Author Topic: Howa rifle's (Read 1923 times)

GPWEAPON · « **on:** April 17, 2003, 10:38:31 AM »

I'v heard alot about the Savage rifle's for value and accurcy, but in the heavy barrels the price seems to be up there with all the others, so the question are the Howa heavy's any good? the price seems to be quite good.

Jose Grande · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2003, 12:27:09 PM »

I haven't seen one shoot & I don't have any knowledge personally so I just don't know. I'll try to find out. I have lots of fellow members in our gun club & someone will know.
Is that made in the Check Republic ??

Bob_K · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2003, 01:29:54 PM »

Howa's have a superb reputation, same as the Savage. Tough call since I haven't shot the heavy barrel versions of either manufacturer. I'd lean just a little in favor in the Savage because of the method they have for setting a precise headspace.

lgall · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2004, 01:31:19 PM »

I believe Howa's are made in Japan. I believe that Howa also makes the Weatherby Vanguards.

josebd · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2004, 02:44:39 PM »

i have the howa 1500 .243,it is extremely accurate,its not the bull barrel but it will shoot just as good as my savage 12fv .223,and remington 700bdl varmint .223

cal sibley · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2005, 07:38:03 AM »

My impression of Howas are they're a middle of the pack rifle in terms of accuracy, about the same as Ruger. No one ever seems to post pictures or mention group sizes so we have litle to go on, and that's unfortunate. They certainly are attractive enough for the price. I would also like to know more about the groups guys are getting especially in the varmint models. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

vernonp · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2005, 06:11:19 AM »

A couple of years Outdoor Life did an accuracy test of 12 different rifles. All of the more popular rifles plus some of the lesser known rifles. The Savage model 12 varmit was the most accurate and the Howa Varmit was the secound most accurate.-----vernonp

GeoNLR · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2005, 05:48:37 AM »

Last year I set up a 1500 (Vanguard) hunter taper barrel in .270WIN for a friend. The thing shot like a LASER w/ factory ammo.

Rifle = Vanguard (1500 Action) in .270 black / synthetic
Scope = Leupold vx-2 3-9 w/ duplex reticle
Ammo = Fed premium 130 grain
Modifications from factory set-up = Trigger was replaced w/ a single stage aftermarket from timney??? Like $80 or so as I remimber it.
No bedding

With that set up (not a target scope), he could keep 5 shots in the .75 to 1.25" range ALL day long. Could also produce sub MOA groups at 200 and 300 yards. This was a hunting rig, so extensive group shooting was not done.

Really pissed me off because about a year eariler I set up a Rem 700 BDL in 7MM-08 that wears a 18-40X40 Leupold/Premier reticle conversion scope for silhouette shooting. I have yet to see it shoot even a SINGLE sub-MOA group at 100 yards. This is after a good friend worked up probaly 10-15 different loads w/ bullets from different mfg's. Now, long range, it's fine, but have yet to see sub MOA at 100 FWIW.

This is the only type of reports I have EVER heard from this barreled action, I would not think twice before dropping the dime if there was one that met a need, in my opinion.

George

Nobade · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2005, 05:38:12 PM »

I've been shooting a Howa in .308 in highpower silhouette this year. I'm going to rebarrel it to .260 for next season to reduce recoil and wind drift, but so far it's been great. It came with a walnut Boyd's stock which I pillar bedded. For sights it wears Leupold dual dovetail rings and bases that I machined a 25 minute taper into and line bored, and a old Leupold 20X scope. With Black Hills 175 grain match it would group in the .2's at 100 yards and .3's at 200 on a calm day. After at least 3000 rounds, it will still keep Sierra 175 Matchkings in a coffee cup size group at 500M if I do my part off the bench. The stock has been replaced with a Bell and Carlson Medalist Weatherby style one which is better suited to offhand shooting. I milled .030" off the front of the trigger, drilled it 1/16", and fitted a dowel pin into the face. This allowed me to surface grind the pin to exactly the point where I have imperceptable creep on the trigger but the safety still works. I am required to run the trigger at 2 lbs during registered matches, but it can easily go to 8 oz. and still not slam fire. The trigger with its blocking safety is definately a drawback compared to a Remington, but can be worked around. So far I haven't found any other drawbacks except maybe that you have to make a smaller bore guide, since the bolt's smaller than a Remington and a normal guide won't fit.