Howa 1500 reviews? Anybody have one?

[cruddymutt]

Looking for a secondary coyote gun in .223 and a spare rifle for my son to use (13yo) when we go coyote hunting together. Im currently using a Tikka T3 Hunter in 22-250 and would like a secondary rifle in a synthetic stock. Looked at some rifles at BPS last night and I like the Howa 1500 they had. Reviews online seem very good. Any real world objections?

Also considering a TC Venture or Tikka T3 lite. Im kinda waiting to see what they have on sale when they do their predator sale also.

[peter95]

Howa 1500 is a great rifle. Super smooth bolt action.

Buddy of mine and I both have one and have nothing but good to say about it

Not many people know of the brand, but it is def nice and accurate. Those who have/had are true believers. It's worth the buy. If you have any doubts, I can confidently tell you that once you buy it, u wont regret it.

[cruddymutt]

Since you have one Ill ask you....how do you like the stock? I like the "rubberizing" for lack of a better word. Seems like it would be hard to scratch the stock, especially since we know how carefull 13 yo boys can be walking through the brush, and it also seems like it would help with sweaty palms. My boy can get nervous and excited and I think it will help him. Of course the TC also has the rubber spots in the right places as well.

[Paper Boy]

Have a Howa and love it its a .223 and with handloads its a tack driver. Action is smooth as silk. My favorite bolt action I own. Hope to get another in .243 in the future.

[Phil3]

The Howa 1500 action is excellent. The stocks on some of their rifles are not great. I went out of my way to buy the Howa barreled action to make my own rifle. It is quite good for a number of reasons, and having operated one, I can tell you it is quite smooth. Aftermarket is limited, but stocks, triggers, bolt handles, AICS mag bottom metal, etc. are available. Just not as much as Remington or Savage.

- Phil

[Peter.Steele]

Just for the sake of reference, it's worth noting that the only difference between the Weatherby Vanguard and the Howa 1500 is the brand name. They're the same rifle, Howa OEMs them to Weatherby.

[EvolutionGSR]

I used to have one in .308. It was great. I only sold it because I like shooting too much and .308 is expensive to go shooting too much with.

[pacifico23]

I have a Howa .30-06, with a Zeiss Conequest 3x9x40mm attached on a DedNutz Mount. I think its a great setup, and for the price I was able to get my rifle and scope dont regret it one bit. The bolt is like butter, very smooth. Never had a misfire or jam. Then again its a bolt action and I have only shot like 300 rounds through it.

I got mine at Turners black friday sale last year for 299.00.

[frigginchi]

I have this one. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/54802

It's been a great gun.

[Howie44]

My good friend has one in .308, and lets me play with it every once and a while. Super accurate, nice trigger (a little heavy), and a beautifully put together rifle. Last time I borrowed it I did this with it. 85yd headshot while he was moving. VERY nice rifle

[TheHammerOfTruth]

If your looking for a nice Yote rifle look at the Ranchland compact combo. It is a compact Howa 1500 witht he Hogue rubber overmolded stock. You can also get it in camo. Drop a trigger in it and its great. It comes with a Nikko Sterling scope which is not the greates scope ever made but it works good.

Also, the Howa and the Weatherby Vanguard are not the same rifle. Yes, Howa makes them both but the rifles have considerable differences.

[cruddymutt]

Thanks for the input everyone. I was dead set on a TC Venture for my son but he REALLY likes the Howa better. Since TC is on back order for who knows how long Im going to go ahead and get him the Howa 223 combo in camo. My daughter is wanting a TC in 204 ruger so Ill pick one of them up as well as soon as they available.

[Droppin Deuces]

If your looking for a nice Yote rifle look at the Ranchland compact combo. It is a compact Howa 1500 witht he Hogue rubber overmolded stock. You can also get it in camo. Drop a trigger in it and its great. It comes with a Nikko Sterling scope which is not the greates scope ever made but it works good.

Also, the Howa and the Weatherby Vanguard are not the same rifle. Yes, Howa makes them both but the rifles have considerable differences.

The Howas come with a really nice 2-stage trigger now.