someone enlighten me on the howa

[nitis]

Ok I have fallen in love with a rifle out of the normal lines that I look at it is a howa. Aside from my TC encore which I plan on selling all I have for rifles are 700s. But I want a new coyote gun and maybe its more gimmick than its worth but I like the axiom stock. I know I can get it for the 700 but the package I found is tough to beat price wise.

howa ss with kings camo axiom stock and christensen arms barrel wrap
1100 only draw back is it is only available in 223

I know that there are some 700 haters out there but bottom line is the 700 is a legend and there will always be parts and someone who knows how to work them over. I dont think the same can be said about too many compareable rifles especially in the econo lines we are seeing today.

please share with me some pros and cons and or comparisons to my 700s I had originally planned to buy a sps varmint and basically build it the same way but it would cost me close to 500 more to build it.

 

[DrMike]

The Howas I have shot all shoot reasonably well. Well constructed rifles and good fit and finish for the price. Their marketing is competitive. For the price, it is a good deal.

 

[Divernhunter]

Rem 700 is a quality firearm. Howa makes a quality firearm also. If you buy a weatherby vanguard you are buying a howa with an stock designed by weatherby and made here. That would be the Syn models. I do believe the wood ones are all Howa. Howa use to make the S&W 1500 rifle. It was a good rifle but did not sell well as everyone considered S&W a pistol company and the price.
Nothing a matter with a rem 700 or a Howa or a vanguard.

 

[HTDUCK]

My experience with Howa rifles has all been very positive.Both my brother and I own a 1500 Varmint model in 308 and both shoot sub moa.
I also have a Weatherby Vanguard in 300 Weatherby and it will also shoot sub moa.
Like you I'm a tried and true Remington 700 fan,but for the pricepoint a Howa is a solid shooter .

Howard

 

[Guest]

If you can find them, the Howa is one of the best values in rifles today. I've kicked myself for not buying them several times, as I could have picked them up new for around $350, and even missed on a used one for $235 (I was one phone call too late...). On my list is one of the Varmint models in 243Win, as I think it would make an excellent coyote gun, nd would be ultra low recoil for new shooters, too. I'd get it without a second thought.

 

[FOTIS]

Excellent value! Very accurate guns!
Same company that makes the WBY Vanguard!

 

[nitis]

ok let me ask this anyone have a few thousand rounds through one and how have they held up?

 

[russ808]

nitis, I have about 700 rounds through a 300 wsm and 30-06. So far so good. I'm pleased.

 

[Guest]

I don't own one (regrettably - yet) but remember that they've been making rifles and barrels for over 40yrs. If you'd like a sampling of their quality, consider that all Japanese-made Weatherbys (both Vanguards and Mark V's) are from the Howa facility. They made the action, barrel, bolt, and all. The Vanguard line has been in production since 1971, I believe, and was also the Mossberg 1500 and the S&W 1500 for a while, each. I don't imagine you'll have any issues whatsoever.

 

[Teknys]

I have the Howa Ranch Compact in a 22-250 I bought last year. I put a Timney trigger on it. It already has the Hogue Rubber stock, which took a little getting used to but for what this gun is used for - I like it. Even with the short barrel and shooting 55gn BT handloads, I can put them into a softball size gong using the 4-wheel box as a rest at 400+ yards. The gun just plain shoots.
A buddy has the "Vanguard" version in a 7mm Mag and it also shoots VERY well. I can't find anything bad to say about them.
I too own a bunch of 700s and a Sako75, with just a little work on the handloads and most guns will out shoot you in the field.

 

[nitis]

that is one factor I forgot there probably aren't many guns out there that I can shoot better than

 

[Woodycreek]

I'm now kicking myself for not jumping on a S&W 1500 in .308. I could have got it for $250 :x

 

[FOTIS]

ok let me ask this anyone have a few thousand rounds through one and how have they held up?

Yup a 30-06, accurate and reliable!

 

[DrMike]

I've seen a couple of S & W 1500s that went very cheap. Unfortunately, at the time I did not have the ability to grab them. Should one appear now, I would not hesitate to get it. The Howas I have seen are often kit guns, and while the scopes are cheesy, the rifles shoot quite well.