TEST RESULTS: HOWA SUPERLITE BOLT-ACTION RIFLE

When putting Howa’s Superlite through its paces on the range, I tested 13 factory hunting loads, three match loads and four handloads that respectively averaged groups of 1.196, 0.912 and 1.202 inches. While there’s little question the Superlite had is likes and dislikes, it did provide six sub-MOA factory hunting load groups. For a featherweight rifle, that is very decent accuracy. To hunt big game, Winchester’s 142-grain Expedition Big Game Long Range AccuBond would top my list, followed by any of the other sub-MOA hunting loads. While I was not expecting varmint-type accuracy, this rifle defied the odds and delivered as advertised.

Complete Test Results

Factory Ammunition

Brand	Bullet	Measured Veolocity (fps)	Group Size (inches)
Hornady Superformance	120-grain SST	2782	1.690
Sako Gamehead Pro	130-grain Tipped Game King	2668	1.138
Norma Whitetail	140-grain ELD-X	2465	1.050
Norma Tip Strike	140-grain	2490	0.921
Federal Premium	130-grain Barnes TSX	2732	1.874
Fusion	140-grain	2650	1.408
Federal Premium	120-grain Trophy Copper	2739	0.805
Winchester Deer Season XP	125-grain Extreme Point	2697	0.895
Winchester Expedition Long Range	142-grain AccuBond	2508	0.668
Barnes VOR-TX	127-grain LRX	2637	0.930
Nosler Varmageddon	90-grain FB Tipped	3108	1.422
Nosler AccuBond	140-grain	2488	1.830
Nosler Expansion Tip	120-grain Lead Free	2605	0.915

Handloads

Bullet	Powder	Case	Measured Velocity (fps)	Group Size (inches)
Hornady 129-grain SST	StaBall	Hornady	2587	1.370
Hornady 140-grain SP InterLock	StaBall	Hornady	2560	1.250
Nosler AccuBond 140-grain	StaBall	Hornady	2564	1.010
Barnes 127-grain LRX	IMR 4451	Hornady	2676	1.178

Factory Match

Brand	Bullet	Measured Velocity (fps)	Group Size (inches)
Hornady Match	120-grain ELD Match	2662	0.875
Nosler	140-grain RDF Match	2545	1.210
Norma Golden Target	143-grain	2457	0.653

 

Note: All groups were three shots at 100 yards. Velocities were measured with a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph, then averaged.