Howa 1500

EMN89 · February 22, 2011, 11:33 AM

I am interested in buying a howa 1500 in .243 win at a local gun shop the price seems reasonable at $359 it has bases and scope mounts included. it would be used for deer hunting and possibly the occasional groundhog. i am not familiar with this brand and any input is welcome.

PawPaw · February 22, 2011, 11:51 AM

Howa is a Japanese manufacturer that makes all sorts of things, including industrial machinery. They also make rifles for various companies, including for Weatherby. The Weatherby Vanguard is made by Howa.

They're good rifles with lots of aftermarket support. I bought one several years ago as a gift for a nephew and he loves it. When I was testing the rifle, three of us shot two shots each at the same target. We got a six-shot group that measured 1.25 inches. That's three shooters, two shots each on one target. We were using green-box Remington ammo.

I've got MY rifles, but I pick up the occasional rifle from the used gun racks when the price is right, for grandkids and as loaner rifles. I would not hesitate to pick up another Howa rifle.

DiscoRacing · February 22, 2011, 12:06 PM

I have three of them... including the one pictured below... they are excellent shooters... I would buy it for that price.

jhansman · February 22, 2011, 02:18 PM

I have the 1500 Thumbhole Varminter Supreme, and it is an extremely accurate rifle with handmade ammo. Highly recommended.

Glockadoodadoo · February 22, 2011, 03:51 PM

I have one in 30-06 & this thing shoots like a sniper rifle ! Highly recommend one !

DnPRK · February 22, 2011, 10:09 PM

Quote:

I have one in 30-06 & this thing shoots like a sniper rifle ! Highly recommend one !

1st post after 6 years!

I've got 2 Howas. One in 308 and the other in 300 Win Mag.

DiscoRacing · February 22, 2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

1st post after 6 years

NO kiddn...

.. Welcome

.. Guess thats how you look around first(see what you want to say and how)....get the feel of things(not like you can literally feel on the net)....learn the ropes(which are rotting now)...

.. Maybe posts will come easier/quicker now

38superhero · February 22, 2011, 10:15 PM

Wow he thinks about what he says....

jmr40 · February 23, 2011, 01:35 PM

I'd have forgotten my password after 6 years.

I like the Howa rifles. The Weatherby Vanguard is built using the same action, but with slightly different safety's, bolts, barrels, and triggers. I actually prefer the Howa 3 position safety to the Vanguard 2 position. They are usually very accurate.

My only complaint is that they along with the Vanguard are the heaviest production actions commonly available and make for a heavy rifle. If you want a lightweight there are better options. If weight is not a concern they are excellent choices.

oldandslow · February 23, 2011, 08:14 PM

emn, 2/24/11

I also like Howa 1500's but had some problems with mine. I bought mine new in 30-06 chambering in December of 2009. When loading Speer 150 grain Spitzer tip boat tail bullets with the recommended overall length in the Speer manual the bolt would not go all the way in. I measured the distance from the breach to the start of the lands and the chamber seemed too short. To get the bullet ogive off the lands I had to trim back the brass shorter than recommended (2.480" instead of the minimum 2.484" and definetely under the max. case length of 2.494") and use a shorter overall cartridge length than recommended. This worked well so that the bolt would move fully into battery with the short chamber.

The other problem was that is was inaccurate with its new Leupold VX-3 scope. I couldn't get it to shoot under 2 and 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. Moving the bullet ogive off the lands varying distances didn't help. Finally I looked at the barrel crown and it looked OK. I recrowned the barrel anyway as I was running out of options and the groups dropped to 1 and 1/4 inches. In other words recrowning the barrel cut the grouping in half and improved accuracy to an acceptable level for hunting.

In summary- I really like my Howa 1500 but there were some problems with a short chamber and uneven crown affecting accuracy. Returning the rifle to the manufacturer was not an easy option for me as it would cost from $50-70 each way from my remote location. I would buy another one though.

best wishes- oldandslow

4runnerman · February 23, 2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:
I have one in 30-06 & this thing shoots like a sniper rifle ! Highly recommend one !

