HOWA rifles ...... Any Advice on This Brand

db_bumps

db_bumps

New member
Could anyone give me some advice on the HOWA Brand rifles I would like to know if anyone uses this brand and what they think. I found a nice combo package at legacysports.com with Nikko-Sterling scope and they look really good. But do they work well in the field. Just thought I would ask the hunters in the field before I purchase one. Any feedback on these would be great.
 
I think they look like great rifles. I was talking to my smithy about them the other day and he said they were fine rifles to have too.
 
I have a 1500 thumbhole sporter in 22-250. I put some great glass on top of it, but I still had trouble with groups. After lots of toying around, I finally developed a load that worked very well in it. Then I realized that it has an adjustable trigger! I tuned it down to about 1 lb, and now that gun will drive tacks. I recommend them highly.
 
I LOVE my Howa 1500 Thumbhole Varminter in 22-250. It was shooting sub inch groups at 100yds right out of the box with factory Federal Premium ammo.. I don't think you can go wrong. And the prices are right also.
 
I Love my 1500 in .204
Ordered some 45 grain soft points to try in it today. But so far I haven't had any bullet not shoot well out of it. 34 gr Win factory is what I'm shooting now, But have shot 32 & 40 grain Hornady & 39 Grain Blitzking.Just want to see if the softpoints slowed down will not rip the foxes apart as bad. Cause the wonderful people here on the forum recomended it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Thanks Guys and Gals.

And get the Howa. You won't be disappointed
 
Boy I have some good and some bad about them. I have the heavy barrelled 1500 .308 and every bullet I have ever shot out of it has shot real nice groups and last year I tried the federal power shocks and they gave me sub inch groups at 100 yards so I am sticking with them for this next year i will be reloading them foe myself. I have had it 4 years now and have killed 4 elk and two deer my deer this year was at 309 yards, and two elk over 600 Yards (ethical? but i have shot 500-600 rounds from it and know what she will do. I LOVE MINE.
Now a afriends wife bought him a .243 model 1500 for christmas and I went with him to sight it in and at 100 yards he was keeping 1 1/2 to 2 inch groups but at 300 yards it was terribble we had sand bags and the works so some still may have been human error but most was something to do with the ammo or the gun.
Like i said i won't trade mine for anything but i thought that i would give you all i know so you could make a better decision.
My coyote gun is a stevens savage in .223 and i am amazed at the accuracy of this rifle i would buy another one in a second, great great great coyote rabbit and rockchuck gun. good luck in your choice.
 
Funny but I had a Howa 243 myself that shot terrible. I have always heard Howa was a top notch gun. Maybe the 243 caliber had a problem.
 
Very well could be a poorly milled .243 barrell die or something it looks good at 100 but at 200 and 300 yards it is aweful and maybe it will get better groups if we work up a load for him. We will see.
 
Thanks for all the good info, I was really thinking .243 but I really dont know now. Maybe will keep looking. Thanks Again for all the great posts.
 
If you're planning on getting a rifle for predator hunting, don't get the .243. It is bad on fur despite my best efforts to do otherwise. My Savage 11 .243 just will not make a small hole. I've been curious about the HOWAs also; I think I might give it a try if my other choice doesn't pan out.

If you plan to hunt big game and coyotes, get a .308. I've heard a lot of good things about it and they are legal to hunt with if you ever make it to hunt antelope in Wyoming.
 
I have a Smith and Wesson 1700ls in .243. Now that I put a new scope on it it shoots great. sub MOA groups out to 300 as long as I don't screw up. Shot my deer with it this last season and had entrence and exit holes the smaller than the tip of my pinky with 100 gr. Remmington corelocks. But seing as you cannot get HOwa parts for 1700s at least not that I found I won't be hunting with it anymore just target. Don't want to loose the magazine and turn it into a single shot.

Matt
 
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