Thread: Howa 1500 Stainless

Hi guys and gals.

Howa 1500 Stainless rifle... any good, no good, piece of cr@p, what???

Thoughts please.?

Very good rifles for the money. Made in Japan so the machining standards are high. They are based on the original Sako L series from the 60's and haven't changed much in the last 20+ years. Guess if it aint broke, dont fix it.

Originally Posted by misha2001

Hi guys and gals.

Howa 1500 Stainless rifle... any good, no good, piece of cr@p, what???

Thoughts please.?

You could do a lot worse for the money: they shoot straight and a good all rounder albeit a little heavy (depending on what you are into).
Would certainly rather put a Howa through a bush bashing session than a rifle 3 times its price....

Got one in 7-08 cal, 20 inch barrel, synthetic stock, double safety, hinged floor plate. .....excellent

But as I've got one and love it I would say that...........excellent value!

They are the ducks nuts, just try to get a newer one because they keep bringing out newer version's with good weight reduction. Good way to tell is the hollow bolt handle knob on newer ones

Some like them, I've only used/handled older versions but they didn't do it for me - heavy with clunky actions, the hogue stocks were very soft in the foreend. Decent reliable rifles, good value but I prefer other options for the money personally.

They've probably improved things with the newer ones though I guess.

The alpine version with the bell and Carlson stock is a proper rifle. The cheaper ones need the flimsy synthetic stock to be replaced . The laminated wood stock one after a bedding treatment run well.

My old man has used one for nearly 20 years now, one of the old 'lightning' 20-inch carbines that came in a Boyds stock. Outstanding service and accuracy, given the abuse it has taken. I keep saying when he's done with it I'll have it! I think I'll be waiting a while

Have a 223 0n the "mini" action, as accurate as anything else I've owned. Only thing is the mag release clip needs to be cut back so it doesn't catch and dump the mag.

I like mine. The 20inch barrel ones are a bit lighter with slimmer profile barrel. My 22inch standard profile is a little stout and heavy.
HACT trigger adjusts well. I prefer top loading drop plate rifles over box mags.

Originally Posted by stevodog

I prefer top loading drop plate rifles over box mags.

Definitely, but you can fairly cheaply add box mag bottom plate to the Howa

Really liked my old 223 howa. Only sold to get lh rifle. Would have another. Top loading much better.

I had a stainless .223 but I found the satin stainless finish rusted too easily so went with blued this time around. They are heavy but I prefer that for shooting offhand, I just put a laminate stock on mine after having a SSRNZ can put on it and am happy with the balance and it shoulders and comes to a natural aim for me well, I am yet to shoot this one though.

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They are the same rifle(more/less) as a Weatherby Vanguard and as such the Weatherby versions differ in the calibres available(Weatherby calibres and 24" barrels as standard). I Own a Vanguard and have just popped it in a STUG stock. Takes the weight out immensely.

Fantastic rifles for the money and they really are the Toyota Corolla/Nissan Pulsar of the rifle world- they just work well.

Originally Posted by Rock river arms hunter

Fantastic rifles for the money and they really are the Toyota Corolla/Nissan Pulsar of the rifle world- they just work well.

Thought that was the baikal