just putting together parts.

I've had one too many times of customers sending me a 3/4" brake to install on a barrel that's .875 at the muzzle, or a 1/2"-28t one for a .30 cal barrel.

Sure, some experienced shooters know exactly what they need and how they want it built- but benchrest and high-end comp shooters aren't my niche, just Joe Average shooters. Sometimes that can be a bit frustrating, as I really don't want to be making every "call"- but I find more often than not, that I price out the build and the customer says "whatever you recommend" all the way down to the Cerakote colors.
I don't really like it that way, but haven't disappointed yet (at least, that I've been told).

 

[Canhunter35]

Thanks all for the replies. I spoke with LRI, and Stewart Rifles. Both were extremely helpful, and treated me like they wanted my business. They both had proficient knowledge of the Howa actions, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I think I'm leaning towards LRI. They seem to have a reputation of excellence from what I can find. They're not cheap, but I wasn't looking for cheap. I wanted someone capable. Thanks!!

Ah, so it was that you wanted a gunsmith who didn't act like they were doing you a favour by working on your rifle. Lol I get that

 

[PowellSixO]

Chad (and Kalli) are top notch. You won't be disappointed.

I don't care if I supply the parts or not- but I insist on being involved and "approving" of what the customer is buying.
Certainly much easier if the customer gets them all together and sends them in at once, rather than me ordering and them coming in piece-meal. But to say there's no "discount" is deceptive. Yes, not a money maker- but 20% is enough to cover my time sourcing, tracking, and coordinating. We're paid for the expertise of building a system to meet the customers' needs- not just putting together parts.

I've had one too many times of customers sending me a 3/4" brake to install on a barrel that's .875 at the muzzle, or a 1/2"-28t one for a .30 cal barrel.

Sure, some experienced shooters know exactly what they need and how they want it built- but benchrest and high-end comp shooters aren't my niche, just Joe Average shooters. Sometimes that can be a bit frustrating, as I really don't want to be making every "call"- but I find more often than not, that I price out the build and the customer says "whatever you recommend" all the way down to the Cerakote colors.
I don't really like it that way, but haven't disappointed yet (at least, that I've been told).

Ah, so it was that you wanted a gunsmith who didn't act like they were doing you a favour by working on your rifle. Lol I get that

As a skilled tradesmen myself, I understand exactly what I'm paying for. I'm not necessarily paying for the hours spent working, I'm paying for the knowledge and expertise along with the hours spent working. That's why I wanted someone that knows Howas. I wanted to give them a description of what I wanted, but leave the details up to them. I'm not trying to budget build off someone's hard earned knowledge. I have people do that crap to me all the time. It's annoying.

 

[skipglo]

That's not it at all. I'm really am looking for a quality Howa smith. I'm just not finding one. If I could find a guy I could send it to today, I would. I don't feel like I'm asking for much. I've had multiple customs built, and they were super easy. All I want is a good barrel chambered in 243 win, action trued, barrel installed, and a McMillan or similar quality stock bedded to the action. But I don't feel I need to find the barrel, find the stock, and ship it all to the smith. I should tell them what I want, ship them the barreled action, and wait like a good boy. If someone can point me to a smith that can handle that, I'm all ears.

Edit: and I'm not looking for a deal. I know what I'm asking is going to cost me a few grand. I also know it's going to take time. I just want to talk to someone that knows their sh!t, and gives me confidence they're going to put some effort into this. This is a very special rifle to me, that I want to pass on to my kids.

Just me....but i never can quite crasp how special a rifle is to someone when all your kids are getting....is Dad's special action! Nothing special about a Howa action...there was a similar post several months ago...that went " Wow i got my Dad's rifle it is so dear to me I want to preserve it ....just like you.....except....he was loosing the trigger too! Your kids will value DADS OLD GUN more as Dad's old gun.....save a ton of wasted expense and time....Buy a new gun! You can get the Howas in about 7 different stock configurations....nice stocks for under 1500.00 here in Canada and probably 1200.00 at home! Or I guess....be proud to pass along a Howa action..... again, not meant to offend...just me! P.S. as for a 243 for the kids....you can buy them for under 400.00....being young they would appreciate the new gun more than they would your Old action!

 

[PowellSixO]

Just me....but i never can quite crasp how special a rifle is to someone when all your kids are getting....is Dad's special action! Nothing special about a Howa action...there was a similar post several months ago...that went " Wow i got my Dad's rifle it is so dear to me I want to preserve it ....just like you.....except....he was loosing the trigger too! Your kids will value DADS OLD GUN more as Dad's old gun.....save a ton of wasted expense and time....Buy a new gun! You can get the Howas in about 7 different stock configurations....nice stocks for under 1500.00 here in Canada and probably 1200.00 at home! Or I guess....be proud to pass along a Howa action..... again, not meant to offend...just me!

You're right to an extent. But at the same time, that gun has 4000 plus rounds through it. The throat erosion is god awful. It's a paperweight at this point, or I can repurpose it and do something meaningful for my kids. Guess I'm just a bad father.
When I grew up I saved for that barreled action for two years. The gunsmith in our church help me build a wood stock for it. I put a Burris fixed power scope on it, and thought I had the most beautiful gun ever built. We didn't have much in our family, and it quickly became the family hunting rifle. It's been through a couple of stocks, several scopes, and killed dozens of deer and elk. It literally put food on our table for years. It might just be an older action to some, but it's priceless to me.

 

[skipglo]

You're right to an extent. But at the same time, that gun has 4000 plus rounds through it. The throat erosion is god awful. It's a paperweight at this point, or I can repurpose it and do something meaningful for my kids. Guess I'm just a bad father.
When I grew up I saved for that barreled action for two years. The gunsmith in our church help me build a wood stock for it. I put a Burris fixed power scope on it, and thought I had the most beautiful gun ever built. We didn't have much in our family, and it quickly became the family hunting rifle. It's been through a couple of stocks, several scopes, and killed dozens of deer and elk. It literally put food on our table for years. It might just be an older action to some, but it's priceless to me.

I hear you! But I collect Art too! And antiques look good above the mantel and sentimental value is in that old stock! On my wood stock guns....I can tell you where every scratch came from...guns like people can Retire in style. I value my father's and grandfather's guns they way i got them....only one gun...my grandfather's 1898 shotgun got altered....and not so much altered as cleaned up....i didn't think the rust on the barrel was worth saving....I re-blued it! Again my friend.....just me. Last P.S.....just how much wear do you think is on that action?

 

[PowellSixO]

Last P.S.....just how much wear do you think is on that action?

The action is incredible shape. Smoothest action I've ever owned honestly. This rifle will still shoot 3/4" groups. It's just lost 3-400 FPS. Looking at the rifle from the outside, you'd never know it was 25 years old. This picture was taken 5 years ago I think.

 

[PowellSixO]

 

[foxtrotter]

Howa is imported by Legacy Arms here in Reno. Have you contacted them to see if they can help.? I know that they do warranty work here and have a very large warehouse and smiths to do the work.

 

[PowellSixO]

Howa is imported by Legacy Arms here in Reno. Have you contacted them to see if they can help.? I know that they do warranty work here and have a very large warehouse and smiths to do the work.

I actually did. They could only sell me a stock, a barreled action, or a complete rifle. No service offered unless warranty.