Howa 1500 or Ruger American Predator?

[DocRock]

The Ruger gets such good reviews it's really a toss up. From an accuracy perspective, there's no clear winner. As suggested above, I would be very interested in the Howa mini-action and have hemmed about getting one in 6.5 Grendel. If you can get a mini, if say Howa, otherwise, the RAR is getting quite a reputed value for money.

 

[BigBL87]

Appreciate the reply! I’m thinking it’s really coming down to the howa/vanguard or the savage based on the reviews I’m seeing.
I like the vanguard has the threaded barrel for $25 more than the howa.

Price between the vanguard/howa and savage 12Fv is within $20, but if the savage went on sale like it normally does, it would be $100 cheaper. Definitely hard to determine the better gun for the price

Between the two, IMO at least based on my examples the Vanguard will definitely be the more refined rifle. I thought the bolt was smooth when I bought it, then I did my initial cleaning and WOW. The threaded muzzle is nice though I don't see myself ever taking advantage of it.

Like I mentioned, to me the biggest plus for the Savage is the ease if swapping out barrels. Had I had a little more money when I bought my Vanguard, I really thought about buying a Savage 10/11/12 and swapping out for a barrel like this (out of stock at the moment):

https://www.eabco.net/EABCO-Accurac...0-and-Axis-223-Rem-Wylde-17-Blue_p_15618.html

Being able to shoot 5.56 and .223 with the Wylde chamber would be pretty nifty, especially since I have some 5.56 for my AR playing around.

But, if you don't have plans to swap out the barrel, while the Savage is still a good rifle IMO it really doesn't have anything over the Vanguard.

 

[cdb1]

I’m willing to pay considerably more for a Vanguard than a Howa. To be fair I don’t care for Savages, the only concrete reason being I don’t like AccuTriggers, the other being I just don’t like Savages.

 

[DocRock]

I’m willing to pay considerably more for a Vanguard than a Howa. To be fair I don’t care for Savages, the only concrete reason being I don’t like AccuTriggers, the other being I just don’t like Savages.

But Howa makes the Vanguard. It is the 1500 action with a different stock...

 

[BigBL87]

But Howa makes the Vanguard. It is the 1500 action with a different stock...

The action is the same, but maybe he's differentiating based on stock, barrels, etc..

On another note, hadn't seen this before but apparently McGowen has a "Howage" setup based on the Savage barrel nut system, similar to the Remage setup. That would make swapping barrels a bit easier on the Vanguard.

http://mcgowenbarrel.com/the-howage/

 

[woodshunter]

Savages are usually very accurate and barrel swapping is about a 20 minute deal. A good trigger pull and a skim bed around the pillars and your on your way to a gun that will shoot better than most at the range. I've got a 12bvss 22-250 that shoots high ones to mid twos at 100yd. lighten the trigger and a skim bed all else factory. Its the truth....sorry I didn't suggest either of your choices, but if that's the only options Howa

 

[cdb1]

But Howa makes the Vanguard. It is the 1500 action with a different stock...

I’m very aware that Vanguards have Howa 1500 actions. Within the last couple of years Howa upgraded the trigger to the one used on the Vanguard starting with the S2. A good thing IMO. The barrels may come from the same place but standard length on Vanguards is 24” vs 22” on 1500s. The stock on Vanguard Synthetics is much better than Howa 1500 synthetic stocks though in fairness I haven’t held a 1500 in a while. So IMO fit and finish is better on Vanguards and they have better synthetic stocks. Last but not least I’d rather deal with Weatherby customer service any day than Legacy Sports. Of the companies I’ve dealt with, and I certainly haven’t dealt with them all, I’d rather deal with Weatherby and CZ customer service than any other. Big time.

 

[TBL65]

Between the two, IMO at least based on my examples the Vanguard will definitely be the more refined rifle. I thought the bolt was smooth when I bought it, then I did my initial cleaning and WOW. The threaded muzzle is nice though I don't see myself ever taking advantage of it.

Like I mentioned, to me the biggest plus for the Savage is the ease if swapping out barrels. Had I had a little more money when I bought my Vanguard, I really thought about buying a Savage 10/11/12 and swapping out for a barrel like this (out of stock at the moment):

https://www.eabco.net/EABCO-Accurac...0-and-Axis-223-Rem-Wylde-17-Blue_p_15618.html

Being able to shoot 5.56 and .223 with the Wylde chamber would be pretty nifty, especially since I have some 5.56 for my AR playing around.

But, if you don't have plans to swap out the barrel, while the Savage is still a good rifle IMO it really doesn't have anything over the Vanguard.

Appreciate the input again, always nice finding someone that’s had some experience with both.
No real plans to swap barrels in the near future. Maybe when the barrel is worn out many years down the road.
Only real plans are for laid development/something to tinker with target shooting and Varmint possibly.

would add a new stock or chassis at some point. As stated earlier the goal is to then buy a more capable long range caliber (308 or 6.5) in the same action to use the chassis as well.

mostly looking at the best performer per dollar spent.

Savages are usually very accurate and barrel swapping is about a 20 minute deal. A good trigger pull and a skim bed around the pillars and your on your way to a gun that will shoot better than most at the range. I've got a 12bvss 22-250 that shoots high ones to mid twos at 100yd. lighten the trigger and a skim bed all else factory. Its the truth....sorry I didn't suggest either of your choices, but if that's the only options Howa

I mean you kind of did suggest one. I wish you could edit the original post on the forms. I’ve added the savage 12fv and 700 ADL to the options.
Thinking it’s between the howa and savage at this point. Need to go to the gun shop to check out the savages since I haven’t owned one is over 10 years