HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

[TOP PREDATOR]

I've been taking a look at these Howa 1500 rifles, from some of the other threads found, it's hard to find anything said bad about them, other than a recall they had with an issue with their bolt some years back.

Imported through Legacy Sports International, http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa_hoguehvybarrel.html# other models on the HOWA tab. Even just barreled actions. Comes in the "standard" popular SA, LA, and magnum calibers, looks as if there is a 2 stage trigger on some models too.

A detachable mag system is available there too, but it is made of plastic, not metal. Don't know iff anyone has tried that system or not.

From what I've gathered, it appears they are made in Japan...and provided actions for Weatherby Vanguard, Smith and Wesson mdl 1500, Mossberg mdls 1550 and 1700.

1 piece Scope bases appear to be interchangeable with the Rem 700 as far as LA are concerned, SA are not. There's also a decent amount of support as far as replacement stocks / triggers go.

How about some rifle and group pics, specs, aftermarket stuff, etc. on what appears to be a "sleeper" rifle for the price that doesn't get mentioned too often.

 

[TRAAV]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

I had one I bought from a buddy in a bind. I can say I was very impressed with it. It had a very nice action and the factory trigger was great.

 

[slowyellow]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

I had one, and just sold it. Not because there was anything wrong with it, but I just wanted an AICS chassis, and they don't make one for a HOWA. I had a 24" varmint barreled action. It shot well, better than expected for a $500 barreled action. I had it in a blackhawk axiom chassis in aluminum. Here are a few pics:

 

[wburke2010]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

Here is mine

Howa short action
manners t4a
cdi dbm
rifle basix trigger
er shaw barrel in 284 win with a 1 and 9 twist
Warne 20 moa base
USO sn3 tpal 3.2-17
Atlas Bi pod

This is when I had the vortex on it, it now wears a USO

This is a 100 yard 5 shot group I did for load development and used this load.

This is five shots at 500 yards, My first time taking it that distance.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

I've always recommended the 1500's to anyone asking, great action and just as good as any 700 in my opinion off the rack and for the price point one of vjj's picks. I will post a pic of mine when not on my phone, but there has been a thread in the past discussing Howa 1500's

 

[r33prman]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

Here's mine (if these pics work!).

It's a howa 1500 heavy barreled action
B&C stock
Hss clamp on brake
Karsten cheek piece
Egw rail (20moa)
Leupold rings
Bushnell tactical 10x

Great package for what I spent and the accuracy so far does the job well. Future upgrades will be a chassis and barrel from roedale once this barrels shot out. Only downside to this package is the twist rate (1/12) doesn't seem to like the 175grs. Loves 168smk's tho.

Forgot to add that the stock (hact) trigger is great. Beauty of a two stage. Those groups are .75moa. Not bad for a stock barrel. The target without the writing on it was using 168gr fgmm factory ammo.

 

[Mike0341]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

i think some people shy away from them due to the lack of options for them. i used to have one and had to sell it due to a deployment. was a really nice rifle and i plan on getting another one soon

 

[Copyleader]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

I've been a fan of the Howa/Weatherby Vanguard actions for years. I've built a lot of custom and semi-custom rigs and they're one of the best deals out there. It is made in Japan, with metric receiver threads, which may irritate some smiths, although I don't mind, I've blueprinted many. They're a solid action with good features like "three rings of steel" same as the 700, a M-16 style extractor, one-piece bolt, recoil lug built into receiver like a Mod 70, one-piece bottom metal, internal magazine holds 5 standard size cartridges. Very simple action, a little clunky to cycle but overall an excellent buy.

I built myself a whitetail rig on an older Howa 1500 action a few years back if that tells you anything, it's pictured below:

-Howa 1500 LA action, blueprinted, .270 Win
-Shilen Match Barrel, SS, #2 sporter, cut to 19"
-Vais Micro-Brake
-McMillan Stock, Free float, 12" LOP, Packmayer pad
-Oversized bolt knob
-Oversized safety/floorplate release springs/shimmed floor plate
-Factory trigger tuned to 3lbs
-Talley one-piece aluminum rings
-Leupold 1-4X VXII
-Custom paint, four-color digital Soltis Rifles pattern DuraCoat

Awesome little whitetail set-up, light, powerful, handy, easy to get behind, breaking brush, very minimal recoil, and accurate, shoots 1/2" with the cheap Rem Corlokt 130grns. If anybody has any question about these actions, shoot me a PM and I can probably help.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike0341</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i think some people shy away from them due to the lack of options for them. i used to have one and had to sell it due to a deployment. was a really nice rifle and i plan on getting another one soon</div></div>

after seeing your guys groups and such, i spent a couple of of hours researching aftermarket stuff, there is a bunch of stuff out there.

i went to hit "submit" but something happened and i deleted the links

.

i'll revisit that later and post up the bolt on goodies. i was surprised of the things available, not as much as for savage or remington, but there are some decent things out there.

i'm thinking my next build is going to be 1500 centered.

