Howa 1500

[CAMPMEAT]

I've been looking at a Weatherby 240 S2 or a Howa 1500 in 204. Does anyone have a Howa and if so, do you like it, good, bad and ugly ? I want either for wolf hunting. I already have a Weatherby 257 mag, but I want a 6mm.

I want answers about the Howa only please.

Thanks and have a Merry Christmas tomorrow.

[loggerjim]

Aren't they basically the same rifle?

[uplandhunter870]

good friend of mine has one. its in 22 250 with a bull barrel and thumbhole stock. basically the howa is a copy of the rem 700 action, its a solid rifle and pretty stinking accurate, watched him whack a prairie gopher at 450ish with it

[CAMPMEAT]

Aren't they basically the same rifle?

That's what I'm thinking from what I've read. But, the Weatherby guarantees subMOA with their ammo and Howa doesn't. Howas are about $40 cheaper, so I'm leaning towards the Weatherby.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I have a Howa 1500 with an Axiom stock and chambered in .243..400-500 yard shots on coyotes not a problem.

[simondude]

I have one in a 22-250 and like it. Good shooting gun and never any issues with it and have had it for like 5 years.

[Heredoggydoggy]

The Weatherby Vanguard and Howa 1500 are the same rifle.  I don't have either one, but I can tell you, I love those 20's.
I had a CZ .204. and liked it until I got my AR 20 LBC done. (6.5 Grendel case necked down to .204)  That's all I carry now.  I just finished a 6mmX6.8 SPC, and it shoots nice, but I still prefer my 20. 

[CAMPMEAT]

I'm going crazy with all the calibers. I've been wanting a 204 for a long time. I'd like to get a complete 204 upper for my new lower, but they want $600 for the upper. So, I'm thinking rifle and something else for my lower. I want it for long shots on stuff way out in the fields.......

[bobcat]

The Howa can be bought as just the barreled action, and then you have all kinds of options for really cool aftermarket stocks. You might check into going that route.

[CAMPMEAT]

The Howa can be bought as just the barreled action, and then you have all kinds of options for really cool aftermarket stocks. You might check into going that route.

I did see that option too. That could be the best way to go.

[loggerjim]

I have an S2 in 300 win mag and I have no complaints.

[CAMPMEAT]

I've gotta go to bed. I have a headache........................

[Larry S.]

I've owned three Howa Model 1500's. One was purchased in 1981. It was a .270 and was stamped with the "Smith and Wesson" name. I hunted with it for almost 30 years and never had a problem with it. As for accuracy, it always shot better than I could and, when I was shooting up to its standards, it would shoot MOA with Federal 130 gr factory loads. I replaced it about three years ago with another Howa Model 1500 stamped as a "Howa Model 1500," installed a Timney trigger, worked up a handload for 150 gr Nosler Partitions and it will shoot a cloverleaf when I can.

My third Howa Model 1500 - this time in 30-06 - came stamped with a "Vanguard S2" label and with a handload for 165 gr Nosler Accubonds, it will also cloverleaf the rounds at 100 yards - again, when I can.

Continuing in this vein, a newcomer to hunting friend of mine was presented with a Model 1500 in 30-06 - again an older Smith & Wesson  version - and, after a bit of tuning, it shoots sub-MOA with Sierra Game Kings.

The bottom line is that I believe these are the most underrated, unappreciated, un-talked about, unknown, unrecognized, and under sold rifles out there. They don't get the advertising other rifles get nor do they get the word of mouth respect they deserve. Fine. That keeps the price down.

For myself, I'll never let mine go and I will stand them up to any hunting rifle out there. If the purpose of your rifle is to reliably hit what you're shooting at, fire each and every time the trigger is pulled, not spend the mortgage paying for it, and not having to worry about nicking or scratching a beautifully crafted stock that has an action attached, this is your rifle.

Larry Simoneaux

[jasnt]

I have a weatherby vanguard in the Blackhawk axiom stock. Shoots half moa.
As stated earlier the weatherby and howa are the same action. Any stockthat fits howa/weatherby will fit. Lots of options out there. My next stock will be a b&c A5


Forgot to mention mine is 300wm. If your wanting this rifle for wolf and a 6mm then id look at 243 win. Lots of bullet options and ammo can be found easily 

[CAMPMEAT]

I compared ballistics with the 240 & 257 Weatherby. Very close. Not gonna waste my money on a couple fps. Leaning towards a 204 but, I have from 17HMR/WSM- 22-250, so anything in the category is out. I might be wasting my time even looking at any predator calibers.

I wanted to hear the HOWA owners reviews and they sound very promising. I wish I could get a 30-378 Weatherby in a HOWA, I think I'd be in hog heaven......


Thanks for the replies......