Howa Rifles

OSUhuntnfish · 10-25-2008, 08:00 AM

I was wondering if any of you out there have any experience with Howa rifles. I've been thinking about getting a new gun and have a few good things about this manufacturer, but would like some more input; or even any other reccomendations on a good deer/elk rifle in the $400-600 range.
Thanks

Grantspastor · 10-25-2008, 09:21 AM

Take a hard look at Savage. Their stainless model 16/116 with the accutrigger is a great shooter. IMO the best bargain out there in manufactured bolt action rifles

Lucky Guy · 10-25-2008, 09:38 AM

I've got a 1500 lightning in 308, good rifle. It's moa with fed hi energy 180's, better with handloads. Decent trigger. 3 position safety. Mine was 425 new with a scope (not a great scope). One thing about them, Howa doesn't cull out the better shooters and charge a premium for them like weatherby.

There's a nice used Rem 700 in 30-06 with a Nikon Pro Staff on the board for 550. Hard to go wrong with that one too if that's the caliber you want.

Oregonhunter · 10-25-2008, 10:25 AM

Good gun for the money....I had the heavy barrel varmint model for a while and the thing was a tac driver. The safety is not fancy and it was a little heavy due to the barrel and all but it would shoot 1" groups with factory ammo all day long (hard to find a gun that will do that these days for that price)

I would buy another one!

oh

myra · 10-25-2008, 12:26 PM

got the 1500 in 25-06 great gun would buy another in a heartbeat

541 Native son · 10-25-2008, 02:38 PM

Hello OSUhuntnfish - I have a stainless Howa 1500 in 7mm mag. I took a very hard look at the Savage Weather Warrior 116 FCSS when I was in the market. In the end, I got too good a deal on the Howa to pass it up. I have been pleased with mine. It is, for the most part, a clone of the Rem 700 action and the same gun as the Weatherby Vanguard. Mine had the plastic Butler Creek stock which I replaced with a Boyd's JRS laminated stock. I would have done the same had I bought the Savage. The Accutrigger on the Savage is better, (right out of the box), but the one that comes on the 1500 is fully adjustable. For the difference in price between the 116 FCSS and the 1500, I was able to buy the superior stock and have some money left over.

dwsurfer · 10-25-2008, 08:29 PM

After much research I went with the Howa in 30-06 last month. overall I am happy with the purchase but plan on doing some trigger work as it is a little stiff. Right now I am shooting 1.5 at 100 (which is more me than the gun)

I looked at the Savage, rem 700, Tika along with the higher priced browning Xbolt and winchester 70. not a expert by any means but I was leaning towards the Tika but went with the Howa as it was in stock in the ca I wanted.

got it for 370 with a 30 dollar off rebate fromt the local store with a 3-10x42 scope with caps.

I was told my a few to go with remingtion as they are a great platform and you can do anything you want with them I just could find one used and could not wait any longer.

good luck

good luck

Norski · 10-25-2008, 09:47 PM

You did good on the price, I paid just a little less, and with the scope, and all I was just under $400.00, sold it to a Ifisher some time ago, and I wish I had it for the long shots.
Out of the box, and with a scope, shot out to 3,4, were no problem for me.
Howa did at one time made parts for Sako, ???, and all the weatherby Vanguards are made by Howa.
I was SOLD on Howa, and when I sold mine, I went down in less than 30 minutes bought a .300WSM Weatherby Vanguard.
Now if you don't have a scope for it, I recommend the Nikon 3X9X40 with the BDC, or the monarch 2.5X14X44 with the BDC.
At the range, you punch out the bulls eye, drop down to 2,3,4,500yards, and your good to go.
"O, mine was the .308 bull barrel.

OSUhuntnfish · 10-28-2008, 09:38 PM

Thanks for the input guys!

Friendly Fisher · 10-29-2008, 10:54 AM

My best buddy has an .30-.06 and loves it. It's a little on the heavy side but VERY accurate. FF

OSUhuntnfish · 10-29-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 541 Native son

Hello OSUhuntnfish - I have a stainless Howa 1500 in 7mm mag. I took a very hard look at the Savage Weather Warrior 116 FCSS when I was in the market. In the end, I got too good a deal on the Howa to pass it up. I have been pleased with mine. It is, for the most part, a clone of the Rem 700 action and the same gun as the Weatherby Vanguard. Mine had the plastic Butler Creek stock which I replaced with a Boyd's JRS laminated stock. I would have done the same had I bought the Savage. The Accutrigger on the Savage is better, (right out of the box), but the one that comes on the 1500 is fully adjustable. For the difference in price between the 116 FCSS and the 1500, I was able to buy the superior stock and have some money left over.

I like this idea, I looked into barreled actions from Howa and pair it up with the Boyd stock, then drop them off with the gunsmith for the finishing touches.

Smoked Salmon · 10-29-2008, 11:43 AM

I have a Howa in .243 Winchester. It is a nice weight for the recoil, and steady enough that I was able to hit a moving yote at 80 yards.

Linejerk · 10-29-2008, 01:51 PM

Go with a weatherby Vanguard in a 300 you will not be disapointed and the price can not be beat