Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Howa 1500 Lightning?

Looking to get one of the Howa 1500 Lightnings off Whittakers in 6.5 Creed. What's the scoop on these? Compared to some other similarly priced options like the RAP, how do they stack up? Thanks

Don't think you can go wrong with the Howa or the 6.5 Creed chambering.

Too bad the deal fell through on the SS Howas or I would have purchased one.

SD

I think that they shoot good and are a great value at $330, but I HATE the Hogue stocks. I restocked mine with a Vanguard2 stock that I took off another 6.5 Creedmoor that I had bedded in a McM McM Hunter.

I think that in the sub-$400 market, the Howa 1500s and RAR-Predators are equally good shooters and equally poor in other areas. I don't like the Hogue stock on the Howa and I don't like detachable magazines on bolt guns. If you're looking for a rifle to use "as is", I would prefer the RAR-Predator over the Howa 1500.

That said, I'm really particular about having my rifle stocks fit me and for the whole package to have neutral, or close to neutral, balance. Most people aren't as particular about their rifles stocks and would probably not feel as strongly about them as I do. I have also restocked some of my RAR-Predators with laminated stocks from Boyds in their Heritage style. Another thing to consider when reading what I write here is that I am a tinkerer and can't resist modifying rifles that are intended for shooting, rather than collecting, to meet my specific likes.

The stocks can be slimmed.

They're a no brainer and Mtn Boomer does great work at a great price.




Travis

So, how much do you charge to redo a Hogue stock from factory specs to Mtnboomer specs?

How much do the Lightnings weigh?

I think they're around 8-8.5.



Travis

Depends Jeff. LOL

To go that far, as the one shown above - it's a bit more than less. I think the new owner is happy with it.

I have tried to stay away from shaping flutes on them as that takes about another hour, and is prone to screw-ups. Then there's clearcoat options... Re-using the fat Hogue buttpad is easy; a flip-flop just more time and a bit less length and weight.... The shaping is truly time consuming ... Green is better than black... There's a lot of pinholes to fill etc. To get real round on the forearms tip like that one above I had to fill a bit with Devcon to make it work. I do find Franklins and Grants very interesting, Jacksons a bit less so, LOL, it really depends on what you'd like. Obviously hesitant to start throwing firm numbers out. Maybe someday but just not there yet.

Thanks!

Whatever time you spent, the end result looks great.

Appreciate it.

Can't beet $330 and only $13 to ship and easy layaway at Whittaker Guns!

The Howa 1500 is the best deal going in a center fire rifle.



Travis

Own a couple of Howas, and a Ruger Predator...

Ain't no comparison....

The Howa is twice the rifle in My opinion, even at twice the price...

Thru Whitakers, ain't no comparison whatsoever.....

Got a couple coming this week in fact...

Really nice piece of work there Boomer...looks like the time you spent was worth the effort. Makes a Howa worth looking at without thinking about doing a plain vanilla no frills Boyd's something to it...but then hardwheel yard sized wheelbarrows and round point shovels have become high tech tools for me the deeper into geezerhood's list of ailments I get.
Ron

Posts like this are one of the reasons that this site is valuable!

You got two pretty different perspectives from me and Seafire.

From me, you read that the Howa 1500 and RAR-Predators are "pick-'em" equals, both with flaws, just different flaws.

From Seafire, you read that the Howa is twice the rifle and worth it even if you paid twice what a comparable RAR-Predator would cost you.

We do agree that you're unlikely to find a better price on the Howas than from Whittaker's. While I'm not planning to buy any Howas from Whittaker's any time soon, I am planning to buy one or two of the limited, non-cataloged, run of RAR-Predators when Darrick gets them in from Ruger. These are the non-cataloged RAR-Ps that Ruger made for high volume stocking dealer in 2014 (25-06) and 2015 (260). I was hoping for a 257 Roberts or 6mm Rem in 2016, but my hopes didn't bear fruit.

Anyone know what the barreled action/bottom metal weight of the lightings run? Thinking of picking one up and dropping it in a different stock and am curious if what total weight would be after ditching the hogue.

KU.

I have two "customs" built on Howa actions and your end product is going to be in the 7-7.5lb range. I can weigh mine again if you'd like.

If you want super-duper light the Howa is not the route to take.



Travis

Not looking for a fly weight, thinking a 7mm or 300wm so a little weight will be okay. If you have build on a long action you could weigh, I would appreciate it!

I bought a Howa lightning in 308 a while back for a project just to see how it would be. I bedded the action in a high tech specialties stock, Talley lightweights, fixed 6x weaver scope and a lightweight black sling. With 3 rounds in the gun it weighs in at 7.5lbs ready to hunt which for me is about where i like a hunting rifle as a struggle to shoot ultralights as well as I would like.

