Hogue Compact Ranchland Security Rifle

[danweasel]

Does anyone own one of these? They look pretty cool and I have heard that they are accurate. Is the scope included in the combo a good one?

I am looking for a "handy" rifle preferably in .308 to be my first bolt rifle. Other suggestions are gladly taken into consideration as well. My budget is approx. 500-700 bucks, maybe more for a scope at a later time.

My primary use will be for learning to shoot accurately and for carrying in the woods.

http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_ranchland.html

 

[Z-Michigan]

Those are Howa rifles, not Hogue. Hogue mostly makes grips and stocks. I can see where you got confused since these have a Hogue stock.

Howa makes decent rifles, but you might also consider some other brands, especially Savage.

 

[xx7grant7x]

personally i like my tikka t3 varmint (owned by beretta under the sako umbrella i believe). detachable box mag, bolt smooth as butter and a sweet adjustable trigger to boot wide variety of calibers too including .308 as is mine (although i don't know what kind of varmints require .308)

 

[shevrock]

If you want a semi automatic, you could look into a saiga. Or if you want something classic, go for a mosin nagant, and "Accuratize" it.

Saiga
http://www.centerfiresystems.com/SAI-223-110.aspx
Theirs also a more expensive one that's in 308 with a long barrel.

 

[ThomasT]

danweasel thanks for posting this. I had forgotten about these rifles. I wish i had bought one of these instead of the Savage 11fg that i bought with the crappy plastic stock. I replaced the stock and plastic trigger guard and now have way more in this gun than i will ever get out of it. It will shoot though.

I have read several reveiws of the Howa rifles and they have all been very positive. I had one of the Smith & Wesson 1500 rifles in 270 (the same gun) a long time ago. I never shot it. I sold it a week later for a $75 dollar profit. I thought i had realy done something. My ex brother in law had shot the gun. He said it would shoot 1/2" groups. I screwed up.

These rifles aren't well known or spoke about often. They have a one peice bolt and an m-16 type extractor. Get it if you want it. I think it would be an excelent purchase.

 

[NCsmitty]

They look like nice units and probably would suit you well. There are a few good brands in that price range. It's nice to hold different rifles to see what feels "right".

NCsmitty

 

[3006mv]

When I lived in AK I had a Howa 1500 in .30-06 with a synthetic stock it was good out of the box and I liked the trigger, it is similar to a Weatherby Vangard. Good value. I liked everything about it except for the 2 position safety (similar to a Remington 700); more than once while moose hunting the bolt got caught on some brush, popped open and ejected the cartridge. I have heard the newer model Howa actions have a safety that locks the bolt. Those Hogue stocks are really nice and rigid compared to the old hollow synthetic stocks that Howa and Savage used.

 

[rbernie]

The Howa 1500 is a stout and accurate rifle. Put it in a Hogue stock, and it gets even better. However, the scope on the 'package' rifle isn't worth the time of day, IMO.

My biggest gripe with the Howa 1500/Weatherby Vanguard action is that it's HEAVY.

 

[Neckshot5seven]

Howa may not be in the mainstreem Guns and Ammo frontpage like others. Im not knocking other brands, but out of all of the Big boys. Rem700, Win70..... You cannot get a more accurate rifle per dollar spent. Ive had a Win70 in 30-06 bottom of barrell black shadow shoot 1.5 groups out of a vice. My Uncles .243 Howa with a cheap scope can print cloverleafs all day long. Same with Remmys. Im not talking about your Rem700p or your fine tuned Pre64 custom Winchester. I have much respect for them. These Howa's should get a Cover Page for the Best Rifle you never bought award.