Opinions on howa rifles

[glockky]

I'm thinking very seriously about picking up a howa 308 tomorrow and wanted to hear what the opinions were of a howa before purchasing. Here's the model I plan to get.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/632209788

[jmort]

I like it, a lot. I have never owned a Howa, but their reputation is excellent. Will be following this thread

[shoot-n-lead]

Great value in a rifle.

[Sweetpea]

Excellent rifles.

Howa makes the Weatherby vanguard, same action and barrel, different trigger and stock.

[.455 Webley]

I hear they are about the best value there is in long range guns. Do they make a left handed action?

[tazman]

I used to have one just like that except for the color of the stock. I didn't like it. Could never get it to shoot consistently.
My friend has one with a longer barrel and it shoots great with almost any ammunition.
I guess it just depends on the individual rifle.

[dubber123]

A friend had 2, a blued/synthetic .338, and a stainless/laminated .338 The synthetic gun shot very well with practically any load, the laminated gun broke the stock within 100 rounds, and was replaced with a synthetic. I tried free floating, pressure bedding, and a bunch of different handloads, and it was simply a 2.5" gun at 100 yds. He traded it for an AR.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I have a Dickson-Howa Golden Bear. Love it. .30-06.
Also a Smith & Wesson Mod. 1500 made by Howa. .30-06. Great rifle.
Recommend.

[Norbrat]

I have a S/S in 308 in a Hogue stock and it shoots great, especially after I had the trigger lightened to 1 lb.

[merlin101]

I had a S&W 1500 that was made by Howa, I'd still have it but my son "borrowed" it. Great gun and even with cheap scope it's as accurate as I can be.

[FergusonTO35]

Good guns, you won't regret it. I have one from the early 90's that was originally .30'06 rebarreled by E.R. Shaw to .257 Roberts. It has no trouble making a single hole with 117 grain Sierra Pro Hunters at 100 yards. The factory trigger is adjustable and can produce a nice pull. As said before, any stock or other part for the Weatherby Vanguard will work although I strongly prefer the factory Howa stocks with straight comb.

[Artful]

Had friends that had both the S&W and Howa branded - shot well

[Texas by God]

They are great rifles. I haven't owned one but family and friends have. No one had a complaint.
Best, Thomas.

[C. Latch]

My dad and I have a pair of Vanguards in .300Wby.

They both shoot well with some loads, less so with others, but are perfectly capable elk rifles, which is what we bough them for, and I don't have to tell you that the big .30s kill deer like lightning. Howa actions aren't forged, they're cast, but they're strong, very 'true' from the factory, I've heard the barrels are hard to remove without a parting cut to the shoulder, but otherwise they're great rifles. I've heard of great accuracy from the smaller calibers.

I'd buy one in a heartbeat if they made what I wanted in your particular case.

[glockky]

Ended up picking it up today

[FergusonTO35]

Very nice! Where did you get it?

[glockky]

Local gun shop

[FergusonTO35]

Good choice, I think you will enjoy it. I'll probably end up with one in 6.5 Creedmoor at some point. Did it come with that scope? What kind is it?

[glockky]

Didn't come with scope. It's a 4-15x44 vortex viper.

[Zeebob]

I have a Howa 1500 in .308. Bought it from a guy that was going to make a long range rifle out of it. He full length bedded it into a B&C stock, put a rifle Basix target trigger on it along with a millet 20moa scope base. For 300.00 it was a steal!

I put a Nightforce scope on it and it really does shoot very accurately! Yours should too, best of luck!