Hello: My mom just bought a HOWA 30/06 bolt action rifle. It seems ok and shoots fine. Can anyone give me any information about this Japanese rifle? Feelings won't be hurt. Jim Lawrence

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Your Mom? did just fine. The Howa is basically the same barrel and action as the Vanguard. There are a lot of custom gun makers using the action. They normally shoot very well. Hard to beat at the price.

I love Howa rifles.

I have a Smith & Wesson (Howa) .223 varimint rifle. It shoots quite well. The Howa has a very nice trigger that is fully adjustable. My only niggle with the rifle is cosmetic. IMO, it has the most unattractive bolt shroud in the business. I love the rifle in spite of the shroud.

There is currently a recall on the Weatherby Vanguards, and I suppose it also applies to the Howa. Apparently, the bolt can be assembled in a way which compromises its integrity in some way. It is not clear from the recall exactly what way this is. However, the fix is apparently simple. You need to see if your rifle is one of the included models.

Jim,
Your MOM did well. I had a .30/06 Howa that shot with the certainty of a Martian deathray. My gun loved the 125gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip and a near max charge of IMR 4350. 1/4 in. groups or less at 100yds.
My father and I took several whitetail with this rifle/load at ranges from 25yds. to 350yds. Despite what one would think of this unconventional deer load load, most of the WT's were 1 shot DIT's (dead in their tracks)and no deer went more than 75-80yds. Almost every bullet was found under the hide on the offside. Lung shots were spectacular with their dynamic, instant destruction.

We also used the this combo to shoot lots of Virginia "Whistle Pigs" out to near 400yds. The groundhogs just disappeared.

I have really kicked myself several times for trading off the Howa .06.
Good shooting