After checking out many different types of rifles, I am really interested in getting a .223 caliber Howa. I actually have two questions:
1) Is there a signifigant difference in rifles between the standard Howa 1500 and the Weatherby Vanguard (other than the flutes in the bolt, like a better finish etc.)
2)How heavy a projectile can a 1-12" twist shoot well? No reloading in my future, will most likely shoot factory 55gr loads and try the 60 gr partition or 64gr power point loads for larger critters.

I only own 1 Howa, it's a 223 stainless varmint in synthetic stock, barrels not floated. The stock is poor quality, flimsy plastic. Still it shoots fair. I adjusted the trigger down to about 3lbs. I've only put 40 gr. Blitzkings and 40 VMax handloads through mine.

64gr. might be pushing it, it might stablize them. I've only shot heavy bullets in 1-9 and faster twist barrels in 223.

The one I had, would shoot anything 60 grains and under quite well.. It was a Howa version....heavy barrel, 1 in 12 twist....

It also did very well, with 63 grain Sierra SMPs, 64 grain Winchester Power Points, and Speer 70 grain SMPs.....for the heavier bullets....

cheers
seafire

Seafire,

What size of groups were you getting with those heavier bullets? I'm not trying to be argumentative, just trying to get a little better idea what a guy could expect realistically from one of these guns with the heavy for caliber bullets.

I load for a friends Howa Thumbhole Sporter in .223. The barrel sports a 1:12 twist and will not shoot 55gr ploytipped bullets worth a crap. With 50gr Sierra Blitzkings and Hodgen Benchmark powder, we can realistically expect 1/2 moa accuracy on any given day- not too shabby for a $500 rifle.

I have a remington 700VSSF with a 1:12" barrel and I can tell you that factory loaded "SS109" ammo won't even land on a 2' square target sheet at 100yards and most of the time won't impact within four feet of point of aim at 200yds.
and where it does land is entirely random.

Feed it cheap FMJ 55gr bullets and I can make smiley faces out of 1" "target dots" at 100yards

Feed it Barnes VLC's or 50gr ballistic tips and in calm conditions I can break match sticks 2 shots out of three

I don't expect any other 1:12" twist barrel would behave any differently.

AllanD