Legacy sports Howa rifles

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I'd be afraid I'd put that rifle down to take a leak, and never find it again.:D

Maybe put a blaze orange sling on it...
 
I don't know anything about Nikko optics but Howa is proven quality. My Howa 1500Lightning in 30.06 is a great hunting rifle,if it wasn't quite so heavy. The weight though does help tame the .06 loaded hot. That looks like a pretty good deal for $700. I would replace the scope base for 2pc though.
 
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I have a Weatherby with a Howa barreled action in it. Great gun, accurate as all get-out for what it is (regular walnut-stocked sporter with no modifications, bedding, etc.). It is a bit heavy, though it's not totally out of line for a 24" .30-06 with a full-profile walnut stock.

The Ranchland rifle isn't as big, so it's not too heavy. That scope, however, is a pretty heavy thing. I'd be tempted to get something lighter for that little rifle.
 
I have seen several Howas that were not usable from the factory -- but were easy to fix. The magazine springs in particular often seem to be weak and thus the rifle prone to misfeeding. I "fixed" one that wouldn't feed at all simply by bending the magazine spring out to exert more upward force, at which point the rifle began working flawlessly -- although how long that will last is anyone's guess.

I would happily purchase the rifle, but with the expectation that it may require some tinkering prior to use.
 
I've never heard of problems with Howa rifles before, just about everyone considers them to be one of the most reliable rifles made. I had an excellent Weatherby Vanguard (made by Howa) in '06 that was a fine shooter, a friend wanted it when he started hunting and it's stil going strong.
 
The slanted front scope is a little hard to get scope caps to fit.
I saw a solution once and can't remember what the site was.

Other than that it is probably great. I have a vanguard also.
 
Here is one on gunbroker. I don't know about the caliber listing though. I don't think the seller has it down correctly. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=135568056 I bet it is a 308 caliber and not a .300.

The price is right. An e-mail to him would be a good idea to nail down the caliber. I have read good things about these rifles. The only negative I have heard is that they were heavy. But that was the regular rifles also.
 
I've had 2 weatherby rifles, both were vanguards made by howa. One shot 1/2 inch groups with handloads and the other shot 3/8 inch groups with federal premium factory ammo. I sold both of them and wish I had them both back. I'll be getting myself another whether it has the weatherby name or howa name in 270 win soon.
 
I have several of those packaged howas with nikko scope. Accuracy is as good as my ruger m77's. The scope is surprisingly good for the total money. I have never had any trouble with mine. I have 3 one .223, 25-06, 30-06.
Finish is pretty good, I have two with the hogue stock which I really like.
 
The Howas are hit or miss... more 'miss' than hit now days!

We recently ceased selling the Howas due to many customer complaints, which varied from non working safeties to horrid accuracy.

It seems the 'older' Howas did well... with regards to price and overall accuracy and quality. But the newer(2006-now) have had their share of problems.

The Nikko Sterling scopes are not bad for the money, they hold up, the glass is good and we have not had but a few complaints concerning their quality.

If it were I, I should consider a Savage, Stevens 200 or at least the Marlin XL-7
 
Couple things.

The question has been asked many many times and there are many many threads on Howa rifles, if you do a search.

The answer is that they are of excellent quality.**

They are not 1/4 the cost of Ruger, but they ARE a much better value, IMO.

Good luck.

**Edit: Sounds like U.M. has the current info, whereas I offered the conventional wisdom:

We recently ceased selling the Howas due to many customer complaints, which varied from non working safeties to horrid accuracy.

It seems the 'older' Howas did well... with regards to price and overall accuracy and quality. But the newer(2006-now) have had their share of problems.

The man knows of what he speaks, sounds like.
 
I'm curious,Uncle Mike. Howas and Vanguards are very popular around here since so many have bought their rifles from Wal-Mart at bargain prices. If Howa quality has fallen off so badly (since 2006) that a vendor would drop an entire line of guns because of it why hasn't it become common knowledge? I would think that THR would be alive with Howa bashing. I can't (and won't) argue about it since I am not in a position to know. I am going to reserve judgement on a fine line of guns until I hear of more people having trouble with them.
 
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Any manufacturer can have a run of bad quality rifles or pistols.
I bought my last howa in 2007, a 25-06, It will keyhole at 100 yds, Hold 1 1/2 or less at 200. It will shoot telephone insulators at 300 all day.
I don't need any better accuracy than that.
BTW that is with remington green box cheap ammo.
 
So THAT'S what caused the big power outage in West Texas.


Yes, and since the round is spinning when it hits, it causes tremendous damage to the equipment (remember it's already tumbling - keyholing - at 100). :p Maybe he meant something else by "keyholing" than the traditional meaning of that word.
 
WOW...
Insulators.... reminds me of my childhood and the high voltage transmission lines....

As far as the Howas... Don't know what to tell you Jim, I have a Howa that is a fine(for the money) rifle, not a problem as of yet.

I can not speak for your neck of the woods but we never sold all that many Howas to begin with, as our clientele tend to buy...let's say... more refined makes of rifles.

The several years he sold Howas did generate a great deal of complaints, and working on a percentage basis, if the complaints outweigh the sales....

You don't hear too much on this forum or some of the others about the Howas... good or bad.
I passed along what was, or did, occur in our little world.

As for the Weatherby Vans, we sell them and have a favorable return of comments towards these rifles. The Sub MOA Van is a good buy, a better buy than the regular vanguard.

Like I said, the Howas were hit or miss....
 
I recently toured the Pac-Nor rifle barrel factory. Much to my surprise, when I asked my very knowledgeable guide what the best made mass produced action was, he replied Howa. This from a man who has worked with them all, on a daily basis for many years. I don't have one, but I'm gonna get one.

gary
 
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