I had some 150 grain Barnes ttsx loads laying around so i ran them through them in the gun and it shoots about 3/4" - 1" groups at 100 yards with no load tuning at all as all the reloads I have been shooting were for a Remington 700 I had a while back. The potential is there for a pretty accurate rifle if played with more but I am happy with what i have to this point.

I don't particularly like the 2 stage trigger on the rifle but Timney makes a replacement that is good and might be in the rifles future.

Overall I am very pleased with the rifle and would buy another one in a heartbeat if I could just get them to make an 8 twist 223 I would dump my Ruger American in a heartbeat for another one since the gun feeds like butter and handles pretty well.

That's a lot.

Sort through the fluff and there's some weights listed in this thread. All in good fun.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11239668/Re:_Howa_1500_Lightning_-_ligh#Post11239668

Is there a difference between the 1500 Lightning and the Vanguard S2?

You mean other than the stock? For one, you can get Vanguards in stainless steel. Also a bit of difference in the bolt shrouds. But basically they're the same barreled actions.

I paid about twice the Whittaker's price for my SS Vanguard, but for me it's worth it. Besides the SS, the Weatherby stock, while a bit racy for my 1960s tastes, is very comfortable and fits me well. No MtnBoomer intervention needed (sorry).

I like the lines of the S2 and the 24" 6.5 CM would be cool. They're really not doing themselves any favors with the handles on the 1500s and mini. It's good material, just too much of it. At least they're not overmolded, there's always that. Truth be told they're a pain in the arse, too laborious...

Does the 6.5 CM Lightning have the 2-stage trigger?

Yep

Well dang! I may have to buy one now-

I had an overmolded .308 and it collected all manner of forest litter and lint. Replaced it with a Boyds lammy-nate.

There are 3 basic differences that I can think of:

1. COST; the 1500 costs $330+/- at Whittaker's, while the V2 runs from $500 up.

2. BARREL LENGTH; the 1500 has a 22" barrel, while the V2 has a 24" barrel.

3. STOCKS; the 1500 has a Hogue, while the V2 has an injection molded Weatherby.

I have both rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. I put the V2 in a McM McM Hunter style stock and recycled the V2 stock onto the 1500 'cause, as noted previously, I STRONGLY DISLIKE the Hogue stocks that came on my 1500s.

No longs. Sorry.



Travis

Just recently bought a Vanguard 2 at Sportsman's...in 223.

I love the Howas and I LOVE Hogue Overmold stocks, as long as they aren't the boring black ones..

Weatherby's changes to the 1500.,I really like...

The Weatherby Stock,, the 24 inch barrel with a one in 9 twist to it... its a long action, with a spacer in it...the chamber is tighter on the Weatherby vs the Howa... at least on my Howa in 223, and the Weatherby Vanguard 2.

I love the Howa, but love the Weatherby even more...Black Friday, the Vanguard 2s will be 10% off... $469. at Sportsmans Whorehouse...

I had a Weatherby Vanguard in the Predator model, caliber in 223. The rifle was very accurate, good trigger, and I killed a lot of stuff with it. BUT...it would not handle "hot" loads like my Remington 700's would. I tried shooting some max and slightly over max loads that my Remington's would digest with no signs of pressure whatsoever, and they would not eject. The ejector even had to be replaced, all of which makes me believe the chamber was tighter. I've had the Howa in both 223 and 204, and never had a problem with loads a little on the warm side.

Are there youth stocks available for the Howa/Vanguard if someone wanted to use it for a future build?

I guess I "needed" one of these. Only 2 left now at Whitakers.....

What are you guys using for bases on these? Does it come with one?

IIRC my 1500 or 1500 Mini did not come with bases. They use the same two-piece bases as Rem 700s and Weatherby Vanguards so there's lots of options. Rails and one-piece mounts are not the same as the Remys, as the overall spacing is different.

Burris XTR Picatinny two-piece bases have no MOA built in but are nice and low and have 2/3 slots and fit Picatinny rings.
Burris XTR 700 Bases

Thanks. I am going to try those out. With the SWFA deal on the scope and rings, I am under 600 bucks for the rifle, base, scope and rings. Also got some dies with Cabelas points, so it isn't gonna break the bank to try 6.5.

It will shoot.

What's it chambered in?





dave

I got one of the last 6.5 Creedmoor ones. Seems like a pretty good round, and, since I reload, won't be any more expensive than my .308's.

Man, after getting it I have to say I am quite impressed with the trigger.

I've got some muzzle-loading to do for another deer, but I can't wait to see how it shoots.

Good call on the 6.5.

Yours has the two-stage I take it?




Dave

Yes. I am really liking the trigger. Much nicer than the stupid blade/trigger safety abortions on similarly priced rifles

I apologize for reviving a long dead post but I need to ask MtnBoomer if he still offers his services to slim down the hogue stock from the Howa 1500. It looks so clean and far superior to the stock stock. MtnBoomer I would love to get in contact with you. Thank you and once again forgive me 🙏