View Full Version : Thought on Howa Bolt guns
have been looking for a decent bolt gun for my nephew for his upcoming 18th b-day. I would like to fine one that has a 20" barrel or less so it is more compact and maneuverable. I was checking out the Howa like this onehttp://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/58082
He will mainly use it as a truck/atv gun that has enough stopping power to down black bears, coyotes, etc that are around here. He likes the tacticool look so I want to get him something that looks the part as well. I know I want to get him a 308 as I have a few thousand rounds of ammo for the 308 and am setup to reload. I was wanting to get experiences on this rifle as well as the lower end Rem 700. Also the Ruger American Rifle and Savage. I am newer to bolt guns so I do not have that much experience. I tried a search but everything was old.
Also just saw a Ruger American Rifle Compact which pretty much fits everything i am looking for. Do any of you guys have any experiences with the Ruger American. Here a link to it, http://ruger.com/products/americanRifleCompact/specSheets/6907.html
ICANHITHIMMAN
06-15-13, 10:37
have been looking for a decent bolt gun for my nephew for his upcoming 18th b-day. I would like to fine one that has a 20" barrel or less so it is more compact and maneuverable. I was checking out the Howa like this onehttp://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/58082
He will mainly use it as a truck/atv gun that has enough stopping power to down black bears, coyotes, etc that are around here. He likes the tacticool look so I want to get him something that looks the part as well. I know I want to get him a 308 as I have a few thousand rounds of ammo for the 308 and am setup to reload. I was wanting to get experiences on this rifle as well as the lower end Rem 700. Also the Ruger American Rifle and Savage. I am newer to bolt guns so I do not have that much experience. I tried a search but everything was old.
Also just saw a Ruger American Rifle Compact which pretty much fits everything i am looking for. Do any of you guys have any experiences with the Ruger American. Here a link to it, http://ruger.com/products/americanRifleCompact/specSheets/6907.html
Well in my opinion the HOWA action is superior to many factory actions on the market and here is why.
THE POSITIVES
factory installed m16 style extractor
integral recoil lug
one piece bolt, with 3 vent holes
great factory trigger you can tune
Uses standard rem 700 scope bases
(all these will cost extra on a rem 700)
THE NEGATIVES
Mag box is not as long as a rem 700, however you can modify the HOWA to a rem 700 mag box. But seeing as your going with the 308 win and all HOWA actions are long actions this is a non issue for you.
Some considerations for you as far as upgrades go. I have one semi custom built on a howa action, the smith you choose will have to be able to cut metric threads. Manners makes stocks for the HOWA action as well as many others.
they are great actions and normally produce good accuracy from their factory rifles. Mel over at snipercentral.com builds them up. I don't have any association with them but they do have a lot of options to choose from if you have one built how you want it over there.
Coal Dragger
06-18-13, 16:38
Hard to go wrong with a Howa, all those that I have seen that are set up with decent glass and a decent shooter seem to shoot well. That includes the Weatherby Vanguard which is also made by Howa.
great rifles, especially in their price point. Most people also don't know you can convert them to a detachable box mag for $60 from the factory.
Weatherby Vanguard Carbine .308
Weaver K4
Leupold Base/Rings
B&C Medalist Stock
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/1637/p1010161ak.jpg
Chumpwagon
06-19-13, 20:48
I've got one of Mel's builds and have been very happy with it. I shoot it well with loads that it likes. I would imagine that a 20in barrel and a lighter stock would make for an outstanding truck gun.
steyrman13
06-19-13, 20:53
Hard to go wrong with a Howa, all those that I have seen that are set up with decent glass and a decent shooter seem to shoot well. That includes the Weatherby Vanguard which is also made by Howa.
Sample of one, but I had a Weatherby Van in 30-06 and tried 3 different ammos, 2 scopes, and 2 shooters. Couldn't get a smaller group than 6" at 100. Needless to day, that rifle was traded.
I have shot 3 different Howas. I didn't care for the glass that came with them. The guns would shoot Moa or 1.5moa at 100 but were picky on loads. There felt nice and were smooth.
StingerDan
07-02-13, 21:50
I Have this Howa in .223 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Howa-Axiom-Kings-Desert-Camo-Rifle-with-Scope/1338903.uts It has been a great gun. A bit to heavy to pack around, but a great Coyote and Prairie Dog gun. I did put a Rifle Basix 1 lb. trigger in it, and it will consistently shoot 3/8" five shot 100 yd groups or better with my home rolled ammo.
They are much better than the new "low end" Remingtons !
ICANHITHIMMAN
07-04-13, 08:11
Sample of one, but I had a Weatherby Van in 30-06 and tried 3 different ammos, 2 scopes, and 2 shooters. Couldn't get a smaller group than 6" at 100. Needless to day, that rifle was traded.
I have shot 3 different Howas. I didn't care for the glass that came with them. The guns would shoot Moa or 1.5moa at 100 but were picky on loads. There felt nice and were smooth.
The only thing that weatherby does is stock the action from howa
Littlelebowski
07-04-13, 08:15
Are those Howa actions or something?
Weatherby Vanguard Carbine .308
Weaver K4
Leupold Base/Rings
B&C Medalist Stock
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/1637/p1010161ak.jpg
brushy bill
07-04-13, 08:37
Are those Howa actions or something?
That's affirm on the Vanguards.
The MKVs were Howa for only a short while (as well as GE), but production of those moved back to US several years ago.
Littlelebowski
07-04-13, 08:49
That's affirm on the Vanguards.
The MKVs were Howa for only a short while (as well as GE), but production of those moved back to US several years ago.
Interesting, thanks for enlightening me.
My brother (a Scout Sniper, admittedly) once took a $400 Howa 22-250 (with Nikon 3-9x scope, combo deal) bought new and some Wolf ammo to the range. Shot a couple of 3/4MOA 3 shot groups with said ammo and threw up his hands and said "good enough for me!" :D
That cheap combo has killed a lot of Wyoming coyotes.
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