1st post after 6 years!

I've got 2 Howas. One in 308 and the other in 300 Win Mag.

DnPRK
View Public Profile
Find More Posts by DnPRK
Add DnPRK to Your Contacts

Yesterday, 11:12 PM #7
DiscoRacing
Senior Member

Join Date: December 19, 2008
Location: milton, wv
Posts: 3,276 Quote:
1st post after 6 years

NO kiddn...

.. Welcome

.. Guess thats how you look around first(see what you want to say and how)....get the feel of things(not like you can literally feel on the net)....learn the ropes(which are rotting now)...

.. Maybe posts will come easier/quicker now
__________________
Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______
----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red
-------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

DiscoRacing
View Public Profile
Send a private message to DiscoRacing
Send email to DiscoRacing
Find More Posts by DiscoRacing
Add DiscoRacing to Your Contacts

Yesterday, 11:15 PM #8
38superhero
Senior Member

Join Date: November 17, 2007
Posts: 249 Wow he thinks about what he says....

You guys make me laugh.

Lord knows he won't post for another 6 years again now

oldcars · February 23, 2011, 08:31 PM

I had a Howa in .223 and it was a great shooter, always worked, good deal! I think it's one of the best "budget" rifles out there and with a hinged floorplate to boot!

Beentown71 · February 23, 2011, 10:51 PM

Crappy pic but I really like mine. Trigger was better than good but not Timney. Only one complaint...the stock is Gumby flexible at the front stud area. Using my bipod, the weight of the barrel makes the stock touch. I was worried about this until I shot it. .81" five shoot group first time on bags in gusty winds...

I would buy another one with no second thoughts. CDNN has them on special now.

NIB standard barrels for $329 I believe and Varmint/targets for $399.

Beentown

Win_94 · February 24, 2011, 03:17 AM

I have one in 30-06. If you buy one, the first thing you should do is replace the stock aluminum scope mounts and rings with steel.

EMN89 · February 24, 2011, 09:56 AM

Thanks guys for all the positive feedback. I have decided to get the rifle i will let ya'll know how it shoots when I get it.

February 22, 2011, 11:33 AM	#1
EMN89 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 136	Howa 1500 I am interested in buying a howa 1500 in .243 win at a local gun shop the price seems reasonable at $359 it has bases and scope mounts included. it would be used for deer hunting and possibly the occasional groundhog. i am not familiar with this brand and any input is welcome.

February 22, 2011, 11:51 AM	#2
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	Howa is a Japanese manufacturer that makes all sorts of things, including industrial machinery. They also make rifles for various companies, including for Weatherby. The Weatherby Vanguard is made by Howa. They're good rifles with lots of aftermarket support. I bought one several years ago as a gift for a nephew and he loves it. When I was testing the rifle, three of us shot two shots each at the same target. We got a six-shot group that measured 1.25 inches. That's three shooters, two shots each on one target. We were using green-box Remington ammo. I've got MY rifles, but I pick up the occasional rifle from the used gun racks when the price is right, for grandkids and as loaner rifles. I would not hesitate to pick up another Howa rifle. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

February 22, 2011, 12:06 PM	#3
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	I have three of them... including the one pictured below... they are excellent shooters... I would buy it for that price. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

February 22, 2011, 02:18 PM	#4
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	I have the 1500 Thumbhole Varminter Supreme, and it is an extremely accurate rifle with handmade ammo. Highly recommended. __________________ Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