 

[Dave-O]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

I really like my Howa 1500..

I had it rebarreled to 6x47 and it shoots great..

The only real issues is finding a smith to work on it.. The Howa has metric threads.
Mine was chambered and threaded by RW Snyder, and Mark at SAC will also work on them.. Mark does a very nice bolt knob conversion as well...

I'll try and get a few pics up later..

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

On the accessories side:

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">STOCKS:</span></span>

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Replacement-Stocks-Weatherby-and-Howa-s/2.htm

http://www.accurateinnovations.com/howa/howa-1500-rifle-stock.html

http://www.gun-parts.com/howastocks/

B&C light tactical http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/142046/...synthetic-black

B&C medalist "regular" http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1103135...ystem-synthetic

B&C medalist "varmint" http://www.midwayusa.com/product/587098/...synthetic-black

B&C carbolite classic http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1103176...ction-synthetic

hogue:
standard http://www.midwayusa.com/product/721371/...ed-rubber-black

full bedding block http://www.midwayusa.com/product/242962/...ed-rubber-black

crappy ram line http://www.midwayusa.com/product/957539/...synthetic-black

choate (i seen something where they have a tactical stock available, but did not see it on their website)

axiom UL http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Axiom-UL-Rifle-Stock,220,166.htm

axiom comp stock http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Rifle-CompStock,218,166.htm

axiom TH http://www.blackhawk.com/product/AXIOM-II-TH-THUMBHOLE-RIFLE-STOCK,1822,166.htm

roedale "AICS" style http://www.webshop.roedale.de/product_in...dbe6e2c694a76a6

http://www.roedaleprecision.com/epages/riflecomponents_stocks_roedale_RCS2_Howa1500.htm

http://www.webshop.roedale.de/index.php?cat=c125_Howa.html&language=en

manners
tactical http://mannersstocks.com/tactical/
hunting / sporter / liget tactical http://mannersstocks.com/hunting/
folders available? http://mannersstocks.com/folders/

http://www.staffs-synthetic-stocks.com/custom.shtml

wild dog http://wilddog.com.au/content/varmint-rifle-stocks.asp

http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/the-S&K-GUNSTOCKS/Categories

http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/the-532/*NEW*-Heritage-Classic-Sporter/Detail

mcmillan (tactical, sporter, light tactical varmint http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan-stocks.php


<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">DETACHABLE MAG KITS</span></span>

(polymer) http://legacysports.com/products/detachmags.html

polymer mags http://www.midwayusa.com/brand/howa

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/179738/...25-06-remington

metal CDI http://www.cdiprecisiongunworks.com/howa-1500-short-action.html

PTG may have a setup, i can't find it on their website


<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">PREFIT BARRELS:</span></span>

http://www.webshop.roedale.de/product_in...-Howa-1500.html

http://www.pac-nor.com/prefit/


<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">SCOPE BASES</span></span> (1 piece / 2 piece, MOA sloped or 0 slope)

Remington LA bases will fit Howa LA. Short action not so much.

Warne, Farrel, DNZ, EGW all make a 1 piece base for Howa SA. Burris, Redfield, Leupold, others have nice 2 piece.

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?usersearchquery=howa+1+piece+base&itemsperpage=20&pageNumber=1

farrell http://www.kenfarrell.com/scan/st=db/co=...tml?id=igWy3WiV

warne http://swfa.com/Howa-C3046.aspx

DNZ http://swfa.com/Search.aspx?k=howa+dnz&t=

burris http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/965194/...eversible-front


<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">TRIGGERS</span></span>

The Howa HACT http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011...onversion-kits/

Timney http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/552716/...-2-to-4-lb-blue

Rifle Basix http://www.midwayusa.com/product/162261/...ack?cm_vc=subv1

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/717620/...ack?cm_vc=subv1

Jard http://www.midwayusa.com/product/751768/...lue?cm_vc=subv1

 

[slowyellow]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

^^^^That would have been some nice info before I sold mine to build a 260, lol. I guess that it still wouldn't have made it fit into an AICS chassis huh?

 

[wburke2010]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

Yeah it would fit the aics, because roeadale makes one for it.

There is a lot more out there for the howa rifles than people think, thanks for posting all the links, I am going to have to check out the two stage trigger for it.

Walter

 

[salty dog]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

thanks TPredator, its nice to have all those links in one place.
I have a vanguard LA and the worst thing about it as others have said is aftermarket options, but TPredator's post shows there are quit a few SA options.

