Howa 1500 Ranchland/Security Review Part 1

A

Atkins

New member
I just picked up my Howa 1500 Ranchland/Security rifle. I purchased it from Buds gun shop for $436 shipped. First impressions were very good. The bluing was good, not great but good. The fit to the Houge overmolded stock was excellent and all metal fittings were great. Very smooth. The bolt is solid and fits well, it is buttery smooth. So far everything seems on par with rifles of much higher price point.

I mounted a Leupold VX1 3-9x40 on Leupold bases and rings. It mounted up very easily and there was little adjustment to be made for bore sighting.

The trigger guard I have some issues with. There are runs from the finish. It isn't blued and looks like it has some sort of enamel over it. It doesn't affect function at all and is barely noticeable unless you are looking very closely.

Now to the trigger. I put in a few snap caps and tested the trigger. There is a 3 position safety: safe with bolt locked, safe with bolt movable, and then not safe. This is a feature I really like. I had heard that the triggers on these rifles was terrible and had planned on installing a Timney later on. However the trigger is very good. The pull is a little heavier than I would like, I don't have a scale but I am going to gess close to 6lbs. It is however very smooth and crisp. I think a good gunsmith should be able to drop the pull down, I would like it around 4lbs.

I will try and post some pictures later and then give a greater report after shooting it.
 
Good rifles. Triggers are usually just as you say. Clean, but heavy. Excellent action, for the price, especially. Go with a 3lb trigger, if you can.....
 
Atkins they are great actions I have had built several custom rifles on the Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard actions. They make premium guns when they are all done and like you stated are a good bang for the buck$. If you decide to put a trigger in it the Timney is a good way to go you can do it your self one screw and it is a drop in.
 
So you're the one that picked up, what was apparently, the last Tan Ranchland from Bud's huh? haha
I was considering buying one but then they disappeared off of the website. But word is that the new Howas will be available in about 2 weeks with the tan Hogue stocks available on all the 1500's with 22" barrels rather than just the compacts. And the combos will come with the EGW one piece bases(and at only $100 more than just the rifle, you could basically toss the Nikko scope and be alright). All this is directly from Legacy Sports International which is located about 5 minutes from my house.
 
Yep I grabbed the last one in stock. I noticed that after I ordered it the picture disapeared from the website. Haha, well snooze you loose I guess. I think I saw them back up on the website a day or so ago and they have the other color stocks in, I think.

Are they changing anything on the "new" rifles? Other than the stock options.
 
Not sure to be honest with you. It is more than that of a Browning Abolt. It seems to be the same as most bolt action rifles. I have plenty of scope clearance with the scope.
 
I've been eyeing one of those in a .308. A buddy picked one up a couple months ago in 22-250. Was really impressed with the quality for price. What caliber did you get? And, if you don't mind me asking, exactly what part of SC Ks? I grew up in near Madison.
 
My rifle is a .223. But I could see getting another one in a little bigger bore later on. You can get one with the hogue and a 22" barell as well. For a big game rifle I would opt for the longer barell.

I am in Wichita.
 
It's a 90 degree bolt like the majority. Some make a big hype about that, and yes I can see an advantage, but to me it isn't a big deal. The first shot is what matters. 90% of the time you don't get a 2nd shot. For the other 10%, you get a shot, but they're on a dead run! Which doesn't mean I don't try them /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif !!!
 
I have no problem with a 90 degree bolt. On this rifle or any other rifle I own it has not been a problem. Like anything if you practice with it it wont be a problem when you really need to rack another round quickly.
 
I just bought one last week in a .223, and love it. It is a real nice rifle. I ordered it and was disappointed at the weight. I thought it would be much lighter.

I sighted it in with some 55gr. soft points, and had it was holes touching holes at 100ydso the weight doesnt bother me as much.

The trigger on mine is a little heavy, but it breaks crisp, so I dont think I will do anything about it.

I am a huge Tikka fan, but for the price this little gun is hard to beat.
 
I look forward to your report/review. I've got the Howa/Hogue standard setup in a 22-250. If I could get the stars to line up, I'd get a calm, not-too-cold day to test my hand loads on it and see how good it will do. Getting that kind of day in Idaho right now is difficult. Although they do seem to happen....when I have to be at work! I'll try to keep you posted on how it does once I get a chance to shot it more.

Like "kates" the trigger on mine breaks crisp and I don't plan to do anything with it. I don't have a gauge, but I doubt mine is at 6lbs like you're thinking yours is Atkins.

Keep us posted on your great purchase.
 
I am guessing on the pull weight. Either way it is so crisp the weight isn't that big of a deal. I would like a little lighter than what it is though.
 
I finally handled one at lunch today and I was surprised at the weight also...figured it would be lighter for some reason. Still it is manageable, the bolt is butter smooth and the price was very good. They had a package setup for $465 at one of the local shops....not bad at all.
 
The Howa trigger is a pretty easy one to adjust yourself. On the ones I had, you could usually get it down in the 3 1/2 or 4 pound range without much of a problem. They are not a bad rifle, for the money.
 
I read some reviews online about people trying to adjust the trigger and having problems. Do you have any instructions on how it is supposed to be done.
 
Nothing changing from what I gathered on the new ones other than the color choices for the stocks, and the one piece bases...
The Ranchland combos will now have an anodized scope that "matches" the stock you choose... (i.e. green Hogue stock gets a green anodized scope and rings) They don't look too bad but still come with the Nikko scope unfortunately.

They are definitely a little more "stout" than some of the other guns out there. The Hogue stock ads a majority of the weight, but from handling them, it seems like they're pretty balanced. I'd personally prefer the weight in the stock other than out on the end of the gun in the barrel.

I'm sold on getting one when they're available, just wish there was some way to avoid dealing with Scheels as a whole...
 


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