Howa 1500 vs. Golden Bear

[The_Armed_Therapist]

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?

 

[jmr40]

I'm not familiar with the Golden Bear version and a google search turned up nothing. Based on your description I'd prefer the Gameking. I can't see the need for a 25" barrel and while the scope may not be kept on the rifle, it is worth $20 for the mounts. You can always sell the scope for $30-$40 or put it on a 22.

In a nutshell Howa's are solid, dependable rifles that tend to shoot very well. I've owned a couple and had no problems. All were plenty accurate. Weatherby uses the same action to build the Vanguard. They are very similar, but not the same rifle as some think, although all parts interchange.

While they are good rifles, I'll never own another. They are the heaviest rifles made. Most any of them are going to be 10lbs or more with a decent scope and mounts. Some like a heavier rifle, but I have no use to lug around that much weight when a 6-7 lb scoped rifle will do the same job.

Other than that I would highly recommend one. As long as you know you are getting a very heavy rifle, and want that, I don't think you'll be disappointed in accuracy or function.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Most any of them are going to be 10lbs or more with a decent scope and mounts. Some like a heavier rifle, but I have no use to lug around that much weight when a 6-7 lb scoped rifle will do the same job.

Other than that I would highly recommend one. As long as you know you are getting a very heavy rifle, and want that, I don't think you'll be disappointed in accuracy or function.

I'm a little odd in that I like a heavier rifle. According to their website, the Gameking package is 9.35 lbs. To be honest, I'm not even sure where to get a 6-7 lb. scoped rifle... Even the lightest I can think of (.30-06) would be at least 7.5 with scope.

 

[dprice3844444]

nikko sterling makes some decent scopes.https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search...&hsimp=yhs-att_001&type=att_pc_homerun_portal read reviews

 

[Corn-Picker]

Do you like single stage triggers or two stage triggers? I prefer two stage triggers, so I'd go with the newer Howa.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Thanks for the help, guys. I actually went back to that store to buy the Howa Gameking Package, but the store was close. Hopefully they're open Monday, because I'm inpatient. I guess that allows time for any Golden Bear fans to make themselves known. LOL