Howa Combo Packages

[SDHillbilly]

Hey guys

I have been lurking for a while on this site and really appreciate the info that I have gathered over the past couple of months.

I am looking for any feedback on a rifle that is available at my local GS. It is a Howa 1500 Combo Package currently priced at $500.00 bucks. The features that really draw me to it are the 2 stage trigger, 3 position safety, and the Nikko Nighteater scope all in the Hogue Overmolded stock.

I utilized the search function on this site and many positive reviews of Howa in general have reinforced my interest but alot of the reviews seem to be on past models and features.

Any reviews of the current edition of this rifle would be much appreciated. By the way I would be looking at the 30-06 caliber

 

[primalmu]

Can't go wrong with the Howa 1500. That's one of the rifles I was considering before I ordered my Savage Hog Hunter (literally just 5 minutes ago). I might have considered it more seriously but the LGS here wants $600 for the same package. *yikes!*

 

[Kachok]

Cannot comment on that scope, but Howa is well known for makeing a fantastic rifle.

 

[highorder]

Funny, I just had a .30-06 Howa for sale here for $400, new in box. Thankfully it went to a good home.

They are great rifles, and use common Remington 700 scope bases.

 

[adelbridge]

check out CDNNinvestments.com

decent gun but you are better off with a different scope.

 

[Kachok]

^ Redfield Revalution, Nikon Buckmaster/Prostaff, or Leopold VXII all really good glass for pretty easy $$$$ I own all of the above.

 

[SDHillbilly]

The couple of concerns when it comes to the scope quality could certainly be legitimate. The reviews that I have found of the Nikko scopes are all focused on "for the money they are pretty good" type reviews.

Are there any other negatives in regards to this Combo Package.

 

[highorder]

Are there any other negatives in regards to this Combo Package.

Besides the just-ok quality scope?

Nope. You'll be very pleased with the rifle.

 

[SDHillbilly]

The other negative that I have read about this rifle is one reviewer made comment that the flexibility of the stock will alter the POI at times.

The scope concern, which is pretty large, along with this other possibility may make me go a different direction entirely. This gun would be a present to my son and I wouldnt want to saddle him with a "good enough" gun.

Has anyone else ever heard of this?

 

[highorder]

The Nikko scopes are just fine for 98% of the hunters out there.

Serious shooters will want something a bit nicer...

 

[Kachok]

If you are willing to pay a little more for a real good gun get a Tikka, their synthetic stock is not flimsy (fiber/matrix not mold injected), and their barrel is free floated so it would not matter even if you did manage to flex the stock. My T3 Stainless is my favorite rifle of all time and I have owed some much more expensive guns.
Top it with a Redfeild Revalution and you have a rifle as good as any for real reasonable money.

 

[SDHillbilly]

I should also explain a couple of other things.

This will be a deer gun which to me also means a range gun to the extent of getting ready for deer season.

The other thing about this situation is that at the beginning of the summer I bought myself a birthday present. It is a Vanguard S2 with a Walnut stock in 308, and I mounted a Nikon Buckmaster on it. This Howa has many of the same features and I couldnt be happier with my set up.

 

[SDHillbilly]

The Howa is also a free-floated barrel, so this reviewers comments did confuse me a bit.

 

[billymarr]

this is mine the 1500 target master in 308 win and the scope is just fine for me. The stock is nice and the barrel is floated so no point of aim shift I have tried.

 

[dprice3844444]

howa is mossberg,weatherby vanguard, and used to be smith and wesson.check legacysports.com for more howa info.you can also order a barrelled action in blue or stainless,also

 

[Kachok]

Is the ATR a rebadged Howa or the 4X4?

 

[highorder]

The ATR is NOT a Howa action. It's a cheaper Savage style action with a 2 piece bolt.

 

[Captcurt]

Not a big fan of the hogue stocks. I had one on a Remington 700 tactical and it was pretty rough on the cheek when shooting off of the bench. The rubber adhires to your cheek. Hows a makes a few lightening models with synthetic stock. I have two and prefer them to the hogue. The mossberg atr is about $150 less than the Howa. Another option is the weatherby vanguard made by Howa.. I picked up a 257 weatherby for $350 plus shipping online. It shoots sub-moa with factory ammo. Then I found a 30-06 for $305, we are talking NIB. Howa makes some decent equipement.

 

[ISO1600]

my buddy has one, it's a great shooter but the eye relief on the scope was VERY short. Too short for a .270 IMO. haha

 

[SwampWolf]

The ATR is NOT a Howa action.

This is true. I have a Weatherby Vanguard (aka Howa) rifle, chambered in .257 Weatherby Magnum that I purchased nib last year for a song. I mounted a 4x12 Redfield "Revolution" scope on it and, though it is on the heavy side, I really like the rifle. Interestingly, I've read more than one report criticizing the trigger pull on Vanguard rifles but mine leaves little to be desired in terms of it being light, creepless and crisp.

 

[WNTFW]

Swampwolf,
I am with you on the trigger. My brother got one after I did. I didn't say a thing. His first comment was he was surprised at how nice the trigger was. Either we got lucky or there are some folks out there expecting too much.

 

[travisd]

Friend of mine bought one with the green stock and matching scope in 30-06. Not really an amazing shooter but it's good enough for deer. I've shot it some and the one big problem is the scope It has absolutely no eye relief. Every one whose shot it gets hit in the head or real close to it. Now I've fired more powerful rifles with no problems so I just don't think its a real great scope. Otherwise not a bad rifle.

 

[BigN]

I got a 1500 in 300 WSM. It was a package deal for $429.00. The scope was trash but I had some good ones already at home so I put one of mine on it. Price was right and the gun is like a tank. Feels just like my Weatherby Mark V.

 

[nathan]

I was able to shoot a HOwa combo in 270 . They are okey for the money and can group 1 inch or less with factory ammo at 100 yds. I can attest to this as i sighted that new rifle my bro bought in 2009.

 

[ZigZagZeke]

The Howa 1500 *is* the Weatherby Vanguard. I have the S&W 1500 version in .30-06. Shoots < 1" at 100 yds. Trigger is wonderful. Put a decent scope on it and you'll be very, very happy. I have yet to miss a deer with mine. That's 5 deer in the last 7 years. All off-hand shots.