Can anyone give me some info on Howa?

myarmor · 07-31-2004, 11:48 AM

I have found a couple of these rifles new and for some pretty good prices.
Yet I don't know much about them. Can anyone give me some info on Howa Rifles?
Quality,accuracy,dependability....

BattleRifleG3 · 07-31-2004, 11:54 AM

I'd like to know more myself. I do know that the Weatherby Vanguard is actually made by Howa and is the same as their line of rifles.

I haven't heard anything bad about them, and have heard good things about the Vanguard.

myarmor · 07-31-2004, 01:29 PM

I also have heard good things too. I know Weatherby is definatly excellent quality.
So I guess that says something about them.
I heard that they are stationed in Japan. That makes me even more curious..

BattleRifleG3 · 07-31-2004, 04:35 PM

That is correct about Howa being stationed in Japan. I think some Brownings have been made there too, though I can't verify that.

Though Weatherby Vanguards are fine, I must say that they aren't typical Weatherby quality. Nothing wrong with them, but they are simply a different, lower priced gun with the Weatherby name. Reason I might get one is the weatherby cartridges.

myarmor · 07-31-2004, 06:54 PM

Weatherby does have nice unusual loads. I think there is more to them than people think. I personally don't have a Weatherby, but that might change in time.

BattleRifleG3 · 07-31-2004, 08:26 PM

I'm still kicking myself for passing up a stainless Weatherby vanguard with a super comfortable wood stock in 300 Wby at a gun show, NIB, for $400.

sniper762 · 08-01-2004, 04:36 PM

I just purchased a Howa M1500 with 26" bull barrell in .223 caliber. It shot quite well out of the box with about a 1 and 1/2 inch group at 100 yards. Not too shabby. As for quality, they dont hold a light to the weatherby. They are imported aout of Alexandria, Va same as the Weatherby;s, but I bet they are cheaper made. Gun functions well, but stock is cheap looking, like Ramline or something. Lock-up of the bolt and appearance of the metal just doesn't strike me as good stuff.

myarmor · 08-01-2004, 04:41 PM

What kind of action does it have?
I mean as far as bolt feed?

sniper762 · 08-01-2004, 05:37 PM

Its not control feed. Looks similar to that of the Remington but not as robust

myarmor · 08-01-2004, 05:45 PM

You really can't beat a Remington 700 action.
Howa seems to me to be a company that is trying hard to raise up in status and public more.
Not that it is a huge deal, but I saw that you can order them at Wallmart. And not that bad a deal. Or so I am guessing.
But you get what you pay for I guess.
They seem like sturdy rifles from what I have seen. How is the trigger pull on yours?

sniper762 · 08-01-2004, 06:01 PM

I bought the M1500 varmint rifle off the internet, Gunbrokers.com for 385.00 NIB. My distributor Jerry's gets 450.00 for them. Anyways, its a far cry from the 650.00 it will cost for a Remington, Winchester, Ruger or some fo the more popular guns.

myarmor · 08-02-2004, 03:39 PM

True.
I have noticed the $300-$500 dollar range of rifles are growing. Which is a good thing for people who need a solid deer rifle but can't afford a Ruger or Winchester.
But when I look at that price range, I my eyes draw even closer to Savage. When out of the box accuracy and price is concerned, Savage seems to have them all beat.
It's amazing to me a company can go from being bankrupt to manufacter and gun of the year award 10(or so) years. A great story and an awesome job on Savages part.
But then again I can't knock Howa cause I never fired one. I do want to take a closer look though.

SOT_II · 08-15-2004, 02:57 PM

Howa's are generally pretty good deals, they are more often than not as accurate as you need them to be...Price point is right there wiht the Savage . There's even some Boyd's stocks for it.

myarmor · 08-16-2004, 08:58 PM

Hey check this out.
http://www.snipercentral.com/howa.htm
This website is not to bad. Not the best, but I like it and it seems pretty cool.
He seems to like this model fairly well. Looks good too.

freakingout · 10-17-2006, 11:08 PM

Armor, I'm purchasing that rifle, just with a thumbhole and different finish. I'll let you guys know how it shoots.

toolman · 10-17-2006, 11:30 PM

The fit and finish on all of the Howas that I've handled have left a bit to be desired but the functioniong seemed fine, similar to the Russian imports. If I had to choose, I would spend the few extra bucks for a Vanguard as they all come with the accuracy guarantee. As far as the Weatherby cals., unless you are a handloader or have plenty of $$$, they are extremely expensive and the larger cals. are really rough on the shoulder.

myarmor · 10-18-2006, 08:21 AM

Man, talk about a thread ressurection... Sense I originally posted the question, I have had a chance to shoot several Howas, and Vanguards. And have been very impressed with the over all quality/fit/ and accuracy of these rifles. They really are shooters. Thanks for the post though.

frozentorso · 10-20-2006, 10:04 PM

I was told a long time ago that Weatherby had sold the patent for the Vanguard to the Japanese. Then I found out Weatherby was buying the Howas and calling them Vanguards to break into the 'common mans' price range. I own two and love them. And with Weatherbys "out of the box"guarantee I'm not surprised the Howa in the above test shot so well straight out of the box. They're not pretty like the Weatherby Mk's, but like the Vanguard, which you can find at Wal-mart, they sure get the job done a lot cheaper.

