Howa 1500

[theduracellbigd]

I have all ready posted the merits of the Howa and my great experience with them. I have never had any experience with Bergara. I do not know the price point of either. I can say Howa's I believe are still made in Japan(country with great reputation for good steel, and quality control on most products since the late 70s) and have been making consumer rifles for at least 40 years, make rifles for Weatherby, and I have witnessed them shoot extremely tight groups and have seen other hunters in the field with them for last thirty years or so.
I think I read somewhere that they produced sniper rifles for the Japanese military, idk for sure. So with that resume, I would have to say Howa over Bergara. Bergara may be great, but kind of the new kid on the block here in the USA. I personally would only entertain Bergara if it was less expensive or the ergonomics of the rifle fit me much better.

[SloChicken]

I have all ready posted the merits of the Howa and my great experience with them. I have never had any experience with Bergara. I do not know the price point of either. I can say Howa's I believe are still made in Japan(country with great reputation for good steel, and quality control on most products since the late 70s) and have been making consumer rifles for at least 40 years, make rifles for Weatherby, and I have witnessed them shoot extremely tight groups and have seen other hunters in the field with them for last thirty years or so.
I think I read somewhere that they produced sniper rifles for the Japanese military, idk for sure. So with that resume, I would have to say Howa over Bergara. Bergara may be great, but kind of the new kid on the block here in the USA. I personally would only entertain Bergara if it was less expensive or the ergonomics of the rifle fit me much better.

[theduracellbigd]

Well said SloChicken. You know fine rifles, and application of such. I too have a Model 70 sporter pre 64 and a CZ 17HMR. Those Bergara's look like they have some nice wood based on pictures I have seen. So I forgot to add wood to a reason why I would take a look at Bergara(I am a sucker for a pretty wood carry hunting rifle), and now since you have mentioned the fine actions they might make one fine deer rifle. To bad I already have too many guns haha

[jimmykan]

Looking at this weapon in 223 with heavy barrel

Any one own one and good and bad about it

Just looking for a bench rifle for shooting out to 100 yards

Thanks

Pay attention to the twist rate of the barrel.

If it is 1-9" then 69 grain bullets will definitely stabilize, but 75+ grain bullets will be marginally stabilized, i.e. may or may not stabilize depending on air density.

[1859sharps]

So your last two posts shared more of the type information I was asking with the "what do you get for 300 more" question. thank you.

On the barrels... Bergara is button rifled, and the Howa are hammer forged. while there was a time button was thought of as "cheap mass produce" methods, it seems that has changed. So i don't think that matters anymore.

The Howa mini action is offered with a twist rate of 1-8 per the 2020 catalog. comes with either a 20inch heavy, or 22 inch standard.

[eighteenninetytwo]

[divingin]

Length does not compensate for twist rate. Unless the extra length gives you enough velocity gain to spin it that much faster (which isn't very likely.)

[sigstroker]

Velocity has an effect on bullet stabilization. Extra length gives more velocity. More velocity means more accuracy over long distances, but doesn't matter much over 100 yards, which is what OP wants. For him, 55 to 64 gr bullets would be fine.

[USMCM16A2]

Just do it! A2

[SloChicken]

So your last two posts shared more of the type information I was asking with the "what do you get for 300 more" question. thank you.

On the barrels... Bergara is button rifled, and the Howa are hammer forged. while there was a time button was thought of as "cheap mass produce" methods, it seems that has changed. So i don't think that matters anymore.

The Howa mini action is offered with a twist rate of 1-8 per the 2020 catalog. comes with either a 20inch heavy, or 22 inch standard.

Yeah, sorry. Usu Imam at my desk doing admin for my biz and then pop in and out. At times my posts can be incomplete.

Call me human I guess

1:8 is a great rate. It can handle the heaviest of .223 rounds and will accept all. There are comparison charts around that will show spin rate and optimal projectile weight. Give a quick search, they are easily found.

[1911su16b870]

Looking at this weapon in 223 with heavy barrel

Any one own one and good and bad about it

Just looking for a bench rifle for shooting out to 100 yards

Thanks

I am very happy with my Howa 1500 in 223 with hand loaded 50-grain Blitzkings out to 100 yards...it is a 1:12 barrel.

[divingin]

Looking through the current Bergara catalog online, I don't even see that they offer a rifle chambered in 223. The rifles they do have (excluding rimfire) run MSRPs from $1195 to over $2K.

[divingin]

Velocity has an effect on bullet stabilization. Extra length gives more velocity.

I think I said that. More velocity = higher rpm = more stability.

+2" barrel = marginal velocity increase = not much chance of stabilizing heavier bullets that aren't stabilized in the shorter barrel.