Howa 1500 .204 Vs. Ruger Hawekeye in.204

CWeeks

CWeeks

New member
Anybody had experience with both or one of these rifles that they would care to share.

If I am unable to sell my Dtech upper I will most likely buy a .204 bolt instead of a new upper.

I know the Howa 1500 have a great action and my 1500 in .308 is awesome shooter.

Any info on one or both would be great. What ammo they like what kind of out of the box accuracy I can get our of each as a rule would also be nice.

Thanks fellas
 
Don't forget to take a look at the CZ 527's. The single set trigger set at the ounce level in the set mode and 2.5-3 pounds unset is fantastic along with some of the best groups I've shot in years from a varmint rifle.
 
Bob
I some how new that you would hit me up and advertise that dang CZ /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. I have looked at them and are a little more expensive thatn the price range I have right now to spend. The Howa is $500 in Stainless and camo stock and the Hawkeye is $425 shipped with some brass.

The CZ is at best $570 as far as what I have found.
 
To me, the biggest and most obvious difference between the Howa and the Ruger appears to be weight. The Howa is heavy.
 
Go with the HOWA.

I have shot 5 different factory loads out of my 22-250.

Ranked best to worse

1. Federal 40gr Nosler Ballistics
2. Winchester Supreme 40gr Ballistic Silvers
3. Hornady 40gr Vmax
4. Remington/UMC 45gr Hollows
5. Winchester 45gr Hollows (white box)

The difference between 1 and 5 is about an inch
 
Quote:
Bob
I some how new that you would hit me up and advertise that dang CZ /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. I have looked at them and are a little more expensive thatn the price range I have right now to spend. The Howa is $500 in Stainless and camo stock and the Hawkeye is $425 shipped with some brass.

The CZ is at best $570 as far as what I have found.



Check the prices from this outfit, they are pretty competitive with everyone I've looked at.

http://www.whittakerguns.com/

I've not shot the Howa's but hear good things about them. I'd sure include the price of an aftermarket adjustable trigger with the Ruger. I've owned a bunch of the Rugers over the years and their fine guns sans the trigger on most. The factory trigger can be worked over with pretty fair results, but it's still not adjustable.
 
Carl, I like how the rugers fit but they don't seem to be as accurate as other guns. You could pick up a savage package deal for around your price range. You could also look at the Tikkas. The CZ's have a sweet set trigger but that dang safety prevents me from looking at them further. You should ask Kerry Carver why?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Anyway, you've had good luck with your Howa so I think it would be a good buy too.

You could always just buy a .204 barrel for your stevens and have a gunsmith work square up your boltface and a tigger job and you'd have a pretty nice semi custom gun for less than a new gun.

http://www.shilen.com/savageBarrels.html
 
Carl, as you know, I'm a Ruger NUT. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The new Hawkeye is a fine rifle. Anyone who says they aren't accurate hasn't spent any appreciable time around them or is baseing their opinion on a single rifle. I have shot several over the past few weeks and they are great shooting rifles. The new triggers on the Hawkeyes are MUCH better than the usual Ruger triggers have been over the years. If you're planning on using this as a calling rifle, the Hawkeye trigger is plenty good.

I'm not too familiar with the Howas. From the few conversations that I have had at the club with Howa owners, they all seem to be pleased with their rifles. I'm not sure how much it took to please them, though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
CWeeks-
Where are you seeing them at that price? I haven't seen a stainless/camo that cheap around here. Hopefully it's online, got a link?

As far as the heavy comment goes, that's just with the aluminum axiom stock, the polymer axiom stock and the hogue stocks I've seen them in weren't very heavy.
 
Ya know for now the weight is not a problem. My Howa 1500 in .308 is the varminter barrel with a boyd laminated stock, a harris bipod and a huge 4X16x40 power scope. That is a heavy gun and I manage to wlak miles per day elk hunting with it and am fine so a few sets to yote stands are no big deal.

No the price for the Howa is at Sportsmans warehouse here in Colorado. It is a great deal but would rahter have an AR upper to be honest. But will take a bolt rifle if that is what has to happen for now.
 
I think a Tikka T3 would have to be considered, along with the other you have mentioned.I am not sure that they make the t3 in a 204 you would have to look. Lee
 
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I own them both in diffrent calibers I would take the HOWA over the Ruger. The money is first just as accurate(if not more) and the actions don't even compare. The HOWA's are slicker then snot...
 
Gander,
You are right man the action on the 1500's are fantastic. And I have heard nothing but good from those who have Howa 1500's.

Lee,
I will take a look cjg gave that a mention also I just haven't had time to do it yet today. I took the wife and the daughter out on a date tonight.
 
I have a Howa 1500 in .204, I've only takin it to the range a handful of times but it shoots lights out so far with Hornady 40gr V-Max's.

Chupa
 
Chupa,
Would you care to share your load info. I have already boughten the 40 grain Vmaxes for whatever .204 ends up in my gun cabinent.
 
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