Howa rifles?

[Slater]

Was browsing the local Sportsman's Warehouse today and noticed that they had a few bolt guns in OD plastic stocks that were made by Howa. Never heard of this brand before today. Looks like they make a range of bolt guns in various calibers. Any positive/negative experiences with this particular brand?

[mack7.62]

Howa were made in Japan and are or at least used to be of excellent quality, most of the Japan made guns were high quality the AR-180, Winchester 86 and others, I believe the S&W line of bolt guns were made by Howa. If they have a feature set you want and price is good they should be gtg.

[ralph]

I've never heard a bad thing about them...Someone correct me if I'm wrong, But weren't Weatherby rifles made in the last few years Howa's or Howa actions?

[Meta-Prometheus]

HOWA rifles are made in Japan. They use cold hammer forged barrels and two-stage triggers, unless otherwise noted. I've handled many but have never shot one. They seem to have excellent fit and finish, but I can't speak to their accuracy potential at all. They appear to be in the $600-$1200 range based on model (basic hogue stock and blue finish to lightweight stainless hunter versions). They offer a lot of combo packages with Nikko-Sterling scopes, but I've also seen combos with Vortex scopes.

[Slater]

Is Nikko-Sterling supposed to be an el-cheapo brand?

[40Arpent]

If you have any experience with Weatherby Vanguard rifles, then you have experience with Howa rifles, that is, the Vanguard barreled actions are mfr'd by Howa in Japan.

[BrigandTwoFour]

I have a Howa 1500 308 varminter with a 20" barrel. I bought it several years ago while deciding between it, a R700 SPS Tactical, and a Tika T3-CTR.

The Howa won out because the action is well machined, has a flat bottom for easy bedding, beefy integral recoil lug, comes with a vented 1 piece machined bolt, and has a reputation for being very square from the factory.

The downside is that the aftermarket support is thinner than Remington. You can still get parts (I have a manners stock, PTG detachable bottom metal, and will drop in a Timney trigger if I ever get tired of already good factory trigger), but you won't have the endless variety of parts from every category. Also, gun smith support is harder because the Howa uses metric threads on the barrel. It shouldn't be an issue for any competent machinist, but many don't want to go through the effort.

[Rekkr870]

Howa makes an excellent rifle; I have one. Superb actions.



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[jack crab]

Brownells recently posted a YouTube video of new products announcing that they are now carrying Howa barreled actions.

[bm176]

Recently picked up a Howa 1500 in .243(scoped package) which been sittng in my lgs for about 2yrs according to my dealer. $650 otd. recently shot a 50y and 100y using my handloads and surprisingly accurate, these Howas recently got my attention....seems very good rifles for the $$$