Howa 308 rifles

[Kelster1574]

I am waiting for this one to come on sale again. http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/pro...e-package.html My buddy picked one up 8-9 months ago for $559.00 I believe it was. So far it's been a great rifle.

[1859sharps]

If I was you I would never spend $1000 dollars on a rifle with scope from a manufacturer that I've never heard of, but I'm not you

howa rifles aren't exactly unknown mystery rifles, nor is howa a "fly by night" company.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howa

[Shankin swine]

I love my howa 308. Came with a heavy barrel, 10rd detachable box mag, a 4-16x44 scope, and a bipod for $699 +tax&dros. Thing is a tack driver. Sub moa @100yds using match ammo.

[diverwcw]

Howas are good to go. I have one in .308 with a heavy barrel and it's extremely accurate.

[smalltime]

I like mine, very accurate with 178 a-max's.

[The Mad Mule]

Buy the rifle only, then you have complete control over what scope to put on it.

[Arnelcheeze]

Howa's are a good value and have gotten some aftermarket support, get one without the scope and get a good optic on it.

The Howa's action is Japanese and the combo rifles usually come with a Nikko Sterling optic which is another value driven Japanese optic.

My experience with them have been very good, the action was always smooth - but i would not spend $1000 on one, i have however seen them around the $550-$650 range.

[shoebox56]

Okay I am in the market for a new 308 when browsing the local Turners, the Talon caught my eye. But have never seen one nor have heard of the maker. But for a grand with 4x16 scope. Was wondering if anyone has an opinion on them.

Budsgunshop has it for 833. Assuming $50 transfer fee, 8% tax, DROS, around 975 out the door.

[Webologist]

Get the one that has a detachable magazine. Cant beat Japanese quality!

Agreed with several posters stating the Howa is a great rifle.

The scope isn't quite junk, but it's not a keeper either.

If your rifle doesn't come with the detachable magazine option, you can purchase it separately. The magazines feel a little cheap, but work flawlessly.

My Howa is a great shooter. My only complaint is weight and the included scope. I have the 24" heavy barrel .308 varmint.

[smalltime]

The plastic trigger guard for the 10 round mag that came with my Howa broke after torquing to 40 inch lbs. I replaced it with the internal magazine bottom metal. I may go with a CDI bottom metal but I'm not sure how much work inletting my B&C would be.

[Shankin swine]

Yeah the plastic trigger gaurd on the detachable set up is like my only gripe. My came installed already on the rifle so I haven't messed with it much. I also found that the bottom of the 10rd mags come off pretty easy. I just put on se of those rubber 308 magpul grips. They work great.

[bgolf92]

The plastic trigger guard for the 10 round mag that came with my Howa broke after torquing to 40 inch lbs. I replaced it with the internal magazine bottom metal. I may go with a CDI bottom metal but I'm not sure how much work inletting my B&C would be.

I went with the PTG DBM. Mine dropped into my B&C Medalist stock. The one thing that you will have to do is machine/dremel the metal tab that keeps the internal box mag in place so the aics mags will seat.

[ar15barrels]

The one thing that you will have to do is machine/dremel the metal tab that keeps the internal box mag in place so the aics mags will seat.

Don't SHORTEN the magazine catch.
You were supposed to mill the bottom of the action to clear the magazine.
If you shorten the magazine catch instead of making the action accept the magazines, what you have done is dramatically reduced the amount of cartridge that presents itself in front of the bolt.
The bolt shoud overlap the top cartridge in the magazine by about 1/8" and more overlap here is even better.
If you are not getting 1/8" of overlap after shortening the magazine catch, you should replace the magazine catch and then properly fit clearance the action for the magazines.

[cheesewabbit]

I was gonna get a howa but the savage axis caught my eye. Listen if you wanted to get the cheapest price from big 5 here is what you do. Sign up for their coupon program. Wait till gun is on sale and bring your phone with 20% off coupon. I bought a savage axis 308 with accu trigger came with a bushmaster scope( dumped it and bought a vortex) price was 699. So I waited till the 4th of July sale where they had it down to 399 for 3 days. So with the 30% of sale item firarms I got it for 300 and some change.
With rifle buying I was not in a hurry. I took 3 months of shopping around pricing rifles. I got the big 5 email and bam. My cousin is a executive with Big 5 he mainly handles the shoe department but has spearheaded bring big 5 into the digital age. Notice they never had a website, just the weekly ad on the page until 4 years ago? Thats my cousin.
What he tells me is that big 5 treats all inventory the same. If it is overstocked or in store to long prices are slashed almost to cost. They are not like a gun store that will sit on a firearm for years. They also buy in bulk for stores across the state and country, so its cheaper per rifle for them. So keep on eye on big 5 for a dependable hunting rifle on the cheap. The sell HOWA, savage and remington. Btw no my cousin cannot get me discounts on rifles. Its the only thing I cannot get on the cheap.

[diverwcw]

I have three Howa rifles and they are good to go. My favorite is a .223 with a sport barrel and gameking scope. It's a tack driver and a lot of fun to shoot.