Howa 1500 20" varmint thoughts

[ilmonster]

Thinking of getting a .223 rifle for punching paper at longer ranges than my current Rem. 597 .22LR HB. I saw a Howa 1500 Heavy Barrel Varminteer at my LGS with a Nikko Sterling scope for $750. Being more familar with Remington and Savage rifles for reaching out to touch something, I thought I would ask for opinions on the Howa? I'm assuming the glass is nothing special, but even having to replace the scope seems like a competitive price.

I'm also considering a Rem. 700 SPS Tactical or maybe a Savage 10 FP. Really like the Rem 700P LTR, but it's more than I'm looking to spend with no glass.

 

[Lee D]

i like the Howa rifles, butter slick action and the ones ive shot were tack drivers. i believe theyve been making the Weatherby barrels for years as well as a few other companies. imo they are the best bang for the buck, but unless theyve gone up in price, 750 seems a bit high.

 

[Jackal]

CDNN has the 20" .223 Varmint for $389 !!!!

Pass on the Nikko scope, junk.

I had one, great rifle and more accurate than I am. 1" groups with cheap Federal bulk ammo. Keep in mind, its a 1-12" twist barrel, so that limits you to 55gr and lower bullets. It would keyhole with 62gr +.

 

[ilmonster]

Found some for the mid-$500 range at some online sellers without a scope, so $750 is no deal. Even my Rem. 597 .22 has a better scope than this package deal (a Bushnell 3-9). Good to know about the 1:12 twist though. I'd probably want a 1:9 twist to work with more weights.

The Remington SPS Tactical and Savages can be had with 1:9 twists. The quest continues. Thanks for the responses!