Thread: Howa Rifles

I've got a Howa with Weatherby written on the side, so far none of the deer or tahr I've shot have laid a complaint about it being an $800 gun. The icing on the cake is having it in .270

I've used the Weatherby Vanguard version 10+ years ago and it was a heavy clunky thing I didn't like. I also handled a hogue Howa in a shop and could push the wobbly stock into contact with the barrel with one finger. I'm sure they kill things fine but I like Savages much better for the money.

Hopefully they've improved since then though, the nicer versions seem to have moved well out of the budget price range.

Originally Posted by Steve123

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

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is that the two piece rings with bases or the talley imitations?
I was looking at a set of the talley cheepies if they were good but id be keen to hear if they are crap

Originally Posted by Bill999

is that the two piece rings with bases or the talley imitations?
I was looking at a set of the talley cheepies if they were good but id be keen to hear if they are crap

That's the two piece ones. 308 was a package deal and now has Talleys one pieces.
30 06 was a barreled action and got weaver rail and leupold rings.
Tried getting a Boyd's laminate stock for the 308 but they sent a long action. Was a cheap deal that got even cheaper when they refunded shipping. Not so cheap after adding the 30 06 lol.

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A mate picked up a secondhand 1500 stainless in hougue stock in 308 for his lad recently. lupy entry level scope +dpt suppressor.
15 yr old put the first five shots all touching at 100 yards, despite the shit trigger (changing to Timney), with factory amo.
At $1400 all in, I think it would be hard to beat

Every Howa or W'by I've owned (308, 7mm08, 284win, 300WSM, 7mmRM) has proven very reliable and accurate. Cant fault their actions or bbls. Price is very good. Stocks on older models weren't every ones cup o tea, but you can upgrade to after mkt stocks if you want. Only downside - they are on heavier side compared to something like Tikka. Change to CF stock solves that problem. The other trick you need to watch with after mkt stocks is to make certain the mag box is not binding ....that will f.ck with your accuracy big time, and is not always easy to spot.

Iv had a 1500 in 223, it was heavy but with the factory bull barrel and a lamaninate stock thats to be expected! Still one of the most accurate rifles I have owned and that list includes Sakos Tikkas and customs.
It did have extraction issues tho and google suggests it was a problem for a run of 223 chambers, I set back and rechamberd mine and that solved it.
The mini I have now in 223 is good but the factory mag and bottom plastic ruins a otherwise good rifle, fortunately decent bottom metal is now available but it is not cheap.

well Ive now fired eggzachary 17 rounds through my new poohseventy and Im as happy as a pig in shit with it.....the stock flex hasnt been an issue for me...considering most of my shots are taken offhand...the stock fit is what sold me...it just worked... the smoothness of action and feeding is VERY similar to the push fed mod 70 it has replaced.... 3 different types of factory ammunition into 1 1/2" group when breaking in barrel/sighting in tells me its not going to be fussy to feed either.

I've owned a .270, a 223 (actually with weatherby stamped on it) and have had one in 308 as my main hunting rifle for the last few years. All have very accurate.
The 308 has been the best hunting rife I've ever owned (have had several sako, two ruger M77 MkII, an A-bolt, amongst other), admittedly its semi custom with a timney trigger and stug stock. The factory two stage trigger is actually pretty good, and the houge stock is fine. All in all howa are very good value for money.
I will be getting another at some stage, although probably not a mini.
Only issue I've had/seen is the action on the stainless 1500 gets rusty. Not the barrel inside or out and not the bolt. I have minor discoloration on the bolt raceway of the 308. There was a recent example on the forum for sale section.
I had talley lightweight rings on the 270, but the other two have/had the original bases.

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...

My sons Howa 1500 7mm08 about 8 years old from new. The gas holes are across the face of the action like many other rifles? I wasn't aware that they may have changed the design? Not that i have any concerns. Remains an accurate firearm for big game hunting.

i have one in 308 and find it good as a thrash rifle accurate enough for hunting they are a little on the heavy side if you are carting them around the hills for days on end but with a good scope and rings they will do the job

What's the heavy bit? Action and barrel, stock or everything? Cant some of it be slimmed/trimmed down a bit

its no heavier than the zastava .308...pretty much the same.... and I find the trigger fine too.

Trigger can easily be tuned up with after market springs.

its funny..trigger is gritty as heck when safety is on.....sweet when its not.