Howa 1500- Scope, Mounts

R

Ranger260

New member
Well I was just stopping to take a break and stretch my legs after a long drive when I stopped at a gun shop....
I've been thinking about getting a bolt rifle (.308 or .260) to get into the long distance game, but was not ready to part with funds until I was able to buy new high-quality equipment. Of course low and behold on the used rack a rifle "called to me". It was a stainless Howa 1500 .22-250 set in what I think is a Bell & Carlson straight-combed Medalist stock. It has a 24" 1:9 inch twist sporter barrel. And it looked as if it were almost new...probably no more than a box of ammo ever put through it. I took it home for under $400!

So now I'm dying to see what this rifle can do. But I still need a scope and mounts. In my haste, I ran down to Sportsmans Warehouse (80 miles away)and picked out some kit that I could afford and thought would work for me. I had a Burris MTAC 4.5-14x42 scope (Ballistic Milling Reticle w/ 30mm tube) mounted on some Talley aluminum rings (integrated rings/bases). I bought it thinking that MIL/MIL was going to be the way to go and that this scope was a good deal at under $400 [discounted from close to $600]. Well I got it home and discovered a couple things:

1)It was very difficult to see the reticle in low light. The subtensions were very difficult to distinguish and the whole center of the reticle would disappear.
2)The subtensions on the lower elevation axis appeared to be in MOA...the hash marks appeared to be spreading apart like on a BDC-type MOA reticle. So I did not think it was a true mil/mil setup.

So I returned the scope/rings the next day, wanting to exchange for another scope and mounts. I decided unless I was going to spend at least $600-$800 on optics that I would not get a mil/mil setup since it seems that option is a bit pricier. I went ahead and chose a setup in moa/moa and settled on a 4-16x42 Vortex Diamondback with Parallax Adjustment, thinking it had bright glass and that I liked my Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 with BDC reticle. Of course they did not have the 1-inch low Talley rings, so I left the store empty-handed.

I was hoping to get some suggestions for scope/mounts from you guys. I intend to use this rifle for a "walking" varmint/predator rifle (coyotes, jack rabbits, prairie dogs). I would also like to use this setup as a light target rifle. Maybe I'm asking too much for this setup? I'm thinking I could take this rifle to 500 yards and beyond with the right bullets and if I do my part, with a lot of work to do between 100 and 300 yards. Next step is to start reloading. I would like to have "enough scope" for these tasks but don't want to weigh it down with the typical heavy 6-24x varmint scope. I'm thinking that 3-12x would be my minimum, going to 4-16x as maximum, with 4.5-14x the sweet spot since this is not a bench rifle.

I would like some suggestions as to what might be a good scope and mounts within my price range. I know you shouldn't go cheap on optics, but as I said before...I wasn't ready to "pull the trigger" on a new rifle. My window is probably $250-500. I want to get shooting! I'll make a decision on finances after I finish my taxes tonight
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. I want to keep the whole setup under $1000, but would go even less if I could find an economical option that will do the job
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. What do you think of the Talley 1-piece mounts? Another friend recommended the DNZ Products "Dead Nutz" one-piece rings/bases.
 
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Personally I like the Talley light weights for rings on a hunting rifle , I currently run them on 3 rifles , none of which I'd consider long range rigs.
My one long range rig I'm running 30 mm warne rings / 20 moa base.
For your price range why not forget the LR game , just build a out to 500 hunting rig.?
 
I have the scope (Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 with BDC reticle) on both my rifles. Howa 223 and Ruger 22-250. I don't notice the weight problem you mentioned. I have shot my coyotes in the low light mornings. Just because you have 20 power doesn't mean you have to use it if light is low. I love this scope and would buy another in a heart beat if I needed it! Rudy
 
Shipply, perhaps you are right about the scrapping the LR game. Maybe I should equip it for short to medium range and shoot it until I wear out the barrel. If it's not a shooter, it would make a good donor action for a build later as I got it at a good price.

MPFD, the 3-10x Weaver looks attractive at that price. I've heard good things about it, but did not think that 10x was going to give me enough magnification for p-dogs. I suppose it could work for coyotes and jacks sufficiently as well as shorter range target work. Now I guess I need to figure out how much I want to learn the mil/mil setup, as well as whether I am willing to upgrade to a higher magnification scope after I re-barrel.
 
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Rudy, don't get me wrong...I like the Viper. However, it just seems at 21 ounces and 14.4" long that the Viper is a bit hefty for a SPORTER rifle. I was hoping to maintain a "lighter" feel and have a little more magnification than my Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40. But like so many things with optics, I suppose that comes with a higher cost.
 
Great deal. I bought a used and new Howa 1500 and sold both cause they wouldn't shoot after multiple ladder tests, etc.
 
I have a Vanguard (Weatherby labeled Howa) that shoots 5 rounds in sub 3/4 MOA groups at 100 yards. If there is nothing mechanically wrong with it any gun will shoot, its just a matter of putting in the time at the reloading bench and the range.
 
I agree..."it's not the arrow, it's the Indian".... I ended up going with the Vortex Diamondback HP in 4-16x42mm with a DNZ Products medium 1-piece mount. It seemed like good glass for the money with an awesome warranty.
 
I have a howa 1500 in 308 and it shoots amazing... Don't be discouraged just because someone didn't like the way theirs shot. Does anyone know how millet scopes are for cheaper scopes.. I know they are heavy as heck but seem to be built solid and was pretty clear.. Not sure on low light either...just trying to help him out! Buddy had one and looked nice but never shot it or used in low light
 
Originally Posted By: HunterHawkI have a howa 1500 in 308 and it shoots amazing... Don't be discouraged just because someone didn't like the way theirs shot. Does anyone know how millet scopes are for cheaper scopes.. I know they are heavy as heck but seem to be built solid and was pretty clear.. Not sure on low light either...just trying to help him out! Buddy had one and looked nice but never shot it or used in low light

I don't see any value in them. Doesn't seem to be any cost savings over many other, and better scopes...be it optically or mechanically. I had one for a moment...thought it would be a decent scope for my HMR...terrible in anything but perfect lighting, the adjustments were jumpy, and they are amazingly heavy for no good reason.

Look at the VX-1 or Redfield Revolution/Battlezone.
 
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Way too easy to over think this rifle stuff. All that howa needs is a good set of steel rings on steel bases one piece or two piece. Your choice! Leupold vx2 4x12!
Put it on straight and and put some red loctite on it. That combo will kill dogs as far as that 22-250 will and right in the middle of your budget.
 
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