Rem 660 vs. Howa Ranchland in .308?

[mannyrock]

 
Hey Guys,
 
    Does anybody have any practical experience, to compare the Rem 660 and the Howa Ranchland in .308?
 
    Both have 20 inch barrels.
 
    I understand that the Ranchland has a lightweight, pencil thin barrel, which could create a problem so far as accuracy in shooting multiple shots.  The 660 apparently has a standard weight barrel, which makes it a little heavier but I would imagine it would be more accurate.
 
    With the 660, I would have to replace the trigger assembly with a Timney trigger, to ease my mind about the trigger safety issue, and I would also have to figure out how to live with that plastic trigger guard and floor plate.
 
    The Howa doesn't suffer from these problems, but you end up with a fairly cheap synthetic stock.
 
  Thanks for any help.
 
Mannyrock
 
   
 
   
 
   

[Harry Snippe]

Hey Guys,
 
    Does anybody have any practical experience, to compare the Rem 660 and the Howa Ranchland in .308?
 
    Both have 20 inch barrels.
 
    I understand that the Ranchland has a lightweight, pencil thin barrel, which could create a problem so far as accuracy in shooting multiple shots.  The 660 apparently has a standard weight barrel, which makes it a little heavier but I would imagine it would be more accurate.
 
    With the 660, I would have to replace the trigger assembly with a Timney trigger, to ease my mind about the trigger safety issue, and I would also have to figure out how to live with that plastic trigger guard and floor plate.
 
    The Howa doesn't suffer from these problems, but you end up with a fairly cheap synthetic stock.
 
  Thanks for any help.
 
Mannyrock
 
   
 
   
 
 

I have no experiance with the Howa just the 660 Remington .
The remington 660 I had was bought used and it had metal trigger guard - so it can be found .( If the trigger guard and floor plate is still good - then consider it did well for all these years - so do not worry about it . The new rifles are all going this way.)
The rifle was a bit heavy to todays standard , but mine would print sub MOA groups If I did my part .
 Remington has a recall on the trigger as mine did fire a few times closing the bolt on a live round . Remington did and will repair the gun at no charge to you however I understand now they expect shipping .On return of my rifle , I had a smith tune the new trigger to 2.5  LB from the factory six.The rifle served me well then without any issues for the next ten years I had it .So if you have a good smith have him look at the trigger .
Would I buy another if I could find another in good Shape ? Yeah !! I still kick my butt for selling it .
Happy

[Lloyd Smale]

As to the triggers. this is a problem that has been beat to death but ill say again that ive used reminton rifles for over 40 years and have yet to have a problem and i shoot my guns more then most. Ill also say that if you look at a howa trigger then design is so close to the old remingtons that its almost a clone. Biggest diffence in them is that most remington triggers are smooth and close to fine out of the box and most of the howas and vanguards ive had had triggers that were rough and gritty. Ill put it this way ive had 3 weatherby vanguards over the years and they basicaly are howas and each and every one of them eventually wore a timney trigger and ive yet to replace a remington trigger.

[mannyrock]

 
Lloyd,
 
   Thanks for your input.  Personally, I love the feel and accuracy of the Rem 700.
 
   But, in a 45 year period, I have personally witnessed one instance of a Rem 700, and two instances of a Rem Model 7, firing when the safety was snapped to the "off" position in really cold weather, and no, the shooter did not have his finger on the trigger.  In addition, on a hunt with my brother 25 years ago, I heard his Rem 700 rifle go off shortly after going to his stand, and when I walked up, he reported the identical thing to me. He was dumbfounded that this could  happen and never hunted with that rifle again.
 
    Now maybe these trigger assemblies were dirty, maybe they had frozen rain in them, maybe they were overlubed, maybe there was a bit of mud in them, but frankly I don't care. I can never trust them.  I modified the one I had by installing a Gentry 3 position wing-safety (like the Win Mod 70), and a Timney Sportsman trigger.
 
  So, if I got a Rem 660, I would do the same.  But geez, that's alot of money.  :-)
 
  Best, Mannyrock
 

[pastorp]

Manny, honestly with the experience you have had with Remington rifles I don't know why you would even consider buying one. Just something to talk about I guess. 

Regards,

[T.R.]

 

 
I've hunted with my 660 in .308 for 40 years.  Its a keeper!
 
I had the barrel channel "glassed" about 25 years ago.  Trigger was lightened a bit too. 
Plastic trigger guard and floor plate are sturdy and show no wear at all.
 
TR

[ScoutMan]

The basic problem with the Remington trigger is the disconnnetor unit. Essentially, this is a free floating piece and will not reset if it is dirty. The solution. Blow out trigger unit with brake pad fluid and compessed air. DO NOT LUBRICATE with anything but graphite, and then sparingly.
 
Problem shoud go away.