Thread: Savage or Howa

Got a mate thinking about getting a . 223 to fill the gap between his 7mm-08 and 22lr.. Which manufacturer would you recommend between Savage and Howa? Any opinions appreciated

Not what you wanted to hear but I would go the 243 instead

He won't go wrong with either, can vouch for the Howa, mine is a tackdriver as are most I have heard of, on the downside they are slightly heavier. People go on about the trigger but the new Howa triggers are fantastic, mine is almost as good as my timney, the older ones were horrible!

No experience with the savage though, I hear they are good rifles.

Dont go Axis if you go Savage, the one I used was yuck.

I really like my Savage 223 - accurate, nice action, 3-stage tang safety, excellent trigger and so on.

The floppy fore-end on the hogue stock was a big negative of Howas for me, though I prefer the feel of the Savage in other ways as well.

Mostly it will come down to personal taste, get your mate to try a few and see what he prefers.



Toby makes a good point about the Axis too, its really not the same as a nicer Savage - totally different action.

Make sure the Bugger will extract a fired round reliably if its Howa.
Seems to be a issue :rolleyes:

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What is the twist rate on the savage? The Howa has a 1:12

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Make sure the Bugger will extract a fired round reliably if its Howa.
Seems to be a issue :rolleyes:

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The one you got from happy playing up?

Apparently its very common in 223

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Originally Posted by possum_shooter

Not what you wanted to hear but I would go the 243 instead

Sticking with .223 for the cheaper ammo

Originally Posted by Toby

Dont go Axis if you go Savage, the one I used was yuck.

Definitely not Axis, probably 11 trophy hunter xp if Savage

Originally Posted by Spudattack

What is the twist rate on the savage? The Howa has a 1:12

1:9 which is better for heavier bullets?

Yup, 1:9 will stabilise heavier pills, with the 1:12 55gr is about the max.

Get a Tikka. The barrel will give u more options for projectiles when you find the 55gr soft points suck balls.

I'm liking the accutrigger on this Trophy Hunter