Howa 1500 action for custom rifle?

[lgm270]

Do any of you custom gunsmiths out there have any opinion or experience about the Howa 1500 or Weatherby Vanguard as the basis of a custom rifle?

[Nobade]

They work just fine, as long as your gunsmith's lathe is capable of cutting metric threads. They are threaded M26X1.5. Other than that, there is nothing wrong with them since they are essentially a copy of an older Sako and use very good quality steel.

[Mikey]

Igm:  I believe both the Howa and the Vanguard are Zastava (Chech) made Mauser actions.  I cannot tell you if they are the full sized 98 or the slightly shorter M48 actions.  Either should be very good for customization.  HTH.

[Nobade]

Nope, they are made in Japan by Howa. They are absolutely nothing like a M98, other than being a 2 lug turnbolt action.

[Mikey]

Ooops!  Stood corrected.  Thanks for clarifying. 

[lgm270]

Custom shop in Germany that specializes in Howa rifles.

They also have some proprietary wildcats in 9.3mm (.366") including a 9.3 -.308 Win and a 9.3 WSM.

http://www.roedaleprecision.com/epages/howa_customshop.htm

[Rummer]

Nothing wrong with the Howa action. A buddy used one for a custom 35 whelen.  It seemed solid and well built to me.  At the risk of getting flamed, I personally prefer the Howa to the Remington 700 action. The extractor is an AR-15 style and IIRC the bolt can be disassembled without tools.

[lgm270]

Nothing wrong with the Howa action. A buddy used one for a custom 35 whelen.  It seemed solid and well built to me.  At the risk of getting flamed, I personally prefer the Howa to the Remington 700 action. The extractor is an AR-15 style and IIRC the bolt can be disassembled without tools.

Thanks for the post and Merry Christmas Rummer.  I too prefer the Howa to the Remington and I have used both.   I like the Howa's  large ejection port and length and shape of the bolt handle.  The pear shaped bolt knob is attractive and comfortable to me.

Another feature is that long action Howa's are full magnum length.  A friend's 300 Win Mag and 30-06 were both full length magazines, which permitted longer OAL cartridges.  He was going to rechamber the 300 win mag to 300 Wby, but it was so accurate he changed his mind and the Howa 300 became his favorite piece.

[nomosendero]

They work just fine, as long as your gunsmith's lathe is capable of cutting metric threads. They are threaded M26X1.5. Other than that, there is nothing wrong with them since they are essentially a copy of an older Sako and use very good quality steel.

+1
They are a good, solid action.

[roper]

Nothing wrong with the Howa action. A buddy used one for a custom 35 whelen.  It seemed solid and well built to me.  At the risk of getting flamed, I personally prefer the Howa to the Remington 700 action. The extractor is an AR-15 style and IIRC the bolt can be disassembled without tools.

Thanks for the post and Merry Christmas Rummer.  I too prefer the Howa to the Remington and I have used both.   I like the Howa's  large ejection port and length and shape of the bolt handle.  The pear shaped bolt knob is attractive and comfortable to me.

Another feature is that long action Howa's are full magnum length.  A friend's 300 Win Mag and 30-06 were both full length magazines, which permitted longer OAL cartridges.  He was going to rechamber the 300 win mag to 300 Wby, but it was so accurate he changed his mind and the Howa 300 became his favorite piece.

I was wondering since you have used the Howa action what is the usable length of the magazine for a mag caliiber?

Thanks   

[Swampman]

Keep in mind that if built on a Howa action, there will be no resell value.  If that's not a problem then go ahead.

[lgm270]

Nothing wrong with the Howa action. A buddy used one for a custom 35 whelen.  It seemed solid and well built to me.  At the risk of getting flamed, I personally prefer the Howa to the Remington 700 action. The extractor is an AR-15 style and IIRC the bolt can be disassembled without tools.

Thanks for the post and Merry Christmas Rummer.  I too prefer the Howa to the Remington and I have used both.   I like the Howa's  large ejection port and length and shape of the bolt handle.  The pear shaped bolt knob is attractive and comfortable to me.

Another feature is that long action Howa's are full magnum length.  A friend's 300 Win Mag and 30-06 were both full length magazines, which permitted longer OAL cartridges.  He was going to rechamber the 300 win mag to 300 Wby, but it was so accurate he changed his mind and the Howa 300 became his favorite piece.

I was wondering since you have used the Howa action what is the usable length of the magazine for a mag caliiber?

Thanks

HI Roper.  The 30-06 length and magnum actions  have .375H&H length magazines.  You can load 30-06 rounds way out and you can  rechamber a Howa .300 Win to .300 Wby.  A friend had a .300 win mag howa which he long throated to seat bullets with bases flush with case neck. It was a great shooter. He got 3,100 with 180 grain Noslers  and 2,900 with 200 grain Noslers.   

[roper]

Nothing wrong with the Howa action. A buddy used one for a custom 35 whelen.  It seemed solid and well built to me.  At the risk of getting flamed, I personally prefer the Howa to the Remington 700 action. The extractor is an AR-15 style and IIRC the bolt can be disassembled without tools.

Thanks for the post and Merry Christmas Rummer.  I too prefer the Howa to the Remington and I have used both.   I like the Howa's  large ejection port and length and shape of the bolt handle.  The pear shaped bolt knob is attractive and comfortable to me.

Another feature is that long action Howa's are full magnum length.  A friend's 300 Win Mag and 30-06 were both full length magazines, which permitted longer OAL cartridges.  He was going to rechamber the 300 win mag to 300 Wby, but it was so accurate he changed his mind and the Howa 300 became his favorite piece.

I was wondering since you have used the Howa action what is the usable length of the magazine for a mag caliiber?

Thanks

HI Roper.  The 30-06 length and magnum actions  have .375H&H length magazines.  You can load 30-06 rounds way out and you can  rechamber a Howa .300 Win to .300 Wby.  A friend had a .300 win mag howa which he long throated to seat bullets with bases flush with case neck. It was a great shooter. He got 3,100 with 180 grain Noslers  and 2,900 with 200 grain Noslers.

Thanks for the information.