A comment in the. 300BLK thread reminded me about something that's always puzzled me about my Howa 7.62x39. I bought it new a couple of years ago and sometime later I noticed the proof mark on the chamber end of the barrel has 'Non Standard Proof' etched beneath it. It puzzled me slightly at the time but I've never looked into it past a few Google searches at the time. The markings appear to match the proof 'stamps' so I presume it's not an addition.
Has anyone come across this before and any ideas what it might denote? The only thing I could think of is it was put through proof with .309" bullets instead of .311" but that makes little sense given the Howas are barreled for .311".
I didn't get any documentation related to the proof with the rifle. I'd guess I'd follow this up with either the Importers (IIRC highland outdoors?) or the proof house if they keep such records against serial numbers?
The RFD was a tiny little outfit and I'd presume the Importers/distributors would handle submitting batches of rifles for proof before sending them into the trade rather than dealers sending a couple off?
Has anyone come across this before and any ideas what it might denote? The only thing I could think of is it was put through proof with .309" bullets instead of .311" but that makes little sense given the Howas are barreled for .311".
I didn't get any documentation related to the proof with the rifle. I'd guess I'd follow this up with either the Importers (IIRC highland outdoors?) or the proof house if they keep such records against serial numbers?
The RFD was a tiny little outfit and I'd presume the Importers/distributors would handle submitting batches of rifles for proof before sending them into the trade rather than dealers sending a couple off?
