Howa Barreled Action

[viking499]

Anyone ever bought a Howa barreled action? How did they shoot?

I know the Weatherby's are the same thing. Just wondering about the barreled action and not the whole gun.

Thanks.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I've owned something like 4 HOWA/Vanguards over a period of time a couple of 22-250s, 6.5x55 and a 300wby. In all honesty I cannot recall EVER shooting a great group with any of them, at best they all just shot kinda OK 2 to 2.5 MOA

Then there's the overinflated price they ask for their barreled actions.

 

[rklessdriver]

I guess I'm the other side of the coin here.

I have 2 Weatherby Vanguards.

One in .223 Rem I bought back in 1995 with the factory green "Fiberguard" Alum pillar stock. This rifle from day one has been able to shoot 5 rounds into one ragged hole (1/4") with my 60gr Trophy Bonded bullet hand loads. It still shoots factory loaded Winchester 64gr Power Points into 1/2" groups all day long, any day of the week. The only thing this rifle hasn't shot well was some M855 military surplus I tried once just for GP.

The other is a plain jane "Walmart Weatherby" in .300 Wthby Mag and shoots well a under 1" @100yrds using factory 180gr Weatherby Norma ammo. Its the only ammo I have ever shot out of it.

My personal experience has been stellar. I know everyones experience won't be as good as mine but by and large Weatherby and Howa sell a fine rifle for the money here. Given that I had the need for a new rifle, money to buy one and oportunity I'b buy another Vanguard or Howa 1500.
Will

 

[skinewmexico]

I have 2 Howa's, and they both shoot about 2 MOA, although I have made several of the greatest hunting shots ever with the 25-06. Do yourself a favor, buy a Savage unbarreled action, and then a Shilen Supermatch barrel. It will shoot circles around the Howa/Weatherby, for close to the same money.

 

[viking499]

Where do you get the savage actions from?

 

[ArmedBear]

I know someone who bought one in .223 with a varmint barrel. He's a "600 club" guy -- as in someone who gets together with buddies, works up perfect loads, and shoots prairie dogs at over 600 yards as a hobby. He's also an amateur gunsmith who's really picky about what he shoots, and who has an enormous gun collection of true classics.

He put the Howa action in a custom super-fancy walnut stock and built the classiest-looking varminter I've ever seen. Looks like a high-dollar custom sporter, but with a heavier barrel. Accurate and solid.

He's really happy with it, and his opinion counts for a lot. He doesn't care too much for a Savage he built, though I'm not sure what his objections are.

I've got a Vanguard Sporter in .30-06, also. Accurate, solid. Not light, but otherwise it's great.

 

[35Rem]

Had a .308 that was put in a Ramline stock. It wouldn't shoot 150 grain stuff to save it's life, or mine...
HOWEVER...
I tried a box of Federal Classic 180 grain soft points...MAGIC, under 1", mostly 3/4" groups all day. They are good guns, as far as I know.

 

[R.W.Dale]

The best way to get a Savage action is to buy a used savage or a new stevens 200 for less than $300 then sell the original bbl and stock and make back $100 of that. That's what I've done in three cases.