Would like to hear about these rifles accuracy and function wise. Found one and the price is right in 270 wsm. It has a wood stock, at the price I'll put a new stock on it since I don't like the one on it. Opinions would be helpful since I have never owned one.

I won a Howa 1500, in 300 WSM, and at first I
figured I would trade it on something I wanted
more. I am a big fan of Tikka, and Savage.
The Tikka for accuracy, and looks, and the
Savage for accuracy, and barrel swapping,
are my usual first choices. So along comes this
"free" Howa, if you can call donating cash, at
a DU banquet "free" Anyway, I still have
the Howa, when a number of other firearms have
been traded for firearms I was lusting after.
After working the trigger down to a bit
under 2 lbs, and shooting some .6 MOA groups,
with Barnes XLC bullets, I purchased a synthetic
stock, so I could save the nice walnut stock,
from the rigors of hunting. My next effort
went into a new load development with 168 gr.
Barnes TSX bullets. The last time on the bench,
it shot it's best group just under .4 MOA.
Hmmmm, let's see. A hunting rifle with a
crisp, light, trigger that shoots .4 MOA, with
it's favorite load...I think I will keep it.

So my sample of one Howa, has exceeded my
expectations. Will I buy another? Given
the right deal, YES I would.

Squeeze

I had one. It was a Smith and Wesson 1500 (same as the current Howas,. They also were distributed by Mossberg as the 1500, by the way).

Mine was a 222 Rem sporter barrel. Accuracy was in the 1.1- 1.4 moa range, but in all fairness, I didn't shoot it much, or did much load development with it. I owned it for about 4 months. It was an extra rifle. I already had two 222 Rems, and I sold it to buy a 22-250 for some more range for woodchuck hunting. I didn't have any complaints with it. I like it. Just sold it to fund another gun project.

If I remember correctly, Weatherby used to advertise an accuracy guarantee of "...three shots in 1.5" at 100 yards."

I was very happy with my Howa rifle. Someone wanted it more than I did, and I sold it.

I think Howas are under rated, and are high quality. I like the integral recoil lug on the bottom of the flat-bottomed receiver (like the pre-64 Win). I never bedded mine, but the design lends itself to a beautiful result for a simple bedding job.

I wouldn't hesitate to by another one. In fact I have one of their catalogs on my night stand for evening "dream sessions." I wish they would make one in 9.3x62 with a front sight. Would like to have a aperature site backup to a scope. I'm not holding my breath on that one, but it is the stuff of which dreams are made.

Very smooth, strong action. One piece bolt/handle manufacture-won't break (Rem 700 bolt handles are silver soldered to bolt body. Advantage Howa). Good choice.


http://www.weatherby.com/products/vanguard/advantage.asp

http://www.howauk.com/rifledetails.htm

I would buy one.

http://www.weatherby.com/products/rifles.asp

It is interesting to note that the Weatherby Vanguards are made by Howa. Weatherby says there are imprortant differences in their specs compared to the offering under the Howa name.

I have been wanting one of the Weatherby SUB-MOA Vanguards for a couple of years. Although made by the same company, I would choose the Vanguard over the Howa for two reason, and there may be more if I really think about it.

First, the trigger on either will probably need to be worked on, so I would just replace it with a Timmney, which is the same replacement part for either action. On the Vanguard, the trigger works in three positions, on the Howa it's two position.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=552716

Second, the Vanguard MOA has a nice fiberglass stock, and I like the Weatherby design.

Weatherby has a custom shop, for those interested in some refinement.

http://www.weatherby.com/products/vanguard/customize.asp

Now, I'll say something unusual: I believe Weatherby when they say this rifle will shoot groops .99" or smaller right out of the box. I'm not one to go for marketing hype, but I think this Vanguard MOA is for real.

No, I'm not on commission - I just think it is a good deal.

Regards,
KB

Kabluewy,

Howa current M-1500 rifles (2006 Productions)are listing their rifles with a three-position safety. Now I have not picked one up to check it but it is printed in their catalog multiple times.

My brother purchased a Howa about 2 years ago in 22-250. With factory loads it has been punching clover leafs at 100 yds. I told him no need to reload, just keep buying the cheap ammo he was.

Thanks fella's I have heard they are good rifles for the money. @ 379 I think it's a good deal.

Well worth the money in my mind. I have a Vanguard Supreme, the one with the Weatherby style wood stock. The test target shows about a 1 3/8" group. All I've done is float the barrel by rasping out the hump at the end of the stck and it now shoots 165 Hornady Intelocks into about 3/4".

I have a Howa 1500 in 270 and it will shoot anythng I run thru it. I paid 330 bucks for the stainless barrel and action. I put a nice walnut stock on it to dress it up a bit and I wouldn't sell that gun at no price. With the 3x9 Leupold on it, I've got about 800 bucks in the whole thing. The bolt is a little sloppy and the trigger is rough but it will shoot .25 to .35 groups at 100 yards with 130's and 140's of all types. I had a 30-06 in a Howa and it shot just as well. I'm just not a 30-06 fan.

A few years back I was in a pawn shop that doesn't try to charge new gun prices on used guns. I saw a nice little looking S&W 1500. The wood on the gun looked nice and the entire rifle was pretty pristine. It was a .222; well after they robbed me of $169 and my change I took it home.

It shot fair around an inch. It was a little throaty. I fooled with it for a while and it on occasion would get under an inch. But in a .222 I was pretty dissatisfied.

So I had it rebarreled with a Lilja 7 contour. I had a couple of other .222’s so I committed blasphemy and had it chambered in .222 Magnum. While the smith worked on it had asked if I like him to work on the trigger I said why not. Well it’s now one of my better stock triggers at well under two pounds.

The now semi tight chamber gun shoots sub .5 MOA and is a real joy to take to the range. What is that is the common question as they observe my targets?

Yes I always have my eyes open for another Howa as long as they aren’t going to try to make off with all my money like that pawn shop. I nearly had a S&W 1500 in 7MM Magnum follow me home from a gun show for $235 but alas they were over my budget and the gun safe is full so decided to let them take advantage of someone else.

quote:

Originally posted by aktoklat:
Kabluewy,

Howa current M-1500 rifles (2006 Productions)are listing their rifles with a three-position safety. Now I have not picked one up to check it but it is printed in their catalog multiple times.

Thanks for the info. I recently checked with several sources, and at that time they all still had the two position safety models in stock, and didn't have the new ones with the three position. I don't know the current status on Howa, because that's when I started looking into the Weatherby Vanguard, and was impressed.

Last week, I went ahead and ordered one of the Vanguard MOA stainless in .308. It's a little more spendy than some of the prices stated in this thread, but I'm hoping for minimal custom work to get it to suit me. I'm planning on replacing the trigger with a Timmney, and having the barrel cut to 20", but that's all. It comes with a good fiberglass stock, which I trust will be adequate, and bedded properly. If not then I'll deal with that when it is at the shop to shorten the barrel.

KB

I owned a 22/250 syn/blue, NICE quality, throughout, a great value for price, only 2 complaints and I have heard it from others:

1) when the trigger is lowered too much, the safety does not work right

2) they are usually deep throated, not good when I comes to rifle accuracy-if your bullet has too 'jump' into the lands

Mine shot 5/8"-good, but I believe it would be 1/2 or better with proper throat