February 23, 2011, 08:24 PM	#11
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Quote: I have one in 30-06 & this thing shoots like a sniper rifle ! Highly recommend one ! 1st post after 6 years! I've got 2 Howas. One in 308 and the other in 300 Win Mag. DnPRK View Public Profile Find More Posts by DnPRK Add DnPRK to Your Contacts Yesterday, 11:12 PM #7 DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,276 Quote: 1st post after 6 years NO kiddn... .. Welcome .. Guess thats how you look around first(see what you want to say and how)....get the feel of things(not like you can literally feel on the net)....learn the ropes(which are rotting now)... .. Maybe posts will come easier/quicker now __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W DiscoRacing View Public Profile Send a private message to DiscoRacing Send email to DiscoRacing Find More Posts by DiscoRacing Add DiscoRacing to Your Contacts Yesterday, 11:15 PM #8 38superhero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2007 Posts: 249 Wow he thinks about what he says.... You guys make me laugh. Lord knows he won't post for another 6 years again now __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 22, 2011, 03:51 PM	#5
Glockadoodadoo Junior Member Join Date: December 2, 2004 Posts: 1	I have one in 30-06 & this thing shoots like a sniper rifle ! Highly recommend one !

February 22, 2011, 10:15 PM	#8
38superhero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2007 Posts: 561	Wow he thinks about what he says....

February 23, 2011, 01:35 PM	#9
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	I'd have forgotten my password after 6 years. I like the Howa rifles. The Weatherby Vanguard is built using the same action, but with slightly different safety's, bolts, barrels, and triggers. I actually prefer the Howa 3 position safety to the Vanguard 2 position. They are usually very accurate. My only complaint is that they along with the Vanguard are the heaviest production actions commonly available and make for a heavy rifle. If you want a lightweight there are better options. If weight is not a concern they are excellent choices.

February 23, 2011, 08:14 PM	#10
oldandslow Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2007 Posts: 641	emn, 2/24/11 I also like Howa 1500's but had some problems with mine. I bought mine new in 30-06 chambering in December of 2009. When loading Speer 150 grain Spitzer tip boat tail bullets with the recommended overall length in the Speer manual the bolt would not go all the way in. I measured the distance from the breach to the start of the lands and the chamber seemed too short. To get the bullet ogive off the lands I had to trim back the brass shorter than recommended (2.480" instead of the minimum 2.484" and definetely under the max. case length of 2.494") and use a shorter overall cartridge length than recommended. This worked well so that the bolt would move fully into battery with the short chamber. The other problem was that is was inaccurate with its new Leupold VX-3 scope. I couldn't get it to shoot under 2 and 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. Moving the bullet ogive off the lands varying distances didn't help. Finally I looked at the barrel crown and it looked OK. I recrowned the barrel anyway as I was running out of options and the groups dropped to 1 and 1/4 inches. In other words recrowning the barrel cut the grouping in half and improved accuracy to an acceptable level for hunting. In summary- I really like my Howa 1500 but there were some problems with a short chamber and uneven crown affecting accuracy. Returning the rifle to the manufacturer was not an easy option for me as it would cost from $50-70 each way from my remote location. I would buy another one though. best wishes- oldandslow

February 23, 2011, 08:31 PM	#12
oldcars Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Posts: 375	I had a Howa in .223 and it was a great shooter, always worked, good deal! I think it's one of the best "budget" rifles out there and with a hinged floorplate to boot!

February 23, 2011, 10:51 PM	#13
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	Crappy pic but I really like mine. Trigger was better than good but not Timney. Only one complaint...the stock is Gumby flexible at the front stud area. Using my bipod, the weight of the barrel makes the stock touch. I was worried about this until I shot it. .81" five shoot group first time on bags in gusty winds... I would buy another one with no second thoughts. CDNN has them on special now. NIB standard barrels for $329 I believe and Varmint/targets for $399. Beentown __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

February 24, 2011, 03:17 AM	#14
Win_94 Junior member Join Date: August 21, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 214	I have one in 30-06. If you buy one, the first thing you should do is replace the stock aluminum scope mounts and rings with steel.

February 24, 2011, 09:56 AM	#15
EMN89 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 136	Thanks guys for all the positive feedback. I have decided to get the rifle i will let ya'll know how it shoots when I get it.