low-end Howa scoped bolt-action package--how good?

[longeyes]

A local gunstore has a new Howa bolt-action rifle with included scope for $400 (various calibers; I'm interested in .308). I realize this is a pretty lowball price but right now I don't want to spend a lot of money on this type of firearm. How good is this rifle, value-wise? How good is Howa product in general?

 

[sumpnz]

Can't answer your question, but am interested in the answer. I'm mildly interested in the Howa rifles (only becasue they're low priced and available in 6.5x55mm), but after fondling one at the local gun shop, along with a CZ 550, I'm strongly tempted to go for the CZ. It just seemed to feel better, plus I'm CRF kind of a guy, and Howa uses push feed. For all practical purposes, unless you're hunting dangerous game, it's a pair of 6's between push feed and CRF, but that's where my personal perversion, er preference, lies.

Anyway, $400 NIB with scope sounds like a great deal so long as the scope is a decent one. If it's a Simmons scope it's merely a fair price.

 

[Kestryll]

That wouldn't happen to be the one in the Turners ad would it?
I have been curious about that one myself.

 

[longeyes]

I cannot tell a lie: the Turner's ad, yes. SoCal.

 

[Dave R]

Have never shot a Howa, but heard good things about them.

 

[ocabj]

Turners puts that Howa + scope combo in their ads every other week or so. I saw a guy pick one up while I was in there to get some CCI BR2 primers and it looked ok I guess. I never bother to handle one. The barrel is hella thin, so I guess it would be strictly a hunting gun.

I'm not sure if this is the one Turners is selling, but it might be:

http://www.legacysports.com/riflescope/index.htm

If it is, the scope is a Nikko-Stirling (never heard of it) Gold Crown 3-9x42.

If you need a cheap hunting gun, I guess it works.

 

[dakotasin]

i am not a fan of howa rifles. they are passable, i suppose, but i would rather have even a savage over a howa.

for $400, you should be able to get into a savage package gun, or a solid used remington, or any of other bunches of options.

 

[Kestryll]

How about the Remington 710, I see it on sale a Turners almost as frequently as the Howas and for around the same price.
http://www.remington.com/NR/exeres/...EA7FAEBAC8}&NRQUERYTERMINATOR=1&cookie_test=1

 

[ocabj]

for $400, you should be able to get into a savage package gun, or a solid used remington, or any of other bunches of options.

True. But it all depends on his needs. When I first got my Savage 10FP-LE2, I spent about $750 to get it up and shooting (rifle, scope, mount, rings) and a lot more later on as I upgrade to a McMillan A-5, etc.

While the Howa may not be that great a rifle, it is probably a decent ready to go entry level hunting rifle.

Personally, I wouldn't buy one, but that's because I want more and am willing to spend more.

If the poster wants a cheap hunting gun, a cool option would be to get a Yugo/Bosnian M48 or a Czech VZ24 and stick a scout scope on it.

 

[telewinz]

Owned a Howa 30/06 for 5 years now and paid $300 new (I thought it was USED at that price). Never impressed me as a "cheap" rifle, just an outstanding value. I would not hesitate to purchase another.

 

[Al Thompson]

Most of the Howas I''ve seen shot fine. Several shot very well, never saw a dog.

A while back, there was a gunsmith in Palmetto GA who would bed, tune the trigger and recrown Howas for an inexpensive bean field rifle. Those shot very, very well.

 

[JohnBT]

A buddy bought a synthetic/stainless .223 a few years ago when they were running around $325 and it still shoots cloverleafs at 100 yards with SA battle pack ammo - until the barrel really heats up anyway.

John

 

[rbernie]

Isn't the Howa a Japanese copy of the Husquvarna (Mauser) and a kissing cousin to the Interarms Mark X? If so, it would seem to be built on a decent action. Of course, I've never seen one so I'm now gonna wait for y'all to set me straight.

 

[jnmullin]

I picked a heavy barreled Howa 223 from a coworker last year. The trigger is light and crisp and the rifle will put anything but 50gr Barnes VLCs into an inch or less at 100 yards. This is with no real load development, just my starting loads. 24gr of H322 with a 50gr Vmax goes closer to .75 inch or less. I don't know about the 308 or any of the other calibers, but I would most certainly buy another Howa.

John

 

[Brian Williams]

Howa has built the Weatherby Vanguard line for a number of years, I am not sure if they still do but the 1100 series is basically a Weatherby Vanguard,

How about the Remington 710

nuff said

 

[GTKrockeTT]

i've got a howa 1500 lightning in 30-06 that's served me well. you won't get the most accurate, but it's a reliable rifle, and hard to beat for the price. i believe BIG5 also has a Savage/Scope combo for $400, might want to check that out as well.

 

[Red_SC]

I have the Weatherby Vanguard in .270, which I think is the same action. I love it. The synthetic stock is too flexible for my taste, but it is more accurate than it has any business being. The action is one of the slickest ones I have. It's the one on the bottom, beneath my Rem PSS and custom pre'64.