The_Armed_Therapist
Member
Hello,
I got to see a Howa 1500 today for the first time at a local gun store. I was pretty blown away. I went specifically wanting to look at Tikka, Vanguard, A-Bolt, X-Bolt, and Savages. I also ended up looking at lots of other things--Mossberg ATR, Ruger American, Ruger Hawkeye, etc.
In the process of this search, they had one Howa (Legacy) 1500, brand new, "Gameking" package with a Nikko Stirling scope. (For a scope I've never heard of, it's kind of cool... but I don't need the scope.) As far as fit, trigger, action, etc., it equalled or exceeded everything else at which I looked. Surprisingly, I liked it better than the Vanguards. The action was smoother.
Anyways, so I got home and started scouring some online sources to check price. (The package was $549+tax) Unsurprisingly, I did not find much locally. HOWEVER, I did find a local listing for a Howa Golden Bear. It was advertised as a copy of the Sako Finnbear. I tried looking up some information on it, but not too much is out there. I think I found that they were made in the 60s/70s...
So my question is this... A new Howa Gameking package for $549, or an old Howa Golden Bear for $525. Both have synthetic stocks, and no iron sights. Both are .30-06. Which is the best buy?
The Gameking has a thicker/heavier barrel than the other comparables at the store, which I like. Obviously, the action and trigger were nice, too. The Golden Bear carries the pride of Sako (in a way), and has a 25" barrel (which I like.) What are your thoughts?
I got to see a Howa 1500 today for the first time at a local gun store. I was pretty blown away. I went specifically wanting to look at Tikka, Vanguard, A-Bolt, X-Bolt, and Savages. I also ended up looking at lots of other things--Mossberg ATR, Ruger American, Ruger Hawkeye, etc.
In the process of this search, they had one Howa (Legacy) 1500, brand new, "Gameking" package with a Nikko Stirling scope. (For a scope I've never heard of, it's kind of cool... but I don't need the scope.) As far as fit, trigger, action, etc., it equalled or exceeded everything else at which I looked. Surprisingly, I liked it better than the Vanguards. The action was smoother.
Anyways, so I got home and started scouring some online sources to check price. (The package was $549+tax) Unsurprisingly, I did not find much locally. HOWEVER, I did find a local listing for a Howa Golden Bear. It was advertised as a copy of the Sako Finnbear. I tried looking up some information on it, but not too much is out there. I think I found that they were made in the 60s/70s...
So my question is this... A new Howa Gameking package for $549, or an old Howa Golden Bear for $525. Both have synthetic stocks, and no iron sights. Both are .30-06. Which is the best buy?
The Gameking has a thicker/heavier barrel than the other comparables at the store, which I like. Obviously, the action and trigger were nice, too. The Golden Bear carries the pride of Sako (in a way), and has a 25" barrel (which I like.) What are your thoughts?