Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Devinshoe on May 22, 2011, 12:57:12 PM
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I was recently at a ducks unlimited banquet any won a marlin xl-7 in any size I wanted. They dont carry the 7mm mag in the marlin though, so i got the choice of switching from the marlin to the howa 7mm mag. Just curious if there are any people that like there howa guns? I have never heard to much about them any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks.Devin
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Nothing wrong with the Howa. The Howa 1500 series rifles are the same guns as the Weatherby Vanguard, just re-badged as a Weatherby. Both Howa and the Marlin X series are tops in the "entry-level" rifle market. Every Howa/Vanguard I've shot have been accurate. The triggers can be a little heavy, but they are supposedly more user friendly in the latest productions runs. Excellent aftermarket triggers are available. Uses the same scope bases as the Remington 700. Good luck.
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I have a Howa in 30-06. I love it. I held the Marlin xl-7 and the Howa 1500, and between the 2, I went with the Howa. The Howa comes with a Houge stock which has a rubber overlay on it, which feels really nice in the hands. The bolt on the howa that I have is one of the smoothest actions I have felt. It has a hinged floorplate, a 3 position safety, and is guaranteed to shoot a 1.5" 3 shot group at 100 yards. Mine can out shoot me any day. I usually shoot about 1 inch to about 1.25 5 shot groups. But I have grouped a few down below 3/4 of an inch. This gun is very capable. However, I liked the trigger on the xl7 better than my Howa. The Howa is also much heavier than its competitors. But I have felt almost all of the affordable rifles including the Weatherby Vanguards, the xl7, the mossberg, the Howa, and the remington 770. The Howa, to me, felt the nicest. It didn't feel like a cheap gun like all the rest did. I think that you will be pleased with the howa.
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I'd pick the Howa over the Marlin every time.
