Howa rifles

gaseousclay · January 29, 2022, 08:39 AM

Is Howa considered a reputable company as far as their rifles are concerned? I’m not really a synthetic stock guy buy they have a carbon fiber rifle that looks kinda cool. No idea how reliable they are though

std7mag · January 29, 2022, 10:00 AM

They are sought after by some.
The Weatherby Vangard line is made by Howa.

Like any manufacturer. Some love them. Some hate them.

natman · January 29, 2022, 10:29 AM

Howas are solid rifles. Howa made Weatherby Mk V rifles when they were made in Japan. The Weatherby Vanguard is a Howa 1500 in Weatherby drag. The 1500 has also been sold as a Smith & Wesson, Mossberg and others.

mikejonestkd · January 29, 2022, 10:46 AM

I have a weatherby vanguard ( Howa 1500).
It is a well made rifle and shoot very well! A few friends have them too, and they speak highly of them
buy with confidence

BornFighting88 · January 29, 2022, 11:20 AM

I am so glad someone posted about Howa actions. I have been curious about them myself. I was already aware that Howa made Weatherby’s Vanguard actions, but was unsure of their reputation.

I am looking to get into another project soon, and Brownell’s has Howa 1500 actions for sale, and maybe a brush or walking rifle for scaring varmints or deer would be a worthwhile venture.

Thanks for posting this!

hounddawg · January 29, 2022, 01:27 PM

they are one of th efew companies that offer a off the shelf bolt rifle chambered in 6.5 Grendel so there is a lot of discussion on the 6.5 Grendel bolt forums. You can get an idea of what people that own them think about them there

https://www.65grendel.com/forum/foru...p-Single-Shots

stagpanther · January 29, 2022, 02:06 PM

Very good actions, the only beef I've had with them is that despite YouTube videos claiming how easy it is to replace the barrels--I've never been able to do it with a factory installed barrel. I'd look to see if I could buy just the receiver and get a barrel nut if you envision future barrel replacements.

taylorce1 · January 29, 2022, 02:41 PM

Howa is a good rifle/action. My house has two rifles and if the right one pops up there will be more. My daughter basically hunts with the Howa Alpine in .308 and I use a Brownell's 6mm Creedmoor dropped in a Howa Alpine stock. The rifles weigh 7lbs and 7.5 lbs scoped, so they are a joy to carry all day. The only downside is they tend to be a little heavier than they need to be in long action cartridges.

LawrenceN · January 29, 2022, 02:47 PM

I have a Howa 1500 mini action in 7.62X39 as a tidy little deer rifle. I love it! It's easy to carry, accurate as hell, slick bolt, and suits me to a "T". If I have one complaint, it's the soft catch on the magazine. It's too easy to just tap the mag release and have the mag drop out. That very thing happened 2 yrs. ago on my hunt. I'd slung the rifle and when I went into the bush and got ready to load, no magazine. I retraced my steps but with the deep snow, it was gone. I found it in the spring. I've since picked up a spare and actually attached the mag to the trigger guard so that can never happen again.

gaseousclay · January 29, 2022, 06:46 PM

Are their rifles control round feed or push feed?

Scorch · January 29, 2022, 06:56 PM

Howa rifles are push feed.

As others have said, Howa has a good reputation. They make a lot of weapons for the Japanese military.

And as stagpanther said, you don't want to get into a wrestling match trying to take off one of their factory installed barrels. I think they have Godzilla in the back room twisting barrels onto actions.

Polinese · January 29, 2022, 07:44 PM

Fantastic actions and a better design than most of their contemporaries including the Rem 700. Barrels are hammer forged and there's plenty of stock options for them if you don't like what they come in.

They also sell just the barreled actions though they've gone up quite a bit in price even before the panic.

Honestly it's probably my favorite push feed action.

bacardisteve · January 29, 2022, 07:52 PM

I have a couple weatherby vanguards built by howa. Great rifles my 257wby is my go to hunting rifle.

std7mag · January 30, 2022, 08:07 AM

Ok, you've heard the good.
I guess i'm one of the few with the bad.
Had a first gen Vangard in 243 Win.
Shot first 3 rounds into their 1 MOA gauantee.
Next 3 shots would be 6" group.
Next 3 not on paper.
I checked all the screws. Changed scopes. Had other people shoot it.
Let it sit for 2 hours between groups.
Was the ONLY rifle i was glad to see go!