07-31-2004, 11:48 AM	#1
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	Can anyone give me some info on Howa? I have found a couple of these rifles new and for some pretty good prices. Yet I don't know much about them. Can anyone give me some info on Howa Rifles? Quality,accuracy,dependability....

07-31-2004, 11:54 AM	#2
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	I'd like to know more myself. I do know that the Weatherby Vanguard is actually made by Howa and is the same as their line of rifles. I haven't heard anything bad about them, and have heard good things about the Vanguard. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

07-31-2004, 04:35 PM	#4
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	That is correct about Howa being stationed in Japan. I think some Brownings have been made there too, though I can't verify that. Though Weatherby Vanguards are fine, I must say that they aren't typical Weatherby quality. Nothing wrong with them, but they are simply a different, lower priced gun with the Weatherby name. Reason I might get one is the weatherby cartridges. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

07-31-2004, 08:26 PM	#6
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	I'm still kicking myself for passing up a stainless Weatherby vanguard with a super comfortable wood stock in 300 Wby at a gun show, NIB, for $400. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-17-2006, 11:30 PM	#16
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,582 Blog Entries: 22	The fit and finish on all of the Howas that I've handled have left a bit to be desired but the functioniong seemed fine, similar to the Russian imports. If I had to choose, I would spend the few extra bucks for a Vanguard as they all come with the accuracy guarantee. As far as the Weatherby cals., unless you are a handloader or have plenty of $$$, they are extremely expensive and the larger cals. are really rough on the shoulder. __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

07-31-2004, 01:29 PM	#3
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	I also have heard good things too. I know Weatherby is definatly excellent quality. So I guess that says something about them. I heard that they are stationed in Japan. That makes me even more curious..

07-31-2004, 06:54 PM	#5
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	Weatherby does have nice unusual loads. I think there is more to them than people think. I personally don't have a Weatherby, but that might change in time.

08-01-2004, 04:36 PM	#7
sniper762 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NorthCarolina Posts: 118	I just purchased a Howa M1500 with 26" bull barrell in .223 caliber. It shot quite well out of the box with about a 1 and 1/2 inch group at 100 yards. Not too shabby. As for quality, they dont hold a light to the weatherby. They are imported aout of Alexandria, Va same as the Weatherby;s, but I bet they are cheaper made. Gun functions well, but stock is cheap looking, like Ramline or something. Lock-up of the bolt and appearance of the metal just doesn't strike me as good stuff.

08-01-2004, 04:41 PM	#8
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	What kind of action does it have? I mean as far as bolt feed?

08-01-2004, 05:37 PM	#9
sniper762 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NorthCarolina Posts: 118	Its not control feed. Looks similar to that of the Remington but not as robust

08-01-2004, 05:45 PM	#10
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	You really can't beat a Remington 700 action. Howa seems to me to be a company that is trying hard to raise up in status and public more. Not that it is a huge deal, but I saw that you can order them at Wallmart. And not that bad a deal. Or so I am guessing. But you get what you pay for I guess. They seem like sturdy rifles from what I have seen. How is the trigger pull on yours?

08-01-2004, 06:01 PM	#11
sniper762 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NorthCarolina Posts: 118	I bought the M1500 varmint rifle off the internet, Gunbrokers.com for 385.00 NIB. My distributor Jerry's gets 450.00 for them. Anyways, its a far cry from the 650.00 it will cost for a Remington, Winchester, Ruger or some fo the more popular guns.

08-02-2004, 03:39 PM	#12
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	True. I have noticed the $300-$500 dollar range of rifles are growing. Which is a good thing for people who need a solid deer rifle but can't afford a Ruger or Winchester. But when I look at that price range, I my eyes draw even closer to Savage. When out of the box accuracy and price is concerned, Savage seems to have them all beat. It's amazing to me a company can go from being bankrupt to manufacter and gun of the year award 10(or so) years. A great story and an awesome job on Savages part. But then again I can't knock Howa cause I never fired one. I do want to take a closer look though.

08-15-2004, 02:57 PM	#13
SOT_II Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 13	Howa's are generally pretty good deals, they are more often than not as accurate as you need them to be...Price point is right there wiht the Savage . There's even some Boyd's stocks for it.

08-16-2004, 08:58 PM	#14
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	Hey check this out. http://www.snipercentral.com/howa.htm This website is not to bad. Not the best, but I like it and it seems pretty cool. He seems to like this model fairly well. Looks good too.

10-17-2006, 11:08 PM	#15
freakingout Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Opelousas, LA Posts: 118	Armor, I'm purchasing that rifle, just with a thumbhole and different finish. I'll let you guys know how it shoots.

10-18-2006, 08:21 AM	#17
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	Man, talk about a thread ressurection... Sense I originally posted the question, I have had a chance to shoot several Howas, and Vanguards. And have been very impressed with the over all quality/fit/ and accuracy of these rifles. They really are shooters. Thanks for the post though.

10-20-2006, 10:04 PM	#18
frozentorso Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North East Texas Posts: 592	I was told a long time ago that Weatherby had sold the patent for the Vanguard to the Japanese. Then I found out Weatherby was buying the Howas and calling them Vanguards to break into the 'common mans' price range. I own two and love them. And with Weatherbys "out of the box"guarantee I'm not surprised the Howa in the above test shot so well straight out of the box. They're not pretty like the Weatherby Mk's, but like the Vanguard, which you can find at Wal-mart, they sure get the job done a lot cheaper. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry. Thats just my game!"