 

[lukeed78]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

tag

 

[MontanaHick]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

Mine (Weatherby Sub-MOA Varmint) shoots 1/2 MOA with Magtech 150gr. 308 (which they have sadly stopped making and I have no more of), I know it's a good gun. I'm looking for replacement ammo now. Might just go with HSM 168 Gr. or finally seriously ponder rolling my own to something like consistent specs.

 

[Fumbly]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

Hey ...a .....howa you Howa guys a-doin'!!

Quick a-questioni

..... anyone know if the detachable 10rd mag kit that comes with the 20" heavy barrel Howa .308 Tactical will fit into the Bell and Carlson Medalist stock? As in fit right in/on with no grinding, cutting, sanding etc?

What about action screw torque? How much and do the screws stay tight?

My stock arrives Wed. If it is a drop in I might fit the kit. Not sure I like the polymer look though, so any fit hassles I might avoid it.

Thanks folks.

 

[sulcop96]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

Just wanted to add to the stocks for the Howa, Kyle at XLR can inlet a chassis for the Howa. I am waiting for mine now and I am very pleased with my Howa. Our SWAT team uses customized Rem 700 actions for our team and my stock Howa can keep up with my duty gun. It currently sits in a B&C stock and I have one of the plastic Legacy mag kits and it actually holds up very, very well. I would not suggest it over DBM metal kits but for someone on a tight budget it is an excellent alternative.

Sully

 

[jwb47]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

I have a howa varmint supreme 223. I certainly have not done any mods like some of you guys have but I did take the piece of crap scope off and add a nikon 6x18.
this thing is a laser with hornady 52 grain amax bulltes.

 

[ranger1183]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

This is an inexpensive starter rifle I put together. With a better scope, it shot rather well. It's easy to put together. Buy a heavy barrel stainless steel action through your local dealer and add a B&C stock and bottom metal.

Got a gunsmith to put a Krieger barrel on this guy. I really loved how it shot.

 

[Rustybroadhead]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

I had a 22-250 Howa 1500 years back that I bought for a prairie dog shoot that never materialized. I had a trigger job done on the factory trigger and had it bedded but otherwise it was just a stock gun. It loved the Hornady 40gr vmax but was pretty finicky with other ammo. In all honesty was probably one of the most accurate rifles I have owned. Hate I sold it...

 

[Whiskey & Wry]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

Thanks for the links.
Mine's a sporter, but I see a trigger guard/magazine upgrade in its future.

 

[2bad4u2]

Re: HOWAbout a HOWA 1500 thread...

Thanks to guys on this site such as AKA-Spook, I decided to give the Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguard rifles a try. I've got (3) of them now. I took the green Hogue stock off my Howa .223 Varmint and put it on my .300 Blackout barrelled Vanguard. I'm ordering a Boyd's thumbhole for the Varmint. The 3rd. rifle is going to be a donor for a 6mm Whisper or 6x45mm project.

Here's the .300 Blackout Vanguard I have. I've posted it a couple of times here on the Hide already but I'll post it here for those that are interested.

Make: Weatherby
Model: Vanguard
Cartridge: .300 AAC Blackout
Barrel: 11.5" Shilen stainless steel
Optic: Vortex SPARC red dot

 

[apercep]

Does anyone have any current info on 1500 LA tac-lrh style stocks? i have looked at the above links, just wondering if anyone knows of anything else?

 

[MEANS42]

I have a Howa 1500 .243 Win. I don't think I've put more than 20 rounds through. I've been thinking about building my first LR rifle for a while. Would this be a decent place to start? What next? Stock, barrel? Open to all suggestions.

 

[Phezzik]

Yes. It has been discussed extensively, and the general agreement is that Howa's are great bases for doing custom builds. I currently have to in the stable: one hunter and one tac rifle, and they are both 3/4 moa or better shooters.

 

[WestCoastGhost]

I'm new to the weatherby club. Looking to do great things to my 300 win mag

 

[James87adams]

I have a 1500 LA 30.06 in the factory hogue stock, great for big game, especially when I'm banging around in the woods, slipping and smashing it against rocks and trees and generally treating it fairly poorly. Originally I looked at a nicer weatherby but really didnt want to spend a lot on something I only use a couple times a year. Mine has been great.

 

[WestCoastGhost]

I just got my atlas bipod on

 

[Harman117]

There's a newer, bigger Howa thread that you might be better off posting in; instead of this 6 year old one FYI.

Howa 1500 builds **post them**

Hello all, So being a Howa owner, it's always nice to see what modifications or changes others do to theirs. Plus, the howa 1500 action is a great shooting platform and typically very very accurate. I noticed there is no such thread and decided i should start one seeing as how Bergara, Tikka...

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