Guys,

What is your impression on Howa rifles?

They are not well known in South Africa and they are less expensive than other brands.

I need an accurate working rifle nothing more.

As some one once said. "Only accurate rifles are interesting".

Gerhard

I have had a Weatherby Vanguard in .30-06 since '89; it was made by Howa. Good shooter with factory ammo, a better shooter wih handloads, I have had groups under 1" at 100 yards. Mine seems to like heavier bullets of 180 to 200 grains. The trigger was not hard to adjust. For the price, it's been a great rifle.


I wonder how the recently made Howas have been doing.

I picked up a vanguard 2nd hand recently in 300 wtby of which I'm very pleased with except for the the push feed factor. These rifles are very inexpensive and I believe are on par with anything remington has in there standard lineup and also believe the extractor in the howa/vanguard is stronger than remingtons. Just an opinion but these are more bang for the buck over model 700 remingtons. R.

Jakkals

I have a howa 1550, in 270 WIN. It's O.K. I got it from a friend for $250.00 but if I had to pay the full price for it , I think I would get a Ruger. but That's just me.

For the price, they seem to be a very good value. Ones I have shot and handled had very smooth actions, decent triggers, and good accuracy. I would take one over most of today's Remingtons. The plastic stock is fairly flexible, but the Hogue, or the laminated stocks are pretty nice. If you find a good price, I wouldn't be afraid to buy one.

I used one of their barrelled actions to make a 35 Whelen. It does OK and if you're after a good, well functioning rifle there's worse. I will say, that to me, there is a kind of "cheap" feel to them and they don't have the sturdiness of a Mauser or Winchester 70.

Gerhard,

Good to hear from you again.

My Stateside Varmint Shooting buddies have a bunch of Howa Heavy Barreled Varmint Rifles, in .223 Rem., .22-250 Rem. & .308 Win. and they claim they are about as good a value for the money as any other currently on the market.

Personaly, I couldn't perceive a whole lota difference as far as performance, handling and accuracy from any of the other rifles (Savage Model 10's and Remington 700 Varminters) I was shooting alongside of them either.

I got a Howa .270 used at a gunshow.
It shoots well, but is hard to clear a jam from an overload.

I have only taken it to the range once, and shot two groups with it:
1" 3 shot at 50yards
1.4" 5 shot at 100 yards.

It is like a Japanese motorcycle, functions great, but not much mystique.

I have a Howa 1500 Varmint in .243 It is by far the most accurate rifle I have ever owned. Also it is the least expensive rifle I have owned. Very smooth action, great adjustable trigger, and it shoots like a dream!

quote:

What is your impression on Howa rifles?

Well, most of the Howas you'll see around here at our local shops are wearing that totally ridiculous synthetic stock and my impression is they are quite hidious but, I have seen some nice Howas in lam stocks.

Don't know were they got the idea for that syn stock, sort of reminds me of a Benelli pump shotgun

Have a Good one

Reloader

Howa rifles are:

1. Forged Action with a one piece bolt

2. Proven Mechanical Extractor

3. Trigger So/So but can be fixed by a competent gunsmith or replaced with a Timney

4. Stocks are so and so

5. In a Weatherby SS version it has one of the best SS alloys out there 410 which is more corrosion resistant and stronger then 416.

6. They are so good they are boring.

I wish they built Remington 700's as well as they do HOwas...

How are the stocks on Howas/Vanguards these days? My Vanguard Classic II from '89 had a nice looking walnut stock with a straight comb and a nice feel to it.

i owned one in .223. it a very good, accurate rifle that performed very well. i was sorry to part with it.