Thoughts one two Smith & Wesson rifles

[eflatminor]

I recently acquired from a relative two older S&W rifles and wondered how they're thought of:
1) 30-06 Model 1500 (made in Japan on the barrel). Decent looking Bushnell Sportview 3x-9x, 32 scope mounted on Weaver rings. Nice looking but simple wood with high sheen. I'm guessing it was made in the 1980's.
2) .243 MOD A. The barrel reads "FFV-Sweden .243 Win Nitro". The S&W logo is etched on the top. No scope; flip-up adjustable rear site with a 'hooded' front site. Very nice wood using two contrasting species. Built in the late 60's would be my guess.

Something seems wrong about the 30-06 being made in Japan (would be ok if it was a sword!) but might be a nice deer gun. I probably wouldn't consider mods to the 30-06 if it shoots decently up to 300 yards or so. I'd been thinking about having a good varmint gun built and wonder if the .243 might be a good platform to have some custom accuracy work done. Would love your thoughts.

 

[browningguy]

1 is a Howa, they made S&W, currwntly make Weatherby Vanguards and sell under their own name. Good quality rifle, any parts for the Vanguard or Howa should fit.

2 I think was made by Husqvarna for S&W, also very good rifles.

 

[Gordon]

The .243 is very, very nice rifle!

 

[MT GUNNY]

I would like to see a picture of them if you dont mind.
I will inherit one in 30-06 one day, not shure where its made I thought it said USA on it but cant remember. Very Nice firearm!!!!!!!!

 

[Jim Watson]

Browningguy is right. The HVA S&W Model A and Model B are very handsome rifles. And the Howas are no slouch. Little noticed or remembered these days, the Howa started out as a Japanese copy of a Sako. And it is still fairly close to the original plan, while Sako has gone through several model changes and merger with Tikka.

 

[Ash]

Of course, the Howa/S&W/Mossberg 1500's are different from the Vanguard in that their bolts are different. The bolt cap on the Vanguard is completely different from the open-rear of the Howa.

Ash