Howa M1500 HS Precision .308 Win 16.25″ 5+1

The Howa M1500 HS Precision .308 Win 16.25″ 5+1 is a compact, pillar-bedded bolt gun that delivers sub-MOA consistency out of the box without the custom shop price. It pairs the cold hammer-forged heavy barrel and HACT two-stage trigger with a Hogue OverMolded stock, giving you a ready-to-run platform for entry-level match work or hard field use. According to Howa’s spec sheet, the action is forged from 4140 steel and the barrel is button-rifled with a 1:10 twist, optimized for 168- and 175-grain match loads.

Manufacturer	Howa
Model	M1500 HS Precision
Material	Cold hammer-forged steel barrel, forged 4140 receiver and bolt
Compatibility	Howa 1500 short-action aftermarket stocks and triggers
Finish	Blued barrel and receiver, black Hogue OverMolded stock
Weight	7.8 lbs (per manufacturer specs)
Condition	New

Key Features

• Cold Hammer-Forged Heavy Barrel — WHY IT MATTERS: The 16.25″ barrel retains velocity for .308 out to 800 yards while keeping the rifle compact enough for suppressed use or tight blind setups. The hammer-forging process compresses the steel grain structure for extended barrel life and consistent harmonics.
• HACT Two-Stage Trigger — WHY IT MATTERS: The Howa Actuator Controlled Trigger breaks cleanly at 2.5–3.5 lbs with zero creep in the second stage, letting you time your shot without over-gripping the stock. It’s adjustable for over-travel, which is rare at this price point.
• Hogue OverMolded Pillar-Bedded Stock — WHY IT MATTERS: Pillar bedding free-floats the barrel and locks the action into a rigid aluminum pillar system, eliminating point-of-impact shifts from sling pressure or bipod loading. The rubberized OverMolded texture gives a non-slip grip in wet conditions.
• Three-Position Safety — WHY IT MATTERS: You can lock the bolt, load/unload with the safety engaged, or fire — all from the tang-mounted lever. This gives you cold-bore control without cycling the action hot.
• Optic-Ready Receiver — WHY IT MATTERS: The receiver is drilled and tapped for #6-48 screws, the industry standard for Picatinny rail installation. You can mount a 20 MOA base directly without gunsmithing.

Who It’s For

This rifle is built for the shooter who wants a precision .308 bolt gun that’s short enough to carry through timber or run from a truck rack, but accurate enough to hold the 10-ring at 600 yards. It’s ideal for NRA High Power Service Rifle competitors who need a 16-inch barrel for the tactical division, hunters who hike steep country with a suppressor, and anyone building a budget PRS trainer that won’t punish your shoulder with recoil.

Pros & Cons

• Pro: Sub-MOA guarantee with match ammo right out of the box — verified by multiple long-range forums.
• Pro: The HACT trigger is one of the best factory two-stage units under $1,000, beating the Ruger American and Savage Axis triggers for consistency.
• Pro: The 16.25″ barrel balances perfectly with a 6–9″ suppressor, keeping overall length under 40 inches.
• Con: The Hogue stock is flexible at the forend — if you shoot off a bipod with heavy pressure, the stock can contact the barrel. A chassis swap or bedding block upgrade fixes this, but it’s an added cost.

Comparison

Feature	Howa M1500 HS Precision .308	Ruger American Predator .308	Savage 110 Tactical .308
Barrel Length	16.25″	18″	20″
Trigger	HACT Two-Stage (2.5–3.5 lbs)	Ruger Marksman (adjustable 3–5 lbs)	AccuTrigger (adjustable 2.5–6 lbs)
Stock	Hogue OverMolded, pillar-bedded	Mossy Oak camouflage synthetic	AccuStock, aluminum bedding block
Weight	7.8 lbs	6.8 lbs	9.5 lbs
MSRP	$589.03	$529	$749
Best For	Compact precision, suppressed use	Lightweight hunting	Heavy-barrel PRS base

FAQ

What is the twist rate on the Howa M1500 HS Precision .308 Win 16.25″?

The cold hammer-forged barrel has a 1:10 twist rate, optimized for 168–175 grain match bullets. It will stabilize 150–180 grain projectiles reliably.

Does this rifle come with a scope base or rings?

No. The receiver is drilled and tapped for #6-48 screws, and it ships with a one-piece Weaver-style base in the box. You’ll need to purchase rings or a Picatinny rail separately.

Is the HACT trigger adjustable for pull weight?

Yes, the two-stage trigger is adjustable for over-travel and sear engagement via a small hex screw inside the trigger housing. Factory pull weight is 2.5–3.5 lbs, and you can reduce it to around 2 lbs with careful adjustment.

Can I swap the Hogue stock for a chassis?

Yes, the Howa 1500 short-action uses a standard footprint compatible with aftermarket chassis from MDT, KRG, and Luth-AR. The action screws are 8-32 thread, 1.0″ and 1.125″ lengths.

What is the magazine capacity and type?

It uses a 5+1 internal box magazine with a hinged floorplate. The magazine is detachable but requires the action screw to be removed for full removal — it’s a fixed box design.

Trust & Delivery

• ✓ Nationwide delivery to all 50 states
• ✓ Ships within 1-2 business days
• ✓ 30-day returns on unused items
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Related categories: Bolt Action Rifles | .308 Rifles | Precision Rifles

Last updated: April 2026