Thread: Howa Rifles

Just how good are Howa rifles
Not the mini's as they seem to have a very loyal following here, but the full size 1500 model

Outdoorsports web site reads the "THE MOST ACCURATE PRODUCTION RIFLE" well I've a few doubts..... or else we would all be running them.

Are they the equivalent of say the xbolt but heavier , savage but better looking, Remington 700 with better QC or are they just average.

I see they come with a warranty for Moa accuracy [and manufacturing defects] to the first owner and as long as you are using premium factory ammo.

Anything else a standout with them?

Their pricing is fairly sharp, so value for money they are near and he front of the pack

The most accurate high powered rifle I've ever owned anyway.

But I haven't owned many I must admit.

if you think they are too cheap then go spend the extra and buy a wetherby . its exactly the same rifle but "wetherby" stamped on it
howas shoot real well. to be honest my mini action outshoots the mates tikka

I had a regular Howa .243, shot like a laser.

Originally Posted by Ground Control

Their pricing is fairly sharp, so value for money they are near and he front of the pack

Yeah but, there is no getting past the horrific stock.

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

Yeah but, there is no getting past the horrific stock.

Time for you to update yourself mate. You’re well out of touch...

https://www.legacysports.com/catalog/howa/

Originally Posted by Flyblown

Time for you to update yourself mate. You’re well out of touch...

https://www.legacysports.com/catalog/howa/

What of that range are available here in NZ?

im a fan of the action in all its length, the only complaint I have is weight
its like wondering why japanese cars replaced american/euro the world over

I reccomend them to all my friends getting into hunting if they arnt worried about carrying a normal weight rifle around when asked the "what should I get?" question

Howa is a good design and well priced. Personally I believe Howas are better than most I have seen in the same price bracket and even a few dearer ones too. The 1500 was also marketed as the Weatherby Vanguard with a few very slight cosmetic changes. They did have a reputation for being a bit heavier than other rifles, but I never noticed (Except with the heavy bull barrel Varmint rig....) . All the Howas I have owned have been very accurate and I am yet to strike a bad one.

I really like the simple bolt disassembly and the fact that the gas escape holes for if something goes wrong, are pointed down through the mag well and not across in front of the face like so many others.....

Howa are superb hunting tools and possibly the one of more accurate, out of the box, budget rifles available. But they are far from Outdoorsports claim.

I love my Howas but if I could only own one rifle, it would probably be a Sako or Mauser 18.

My Howa 308 1500 SS Varmint will reliably shoot 3/8" MOA with Sako TRG 175gr HPBT match ammo, and routine 1 MOA or less with cheaper brands. The smaller Howa 223 will routinely crank out 1 MOA with PMC 55gr. I have seen Howa 243W do the 1 MOA or better business with a variety of brands. However, the vast majority of hunters Howas will do the job. But there are far better accurate and precise production rifles at higher price points.

https://www.marineapproved.com/best-long-range-rifles/

I got a 1500 with heavy barrel in 223, I say tikka accuracy without the price tag. And the seem to be well built for what ya pay.

Originally Posted by Tahr

What of that range are available here in NZ?

Pretty much all of them.

Broncos have had the HS Precision, MDT / Oryx, regular Hogue, Excl Lite, Kuiu, Walnut, Aussie Precision. Hardy Rifle does the KRG now. Gun City advertised the Carbon and I understand that the wholesaler Outdoor Sports have (or had) them in stock.

H&F had the TSP X in Hamilton a while back, and Owl have the, in stock now.

So yeah, take your pick.

I've got a stainless 308 lightweight barrel and a blued 30 06 standard barrel. No complaints with either. You do need to ditch the package deal mounts, rings and scope though

Sent from my SM-G390Y using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by jakewire

Just how good are Howa rifles
Not the mini's as they seem to have a very loyal following here, but the full size 1500 model

Outdoorsports web site reads the "THE MOST ACCURATE PRODUCTION RIFLE" well I've a few doubts..... or else we would all be running them.

Are they the equivalent of say the xbolt but heavier , savage but better looking, Remington 700 with better QC or are they just average.

I see they come with a warranty for Moa accuracy [and manufacturing defects] to the first owner and as long as you are using premium factory ammo.

Anything else a standout with them?

They are a copy of the L579 & L61R Sako. Back in the heyday the Japs copied well designed product rather than reinvent the wheel. There has been very little change in the design over the years, mainly the trigger. It takes more than good action design to make an accurate rifle, so I guess by all favourable comments they have good barrels too.