Howa 1500 vs. Stevens 200

oldcars · October 21, 2007, 09:16 PM

I have a friend who just offered me a Howa 1500 in .223 for what I think is a good price($350). I already have a Stevens 200 in .223 that shoots well, but I like the drop down floorplate, and metal trigger gaurd of the Howa better. What are your oppinions of these rifles? How hard is it to adjust the trigger on a Howa 1500? I would sell the Stevens if I bought the Howa. He wants to sell it soon so I need some help!! They both have a low round count and are in good shape.

PTS1 · October 21, 2007, 09:31 PM

I have no experince with the Stevens but I do with the Howa...great rifle! Trigger is very easy to adjust and comes with instructions on how to do it. I think $350 is a little high for a used Howa, unless it is stainless. You can get a new blued one for $350 if you shop around. Very acurate right out of the box. Hope this helps.

oldcars · October 22, 2007, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the responce, This forum rocks! Anybody else?

RevolverLover · October 22, 2007, 03:02 PM

What model Howa 1500 in .223 is it? It's hard to say if $350 is a good price without knowing the which model. I have a bull-barrel one in .223 and it is very accurate and has taken various game.

RobertRogers · October 22, 2007, 04:07 PM

I bought a used Howa for 300 or 320, can't remember which. It was an excellent purchase but I traded up for my current favorite!

castnblast · October 23, 2007, 04:20 PM

Buy a brand new one. I have one in 22-250. Love it. I get 3/8-5/8" groups w/ my 50 gr. reloads. The newer models have 3 position safety, and the trigger is very easy to adust. I have mine set at 2.75lbs. no creep, real crisp. I like the bottom drop plate too. It has a 5+1 capacity which I also like.

Red_Eagle · October 23, 2007, 07:25 PM

What are the twist rates on each? That would be my ctiteria. I have a 700 SPS that has a 1/12. If a ran acrossed a bolt action with a 1/9 or 1/8 I'd have to really think about it.

wolverine350 · October 23, 2007, 09:35 PM

Howa or Stevens both are hard to beat

oldcars · October 24, 2007, 02:30 AM

I bought the Howa today for $300 with scope mounts&rings and about 200 rounds of ammo. My friend said it has less than 200 rounds fired and all mild reloads. My next step is to order a wood stock and get rid of the black plastic! I guess my Stevens will be up for sale.

October 21, 2007, 09:16 PM	#1
oldcars Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Posts: 375	Howa 1500 vs. Stevens 200 I have a friend who just offered me a Howa 1500 in .223 for what I think is a good price($350). I already have a Stevens 200 in .223 that shoots well, but I like the drop down floorplate, and metal trigger gaurd of the Howa better. What are your oppinions of these rifles? How hard is it to adjust the trigger on a Howa 1500? I would sell the Stevens if I bought the Howa. He wants to sell it soon so I need some help!! They both have a low round count and are in good shape.

October 22, 2007, 03:02 PM	#4
RevolverLover Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Posts: 1,682	What model Howa 1500 in .223 is it? It's hard to say if $350 is a good price without knowing the which model. I have a bull-barrel one in .223 and it is very accurate and has taken various game. __________________ All I ever seem to read on this Internet is a bunch of "I heard..." or "I read..." sort of stuff. "One test = 1,000 expert opinions." -Art Eatman

October 22, 2007, 04:07 PM	#5
RobertRogers Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 64	I bought a used Howa for 300 or 320, can't remember which. It was an excellent purchase but I traded up for my current favorite! __________________ When in Doubt, reboot FireSteel.com SurvivalTopics.com

October 23, 2007, 04:20 PM	#6
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,143	Buy a brand new one. I have one in 22-250. Love it. I get 3/8-5/8" groups w/ my 50 gr. reloads. The newer models have 3 position safety, and the trigger is very easy to adust. I have mine set at 2.75lbs. no creep, real crisp. I like the bottom drop plate too. It has a 5+1 capacity which I also like. __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter

October 23, 2007, 09:35 PM	#8
wolverine350 Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2006 Location: ponca city ok Posts: 746	Howa or Stevens both are hard to beat __________________ CVA Kodiak Magnum .50 cal Marlin 981T 22LR Bolt Action Remington 770 Bolt Action 270 Thompson Center Encore 243

October 21, 2007, 09:31 PM	#2
PTS1 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2006 Posts: 245	I have no experince with the Stevens but I do with the Howa...great rifle! Trigger is very easy to adjust and comes with instructions on how to do it. I think $350 is a little high for a used Howa, unless it is stainless. You can get a new blued one for $350 if you shop around. Very acurate right out of the box. Hope this helps.

October 22, 2007, 10:41 AM	#3
oldcars Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Posts: 375	Thanks for the responce, This forum rocks! Anybody else?

October 23, 2007, 07:25 PM	#7
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 583	What are the twist rates on each? That would be my ctiteria. I have a 700 SPS that has a 1/12. If a ran acrossed a bolt action with a 1/9 or 1/8 I'd have to really think about it.

October 24, 2007, 02:30 AM	#9
oldcars Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Posts: 375	I bought the Howa today for $300 with scope mounts&rings and about 200 rounds of ammo. My friend said it has less than 200 rounds fired and all mild reloads. My next step is to order a wood stock and get rid of the black plastic! I guess my Stevens will be up for sale.