So, no. I'll never own another Howa or Weatherby Vangard.

stagpanther · January 30, 2022, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Ok, you've heard the good.
I guess i'm one of the few with the bad.
Had a first gen Vangard in 243 Win.
Shot first 3 rounds into their 1 MOA gauantee.
Next 3 shots would be 6" group.
Next 3 not on paper.
I checked all the screws. Changed scopes. Had other people shoot it.
Let it sit for 2 hours between groups.
Was the ONLY rifle i was glad to see go!

So, no. I'll never own another Howa or Weatherby Vangard.

I always wondered what happened to the bad one I returned, now I know.

hammie · January 30, 2022, 01:22 PM

@std7mag: I believe you, but that's certainly bizarre.

@LawrenceN (post #9): There's a way to fix the magazine dump problem besides tethering your magazine to the rifle. Diversified Innovative Products (DIP) makes a machined, aluminum bottom trigger guard/magazine well and a redesigned magazine latch. I have them installed on my mini howa 1500 6.5mm grendel. The magazine lock-up is rock solid and it's nearly impossible to inadvertently work the latch. Plus this eliminates the potential cracking problem with the plastic bottom plate from tightening the stock screws.

Or, if you want to get rid of the magazines and magazine well sticking out, "oregunsmithing" makes a flush fit, mauser style trigger guard, hinged floor plate and internal box magazine.

Linker · February 1, 2022, 02:10 AM

Had a Weatherby VGS which was a wooden stocked rifle in probably 1987. Then I got the synthetic Weathguard probably a year later. Both had been made by Howa. Both were very accurate with the Weatherguard being the most accurate of the two. It was shorter and easier to handle so I carried it the most. I don't remember why I sold the Weatherguard but I sold the VGS with the intent of replacing it with a stainless rifle since I had a friend that had gone to Alaska. I wanted to go but never did. A few years ago I bought a Howa 1500 in 308 winchester. The first two Weatherby rifles were 270 winchesters. This was Weatherby's venture into other than Weatherby calibers. All were highly accurate and I wish I still had them.

January 29, 2022, 08:39 AM	#1
gaseousclay Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 1,210	Howa rifles Is Howa considered a reputable company as far as their rifles are concerned? I’m not really a synthetic stock guy buy they have a carbon fiber rifle that looks kinda cool. No idea how reliable they are though

January 29, 2022, 10:00 AM	#2
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	They are sought after by some. The Weatherby Vangard line is made by Howa. Like any manufacturer. Some love them. Some hate them. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

January 29, 2022, 10:29 AM	#3
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,606	Howas are solid rifles. Howa made Weatherby Mk V rifles when they were made in Japan. The Weatherby Vanguard is a Howa 1500 in Weatherby drag. The 1500 has also been sold as a Smith & Wesson, Mossberg and others. __________________ Time Travelers' Wisdom: Never Do Yesterday What Should Be Done Tomorrow. If At Last You Do Succeed, Never Try Again.

January 29, 2022, 10:46 AM	#4
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	I have a weatherby vanguard ( Howa 1500). It is a well made rifle and shoot very well! A few friends have them too, and they speak highly of them buy with confidence __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

January 29, 2022, 01:27 PM	#6
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	they are one of th efew companies that offer a off the shelf bolt rifle chambered in 6.5 Grendel so there is a lot of discussion on the 6.5 Grendel bolt forums. You can get an idea of what people that own them think about them there https://www.65grendel.com/forum/foru...p-Single-Shots __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

January 29, 2022, 11:20 AM	#5
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	I am so glad someone posted about Howa actions. I have been curious about them myself. I was already aware that Howa made Weatherby’s Vanguard actions, but was unsure of their reputation. I am looking to get into another project soon, and Brownell’s has Howa 1500 actions for sale, and maybe a brush or walking rifle for scaring varmints or deer would be a worthwhile venture. Thanks for posting this!

January 29, 2022, 02:06 PM	#7
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,775	Very good actions, the only beef I've had with them is that despite YouTube videos claiming how easy it is to replace the barrels--I've never been able to do it with a factory installed barrel. I'd look to see if I could buy just the receiver and get a barrel nut if you envision future barrel replacements. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

January 29, 2022, 02:41 PM	#8
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	Howa is a good rifle/action. My house has two rifles and if the right one pops up there will be more. My daughter basically hunts with the Howa Alpine in .308 and I use a Brownell's 6mm Creedmoor dropped in a Howa Alpine stock. The rifles weigh 7lbs and 7.5 lbs scoped, so they are a joy to carry all day. The only downside is they tend to be a little heavier than they need to be in long action cartridges. __________________ NRA Life Member

January 29, 2022, 02:47 PM	#9
LawrenceN Junior Member Join Date: September 24, 2021 Posts: 8	I have a Howa 1500 mini action in 7.62X39 as a tidy little deer rifle. I love it! It's easy to carry, accurate as hell, slick bolt, and suits me to a "T". If I have one complaint, it's the soft catch on the magazine. It's too easy to just tap the mag release and have the mag drop out. That very thing happened 2 yrs. ago on my hunt. I'd slung the rifle and when I went into the bush and got ready to load, no magazine. I retraced my steps but with the deep snow, it was gone. I found it in the spring. I've since picked up a spare and actually attached the mag to the trigger guard so that can never happen again.

January 29, 2022, 06:46 PM	#10
gaseousclay Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 1,210	Are their rifles control round feed or push feed?

January 29, 2022, 06:56 PM	#11
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Howa rifles are push feed. As others have said, Howa has a good reputation. They make a lot of weapons for the Japanese military. And as stagpanther said, you don't want to get into a wrestling match trying to take off one of their factory installed barrels. I think they have Godzilla in the back room twisting barrels onto actions. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 29, 2022, 07:44 PM	#12
Polinese Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2010 Posts: 947	Fantastic actions and a better design than most of their contemporaries including the Rem 700. Barrels are hammer forged and there's plenty of stock options for them if you don't like what they come in. They also sell just the barreled actions though they've gone up quite a bit in price even before the panic. Honestly it's probably my favorite push feed action.

January 29, 2022, 07:52 PM	#13
bacardisteve Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2006 Location: West virginia Posts: 653	I have a couple weatherby vanguards built by howa. Great rifles my 257wby is my go to hunting rifle. __________________ Kill em all and let God sort em out! USAF

January 30, 2022, 08:07 AM	#14
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Ok, you've heard the good. I guess i'm one of the few with the bad. Had a first gen Vangard in 243 Win. Shot first 3 rounds into their 1 MOA gauantee. Next 3 shots would be 6" group. Next 3 not on paper. I checked all the screws. Changed scopes. Had other people shoot it. Let it sit for 2 hours between groups. Was the ONLY rifle i was glad to see go! So, no. I'll never own another Howa or Weatherby Vangard. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

January 30, 2022, 01:22 PM	#16
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	@std7mag: I believe you, but that's certainly bizarre. @LawrenceN (post #9): There's a way to fix the magazine dump problem besides tethering your magazine to the rifle. Diversified Innovative Products (DIP) makes a machined, aluminum bottom trigger guard/magazine well and a redesigned magazine latch. I have them installed on my mini howa 1500 6.5mm grendel. The magazine lock-up is rock solid and it's nearly impossible to inadvertently work the latch. Plus this eliminates the potential cracking problem with the plastic bottom plate from tightening the stock screws. Or, if you want to get rid of the magazines and magazine well sticking out, "oregunsmithing" makes a flush fit, mauser style trigger guard, hinged floor plate and internal box magazine. Last edited by hammie; January 30, 2022 at 01:32 PM.

February 1, 2022, 02:10 AM	#17
Linker Member Join Date: January 8, 2021 Location: Texas Posts: 52	Had a Weatherby VGS which was a wooden stocked rifle in probably 1987. Then I got the synthetic Weathguard probably a year later. Both had been made by Howa. Both were very accurate with the Weatherguard being the most accurate of the two. It was shorter and easier to handle so I carried it the most. I don't remember why I sold the Weatherguard but I sold the VGS with the intent of replacing it with a stainless rifle since I had a friend that had gone to Alaska. I wanted to go but never did. A few years ago I bought a Howa 1500 in 308 winchester. The first two Weatherby rifles were 270 winchesters. This was Weatherby's venture into other than Weatherby calibers. All were highly accurate and I wish I still had them.